2026-07 Preview Update (KB5101684) (26200.8973) Not working?

Carmella Cullen 0 Reputation points
2026-08-09T15:44:01.3933333+00:00

So this update has tried to install several times on my Dell laptop to no avail. She updates when I don't want her to and she spends all night, fans running on high trying to install it and then I have to manually power off to get her to stop the update and then it wants my recovery key. This has been going on for at least a month (I don't get to use my laptop as often as I used to when I had a different job) but every time I boot up I don't even get the option to save it for later. Anyone have any suggestions?

Windows Insider program | Windows Insider preview | Performance and maintenance
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  1. Thomas4-N 21,535 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-08-10T11:07:42.2233333+00:00

    Hello Carmella Cullen,

    I understand how disruptive this is, especially when the update runs for hours and then asks for the BitLocker recovery key.

    For now, please avoid forcing the laptop off again. In Settings > Windows Update, pause updates to cancel the current attempt and prevent another automatic retry.

    Then open Settings > Windows Update > Update history and provide:

    • The exact error code shown for KB5101684
    • Your Windows version and OS build from winver

    The failure code will help distinguish an update-component problem from a device-specific installation failure.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-08-09T15:44:14.21+00:00

    Since this is a preview update, it is optional and does not need to be installed unless upcoming fixes or features are specifically needed. The accepted guidance in similar cases is to stop Windows from pulling preview updates automatically.

    1. Open Start > Settings > Windows Update.
    2. Turn off Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available.
    3. Restart the laptop.
    4. Check Windows Update again and confirm Windows is no longer trying to install the preview update repeatedly.

    If the system is still stuck trying to install it:

    1. Go to Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot and run the Windows Update troubleshooter.
    2. Restart the laptop after the troubleshooter finishes.

    To reduce overnight update interruptions:

    1. Open Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Active hours.
    2. Set Active hours manually so the usual off-hours are covered as much as possible.

    If Windows is restarting or updating overnight, another accepted suggestion is:

    1. Open Control Panel > Security and Maintenance.
    2. Select Change maintenance settings.
    3. Clear Allow scheduled maintenance to wake up my computer.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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