KB5120998 is a Preview update and it is offered as an optional update. It is not required to keep Windows secure, so if there is concern about stability, it can be skipped for now and the fixes will roll into a later security update.
For the install loop, try these supported steps first:
- Make sure the PC is connected to the internet and plugged in.
- Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
- For this specific preview release, also check Start > Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates and install it from there if it appears.
- If Windows Update keeps restarting the download, install it manually from the Microsoft Update Catalog:
- Open the KB5120998 catalog entry.
- Select the package that matches the device architecture (x64 or arm64).
- Download all MSU files for KB5120998 into the same folder, such as
C:\Packages. - Install with an elevated Command Prompt using:
DISM /Online /Add-Package /PackagePath:c:\packages\windows11.0-KB5120998-x64_- Download link will be available soon - Or use an elevated PowerShell prompt:
Add-WindowsPackage -Online -PackagePath "c:\packages\windows11.0-KB5120998-x64_- Download link will be available soon" - If the device is arm64, use the arm64 package instead.
- If installing the MSU files individually, they must be installed in order:
-
windows11.0-kb5043080-x64_- Download link will be available soon -
windows11.0-KB5120998-x64_- Download link will be available soon
-
About the mouse-setting concern: the available context for KB5120998 does not list that issue. A different August 27, 2026 preview update, KB5120996, specifically says it improves touchpad reliability and that Microsoft is not currently aware of any issues with that update. No matching known issue is provided here for KB5120998.
If the goal is the safest path, the practical option is to wait and skip KB5120998 for now, since preview updates are optional.