.net Framework update keeps wanting a PC restart

Bert22306 150 Reputation points
2026-08-31T23:22:41.32+00:00

After installing Windows 11 Beta 28020.2818 quality update, the .net Framework update 2026-08 .NET Framework Preview Update (KB5122386) installed.

Now it keeps asking to restart my PC, although I must have done that a dozen times already!

And it is not showing up in the update history, which tells me it really didn't complete.

Any ideas?

Windows Insider program | Windows Insider preview | Install, activate, and Windows update
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Bert22306 150 Reputation points
2026-09-01T02:13:11.1166667+00:00

So, to close this off, the solution for me was to reinstall the 28020.2818 Windows 11 OS, using "recovery." Which by the way, used to be much easier to find. I don't know what Microsoft changed, but it used to be clearly stated, reinstall your version of Windows without losing personal files, or some such. Now it's more ambiguous how to do that.

Anyway, I did that, so I was back to an updated repair version 28020.2818.

Then I went back to Windows Update, I saw that the .net framework update was still listed as an available update, it re-downloaded apparently from scratch, it installed, it said to reboot, I rebooted, went back to Windows Update, and whew, no more reboots required.

Thank you AI. This was one of your suggestions.

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  1. AI answer

    2026-08-31T23:22:53.32+00:00

    KB5122386 is a preview .NET Framework update. Preview updates can be skipped unless there is a specific need to test upcoming fixes.

    For this update, a restart is required if affected files are in use, and closing .NET Framework-based apps before installing is recommended. Also, KB5122386 requires .NET Framework 4.8.1 to be installed.

    A practical path to try:

    1. Go to Settings > Windows Update.
    2. Turn off Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available.
    3. Restart the PC.
    4. Go back to Windows Update and check again.
    5. If it still remains stuck, run the Windows Update troubleshooter.
    6. If needed, use Settings > System > Recovery and select Reinstall now under Fix problems using Windows Update.

    About update history: .NET Framework updates can be checked in Settings > Windows Update > Update history, under Quality Updates. If it is not listed there, that supports that the installation did not complete.

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

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