Spotlight on Windows 11 KB5050021 & KB5050021 Not Installing

Windows 11 KB5050021 (January 2025 Patch Tuesday update) is now available for version 23H2. Wondering what features this update brings? Or, what if KB5050021 fails to install on your computer? This MiniTool article will answer all your questions and provide solutions for KB5050021 installation failure.

Windows 11 KB5050021, the first security update of 2025, is now available for version 23H2 and is designed to enhance the reliability and security of the operating system.

This is a mandatory cumulative update containing some new features and improvements. However, not all changes are new, with some features already starting to roll out in the December 2024 Patch Tuesday update (KB5048685). Only a subset of users have received these features, but more users will get these changes after the KB5050021 update.

Key features and improvements in Windows 11 23H2 KB5050021

Want to know what features this KB update has? Here are some highlights:

• The date and time layout in the system tray has been shortened and takes up less space. To return to the long format, go to Settings > Time & Language > Date & Time to make changes. To enable this feature, toggle the Show abbreviated time and date checkbox.
• Content can now be shared to Android devices from File Explorer and the desktop’s context menu, provided you have Phone Link installed and configured on your PC.
• The jump list in the start menu has been improved. When you right-click on a pinned app, more app-related options appear in the context menu.
• If no compatible device is connected to your Windows 23H2 computer, a placeholder message will appear on the Dynamic Lighting page.
• Windows 11 KB5050021 adds the Windows Kernel Vulnerable Driver Blocklist file (DriverSiPolicy.p7b) to the list of drivers vulnerable to BYOVD (Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver) attack.
• More…

Also read: How to enable dynamic lighting? This is a complete tutorial

How to get Windows 11 KB5050021

Decided to install this update on Windows 11 23H2? So, how do you get this security update? Two methods will be introduced below.

**TIP:**

Before installing any updates (including KB5050021), please run the best backup software MiniTool ShadowMaker to back up important files or create a system image, just in case. Potential data loss or system crashes may occur unexpectedly.

Update via Windows

Since Windows 11 23H2 KB5050021 is a mandatory update, it will be automatically downloaded and installed on your PC if you have not disabled automatic updates. If it is not installed, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Right-click the Start icon and select Settings.

Step 2: On the Windows Update page, check for updates and you will see item 2025-01 Cumulative Update for Windows 11 Version 23H2 for x64-based systems (KB5050021) . Download and install it.

Step 3: Restart the system several times to complete the installation. You will then notice that this update upgrades the operating system build to build 22631.4751.

Via direct download link

Speaking of downloading and installing KB5050021 manually, Microsoft provides a direct download link on the Microsoft Update Catalog website. You can use this package to install updates.

The operation method is as follows:

Step 1: Visit the Microsoft Update Catalog webpage in your browser.

Step 2: Click the Download button next to the package you want to get, which should match your computer's specifications.

Step 3: Click the download link in the pop-up window to get the .msu file. Double-click it to start the installation.

Solve the problem of Windows 11 KB5050021 installation failure

When installing Windows 11 23H2 KB5050021 via Windows Update, you may encounter errors that prevent you from updating. In this case, download and install it manually via Microsoft Update Catalog as described above.

Also, you can find ways to resolve KB5050021 installation failure issue. Here are some common methods.

Use the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Step 1: Go to Settings > System > Troubleshooting.

Step 2: Click Other Troubleshooters and then click Run next to Windows Update to resolve your issue.

Reset Windows Update Components

Corrupted components related to Windows Update may prevent Windows 11 KB5050021 from installing. Resetting them will resolve the issue. Click here to learn how to reset Windows Update components.

Perform SFC and DISM scans

When KB5050021 fails to install, the culprit may be corrupted system files. So, repair the damage.

Step 1: Launch Command Prompt as Administrator.

Step 2: Run the sfc /scannow command in the CMD window by typing this command and pressing the Enter key.

Step 3: Additionally, execute this command – DISM /Online /Cleanup-image /RestoreHealth.

Restart service

Step 1: Open Services via Windows Search.

Step 2: Restart Windows Update. Additionally, double-click it to set Automatically to its Startup Type.

Step 3: Repeat step 2 for the service named App Readiness.

Conclusion

This article covers a lot of information, including the highlights in Windows 11 KB5050021, how to get this update, and what to do if KB5050021 fails to install. Hope this guide will be helpful to you.

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