“Major Issues” Hit Windows Users as Emergency Update Follows: Microsoft Stock (NASDAQ:MSFT) Notches Up

Tech giant Microsoft MSFT +0.32% ▲ was, essentially, built on its Windows operating system. So when something goes wrong with that system, it is a very big point indeed. Emergency updates have recently emerged as a new security update worked so well that no one could actually access several Microsoft apps. The response must have been welcome for shareholders, as Microsoft shares gained fractionally in Monday afternoon’s trading.

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Users of Office, OneDrive, Outlook and Teams all recently got a bit of a shock as a set of “mandatory fixes” triggered “major issues affecting internet connectivity in some apps.” An emergency update known as 2026-03 Update (KB5085516) (26200.8039) will deliver some help, but reports note that the emergency update “…does not appear to download automatically.”

Microsoft itself, meanwhile, emphasizes that this is an optional update. Not everyone is having the connectivity issues, and only those who are will need the update accordingly. Those who do will not only get the extra fix, but also “…updates from previous security and non-security releases.” The update will take around five minutes to download, depending on connection speed, and then another five to seven minutes to apply.

Partner Preview Showcase

Meanwhile, the Xbox Partner Preview Showcase is set to go live this week, with Microsoft promising a set of “new reveals” during the event. Reports note that Stranger Than Heaven, The Expanse: Osiris Reborn and Stalker 2 will all be on hand for the reveal. New game announcements that are currently unnamed also seem likely to join the party.

Those hoping for more news about Project Helix, meanwhile, will be stymied. Microsoft made it pretty clear that the show will be focusing on games, saying, “During Xbox Partner Preview, you’ll get multiple world premieres, first looks at gameplay, and updates on other great titles coming to Xbox, including some that will be available with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate on day one.”

Is Microsoft a Buy, Hold or Sell?

Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Strong Buy consensus rating on MSFT stock based on 33 Buys and three Holds assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. After a 2.85% loss in its share price over the past year, the average MSFT price target of $590.65 per share implies 54.44% upside potential.

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