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Is the new Windows 11 KB5070311 update safe to install right now?
You should approach the optional Windows 11 KB5070311 update with caution. This release, labeled as the November 2025 preview (build 26200.7309), introduces significant instability despite offering quality-of-life improvements. While optional “preview” updates typically carry minor risks, this specific patch disrupts core interface elements and hardware compatibility to a degree that likely outweighs its benefits for most daily users.
Installation Failures and Error 0x80070306
Many systems fail to apply this patch initially. The installation process frequently halts with error 0x80070306. This error persists even if you pause and resume updates or restart the Windows Update service. Since this is a non-security preview release, you do not need to force the installation. If the update fails repeatedly, simply ignore it. The fixes contained here will roll into the mandatory December 2025 Patch Tuesday update, which typically includes more stable code.
Interface Disruptions: Dark Mode and Lock Screen
If the Windows 11 KB5070311 update installs successfully, you will likely encounter visual regressions. The most prominent issue affects File Explorer. Users running Dark Mode will experience jarring white flashes when navigating between folders, tabs, or the Home and Gallery pages. This defeats the purpose of Dark Mode and creates a poor user experience.
A more confusing bug appears on the lock screen. If you use Windows Hello but need to switch login methods, the “Sign-in options” button works incorrectly. The specific icon for “Password” becomes invisible. The button is technically still there and functional, but the graphic is hidden. You can still click the empty space where the icon should be to access the password field, but this is unintuitive.
Critical Conflicts with Intel Arc GPUs
The most severe problems affect users with Intel Arc graphics cards, particularly the new B580 model. The Windows 11 KB5070311 update conflicts with recent Arc drivers, leading to system instability. Symptoms include:
- Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) preventing access to the desktop.
- Black screens where only the mouse cursor is visible.
- Device Manager warnings indicating the GPU is not functioning correctly.
- Gaming failures requiring a rollback to older driver version 6252.
Advisor Recommendation
I advise you to skip this update. The stability risks currently outweigh the benefits. If you have already installed it and are experiencing these issues, you should uninstall Windows 11 KB5070311 immediately.
If you attempt to uninstall the update and encounter error 0x800F0825, there is a known workaround. You must disable Windows Sandbox in your “Turn Windows features on or off” settings and reboot your PC. This action usually clears the lock preventing the uninstallation. Microsoft is investigating these regressions, and a comprehensive fix is expected in the December patch cycle.