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Is There a Fix for the Windows 11 24H2 Bug Affecting Office Apps?
If you use Windows 11 and your Microsoft Office programs have started to fail, there is a reason. A specific bug is causing this problem for some users. Microsoft is aware of the issue. They have released a special update to fix it. This update was made available on September 22, 2025, and is known as KB5068221. It is designed for computers running Windows 11 version 24H2 and will also work for the upcoming version 25H2.
This is not a regular update. It is what experts call an “out-of-band” update. Think of it as an emergency fix. Usually, Microsoft bundles fixes into large monthly updates. Sometimes, a problem is too urgent to wait. This Office app issue was one of those urgent problems, so Microsoft released this patch separately to help affected users quickly. This update is also cumulative, which means it includes all the recent improvements and security fixes from the update released earlier on September 9, 2025 (KB5065426).
What Problem Does This Update Fix?
This update targets a very specific issue. It affects Microsoft Office applications, but only when they are being used in a particular business environment called Microsoft Application Virtualization, or App-V. App-V is a tool mainly used by companies to run software on computers without having to install it completely on each one. For the average home user, this problem is not likely to occur.
The technical cause behind the failure was a glitch. This glitch was happening in a system component known as AppVEntSubsystems32 or AppVEntSubsystems64. The system was making an error described as a “double handle closure,” which caused the Office applications to become unstable and stop working. The KB5068221 update directly corrects this error, allowing Office apps to run smoothly again within the App-V environment.
How to Get This Important Fix
If you are experiencing this specific problem, it is important to know how to get the solution. This out-of-band update is not being sent out through the standard Windows Update service on your computer. You will not get a notification, and clicking “Check for updates” in your settings will not automatically install it.
You must install this update manually. The process is straightforward if you follow these steps:
- Open your web browser and go to the official Microsoft Update Catalog website.
- Use the search bar on the website to look for KB5068221.
- The search results will show you the update package.
- Download the correct version for your system and run the installer file.
This manual process ensures that only those who need this specific fix will install it, preventing unnecessary changes for other users.
A Note on Windows 11 Versions
You might see this update mentioned for both Windows 11 version 24H2 and the yet-to-be-released version 25H2. This can seem confusing, but the reason is simple. Both versions are built on the same foundation, or source code. Version 25H2 is activated on top of 24H2 through a small “enablement package”. Think of 24H2 as the main building and 25H2 as the key that unlocks the top floor. Because they share the same core structure, a fix designed for 24H2 will also work perfectly for 25H2.
Other Related Issues to Be Aware Of
While KB5068221 fixes the App-V problem, it is important to know about a separate issue that remains from a previous update. An earlier September security update caused a problem for some users trying to connect to shared files and folders over a network.
This issue specifically affects connections that use an older protocol known as Server Message Block version 1 (SMBv1). If you use this, you may be unable to access your shared files. Microsoft is aware of this and has provided a temporary solution. The workaround is to adjust your network settings to allow traffic on TCP port 445. This change forces the connection to use a more direct path, restoring access to your files while a permanent fix is developed. Additionally, this update also contains minor updates to some of Windows 11’s artificial intelligence components, including Image Search and Semantic Analysis.