Microsoft Teams and new Outlook crash on ARM Windows laptops after August updates
Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 owners running Windows 11 24H2 hit launch failures after installing the August 2026 security updates.
Key points
- Microsoft has confirmed that Teams and the new Outlook for Windows fail to launch or crash on ARM-based Windows 11 devices after installing the August 11, 2026 security update KB5121003.
- Only ARM devices running Windows 11 24H2 or later are affected, including the Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7.
- Classic Outlook and the core Office suite are not known to be affected.
- Microsoft's temporary workaround is to install Auto Super Resolution Package version 1.0.19.0 or later from the Microsoft Store.
- A permanent fix will ship in a future Windows update, with no date given.
Microsoft has confirmed a bug that stops Teams and the new Outlook for Windows from opening on some of its own laptops. KB5121003, the security update pushed on August 11, 2026, is the trigger.
ARM-based Windows machines, meaning PCs built on Arm processors rather than the Intel or AMD chips in most Windows laptops, are the only ones affected. In practice that's the Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7, both running Windows 11 version 24H2 or later.
On those devices, Teams or the new Outlook either does nothing when launched or closes seconds later. Classic Outlook and the rest of the Office suite keep working normally.
Who is affected?
Mainly people with brand-new or freshly reset ARM Surface laptops that have installed the August Windows security update but haven't yet pulled updates from the Microsoft Store.
Microsoft's Windows release health note says the issue appears after installing KB5121003 or later, released on August 11, 2026. Its exact wording: Teams and the new Outlook for Windows "might fail to launch or might close unexpectedly on ARM-based devices, such as Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7."
What should users do right now?
Update one specific Microsoft Store component. That clears the crash for most people while Microsoft prepares a proper patch.
Open the Microsoft Store, go to Downloads, hit Check for updates, and install the Auto Super Resolution Package, version 1.0.19.0 or later. Then reopen Teams or Outlook.
Auto Super Resolution is a feature on Copilot+ PCs that uses AI to smooth out gameplay. It has nothing obvious to do with email or video calls, and Microsoft hasn't explained why updating the gaming component fixes a mail and chat crash. A permanent fix will arrive in a future Windows update, with no date given.
Is this the only problem with the August updates?
No. It joins a run of bugs tied to the August 2026 Patch Tuesday, as first reported by BleepingComputer. We covered the same KB5121003 patch on 20 August when gamers reported crashes in ARC Raiders and The Finals.
| Known issue | Affected software | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Teams and new Outlook fail to launch | ARM Windows 11 24H2 devices | Workaround, permanent fix pending |
| Printing and PDF export break | Apps using August .NET Framework updates | Under investigation |
| System crashes with EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION | Windows 11 PCs with RGB-lit peripherals | Fix rolling out |
| False "Defender turned off" alerts | Devices with latest Defender updates | Advised to ignore |
None of these are security holes in themselves. They're quality bugs in the updates meant to close security holes, which is a familiar tension: install the fix and something else breaks; skip the fix and stay exposed.
If your Surface Pro 11 or Surface Laptop 7 refuses to open Teams before an important call, the Store update is the fastest route back to a working machine.
Common questions
Should I uninstall the August security update?
No. Removing the update leaves the machine open to the security flaws it patched. Install the Auto Super Resolution Package update from the Microsoft Store instead.
Does this affect my work email on an Intel laptop?
No. The bug only affects ARM-based devices running Windows 11 24H2 or later. Intel and AMD Windows laptops aren't on the affected list.
