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Teams or New Outlook Broken on a Surface After a Windows Update (ARM64/Snapdragon)

Intermediate Microsoft Surface Applies to: Windows 11

A specific update-related compatibility issue affecting only ARM64 Surface devices, and only certain apps — not a general Windows problem.

Before you start: save any open work and note down what you were doing when the problem started — that context helps if you need to search further or ask for help.
  1. Check whether this matches your situation: after a recent Windows cumulative update, Teams (new) and/or New Outlook fail to launch or close immediately, specifically on a Surface with a Snapdragon (ARM64) processor rather than an Intel one — while classic Win32 apps like Word, Excel, and classic Outlook keep working normally. This pattern points to an AppX/MSIX packaging compatibility issue tied to that specific update on ARM64, not a broader system problem.
  2. Confirm your processor type if you're not sure: Settings > System > About > look for "Snapdragon" or "ARM-based processor" under Device specifications.
  3. The practical fix: Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates, find the specific recent cumulative update, and uninstall it — this has restored functionality for affected users.
  4. Treat this as a temporary workaround, not a permanent solution — repeatedly uninstalling security updates isn't sustainable, so check Windows Update periodically for a newer update that supersedes the broken one with a fix included, and reinstall updates once one is confirmed working.
  5. If you manage multiple Surface ARM64 devices, this is worth flagging to Microsoft support directly if it affects your fleet, since organization-wide reports carry more weight toward getting a fix prioritized than individual ones.
Still not fixed? Send us the details and we'll help you dig further, or browse related guides in Microsoft Surface.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this affect Intel-based Surface devices too?
No — this is specifically tied to ARM64/Snapdragon Surface devices. Intel-based Surface models are not affected by this particular compatibility issue.
Will I need to redo this every time a new update comes out?
Only if a new update reintroduces the same issue — once Microsoft ships a version that includes the actual fix, you can update normally without needing to uninstall it again.

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