Microsoft says the August 2026 KB5120998 preview update reverts mouse personalization settings, but the issue is limited to non‑English Windows 11 installations. The bug stems from language‑specific code components that fail to load correctly.

  • KB5120998 update resets mouse cursor and animation settings.
  • The problem occurs exclusively on non‑English Windows 11 devices.
  • Microsoft traced the cause to language‑specific code components.

What the Bug Does

Released on August 27, 2026, the KB5120998 preview brings enhancements to the Start menu, taskbar, and Windows Search for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2. Shortly after rollout, users reported that their custom mouse cursor animations reverted to default settings without any user action.

Only Affects Non‑English Systems

Following an update to the Windows Release Health Dashboard on Tuesday, Microsoft confirmed that the issue is confined to non‑English language installations. "Our investigation indicates that this issue is caused by code components used in non‑English Windows installations," the company stated.

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How the Update Is Delivered

KB5120998 is an optional, non‑security update. Users must manually click “Download and install,” unless the “Get the latest updates as soon as they're available” setting is enabled, in which case the preview installs automatically.

Microsoft’s Recent Mouse‑Related Fixes

In October, Microsoft released emergency patches to fix a known issue that disabled USB mice and keyboards in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). More recently, the firm confirmed an investigation into a bug that caused the mouse pointer to disappear for some classic Outlook users.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that localized software bugs like this can erode user trust in global operating systems, especially in markets where English is not the primary language. If left unaddressed, the issue could slow Windows 11 adoption among non‑English speakers.

"Even a minor localization flaw can have outsized impact on user experience," says software security expert Dr. Ajay Singh.
Did You Know?: The initial Windows 11 launch also faced language‑specific glitches that forced many users to postpone updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Is there a patch available to fix the mouse reset bug?

A: Microsoft has not yet released an official patch, but a fix is reportedly in development.

Q2: Can I prevent this optional update from installing?

A: Yes, disabling automatic updates in Settings will stop the KB5120998 preview from installing without your consent.