Advisories
Microsoft KB5002914 Patch Breaks Excel Copy‑Paste, Silent Failure – Workaround Available
Microsoft’s September 2026 KB5002914 security update has introduced a silent copy‑paste defect in Excel for the 2024, 2021, 2019 and 2016 families. Users report that the source remains highlighted while the destination stays unchanged, with no error message. Microsoft has confirmed the issue and is investigating a fix. As a stop‑gap, uninstalling the KB via command‑line restores normal functionality. The update also addressed several remote‑code‑execution and information‑disclosure flaws in the same Patch Tuesday release.
What’s Happening?
After installing the September 2026 KB5002914 update, many Excel users find that copy‑paste, autofill and dragging formulas silently fail. The source cell stays selected, the destination cell does not change, and no error prompt appears.
Who’s Affected?
- Excel 2024, 2021, 2019 and 2016
- All Windows machines that received the update
Microsoft’s Take
The company has confirmed the defect, is actively researching a resolution, and promises to update the advisory as new information emerges.
Quick Workaround
Uninstalling KB5002914 restores copy‑paste. Run the following command as an administrator, depending on your Office version:
- Office 2016:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\OFFICE16\Oarpmany.exe /removereleaseinpatch "{90160000-0012-0000-1000-0000000FF1CE}" "{27882596-A8ED-4382-9C71-6CD2DD19F732}" "1033" "0" - Office 2019:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\ClickToRun\OfficeC2RClient.exe /update user updatetoversion=16.0.10417.20197 - Office 2021 & 2024:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\ClickToRun\OfficeC2RClient.exe /update user updatetoversion=16.0.20326.20132
Broader Patch Context
KB5002914 was part of the September 2026 Patch Tuesday, addressing numerous remote‑code‑execution and information‑disclosure vulnerabilities. Earlier this month, Microsoft released emergency updates for Remote Desktop Services failures and other Windows component issues.
Related vulnerabilities
Excel Update KB5002914 Causes Silent Copy‑Paste Failures for Users
Microsoft’s latest Office security patch KB5002914, released on Patch Tuesday, has left many Excel users unable to copy, paste, or drag formulas. The glitch affects versions from 2016 to 2024, across MSI and Click‑to‑Run installations, and produces no error messages. Users can temporarily restore functionality by uninstalling the update or downgrading the Office build, while Microsoft acknowledges the issue and is working on a fix.
Read briefing
CVE‑2026‑97755: Remote Code Execution in Microsoft Excel on macOS – Update Required
Microsoft has released a patch for CVE‑2026‑97755, a remote code execution flaw in Excel on macOS. Mac users of Office must install the update immediately; other Office editions are unaffected. Failure to patch exposes systems to arbitrary code execution via malicious spreadsheets.
Read briefing
Microsoft Excel Remote Code Execution Vulnerability CVE-2026-55039 Acknowledged
Microsoft has acknowledged a remote code execution flaw in Excel (CVE‑2026‑55039). No patch is currently available, and defenders should monitor for updates and enforce best practices until a fix is released.
Read briefing
Microsoft Office Excel Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (CVE-2026-108446) Omitted from Oct 2026 Update
Microsoft Office Excel CVE-2026-108446, a remote code execution flaw, was fixed in the October 2026 security patch but omitted from the public update list. Systems with the October 2026 updates are already protected; no further action is required.
Read briefing