HomeOctober 2026 patch cycleKB5002934: Excel 2016 MSI copy and paste stops working
Call: DeployCategory: EnterpriseCategory: End-user appsfrom 2026-10
KB5002934: Excel 2016 MSI copy and paste stops working
Part of October 2026 patch cycle
- Vendor
- Microsoft
- Products
- Excel 2016 (MSI) and KB5002934
- Published
- · updated
- Status
- Resolved
Update, Nov 9: Resolved. Microsoft confirmed it and fixed it. KB5002934 has been re-released under the same KB number as Excel 2016 build 16.0.5574.1006, which, per Microsoft’s KB page, “also fixes the issue that was reintroduced in 16.0.5574.1005, in which paste operations might fail if the workbook contains conditional formatting.” The Register reported the new build on Nov 5. Microsoft hasn’t said how the bug came back. The call goes to Deploy: approve the re-released KB5002934, treat it as a new deployment even though the KB number didn’t change, and check that Excel 2016 lands on 16.0.5574.1006. If you rolled the original back, this is the one to put back on. (The Register (opens in a new tab), gHacks (opens in a new tab), KB5002934 (opens in a new tab))
The original post follows.
Original call: Known issue. KB5002934, the Oct 13 security update for Excel 2016 (MSI), is reported to break copy and paste. This is reported, not confirmed: about six independent reports across four Microsoft Q&A threads, and two users say uninstalling the update fixed it. Microsoft hasn’t listed it as a known issue for KB5002934. Pilot it on your Excel-heavy users before it goes everywhere.
What breaks: Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, and nothing happens. No error, no paste. One reporter says Paste Special “All” fails too, but Paste Special “Formulas” works. Another says it hits existing workbooks while new ones behave. A few also mention broken formulas and shortcut keys.
Why it looks familiar: It’s the same symptom KB5002914 caused, which KB5002665 fixed. Microsoft’s own “paste might fail with no notifications” known-issue page still points to KB5002665. Reporters say the October update brought the bug back. One tried reinstalling KB5002665 and was told it’s already installed. It’s like Excel’s version of Groundhog Day, except Bill Murray eventually got to stop.
Who’s hit: Excel 2016 MSI installs, 32- and 64-bit (build 16.0.5574.1004 comes up twice), on Windows 10 and 11. Every report we read is an MSI install.
Workaround:
- Stopgap: Paste Special > Formulas or Values.
- Rollback: Reporters removed the update with Office’s patch-removal tool,
Oarpmany.exe /removereleaseinpatch, using the product and patch GUIDs posted in the Q&A threads. The GUIDs differ by bitness and language, so check them against your install before scripting it. - Scope it: Rolling back drops October’s Excel security fixes. Do it for the people who are actually broken, not the whole fleet, and pause re-approval while you wait for Microsoft.
Sources: Q&A 6037334 (opens in a new tab), Q&A 6037340 (opens in a new tab), Q&A 6039403 (opens in a new tab), Q&A 6046296 (opens in a new tab), KB5002934 (opens in a new tab), Microsoft known issue: paste fails in Excel (opens in a new tab).
Sources
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/6037334/kb5002934-causes-copy-paste-and-formula-issues-in (opens in a new tab)
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/6037340/excel-2016-copy-paste-issue-after-kb5002934-update (opens in a new tab)
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/6039403/excel-2016-64-bit-copy-and-paste-stopped-working-a (opens in a new tab)
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/6046296/excel-2016-copy-paste-and-shortcut-key-issues-afte (opens in a new tab)
- https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/servicing/office/hotfix/excel/5002934 (opens in a new tab)
- https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/support/known-issues/paste-not-work-excel (opens in a new tab)
- https://www.theregister.com/software/2026/11/05/microsoft-fixed-excel-2016-copy-paste-bug-then-reintroduced-it-now-its-fixed-again/5307782 (opens in a new tab)
- https://www.ghacks.net/2026/11/07/microsoft-re-releases-kb5002934-for-excel-2016-after-a-later-update-broke-copy-and-paste-again/ (opens in a new tab)