CybersecurityInfrastructure

Microsoft Restores GIF Functionality in Windows Emoji Panel After Provider Shutdown

Analyst 207||Source: BleepingComputer
Windows keyboard with emoji panel open, showing emojis and blurred GIF search results.

"Starting on June 30, 2026, you might not see GIF options in the Windows Emoji Panel on some devices and instead see a message stating 'GIF service is not available.' This issue occurs because the previous GIF provider (Tenor) retired its service on that date," the company said in a Windows release health dashboard update on Tuesday.

Tenor API retirement triggered a sudden outage

Microsoft traced the disruption in the Emoji Panel's GIF chooser to the retirement of Google's Tenor GIF search engine application programming interface (API). According to the company's dashboard message, the service retirement on June 30 caused some devices to stop showing GIF options and to display a "GIF service is not available" notice instead.

KB5095093 switches provider to GIPHY and restores functionality for select builds

Microsoft restored GIF functionality for Windows 11 24H2, 25H2 and 26H1 users by switching the Emoji Panel's GIF provider to GIPHY in the preview Windows cumulative update KB5095093. Microsoft released that preview update on June 23 and says installing the latest available Windows updates will restore GIF functionality in the Emoji Panel.

The KB5095093 preview update is available either by downloading it from the Microsoft Update Catalog or by opening Settings, clicking Windows Update, and selecting "Check for Updates." Because KB5095093 is an optional update, the OS will prompt users to install it by clicking the "Download and install" link unless the "Get the latest updates as soon as they're they're available" option is enabled, in which case the operating system will install it automatically.

KB5095093 includes additional fixes: Point-in-Time Restore and Recycle Bin filename bug

In addition to restoring GIFs for affected Windows 11 builds, Microsoft says KB5095093 brings the Point-in-Time Restore feature, which allows users to roll back the operating system, applications, and files to a previous point in time. The preview update also fixes a separate bug that caused internal file names to appear instead of the normal filename in confirmation dialogs when deleting a file from the Recycle Bin.

Windows 11 23H2 and Windows Server 2025 still affected; no timeline for a fix

Microsoft says it is still working to address the GIF service issue on Windows 11 23H2 and on Windows Server 2025. The company has not provided a timeline for when a fix will be available for those builds, leaving some devices without the Emoji Panel GIF option until a patched update is issued.

How end users, enterprise admins, and technologists are likely to respond

  • End users: Some will see the "GIF service is not available" message; installing the latest updates can restore GIF options on Windows 11 24H2/25H2/26H1 devices where KB5095093 is applied.
  • Enterprise administrators and procurement leaders: KB5095093 is an optional preview update distributed via the Microsoft Update Catalog or Windows Update. Decision-makers will need to choose whether to deploy the preview update broadly or await a later, non-preview release for their Windows 11 and Windows Server estates.
  • Technologists and security teams: Microsoft has recently issued fixes addressing other update-related issues, including Windows Server 2016 security update failures, Windows update failures linked to the WUSA installer, a BitLocker recovery bug that affected Windows Server 2025 after the April 2026 security update, and Windows 11 update issues affecting monthly updates. KB5095093's Point-in-Time Restore and Recycle Bin filename corrections are additional items for testing and validation in controlled environments before enterprise-wide rollout.

Microsoft's immediate pivot from Tenor to GIPHY restored GIF functionality for several Windows 11 releases, but the company has acknowledged remaining gaps for Windows 11 23H2 and Windows Server 2025 and has not given a repair schedule. Users and IT teams who need GIF support in the Emoji Panel should follow Microsoft Update or the Microsoft Update Catalog to install KB5095093 where appropriate, and monitor the Windows release health dashboard for status updates.

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-fixes-gif-functionality-in-the-windows-emoji-panel/

Emerging ThreatsMicrosoftWindows UpdateWindows Emoji PanelGIF FunctionalityTenor APIGIPHYApplication Programming Interface
Related Intelligence

Continue Reading

Cryptographer working on laptop in lab with abstract cryptography concepts on screen.

Microsoft Accelerates Post-Quantum Cryptography Migration to 2029

Microsoft is speeding up its transition to post-quantum cryptography, aiming to integrate quantum-safe security into its critical products and services by 2029, in response to rapid advancements in quantum computing. This accelerated timeline is part of its effort to stay ahead of emerging threats and secure trust chains.

Analyst 207
Researcher works on cryptography prototype in bright laboratory setting.

Microsoft Accelerates Post-Quantum Cryptography Push by 2029

Microsoft is speeding up its post-quantum cryptography push, aiming to complete the transition by 2029, as advances in quantum research increase the urgency to protect against potential cyber threats. The move is driven by the risk of cryptographically relevant quantum computers emerging sooner than expected, capable of cracking current encryption methods.

Analyst 207
Network appliance in a brightly-lit data center or network operations room setting.

Citrix Discloses High-Severity NetScaler Flaw with CitrixBleed Echoes

Citrix has uncovered a high-severity flaw in its NetScaler appliances, adding to concerns about the trend of fragile memory management in these systems, which can lead to sensitive data leaks with just a misconfiguration. This latest vulnerability, CVE-2026-8451, was discovered by watchTowr researchers and is part of six newly disclosed vulnerabilities in Citrix's NetScaler ADC and Gateway appliances.

Analyst 207
Network device sits on a neutral surface in a brightly-lit technology environment.

Citrix Fixes Flaws in NetScaler Software Exposing Users to File Reads and DoS Attacks

Citrix has patched six high-risk vulnerabilities in its NetScaler software, including flaws that could expose users to file reads and devastating denial-of-service attacks. These critical updates address issues with CVSS scores as high as 8.8, emphasizing the urgent need for users to apply the fixes.

Analyst 207