Hello, is anyone able to use InDesign now ? I am experiencing a severe issue with InDesign where files are reported as corrupted, and I am unable to save them under any circumstances. When opening an older file, InDesign initially reported that some image links were missing. I relinked and updated all the images. After updating the images, the file suddenly started showing as corrupted. Attempts to repair the file failed, and I could not save the file. To troubleshoot, I tried creating a completely new document. Even in a brand new file, as soon as I add a colour block to the parent page, InDesign immediately reports that the file is corrupted and will not allow saving (while it's a brand new file ?!) I have tried multiple versions of InDesign, including 2025 and 2026/21.1, and also reinstalled the software and reset preferences, disabled GPU preferences, but the issue persists. Every time I attempt to add a certain colour block, the file becomes unsavable. I tried to open all of my previous files with InDesign (which were all perfectly fine BEFORE), now they ALL suddenly show as "corrupted". Has anyone encountered a similar problem? Is there a known workaround for this bug or a solution? Please help, I am a startup art business and all my proposals, business plans, and invitations to clients are all based on InDesign. Thank you. <Title renamed by MOD>

Answered

InDesign files corrupted and unable to save after Windows 11 update KB5074109 (January 2026)

Forum|Forum|4 months ago
January 14, 2026
89 replies
47733 views

Hello, is anyone able to use InDesign now ?

I am experiencing a severe issue with InDesign where files are reported as corrupted, and I am unable to save them under any circumstances.

When opening an older file, InDesign initially reported that some image links were missing. I relinked and updated all the images.
After updating the images, the file suddenly started showing as corrupted. Attempts to repair the file failed, and I could not save the file.
To troubleshoot, I tried creating a completely new document. Even in a brand new file, as soon as I add a colour block to the parent page, InDesign immediately reports that the file is corrupted and will not allow saving (while it's a brand new file ?!)
I have tried multiple versions of InDesign, including 2025 and 2026/21.1, and also reinstalled the software and reset preferences, disabled GPU preferences, but the issue persists.
Every time I attempt to add a certain colour block, the file becomes unsavable. I tried to open all of my previous files with InDesign (which were all perfectly fine BEFORE), now they ALL suddenly show as "corrupted".

Has anyone encountered a similar problem? Is there a known workaround for this bug or a solution? Please help, I am a startup art business and all my proposals, business plans, and invitations to clients are all based on InDesign. Thank you.

Correct answer Abhishek Rao

Hi everyone,

Thank you again for your patience while the team investigated this issue. I wanted to share that the fix is now available in the general release version of InDesign 21.4.

This is the same issue that was being tracked in the following UserVoice report:
https://indesign.uservoice.com/forums/601180/suggestions/50715731

If you were affected by the Times New Roman, Calibri, or related font recognition issues, please update InDesign to version 21.4 through the Creative Cloud Desktop app and test your affected documents again.

Once updated, please let us know your observations. If you still encounter the issue after updating to 21.4, feel free to share the details here, including your InDesign version, OS version, and any screenshots of the missing font behavior, and we'll be happy to investigate further.

Thanks again for all your patience, testing, and feedback throughout this process.

Abhishek

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LisaCarpeDiem

Participant

My business has come to a stop with this issue. Cannot save files without Error 2 and damged files. Is there a way to uninnstall current new version of InDesign and install an old version? Need a fix asap!

D

defaultk0shk10brvbv

Participating Frequently

Go to the Applications tab in Creative Cloud. Locate the InDesign "tile". Click on the Hamburger menu in the lower left corner of said tile. Click on other versions. I would recommend installing InDesign 20.5.1. A Google search for "indesign install previous version" should help if anything is unclear.

L

LisaCarpeDiem

Participant

Hey thanks that worked, will use older version until this bug is fixed. Cheers!

U

ulrike_softing

I'm running into big difficulties, too. My company insists on Windows security updates. Please update Indesign asap. Thanks.

F

FM Products Ltd

Since the 2026 update of in design and photoshop my in design files are showing as damaged.

I have removed anyhting that I have updated this year and i am still experiencing issues when opening 2 in design files at the same time they are both showing as damaged when they were not damaged before opening them at the same time.

Abhishek Rao

Community Manager

Hi @FM Products Ltd,

Thanks for reporting this. To help narrow this down, could you please confirm the exact version of InDesign you're using and your operating system(if it is Windows)?

If Windows, could you let me know whether this started recently after a Windows update? In particular, please check if the Windows update KB5074109 is installed. You can do this by opening PowerShell and running the command Get-HotFix, then checking if that KB appears in the list.

We have a known issue where recent Windows updates can cause InDesign files to appear damaged on saving, and the product team is actively working on this with Microsoft. For reference, please review this community thread, which is being actively updated:
https://adobe.ly/4pVmMI9

Please let me know if what you're seeing matches the behavior described there or if anything looks different, so we can take this forward appropriately.

Abhishek

F

FM Products Ltd

Morning,

Yes, my computer has the KB5074109 update and I am experiencing the exact same issues as described.

Thank you

jdaveprill

Known Participant

It should be noted that uninstalling Microsoft Update KB5074109 on Windows 11, might be a solution for Indesign, but be prepared for a host of other issues as removing this Security Update can corrupt Windows Dynamic links and Printer driver functionality.

A

Anonymous

Please see the common errors i keep receiving with every indesign file i'm working in, new and old. can someone please assist? I've been having this issue for more than a week.

Here are the types of errors i'm receiving

estehlurz_0-1768590166847.png

error-opening-exisiting-files.png

I can no longer save files, even if they're newly created without having errors pop up every few minutes. It's making my work unmanageable as i try to do work arounds.

I literally opened an indesign file that was sent to me from an agency about 20 minutes ago, i was able to save and export a pdf and jpg like normal. However now that i want to make a copy of this same indesign file i got the another error of "Indesign is unable to save this file. We tried." when literally a few minutes ago the file wasn't damaged. What's going on here and how can i permanently fix this issue?

indeign-error-damage.png

M

Manan Joshi

Community Expert

It seems you are facing the problem discussed in the following post

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/indesign-files-corrupted-and-unable-to-save-after-windows-11-update-kb5074109-january-2026/m-p/15663227#M647099

-Manan

E

emily_4516

I am also having this issue. Please resolve it ASAP to avoid the possibility of missed deadlines. I keep running into huge issues with being unable to save my work...

H

Han5CC9

Hi,

When saving a doc in ID 2026 the app is crashing ERROR 2 & sending the crash report to Adobe.

This started last week, when working on a data merge doc, has since gone on to crash on all documents trying to save in ID to local PC location.

The auto recovery is not working either, while it may bring back the file that crashed, again I cant save it without the programme crashing & going back round the circle. I have reset the preferences on launch, updated to the latest version, created docs from scratch instead of editing existing files in case of corruption, nothing has fixed the issue.

To begin with the crashing seemed to save the file any way, all edits were there when reopening, now the reopen is reverting back to previous versions yet the windows last modified time stamp is later.

Please advise asap as this is causing chaos.

WIN 11, ID 2026, saved as INDD - docs are single page spreads, ranging from 2 pages to 200+ pages, exporting to PDF which works fine, but cannot save the file itself.

leo.r

Community Expert

You may experience this issue:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/indesign-files-corrupted-and-unable-to-save-after-windows-11-update-kb5074109-january-2026/td-p/15663227

TᴀW

Legend

It seems Microsoft has released an out-of-band update (whatever that means) that may fix issues with KB5074109.

More details here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/january-17-2026-kb5077744-os-builds-26200-7627-and-26100-7627-out-of-band-27015658-9686-4467-ab5f-d713b617e3e4#id0ejbd=catalog

I haven't manage to install it yet, so I can't say for sure whether it's a fix or not.

id-extras.com | InDesign tools & scripts for typesetters, form designers, and translators

B

Bruce26908382kkkl

Participant

What does Adobe suggest we all do? They don't appear to be comunicating well about this.

It doesn't seem they even have a plan or timeline.

B

Blissful_Rose1895

Im having the exact same problem and am unable to rollback the security update. As a workaround, I'm saving files locally to my memory stick rather than OneDrive, but hoping for an update soon.

S

stacey_4939

Hey all,

I have the same issue and its been super frustrating

But also Microsoft lets you down as you should be able to roll back the update (10 day grace period, but it doesnt!!! even though I only updated 5 days ago :@ )

I have good news, I have rolled back the Security update KB5074109 manually (you can't do it from Settings > updates etc)

Again, this has resolved it for me but I would recommend take a backup of your files (Windows etc if you haven't already) as rolling back Windows updates has potential risks, mine was fine its just the one update

1. Run Command Prompt ( Windows key + type CMD )

2. Type in "wusa /uninstall /kb:5074109"

the prompt will ask you to confirm to uninstall > yes > and let it roll back

It will restart your laptop, again can't stress enough, save all your work just in case

Have it connected to power source but should only take 5minutes

Log back on your device as you would and then the error should not come up again when you save, save as or click No

Again, this has worked for me, it is a manual removal of the Windows update KB5074109 only

I have not tested any other security update roll backs otherwise

Hope this helps until Adobe patches it up

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