Windows 11 users lost GIF search in the Emoji Panel on June 30. Google’s Tenor retired its API, and the feature just broke. Users saw “GIF service is not available” instead of their reaction GIFs.
Microsoft moved fast. The fix came via preview update KB5095093, released June 23 but now confirmed to restore the feature. The new provider? GIPHY.
The update applies to Windows 11 24H2, 25H2, and 26H1. If you’re on 23H2 or Windows Server 2025, you’re still waiting — Microsoft hasn’t given a timeline yet.
KB5095093 is optional. You’ll need to click “Download and install” unless you’ve enabled automatic preview updates. You can also grab it from the Microsoft Update Catalog.
The update does more than fix GIFs. It also adds Point-in-Time Restore, letting you roll back your OS, apps, and files to an earlier state. And it fixes that annoying Recycle Bin bug where internal file names showed up instead of normal filenames in confirmation dialogs.
RIP Tenor-powered GIFs. Long live GIPHY-powered GIFs.
