Hi Tom,
Build 26200.7840 and 26200.9168 are both Windows 11 version 25H2 builds. Build 26200.9168 is the August 2026 cumulative update KB5121003, so there is no documented requirement to install every intermediate build before updating from 26200.7840.
Since the installation reaches “Undoing changes” even with an ISO/clean boot, I recommend checking the actual setup failure rather than repeatedly resetting Windows Update.
Please check these logs after the rollback:
C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\Sources\Panther\setuperr.log
C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\Sources\Panther\setupact.log
C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log
You can also run SetupDiag, which can identify many common upgrade-blocking errors from the setup logs.
There is normally no special registry change or extended DISM procedure required simply to move from 26200.7840 to 26200.9168. Microsoft also confirms that the latest servicing stack is combined with the cumulative update.
If possible, please share the last relevant errors from setuperr.log or the SetupDiag result. That should help identify whether the rollback is caused by a driver, compatibility block, servicing/component-store issue, or another setup failure.