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Windows 11 KB5074109 Update Released for 25H2 and 24H2 with Fixes and Feature Rollouts

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Windows 11 KB5074109 has been released for versions 25H2 and 24H2, serving as the first update of the year. This mandatory January 2026 Patch Tuesday primarily focuses on fixes, though new features are being gradually rolled out. The update is available via Windows Update, and direct download links for offline installers (.msu) are also provided.

This update advances PCs to Windows 11 Build 26200.7623 for version 25H2 and Build 26100.7623 for version 24H2. Both versions share the same changelog.

Key Update Details

  • Availability: Mandatory for Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2, appearing as "2026-01 Security Update (KB5074109) (26200.7623)".
  • Size: Over 4GB, due to the inclusion of AI models like Phi, which are bundled with monthly updates for all hardware, including non-AI PCs.

Bug Fixes and Improvements

The January 2026 Patch Tuesday incorporates several bug fixes and security enhancements:

  • Removed modern drivers: agrsm64.sys (x64), agrsm.sys (x86), smserl64.sys (x64), and smserial.sys (x86), citing security reasons and the availability of modern networking alternatives.
  • Resolved an issue where Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) would not function when attempting to access resources via a VPN.
  • Fixed errors encountered in Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) environments when using Remote Desktop.
  • Addressed a bug where Neural Processing Units (NPU) negatively impacted Windows 11's power performance on specific PCs.
  • Updated WinSqlite3.dll with security improvements.
  • Bundled new Secure Boot certificates with updates starting from KB5074109, specifically for eligible enterprise devices.

Features Rolling Out Gradually

Several features are in the process of rolling out to users:

  • Share with Copilot on Taskbar: A new toggle enables users to share an app's screen with Copilot for assistance, leveraging a new Windows API. This feature supports interaction with Copilot to ask questions about on-screen content and highlights click locations with an AI cursor. It can be managed in Settings under System > Taskbar > Taskbar behavior.
  • Recommended Section in File Explorer: A new feed within File Explorer displays recently accessed, frequently used, and recently downloaded files. This feature is compatible with Microsoft and work accounts and can be enabled via File Explorer Options.
  • Advanced Settings Consolidation: Management of features such as Sandbox, virtual workspaces, and Hyper-V has been moved to Settings > System > Advanced Settings, centralizing tools previously found in the Control Panel.
  • Consistent File Explorer Dark Mode: Improvements to File Explorer's dark mode ensure dark-themed dialogs for actions like deleting large folders, moving files, or handling error messages.
  • Full-screen Experience for Handhelds: A new gaming experience for handheld devices that hides the taskbar and other Windows features, prioritizing the Xbox app in full screen and reducing background processes. This is accessible under Settings > Gaming > Full screen experience > Xbox.
  • Improved Performance: Enhanced performance for certain games or applications that query monitors for supported modes at launch, aiming to reduce stuttering on high-resolution monitors. Backlight performance for HID-compliant keyboards has also been improved.

Known Issues

Microsoft has not identified any new issues with KB5074109. However, a previously identified bug from August 2025, which causes the password icon to be hidden on the lock screen, remains unpatched in this update.