KB5074109 (build 26200.7623) for Windows 11 drops as the January 2025 update

Windows 11 builds 26100.7623 and 26200.7623 (KB5074109) arrive in the Stable Channel as the first cumulative update of 2026 for versions 25H2 and 24H2.
This release includes fixes, improvements, and changes, but it doesn’t introduce any new features.
Windows 11 build 22631.6491 (KB5073455) is now available in the Stable Channel for version 23H2, as part of the January 2026 update, which includes security fixes.

Microsoft is rolling out Windows 11 builds 26100.7623 and 26200.7623 (KB5074109) in the Stable Channel as the January 2026 Security Update. In addition, Windows 11 build 22631.6491 (KB5073455) for version 23H2 is available in the Stable Channel as part of the next cumulative update for this release of the operating system.

According to the changelog, the “2026-01 Security Update (KB5074109) (26200.7623)” doesn’t include any new features, but the company notes that the January 2026 update also includes the features that began rolling out with the December 2025 Security Update.

Furthermore, the KB5074109 update rolls out some additional fixes, improvements, and changes. For example, the operating system now removes several legacy modem drivers. Networking reliability improves with fixes for WSL mirrored networking failures and Azure Virtual Desktop RemoteApp connection issues triggered by recent updates.

In this release, power efficiency is enhanced by resolving a bug that kept NPU‑equipped devices awake while idle. Secure Boot updates now use high‑confidence targeting data to safely roll out new certificates in phases. Windows Deployment Services disables hands‑free deployment by default as part of the new hardening guidance. The WinSqlite3.dll core component has been updated to address vulnerability flags raised by certain security tools.

In addition, the company is making available the “2026-01 Security Update (KB5073455) (22631.6491)” for version 23H2, which includes some of the same fixes and improvements, but also includes input and device kernel fixes.

It’s important to note that version 23H2 reached end of support on November 11, 2025, but extended support for organizations will continue until November 10, 2026.

What’s new on Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2 update KB5074109
What’s new on Windows 11 23H2 update KB5073455
Windows 11 January 2026 Patch Tuesday – Manual installation process
Windows 11 January 2026 Patch Tuesday – Update history

Important: Usually, Microsoft doesn’t release new features immediately. When a feature is announced as part of an update, it usually signals the start of a gradual rollout using the Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR) technology. Availability can vary based on region, hardware, and software configuration. For instance, some features take longer to reach users in Europe due to regulatory requirements.

What’s new on Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2 update KB5074109

Microsoft is currently rolling out these improvements and fixes as part of the January 2026 Security Update for Windows 11 24H2 and version 25H2.

Compatibility: This update removes the modem drivers agrsm64.sys (x64), agrsm.sys (x86), smserl64.sys (x64), and smserial.sys (x86), and any modem hardware relying on these drivers will no longer function in the operating system.
Networking: Fixed an issue where mirrored networking in WSL could fail with “No route to host” errors and block access to corporate VPN resources after installing KB5067036, and fixed an issue causing RemoteApp connection failures in Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) environments after installing KB5070311.
Power: Resolve an issue where devices with a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) might remain powered on while idle, negatively affecting power performance.
Secure Boot: System updates now include a subset of high‑confidence device‑targeting data to identify devices eligible for automatic Secure Boot certificate updates, which are delivered only after devices show sufficient successful update signals to ensure a safe, phased rollout.
Windows Deployment Services: WDS now disables hands‑free deployment functionality by default, with detailed IT guidance available in the Windows Deployment Services (WDS) Hands‑Free Deployment Hardening Guidance.
WinSqlite3.dll: Fixed an issue by updating the WinSqlite3.dll core component, which some security software previously flagged as vulnerable.

What’s new on Windows 11 23H2 update KB5073455

The company has also released security fixes and improvements for Windows 11 23H2, as part of the update KB5073455 (build 22631.6491).

Compatibility: This update removes the modem drivers agrsm64.sys (x64), agrsm.sys (x86), smserl64.sys (x64), and smserial.sys (x86), and any modem hardware relying on these drivers will no longer function in the operating system.
Secure Boot: System updates now include a subset of high‑confidence device‑targeting data to identify devices eligible for automatic Secure Boot certificate updates, which are delivered only after devices show sufficient successful update signals to ensure a safe, phased rollout.
WinSqlite3.dll: Fixed an issue by updating the WinSqlite3.dll core component, which some security software previously flagged as vulnerable.
Display Kernel: Fixed an issue causing Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connections to fail, sometimes requiring a device restart to reconnect.
Input: Resolved an issue where apps, including Outlook, Teams, Edge, Chrome, and Excel, could close unexpectedly when entering text.

Also, this version of the operating system won’t receive any new features, as this release has reached the end of support.

Windows 11 January 2026 Patch Tuesday – Manual installation process

To download and install this Windows 11 update, open the “Windows Update” settings, turn on the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” option, and click the “Check for Updates” button.

The update will download and install automatically. However, you can also apply it manually by downloading the update KB5074109 from the Update Catalog website. You can use this download link to get the update (KB5070312) for version 23H2.

If your computer is having issues after installing this package, you can use these instructions to uninstall the January 2026 update.

Windows 11 January 2026 Patch Tuesday – Update history

Final Release – Patch Tuesday (Stable Channel):
- Windows 11 25H2 build 26200.7623 release date: January 13, 2026. Official notes.
- Windows 11 24H2 build 26100.7623 release date: January 13, 2026. (same).
- Windows 11 23H2 build 22631.6491 release date: January 13, 2026. Official notes.