Windows 11 KB5074109, KB5073455 January 2026 Patch Tuesday updates out

Microsoft has released the January 2026 Patch Tuesday updates for Windows 11 25H2, 24H2, and 23H2. The 25H2 and 24H2 update is provided via KB5074109, build 26100.7623 on 24H2, and build 26200.7623 on 25H2, after applying the updates. Meanwhile the Windows 11 23H2 update is under KB5073455 and build 22631.6491.

The changelog is given below:

• [Compatibility] This update removes the following modem drivers: agrsm64.sys (x64), agrsm.sys (x86), smserl64.sys (x64) and smserial.sys (x86). Modem hardware dependent on these specific drivers will no longer work in Windows.

   

• [Networking (known issues)]

   

  • Fixed: This update addresses an issue where mirrored networking in Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) could fail causing “No route to host” errors and preventing access to corporate resources over VPN connections, even when the Windows host remained connected. This might occur after installing KB5067036.

     

  • Fixed: This update addresses an issue where you might experience RemoteApp connection failures in Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) environments. This might occur after installing KB5070311.

     

• [Power & Battery] Fixed: This update addresses an issue where devices with a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) might stay powered on when idle. This could affect power performance.

   

• [Secure Boot] Starting with this update, Windows quality updates include a subset of high confidence device targeting data that identifies devices eligible to automatically receive new Secure Boot certificates. Devices will receive the new certificates only after demonstrating sufficient successful update signals, ensuring a safe and phased deployment.

   

• [Windows Deployment Services (WDS] This update introduces a change in behavior in which WDS will stop supporting hands-free deployment functionality by default. Detailed guidance for IT administrators is available in Windows Deployment Services (WDS) Hands‑Free Deployment Hardening Guidance.

   

• [WinSqlite3.dll] Fixed: The Windows core component, WinSqlite3.dll, has been updated. Previously, some security software might have detected this component as vulnerable.

   

  Note: WinSqlite3.dll is a separate component from sqlite3.dll, which is found in application-specific directories and is not a Windows component. If security applications continue to detect sqlite3.dll as vulnerable, contact the developer of the app using sqlite3.dll for an update. If sqlite3.dll is being used by a Microsoft app, install the latest version of the app from the Microsoft Store.

   

Microsoft notes a single known issue in this update and has provided a workaround for it. The company confirms it is working on a resolution:

• After installing the August 2025 non-security preview update (KB5064081) or later updates, you might notice that the password icon is not visible in the sign-in options on the lock screen. If you hover over the space where the icon should appear, you’ll see that the password button is still available. Select this placeholder to open the password text box and enter your password. After entering your password, you can sign in normally.

Individuals using Windows Home or Pro editions on personal devices are very unlikely to experience this issue. This issue primarily affects enterprise or managed IT environments.

Workaround

This issue is mitigated using Known Issue Rollback (KIR).

For enterprise-managed devices managed by IT departments that have installed the affected update and encountered this issue, IT administrators can resolve it by installing and configuring the Group policy listed below. The special Group Policy can be found in Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > <Group Policy name listed below>.

Group Policy downloads with Group Policy name:

• Download for Windows 11 version 24H2, Windows 11 version 25H2: Windows 11 24H2, Windows 11 25H2 and Windows Server 2025 KB5072033 251202_18051 Known Issue Rollback

   

Important: You will need to install and configure the Group Policy for your version of Windows to resolve this issue. You will also need to restart your device(s) to apply the group policy setting. Note that the Group Policy will temporarily disable the change causing this issue.

These updates will be available from Windows Update and should install automatically in most cases. If you would like to download these updates for offline installation, you can get them from the Microsoft Catalog website. You can find the update for 25H2/24H2 at this link and for 23H2 at this link.

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Posted Wednesday 14 January 2026 at 12:03 pm AEST (my time).

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