The January 2026 Windows security update is now available for Windows 11. Windows has released Highlights for Windows 11, version 24H2 & 25H2. This cumulative update for Windows 11, version 25H2 and 24H2 (KB5074109), includes the latest security fixes and improvements, along with non-security updates from last month’s optional preview release.
The major highlights of the update are as follows:
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: 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.
Remote app connectivity: This update addresses an issue where you might experience RemoteApp connection failures in Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) environments. It addresses an issue that affects apps such as Outlook, Teams, Edge, Chrome, and Excel. These apps might close unexpectedly when you enter text.
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.
Fixed: The Windows core component, WinSqlite3.dll, has been updated. Previously, some security software might have detected this component as vulnerable.
It is worth mentioning here that, Secure Boot certificates used by most Windows devices are set to expire starting in June 2026. This might affect the ability of certain personal and business devices to boot securely if not updated in time. To avoid disruption, Windows recommends reviewing the guidance and taking action to update certificates in advance.
In case you have an issue or issues, you can go to Windows official website, file feedback to the engineers. This update makes quality improvements to the servicing stack, which is the component that installs Windows updates. Servicing stack updates (SSU) ensure that you have a robust and reliable servicing stack so that your devices can receive and install Microsoft updates.
