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Microsoft has formally launched the optional non-security preview update KB5074105 for Windows 11, versions 25H2 and 24H2.
This rollout, part of the January 2026 “C-week” timeline, emphasizes feature improvements, performance enhancements, and stability upgrades rather than remedying security flaws.
As an accumulated update, it consolidates prior patches and presents new alterations to the operating system’s servicing stack and AI-enhanced components.
Even though this specific update is non-security related, Microsoft has included an urgent advisory about the forthcoming expiration of Windows Secure Boot certificates.
The certificates used by most Windows devices are set to expire starting in June 2026. Both administrators and users must prioritize this timeline, as failing to renew these certificates before the deadline could lead to personal and business devices being unable to boot securely.
Microsoft strongly advises reviewing the guidelines on Certificate Authority (CA) updates to avoid operational disruptions in business environments.
To reduce administrative burdens, Microsoft has adopted a more streamlined title format for Windows updates beginning with this release.
The new naming convention eliminates unnecessary technical components, such as system architecture (for instance, x64-based systems), while keeping crucial identifiers intact, including the date prefix, KB number, and build version.
This alteration seeks to enhance clarity in log files and deployment tools such as Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) and Microsoft Configuration Manager.
The KB5074105 update brings considerable upgrades to the fundamental models that drive Copilot+ PC experiences and standard Windows 11 AI functionalities.
These updates are rolled out in phases, meaning availability may differ initially before becoming broadly accessible. The specific versions of components updated in this release are listed below.
| AI Component | Version Identifier |
|---|---|
| Image Search | 1.2601.1268.0 |
| Content Extraction | 1.2601.1268.0 |
| Semantic Analysis | 1.2601.1268.0 |
| Settings Model | 1.2601.1268.0 |
This cumulative update encompasses the Servicing Stack Update (SSU) KB5074104, which elevates the servicing stack version to 26100.7704. The SSU is essential for the installation of Windows updates, ensuring the update mechanism remains functional.
Microsoft consolidates the latest SSU with the Latest Cumulative Update (LCU) to avoid version inconsistencies during deployment. As a result, once the SSU segment of this package has been applied, users cannot uninstall it.
IT administrators who wish to deploy this update can find it via Windows Update for Business, the Microsoft Update Catalog, or WSUS.
For those requiring the removal of the LCU segment of the package for troubleshooting, the standard wusa.exe /uninstall command will not succeed due to the unified SSU component.
Instead, administrators must utilize the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool. The required command syntax is /Remove-Package in conjunction with the specific LCU package name, which can be obtained by executing DISM /online /get-packages in an elevated command prompt. Microsoft acknowledges no known issues associated with this release.
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