
Microsoft has released the January 2026 cumulative update KB5074109 for Windows 11 and KB5073724 for Windows 10. These are part of Patch Tuesday releases, include important security fixes, quality improvements, and reliability enhancements. This update cycle also addresses 114 security vulnerabilities, including 3 zero‑day flaws, as detailed in Microsoft’s January 2026 security release. If you’re running Windows 11 (KB5074109) or Windows 10 (KB5073724), installing these updates is strongly recommended to protect your system against the latest threats and keep it stable and up to date.
Let’s take a look at:
- How to download and install them using Windows Update
- How to get the direct offline installer from the Microsoft Update Catalog
- A brief overview of what’s new and fixed in these updates
Post Contents :-
- 1 January 2026 Windows Updates: Full List
- 2 How to Download the Latest Windows Updates
- 2.1 Install Windows 11 KB5074109 Using Windows Update
- 2.2 Install Windows 10 KB5073724 Using Windows Update
- 2.3 Manual Download from Microsoft Update Catalog
- 2.4 Direct Offline Installer References
- 2.5 What’s New in KB5074109 for Windows 11 (January 2026)
- 2.6 What’s New in KB5073724 for Windows 10 (January 2026)
- 2.7 Security Impact: 114 Vulnerabilities, 3 Zero‑Days
- 2.8 Frequently Asked Questions
January 2026 Windows Updates: Full List
Here are the main cumulative updates released for consumer and business devices in January 2026:
Windows 11
- Windows 11, version 25H2 / 24H2
- KB5074109 – OS Builds 26200.7623 and 26100.7623
Windows 10
- Windows 10, version 22H2
- KB5073724 – OS Build 19045.6809
- Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 (version 21H2)
- KB5073724 – OS Build 19044.6809
These cumulative updates bundle all previous fixes plus the latest January 2026 security and quality improvements.
How to Download the Latest Windows Updates
Windows Update is the easiest way to get the latest cumulative updates for Windows 11 and Windows 10. It automatically downloads and installs updates from Microsoft’s servers as long as you have a stable internet connection.
If Windows Update fails or you want to install the update on multiple PCs without downloading it each time, you can use the Microsoft Update Catalog to get the standalone offline installer (.msu) file.
Install Windows 11 KB5074109 Using Windows Update
- Right-click the Windows 11 Start menu and select Settings, or press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app directly.
- Select Windows Update on the left, then click Check for Updates.
- If new Windows updates are pending, you will see “2026-01 security update (KB5074109) (26200.7623) ” and can download and install them on your device.
- Once complete, reboot your computer to apply the updates and make the changes take effect.
To verify the build number
- Press Windows key + R, type winver, and press Enter.
- Confirm that your OS build is updated to:
- 26200.7623 or 26100.7623 for Windows 11 25H2 / 24H2.
Install Windows 10 KB5073724 Using Windows Update
- Click the Windows 10 Start menu and select Settings (Gear icon), or search for Settings and select the first result.
- Go to Update & Security, then select Windows Update on the left.
- Now you need to check for new Windows 10 updates by choosing Check for updates.
- You will notice Windows 10 Version 22H2 (KB5073724) start downloading and installing.
- It may take some time to complete, depending on your internet speed.
- Reboot your computer to apply the latest Windows updates, which may include bug fixes and security enhancements.
Confirm the OS build
- Press Windows key + R, type winver, and press Enter.
- You should now see:
- Windows 10 Version 22H2 – OS Build 19045.6809, or
- Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 – OS Build 19044.6809.
Manual Download from Microsoft Update Catalog
If Windows Update doesn’t work or you want to keep a copy of the update for offline installation, use the Microsoft Update Catalog.
- Visit the Microsoft Update Catalog website in any web browser.
- Search for the KB number: Type the relevant KB number in the search box and press Enter:
KB5074109 – Windows 11 January 2026 cumulative update
KB5073724 – Windows 10 January 2026 cumulative update
- Choose the correct package: You will see multiple results for different platforms (x64, ARM64, Windows Server, etc.).
- Check your system type under Settings > System > About and select: x64-based systems for most modern PCs.
- Finally, click the Download button, and a pop-up window will appear. In the pop-up window, click the .msu file link to download it.
Install the update manually
- Once the download is complete, double‑click the .msu file.
- Follow the on‑screen instructions to install the update.
After installation, reboot your system to finalize the update and apply all changes.
Note: The Microsoft Update Catalog is the official and safest source for Windows update offline installers.
Direct Offline Installer References
Use these references to quickly locate the correct packages on the Microsoft Update Catalog:
Windows 11 (25H2 / 24H2)
- KB5074109 – OS Builds 26200.7623 / 26100.7623
Windows 10 (22H2 & LTSC 2021)
- KB5073724 – OS Builds 19045.6809 / 19044.6809
You can search these KB numbers directly in the Microsoft Update Catalog and download the .msu file that matches your system.
What’s New in KB5074109 for Windows 11 (January 2026)
The KB5074109 cumulative update for Windows 11 version 25H2/24H2 focuses mainly on security, stability, and overall reliability. According to Microsoft’s documentation, this update:
- Includes the January 2026 security rollup, addressing vulnerabilities across the Windows kernel, networking, and core system components.
- Delivers quality improvements that reduce crashes, freezes, and random system errors in everyday use.
- Improves compatibility with certain apps and drivers, helping reduce upgrade and post‑update issues.
- Fixes additional bugs reported by users and enterprises, improving responsiveness and reliability after previous feature updates.
For IT admins and advanced users, the full list of fixes, known issues, and workarounds is available in the official Microsoft support article for KB5074109.
What’s New in KB5073724 for Windows 10 (January 2026)
The KB5073724 update for Windows 10 version 22H2 and Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 brings the latest security and quality improvements to systems still running Windows 10.
Key highlights include:
- Security updates for Windows components and built‑in features to defend against the latest threats.
- Reliability improvements aimed at providing a more stable experience, particularly in managed and enterprise environments.
- Ongoing support under the Extended Security Update (ESU) program for organizations that rely on Windows 10 devices.
As usual, this cumulative update rolls in all previously released fixes, so installing it brings your Windows 10 system fully up to date for January 2026.
Security Impact: 114 Vulnerabilities, 3 Zero‑Days
The January 2026 Patch Tuesday is significant from a security perspective. Across Windows and related Microsoft products, this update cycle fixes 114 vulnerabilities, including:
- 3 zero‑day vulnerabilities that were publicly disclosed or actively exploited.
- Multiple critical and important issues, including remote code execution (RCE), elevation of privilege, and information disclosure vulnerabilities.
Keeping your system updated with KB5074109 (Windows 11) or KB5073724 (Windows 10) helps protect against these threats and is strongly recommended, especially for internet‑connected and business‑critical devices.
If you run into issues installing KB5074109 on Windows 11 or KB5073724 on Windows 10, you can further troubleshoot by resetting Windows Update components, running DISM and SFC scans, or following our guides for update errors on your system.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I download and install the latest Windows updates?
Go to:
- Windows 11: Settings > Windows Update
- Windows 10: Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update
Click Check for updates and follow the prompts to download and install any pending updates.
2. What should I do if the update fails to install?
- Restart your PC and try again.
- Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter (found under Settings > System > Troubleshoot or Update & Security > Troubleshoot).
- If it still fails, download the offline installer from the Microsoft Update Catalog using the KB number (KB5074109 or KB5073724) and install it manually.
3. Can I uninstall a problematic Windows update?
Yes. If you face issues after installing the update:
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history > Uninstall updates (Windows 10), or
- Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates (Windows 11).
Select the specific KB (for example, KB5074109 or KB5073724) and choose Uninstall.
4. Is it safe to install updates as soon as they’re released?
For most home users, yes. These updates include important security and stability fixes. If you manage production systems or business‑critical environments, you might choose to test the update first or wait a few days while monitoring for reported issues.
5. Where can I get the official offline installer for these updates?
Visit the Microsoft Update Catalog at:
https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/
Search for KB5074109 (Windows 11) or KB5073724 (Windows 10), then download the .msu file that matches your system type (x64, ARM64, etc.).











