Microsoft is urging Windows 11 users to uninstall the 2026‑01 Security Update (KB5074109, build 26200.7623) after widespread reports of performance slowdowns, delayed wake‑from‑sleep, and application failures. The company plans a corrective release, but until then users should remove the update to restore system stability while weighing the temporary security risk.
What Triggered the Rollback Request?
The KB5074109 update was deployed to all supported Windows 11 devices in early January 2026 as part of the regular Patch Tuesday cycle. Within days, users reported degraded responsiveness, broken system features, and failures in third‑party applications that previously ran without issue, prompting Microsoft to issue a rollback advisory.
Microsoft’s Official Stance
Microsoft’s guidance, posted on the Microsoft Learn portal, advises Windows 11 users to uninstall KB5074109 until a stable fix is available. The advisory notes that removing a security update can expose devices to the vulnerabilities the patch was designed to address, and it urges users to assess those risks before proceeding.
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How to Uninstall KB5074109
Follow these steps to remove the update from the Control Panel:
- Open Control Panel on the Windows device.
- Navigate to Programs → Programs and Features.
- Click View installed updates on the left‑hand pane.
- Locate the entry titled 2026‑01 Security (KB5074109) in the list.
- Right‑click the entry and select Uninstall.
- Follow the on‑screen prompts; a restart may be required.
Risks of Removing the Update
Security updates patch known vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malware. Uninstalling KB5074109 temporarily re‑exposes systems to those risks. Organizations with strict compliance requirements should consider the impact on audit status and regulatory posture before rolling back the patch.
Alternative Mitigation Options
Users who prefer not to uninstall the update can control the update flow by disabling automatic Windows Updates through the Services console or Group Policy settings. While this prevents problematic patches from being applied, it also halts delivery of critical security fixes, mirroring the same risk highlighted by Microsoft.
Impact on Users and Enterprises
The rollback recommendation creates an immediate task for IT departments: identify affected machines, evaluate the risk of staying on the vulnerable build, and either uninstall the update or await a future hotfix. Consumers experiencing noticeable issues are encouraged to follow the uninstall steps, back up critical data, and monitor official Microsoft channels for the corrective release.
