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In January 2026, Microsoft released its first major cumulative update of the year as part of the regular Patch Tuesday rollout. This update delivers important security fixes, system stability improvements, and several quality enhancements for both Windows 11 and supported versions of Windows 10.

Major Security Improvements

The January update focuses heavily on security. It addresses a large number of vulnerabilities across Windows and related system components. Among these fixes are multiple critical issues, including several that could allow attackers to execute code remotely or elevate privileges. Because of the severity of some of these vulnerabilities, installing this update promptly can significantly improve system protection against active threats.

Addressing Active Exploits and Zero-Day Issues

Microsoft identified and fixed vulnerabilities that were already being exploited in the wild before patches were available. In addition, the update resolves several zero-day security flaws — bugs that were publicly known but unpatched until now.

These issues affected core operating system components and could, in certain scenarios, be used to gain unauthorized access, leak sensitive information, or disrupt system behavior. The new patches close these gaps, making this update one of the more critical security rollouts in recent months.

Stability and Quality Enhancements

Beyond security, the update includes several quality improvements for everyday Windows use:

• Power and Battery Management Fixes: Some devices equipped with specialized processors experienced excessive battery drain due to components remaining active when idle. This issue has now been resolved, improving battery life on affected systems.
• Networking Reliability: Connectivity issues within networking features — especially those affecting Linux subsystem networking and remote connection scenarios — have been addressed to improve stability.
• Secure Boot Updates: Microsoft has begun rolling out updates for Secure Boot certificates. This helps ensure that the system’s startup process remains protected against unauthorized firmware or bootloader modifications.
• Removal of Legacy Drivers: Certain outdated modem drivers have been removed to streamline the operating system and reduce potential security risks associated with outdated code.

These enhancements do not introduce major new features but instead focus on improving the overall reliability and performance of the operating system.

Supported Versions and Update Names

This cumulative update applies to all supported versions of Windows 11. Different builds receive their respective patches, which increment the system version numbers and include all previous updates. Additionally, Windows 10 systems that are still in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program continue to receive security patches, ensuring they remain protected despite the end of mainstream support.

To install the latest Windows update:

1. Open Settings on your Windows device
2. Navigate to Windows Update
3. Click Check for updates
4. Download and install the available update
5. Restart your device when prompted to finalize installation.

It’s recommended to install these updates as soon as they become available, especially on systems that handle sensitive data or are connected to enterprise networks.

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