Windows 11 KB5074105 Release Preview: MIDI, Cross Device Resume, and security tweaks

ChatGPT · Jan 29, 2026

Microsoft has pushed Windows 11 Insider Preview Builds 26100.7701 and 26200.7701 (delivered as KB5074105) into the Release Preview Channel, and this package is notable not for being a routine maintenance rollup but for widening cross-device continuity, expanding Copilot capabilities on Copilot+ PCs, modernizing the Windows MIDI stack, and addressing a long list of reliability and enterprise-focused concerns.

Background / Overview

Microsoft is delivering KB5074105 as a single cumulative package that targets both Windows 11 version 24H2 (Build 26100) and 25H2 (Build 26200). The company separates items in that package into a gradual rollout (features enabled in phases by server-side entitlement) and a normal rollout (broad quality fixes), so installing the update is a necessary step but not a guarantee you’ll immediately see every new capability. This llout (CFR) approach reduces blast radius while allowing Microsoft to validate features at scale.
That model matters here because some of the headline experiences (notably Cross‑Device Resume and Copilot+ agent behaviors) are gated.review will be among the first to validate these scenarios in near‑real world conditions, and the builds are a key sign that Microsoft is preparing the features for wider distribution—while still retaining the option to flip features on or off per device.

What’s new in Builds 26100.7701 & 26200.7701 (KB5074105)

At a high level the update concentrates on four visible domains:

Expanded Cross‑Device Resume for Android-to-Windows handoff scenarios (media, documents, browser tabs).
Copilot+ PC improvements, chiefly broader Settings Agent localization.
A significant uIDI Services** (MIDI 1.0/2.0, shared ports, loopback, app‑to‑app routing).
A broad sweep of quality and reliability fixes across Start menu, File Explorer, Secure Boot, DPAPI management, activation, and more.

Below I unpack each area, explain how it works, outline practical limitations, and offer guidance for power users and IT professionals who will test these builds.

Cross‑Device Resume: what changed and why it matters

Cross‑Device Resume is the most user-facing headline in KB5074105. Microsoft has extended resume scenarios so that specific activities started on supported Android phones can be continued on a Windows PC. Concrete, supported scenarios called out in the release include:

Resume Spotify playback started on an Android phone and continue playing on the PC; Windows may prompt a one‑click install of the Spotify desktop client if it isn’t pworking on Microsoft 365 documents** (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) opened in the Copilot mobile app on supported OEM phones; the file opens in the desktop Office app if installed, otherwise in the default browser.
Restore active browsing sessions handed off from certain Android browsers (preview notes explicitly mention Vivo Browser on Vivo phones).

How it works (te architecture favors a metadata-driven handoff rather than streaming the phone screen. Android apps publish a compact “AppContext” descriptor that Windows consumes, maps to a suitable desktop handler, and surfaces a resume affordance (typically a small badge or taskbar prompt). If the desktop app is missing, Windows can offer the Microsoft Store install path as a fallback. This approach minimizes bandwidth, keeps the desktop experience native, and reduces the dependency on a single phone‑to‑PC bridge app.
Practical limitations and requirements

Cross‑Device Resume depends on app support and online reachability; offline-only content stored locally on the phone is not supported.
The feature is server‑gated; installing KB5074105 is necessary but not sufficient—Microsoft may enable the resume scenarios on a per-device, per-account basis over time.
Devices and OEMs specifically mentioned in the documentation include HONOR, OPPO, Samsung, Vivo, and Xiaomi—expect OEM- or carrier-level partnerships to influence which phone models are eligible early in the rollout.

Why it matters

If it works smoothly, this will materially reduce friction when switching from phone to PC for common activities—music, documents, and browsing. It’s a practical step toward Apple‑style continuity on Android + Windows, but it requires app developers, OEMs, and Microsoft to cooperate for the best experience. Early reporting suggests Microsoft’s implementation uses the Windows Notification System (WNS) as one of the integration paths, which should lower developer onboarding friction.

Copilot+ PC Enhancements and localization

KB5074105 expands the Settings Agent language support on Copilot+ PCs to include German, Portuguese, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, Hindi, Italian, and Simplified Chinese. This localization broadens the accessibility o in Settings and makes AI-assisted troubleshooting and system management more useful for non‑English users. The change is targeted primarily at devices entitled as Copilot+ and will be staged via Microsoft’s entitlement system.
Practical notes:

On-device Copilot experiences remain gated by hardware (NPU availability) and regional/privacy constraints; some interactive Copilot features continue to be excluded from certain markets (for regulatory or compliance reasons).
Administrators should test localization fidelity and privacy prompts before enabling Copilot features widely in managed environments.

Windows MIDI Services: an under‑the‑hood upgrade creators will notice

Arguably the most technical but consequential change in this update is the continued evolution of Windows MIDI Services. Microsoft has been rebuilding the MIDI plumbing to support both MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0, and KB5074105 brings the modernized service closer to general Insider availability by delivering:

Support for MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0 with translation and compatibility layers for legacy WinMM and modern WinRT APIs.
Shared MIDI ports, custom port naming, loopback ports for routing, and improved app‑to‑app MIDI communication for lower latency and better interoperability.
A separate App SDK/Tools package to unlock in-box utilitied MIDI Settings; early tooling may be unsigned and prompt SmartScreen.

Why this matters

Musicians and audio developers gain a modern, multi‑client MIDI stack that reduces reliance on vendor driver hacks and simplifies routing between DAWs, synths, utilities, and apps on the same machine. Expect fewer compatibility headaches and more robust MIDI 2.0 device support as the feature matures. However, this is still a staged rollout and some components (SDK/tooling) may be preview-only initially.

Caveats

Early SDK/tooling installs can trigger SmartScreen or appear unsigned; for production audio workstations, treat these builds as preview and validate thoroughly before migrating critical setups.

Smart App Control, Windows Hello, Secure Boot, and DPAPI changes

KB5074105 includes several operational changes important to security and manageability:

Smart App Control (SAC) can now be toggled on or off from Windows Security > App & Browser Control without requiring a clean OS install. That resolves a previously painful restriction that forced reinstalls to change SAC enforcement state. While this eases troubleshooting for users and IT, it also introduces governance considerations in managed fleets—turning SAC off can broaden attack surface if not controlled.
Windows Hello ESS expands support to peripheral/external fingerprint sensors. This is useful for desktop and kiosk scenarios that rely on external biometric hardware.
Secure Boot: For devices that already have the Windows UEFI CA 2023 certificate in their Secure Boot DB, the update replaces an older-signed bootmgfw.efi with a 2023-signed variant. Microsoft warns that resetting the Secure Boot DB or toggling Secure Boot can produce a recovery workflow and requires Secure Boot recovery media in rare cases. Administrators should be cautious around firmware/DB changes.
DPAPI domain backup key management: New controls allow admins to set key rotation cadence for domain backup keys, strengthening cryptographic hygiene—but this also requires coordination with recovery plans. Improper DPAPI configuration can have serious consequences for credential recovery and encrypted data access.

Quality improvements and fixes — the practical list

KB5074105 bundles a range of fixes across core shell, graphics, activation, and enterprise scenarios. Highlights documented by Microsoft include:

Start Menu and Taskbar: fixes for truncation and positioning issues, memory leaks, and conditions that could present as “critical error” messages or unresponsive Start.
Black screen/multiuser: fixes for isolated black screen problems seen in certain multiuser or upgrade scenarios.
Windows Update & Activation: resolved cases where enrolling in the Insider Program could get stuck, and repairs for edge cases where activation failed during upgrades. Administrators should confirm activation post-upgrade in pilot rings.
Lock screen, File Explorer, Desktop & Input: improvements to prevent unresponsivdesktop icon movement, keyboard label delays, and UAC hangs when launching elevated terminals.
Normal rollout fixes: updated Secure Boot components, DPAPI key management enhancements, fixes for black screen issues and iSCSI boot failures under some configurations. (blogs.windows.com)

These fixes are useful; however they come amid a period of update turbulence in early 2026, when other updates caused regressions—so conservative piloting is wise. Reporting from other outlets highlights that January 2026 security and cumulative updates produced problematic regressions (GPU black screens and legacy driver removals in separate KBs), underscoring the need for careful validation on production endpoints.

Test plan and rollout checklist (for Insiders, power users, and IT)

If you plan to validate KB5074105, treat this as pilot‑ready rather than production‑ready. Here’s a practical checklist to reduce risk and to verify the update’s main features.

Create a representative pilot group:
Include Copilot+ hardware (if you have it), typical workstation images, and at least one audio workstation if MIDI changes are relevant.
Make full backups and recovery media:
Image backups and bootable recovery media (WinRE, externatial because Secure Boot and boot manager changes can create recovery scenarios on exotic firmware.
Validate Secure Boot behavior:
Test toggling Secure Boot and confirm a clear recovery path for devices with custom Secure Boot DB entries.
Check DPAPI backups and activation:
Validate DPAPI‑dependent serving/activation post-upgrade in your environment.
Test Cross‑Device Resume scenarios:
Pair a supported Android device, sign in with the relevant Microsoft account, enable mobile device access on the PC, and attempt Spotify handoff / Copilot mobile document resume / browser tab continuation. Remember availability is gated.
Test MIDI workflows:
Install the SDK/tools in a lab environment and validate device enumeration, shared port behavior, loopback, and app-to-app routing. Expect early-tool warnings or SmartScreen prompts.
Evaluate Smart App Control behavior:
Toggle SAC and verify blocked app behaviors, telemetry, and mitigation steps for legacy apps.
Monitor logs and telemetry:
Collect WindowsUpdate.log, Event Viewer entries, and any relevant application logs. Have rollback steps documented (uninstall the LCU or use offline DISM if necessary).

Strengths and notable improvements

Meaningful cross‑device productivity gains: If widely adopted by apps and OEMs, Cross‑Device Resume removes friction for common tasks—music, docs, and browsing—without streaming or heavy device pairing.
Modernized MIDI stack: For creators and audio professionals, first-class MIDI 2.0 and better multi-client behavior is a long‑needed improvement that reduces the need for vendor driver workarounds.
Operational flexibility: SAC toggling without reinstall, external fingerprint support for Windows Hello ESS, and DPAPI rotation controls help admins manage devices more flexibly.
Accessibility improvements: Voice Access setup, tuned Voice Typing wait options, and Narrator refinements improve usability for assistive tech users.

Risks, unknowns, and mitigation

Staged availability creates inconsistent experience: Users may install the update and see nothing new until Microsoft flips feature flags. This can cause confusion; communicate this clearly to pilot participants.
Update instability context: January 2026 saw problematic updates elsewhere that caused black screens and driver removals. That broader context elevates the importance of pilot validation and staged rollouts. Rollback plans must be in place.
Developer and OEM dependency for Cross‑Device Resume: The usefulness of resume hinges on app integrations and OEM support; absence of app-side support will limit the feature’s practicality. Expect a gradual ecosystem ramp.
Unsigned or preview tooling risk for MIDI: Early SDK/tools may be unsigned or flagged, increasing user friction and support tickets in pilot groups. Test MIDI tooling in isolated lab environments first.
Cryptographic and boot changes are delicate: Secure Boot and DPAPI changes can have outsized consequences in specialized environments—test carefully in labs that mirror production firmware and domain configurations.

Where claims were not directly verifiable

Microsoft’s release notes and reputable outlets provide the primary described behaviors. If you see any claims in community posts or early coverage that contradict the Windows Insider blog, treat the blog as the source of truth for feature gating and precise wording. Any OEM‑specific compatibility lists should be validated against vendor documentation for your exact phone model.

Recommendations

For Insiders and enthusiasts: install KB5074105 in Release Preview on test machines to try Cross‑Device Resume and MIDI improvements, but avoid rolling the build to production endpoints until pilot testing is successful.
For IT and enterprise: treat KB5074105 as a pilot candidate. Confirm Secure Boot recovery procedures, DPAPI key rotation compatibility, and activation status in your environment before deploying broadly.
For audio professionals: set up a dedicated test workstation to validate the new Windows MIDI Services, and delay migrating critical sessions until the SDK/tools reach release maturity.
For developers and OEMs: consider implementing resume hooks via the Windows Notification System or Continuity SDK to make your Android apps resume‑capable; test interoperability with desktop handlers and store fallback scenarios.

Conclusion

Builds 26100.7701 and 26200.7701 (KB5074105) represent a meaningful step in Windows 11’s evolutionary path: Microsoft is pushing practical cross‑device continuity out of narrow experimentation, expanding local AI accessibility on Copilot+ devices, modernizing a core creative subsystem with MIDI 2.0 support, and applying a broad set of reliability fixes that matter to both consumers and IT. The engineering choices—favoring metadata-driven resume over streaming, staging features via CFR, and modernizing low-level subsystems—are pragmatic and, in many cases, long overdue.
That said, the timing invites caution. Early‑2026 update turbulence and the staged nature of these features mean the responsible approach is pilot, validate, and then adopt. For users, the payoff is clearer workflows and better creative tooling. For administrators, the update delivers useful controls but requires careful coordination—especially around Secure Boot, DPAPI, and enterprise policy for Copilot and Smart App Control.
If you’re enrolled in Release Preview and keen to experiment, this build is worth testing now; if you run production endpoints, wait for KB5074105 to finish its controlled rollout and for community validation to accumulate. The builds mark progress—practical, incremental, and conditional—toward a Windows that better bridges mobile and desktop without sacrificing manageability.

Source: thewincentral.com Windows 11 Builds 26100.7701 & 26200.7701 Released

ChatGPT · Jan 29, 2026

Microsoft’s Release Preview update package KB5074105 — delivered as Insider builds 26100.7701 and 26200.7701 — brings a notable mix of platform fixes, creator-focused improvements, and what Microsoft is positioning as the next step toward cross‑device continuity: expanded Cross‑Device Resume for Android apps, a modernized Windows MIDI Services stack, greater flexibility for Smart App Control, and a handful of security and pre‑boot management changes that administrators must validate before broad rollout.

Background

Windows servicing now routinely separates feature delivery from quality fixes using a controlled feature rollout model: Microsoft ships shared binaries and flips features server‑side, allowing features to appear gradually by device, account, and region. KB5074105 follows that pattern — the update installs the same build across eligible 24H2 and 25H2 devtures are immediately visible* because many are gated. That distinction matters for testers and administrators: installing the KB is necessary but not sufficient for feature visibility.
This update reached the Release Preview channel in late January as a preview-stage cumulative update (the package is referred to in community and editorial coverage as a February preview), and Microsoft’s official notes call out a mixture of immediate fixes and staged feature enablements. Independent outlets picked up the highlights quickly because they touch both everyday UX (Start menu, File Explorer) and specialized subsystems (MIDI, DPAPI, Secure Boot).

What KB5074105 delivers — headline items

Cross‑Device Resume: Expanded resume scenarios between Android phones and Windows PCs (media handoff with Spotify, OneDrive/ Copilot mobile document continuation, and select browser session restoration). This functionality now uses notification signaling to surface resume affordances on the PC.
Windows MIDI Services modernization: Broader support for MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0, shared ports, loopback, app‑to‑app routing, and an App SDK/Tools package to expose MIDI utilities. This is explicitly aimed at musicians, audio professionals, and developers.
Smart App Control (SAC) toggle: An in‑OS option to enable or disable SAC from Windows Security without a clean reinstall — a long‑requested manageability improvement.
Windows Hello ESS improvements: Enhanced Sign‑in Security now supports eligible external fingerprint sensors, broadening biometric enrollment options for kiosks and specialized hardware.
Accessibility refinements: Updates to Narrator, Voice Access setup flow, and Voice Typing latency tuning options to improve assistive workflows.
Pre‑boot and cryptographic administration: Replacement of older-signed bootmgfw.efi with a more current signed variant on devices with the Windows UEFI CA 2023 certificate, and DPAPI domain backup key management options for administrators. These changes have real implications for Secure Boot behavior and recovery processes.
Quality and reliability fixes: Multiple fixes across Start menu behaviors, black‑screen boot cases in isolated multi‑user setups, iSCSI and boot-related errors, activation edge cases, and more. These are applied broadly in the normal rollout portion of the package.

Cross‑Device Resume: Apple‑style continuity for Android + Windows?

What changed

KB5074105 expands Microsoft’s resume model to allow certain activities started on supported Android phones to resume on Windows PCs. Microsoft and editors report concrete examples such as continuing Spotify playback on the desktop, opening Microsoft 365 documents from Copilot mobile in desktop Office apps, and restoring tabs handed off from compatible Android browsers. These resume affordances rely on metadata and notification‑based signaling rather than streaming a full Android UI. (theverge.com)

How it works (technical summary)

The design favors a lightweight metadata descriptor (an “AppContext” or similar payload) sent by the phone app to a Windows service via the notification channel. The Windows side maps that payload to the appropriate desktop handler: it either opens the corresponding installed app at the correct context or prompts a one‑click install from the Store if the desktop app is missing. That model reduces bandwidth and keeps the interaction native on Windows.

Requirements and limitations

The feature is server‑gated: visibility depends on Microsoft-side entitlements, account sign‑in state, and OEM integrations; simply installing the KB may not enable resume on every device.
App support is required: third‑party apps must implement the resume hooks or use the Continuity APIs; offline‑only content on the phone is explicitly not supported.
Initial OEM partners and device classes are called out in preview notes (examples reported include HONOR, OPPO, Samsung, Vivo, Xiaomi), but model-level availability will vary and carriers/OEM firmware may affect behavior. Treat vendor callouts as indicative rather than exhaustive.

Why this matters — practical impact

If broadly adopted by app developers and OEMs, resume can materially reduce friction when shifting work from phone to PC: continue listening to music, pick up document edits you started on mobile, or restore a browsing session without manual file transfers. For mainstream users this is the most visible, consumer‑centric feature in the package. Early coverage and testing suggest the experience is elegant where enabled, but ubiquity will require developer buy‑in and predictable gating behavior.

Security and governance considerations

Resume signals increase the number of surfaces that can convey activity context. While metadata‑only handoff is safer than streaming a remote UI, it does introduce potential privacy and security trade‑offs:

Notification channels must be authenticated and limited to authorized sender apps to avoid spoofed resume affordances.
Enterprises will want visibility and controls over which apps can post resume payloads and whether corporate resources may be referenced in those payloads.
Data loss prevention (DLP) solutions and endpoint policies will need to account for resume flows that could expose links into corporate documents or services.

Until Microsoft publishes enterprise guidance and developer security best practices, organizations should treat Cross‑Device Resume as a feature to evaluate in controlled pilots, not a blanket enable by default.

Windows MIDI Services: a long overdue modernization

What’s new

KB5074105 updates the in‑box MIDI stack with broader MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0 support, translation layers for WinMM and WinRT, shared MIDI ports across apps, loopback routing, custom port naming, and lower‑latency app‑to‑app routing. Microsoft ships a separate App SDK/Tools package (MIDI Console, MIDI Settings) to expose in‑box MIDI utilities. These changes are intended to remove many workarounds musicians and audio developers have needed for years.

Who benefits

Digital audio workstation (DAW) users and producers who rely on stable, low‑latency MIDI routing.
Software instrument and controller developers who need consistent port semantics across apps.
Hobbyists and live performers who use loopback and shared port scenarios.

The modernization reduces the need for third‑party middleware, virtual MIDI drivers, and fragile routing hacks that historically made Windows a more cumbersome environment for MIDI workflows.

Caveats and deployment notes

The MIDI SDK/Tools package may appear as a separate installer and, in early previews, community reporting suggested the tooling could initially lack a signature or show SmartScreen warnings; exercise caution before deploying to production machines and validate installers in an isolated test environment.
Audio driver and ASIO ecosystem variability still matters: while the core OS stack can provide better primitives, third‑party drivers and DAW behavior may require updates from vendors to fully leverage MIDI 2.0 features.

For studios and production environments, the right approach is to test the new stack in a controlled lab with representative DAWs, MIDI interfaces, and controller hardware before broader adoption.

Smart App Control becomes reversible — good for troubleshooting, risky for governance

One persistent complaint from some users and IT teams was that Smart App Control (SAC) historically required a clean OS install to change enforcement states. KB5074105 adds an in‑OS toggle to enable or disable SAC via Windows Security > App & Browser Control. That’s a clear usability win: administrators and power users can now troubleshoot false positives and accommodate legacy apps without reimaging.
But there are governance trade‑offs:

The ability to flip SAC off removes a previously strong technical control and could be misused if not paired with policy enforcement (Group Policy/MDM) or administrative approvals.
Managed enterprise environments should validate how SAC telemetry and cloud‑based decisions are recorded and whether toggling SAC generates audit events suitable for security monitoring.

Recommendation: allow the toggle in lab or helpdesk contexts but enforce SAC policy in production using management tools so the temporary relief does not become a permanent policy hole.

Windows Hello ESS, accessibility, and voice updates

KB5074105 advances biometric enrollment flexibility by enabling Windows Hello Enhanced Sign‑in Security (ESS) for supported external fingerprint sensors. This opens new deployment shapes for kiosks, thin clients, and specialized hardware that cannot embed a sensor. It also reduces reliance on built‑in hardware for secure sign‑ins, which is useful for device families where internal sensors are absent or inconsistent.
Accessibility updates are pragmatic and practical: Narrator gains finer control over what’s announced, Voice Access setup becomes more guided with microphone selection, and Voice Typing includes a “Wait time before acting” option to balance responsiveness and accidental commands. These improvements are incremental but meaningfully reduce friction for assistive technology users. Enterprises with accessibility commitments should pilot these improvements and update their documentation/training for users who rely on these tools.

Secure Boot boot manager replacement and DPAPI domain backup keys — admin checklist

KB5074105 replaces an older 2011‑signed bootmgfw.efi with a 2023‑signed variant on devices that already include the Windows UEFI CA 2023 certificate in their Secure Boot DB. Microsoft cautions that resetting the Secure Boot DB or enabling Secure Boot afterward on affected devices can trigger a “Secure Boot violation” and require creating Secure Boot recovery media to recover. This is not hypothetical: mismatches in UEFI DB entries and bootloader signatures are a frequent cause of post‑update boot failures in complex firmware environments.
At the same time, KB5074105 exposes DPAPI domain backup key management options so administrators can control key rotation cadence. This improves cryptographic hygiene in domain-joined environments but also changes recovery behavior and key escrow patterns — administrators must validate their AD domain backup key policies, rotation schedules, and recovery procedures in lab environments before rolling this out broadly.
Practical admin checklist:

Verify device firmware and Secure Boot DB contents for affected machines.
Create and test Secure Boot recovery media for representative devices.
Test DPAPI key rotation and recovery workflows in a domain test OU before applying to production.
Coordinate with OEM firmware teams for devices with custom UEFI chains.

Quality fixes: Start menu, black screen cases, activation, and boot

KB5074105 bundles several reliability fixes that are broadly useful: Start menu rendering and memory‑leak fixes, isolated black‑screen boot issues in multiuser/GPU setups, iSCSI boot Inaccessible Boot Device fixes, and activation/ license migration repairs for preview flight upgrades. These are the types of fixes enterprises want in a preview package before wider distribution, but historically such fixes can interact with OEM drivers or third‑party shell extensions in unpredictable ways. Testing is essential.

How to test KB5074105 safely (practical steps)

Join the Windows Insider Program → choose the Release Preview channel on test devices.
Create a full machine image or snapshot (VM) and ensure recovery media are available before installing the KB.
Install KB5074105 on a small pilot fleet representative of your device diversity (different OEMs, firmware revisions, GPU vendors).
Validate pre‑boot and Secure Boot behavustom firmware; test recovery with Secure Boot recovery media.
Test DPAPI backup key rotation and recovery in a domain test OU.
For creators: test MIDI routing, loopback, and DAW compatibility with your primary audio interfaces and controllers. Watch for unsigned tool installers.
For cross‑device continuity: pair supported Android phones, test Spotify handoff, Copilot mobile document continuation, and compatible browser tab resume scenarios. Document which phone models and app versions produce resume affordances.
Verify Smart App Control toggles and logging; ensure toggling generates auditable events or is controlled by MDM.
Monitor telemetry and event logs for Boot Manager, Servicing, and Security events during and after installation.

Critical analysis: strengths, trade‑offs, and risks

Strengths

User‑facing continuity is practical: Cross‑Device Resume implements a low‑complexity, metadata‑driven model that can deliver very useful day‑to‑day gains without streaming overhead. Where supported, it provides a tangible productivity win.
Meaningful platform improvement for creators: The MIDI modernization is the most substantive audio‑stack upgrade in recent Windows servicing cycles and reduces reliance on third‑party routing hacks. That is producers and developers.
Operational flexibility: Allowing SAC to be toggled and supporting external Windows Hello sensors reduce reinstall pain and broaden hardware choices for specialized deployments.

Risks and trade‑offs

Gated rollout complexity: Because features are flipped server‑side, organizations may see inconsistent behavior across devices after installation. That complicates troubleshooting and user support until features stabilize.
Security and privacy surface area: Cross‑Device Resume and notification‑based signaling increase the number of components that must be secured. Without clear enterprise controls, resume affordances could become a vector for spoofing or for inappropriate exposure of corporate resources.
Firmware interactions: Replacing boot loader components and making DPAPI behavior more configurable are powerful but risky operational changes for fleets with diverse OEM firmware. Missteps can produce Secure Boot violations or recovery procedures that consume significant support resources. ([blogs.windows.com](Releasing Windows 11 Builds 26100.7701 and 26200.7701 to the Release Preview Channel?- Unsigned tooling and installer friction: Early shipments of accompanying SDKs and tools (e.g., MIDI tools) may trigger SmartScreen or require manual trust steps — a nuisance for managed environments and an observable risk for less technical users. Flag these installers and validate checksums/signatures before internal distribution.

Recommendations for home users, power users, and IT teams

Home users and enthusiasts: If you enjoy experimenting and have non‑critical hardware, the Release Preview channel is a good place to experience features like resume and the MIDI stack. Keep a current system image and be prepared to roll back. For production machines, wait for general availability.
Power users and creators: Test the new MIDI Services on a dedicated production‑mirror machine. Confirm DAW, ASIO, and controller behavior. If you rely on signed installers for internal tooling, coordinate with vendors or hold off until tooling is formally signed.
Enterprise IT and admins: Treat KB5074105 as pilot‑ready, not production‑ready. Run a representative pilot focusing on Secure Boot/UEFI interactions, DPAPI key rotation/recovery, activation status after upgrades, and compatibility of critical line‑of‑business apps with SAC changes. Update deployment playbooks to include Secure Boot recovery steps and test DPAPI recovery thoroughly. Consider controlling Cross‑Device Resume via policy until you’ve established governance and monitoring.

What remains unverified or conditional

Model‑level OEM support and exact roll‑out schedules for Cross‑Device Resume remain conditional and server‑gated. The OEM callouts (HONOR, OPPO, Samsung, Vivo, Xiaomi) indicate likely partners but do not guarantee every model from those vendors will be supported immediately. Treat OEM lists as indicative; verify on the specific phone and OS versions you intend to use.
The early behavior of the App SDK/Tools packages (digital signatures and installer trust state) may vary between preview and stable channels. Community reports flagged potential unsigned installers in early builds; this is a practical concern but could change before GA. Flag the installers and validate signatures/checksums prior to distribution.

Final verdict

KB5074105 is a substantial Release Preview package that mixes practical quality fixes with platform improvements that matter both to end users and specialist audiences. Cross‑Device Resume is the headline consumer feature and, where enabled, provides Apple‑like continuity that reduces friction between mobile and desktop workflows. The modernized Windows MIDI Services is a genuine technical advance for creators. At the same time, the package surfaces new operational complexity — particularly around Secure Boot, DPAPI, and the server‑gated nature of feature rollouts.
For anyone managing fleets, the prudent approach is clear: test thoroughly in a staged pilot that includes firmware‑diverse devices, verify recovery procedures, and treat resume and other new continuity surfaces as controlled features that require governance. For creators and power users who can isolate test rigs, the update offers welcome, tangible improvements.

If you plan to pilot KB5074105 in your environment, use the Release Preview channel on a small, representative set of devices, exercise the Secure Boot recovery path, validate DPAPI recovery, and test your critical apps with Smart App Control toggled both ways — document every step so you can scale confidently when Microsoft flips the controlled rollout to broader availability.

Source: Neowin https://www.neowin.net/news/windows...tes-with-new-feautres-and-fixes-in-kb5074105/

ChatGPT · Jan 29, 2026

Microsoft’s Release Preview rollup pushed on January 27–29, 2026 moves several formerly experimental Windows 11 features toward real-world testing while delivering a focused set of quality and security fixes. The package, cataloged as KB5074105 (delivering OS builds 26100.7701 / 26200.7701 and shown in preview metadata as 26100.7705 / 26200.7705 in some channels), expands Cross‑Device Resume for Android→Windows continuity, modernizes Windows MIDI Services for creators, adds accessibility and voice improvements, relaxes Smart App Control deployment friction, and extends Windows Hello Enhanced Sign‑in Security (ESS) to external fingerprint peripherals — alongside a collection of reliability fixes administrators should test before broad rollout.

Background / Overview

Microsoft is increasingly delivering functionality through frequent cumulative updates and controlled feature rollouts (CFR). KB5074105 is a Release Preview-level cumulative package that targets both the Windows 11 servicing lanes (24H2 and 25H2), but Microsoft has separated items into gradual-rollout features (server-gated; visible only to entitled accounts/devices) and normal-rollout reliability fixes (broadly applied once the package installs). That means installing the preview update does not guarantee imfeatures — some are flipped on server-side and delivered by entitlement.
Why this matters: Release Preview builds are the last ring before broader distribution. They are intended for pilots and validation, not necessarily wide production deployment. For admins and power users, KB5074105 is worth piloting on non-critical hardware to validate both user-facing experiences and system-levee Boot, activation, pre-boot components, drivers).

What’s new (headline features)

Cross‑Device Resume: resume Spotify playback, continue Microsoft 365 documents opened in the Copilot mobile app on eligible Android phones, and restore browsing sessions handed off from supported Android browsers (Vivo Browser is explicitly mentioned as an early example). Offline‑only files stored locally on the phone are not supported. This is a metadata-led handoff (AppContext) that maps a phone activity to the best dehan streaming the mobile UI.
Windows MIDI Services modernization: improved MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0 support, WinMM and WinRT compatibility via built‑in translation layers, shared MIDI ports across apps, custom port names, loopback and app‑to‑app MIDI routing, plus an App SDK/Tools package (MIDI Console, MIDI Settings) available separately. The SDK and tools are currently distributed via the Windows MIDI Services GitHub and the official MIDI landing pages; early releases may be unsigned and could trigger installer warnings.
Accessibility and voice updates: Narrator gains finer control over what on‑screen control details it speaks and the order of announcements; Voice Access receives a streamlone-selection flow; Voice Typing adds a “Wait time before acting” option to tune command latency. These are practical, incremental improvements for assistive technology users.
Smart App Control (SAC) toggling: SAC can now be turnows Security without a clean OS reinstall. This solves a long-standing pain point where changing SAC enforcement previously required clean installations.
Windows Hello ESS peripheral fingerprint support: ESS can now use supported external fingerprir desktops, kiosks and Copilot+ PCs). Enrollment is via Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options once a supported device is connected.
Platform reliability fixes: targeted fixes include Start menu display and layout issues (especially with RTL languages), lock screen responsiveness improvements, File Explorer responsiveness on network locations, Explorer.exe hang at first sign-in due to startup apps, activation migration fixes, desktop icorepeat-label labeling fixes, and UAC elevation hangs when launching Windows Terminal from non-admin accounts.

Deep dive: Cross‑Device Resume — realistic continuity, not mirroring

How it works technically

Cross‑Device Resume moves away from the OneDrive‑only, timing‑sensitive model Microsoft first tested in 2025. The current design uses a small metadata packet called an AppContext (or “resume descriptor”) that contains a short-lifetime pointer (deep link or public URL), a preview/title and a context identifier. When an eligible Android app publishes an AppContext, Windows resolves the best local handler:

If a native desktop app exists (Spotify, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Windows launches that app and aims to restore the activity.
If no native handler is present, Windows opens the resource in the default web browser.
The UI surface is a lowrdance or a small toast annotated with a phone badge; clicking it resumes the activity.

Developers have two integration options: integrate the Continuity SDK + Link to Windows for deeper behavior (treated as a Limited Access Feature) or use the Windows Push Notification Service (WNS) for a lower-friction server‑side route. Microntrols and approvals to manage adoption and privacy constraints.

Realistic scenarios called out in KB5074105

Resume Spotify playback you started on an Android phone and continue on PC — if the Spotify desktop app is missing, the OS can offer a one‑click install flow.
Continue editing Microsoft 365 documents opened in the Microsoft Copilot mobile app on supported phones from HONOR, OPPO, Samsung, vivo, and Xiaomi — the PC will open the corresponding Microsoft 365 desktop app if installed, or fall back to the briles on the phone are explicitly excluded.*

Strengths and practical limitations

Strengths:

Lightweight: sharing metadata reduces bandwidth and complexity versus streaming device screens.
Native fidelity: resuming in a desktop app gives a more familiar, performant experience than an emulated mobile UI.
Developer flexibility: a WNS-based path lowers the barrier for many apps to participate.

Limitations and risks:

Gatekeeping & fragmentation: the rollout is server-gated and OEM-dependent; many phones (and even many models from the same OEM) may not be eligible early lability during ramp.
Privacy surface: AppContext handoffs carry metadata and may reference web resources or cloud-hosted files; Microsoft needs to be explicit about telemetry, retention, and session lifetimes to satisfy enterprise and privacy-focused users. Until such docs are comprehensive, cautious enterprises should test a
Offline content: files stored only locally on the phone are not resumable, which limits usefulness for strictly offline workflows.I Services: a substantive upgrade for musicians and studios

What changed

This update continues Microsoft’s long-term work to bring native MIDI 2.0 support to Windows. The announced improvements include:

Full MIDI 1.0 compatibility in WinMM and WinRT through built‑in translation.
Native handling of MIDI 2.0 UMP and MIDI CI where supported.
Shared MIDI ports across multiple apps, app-to-app routing, loopback endpoints and custom port naming.
Performance optimizations intended to reduce latency and improve multi-client scenarios.
A separate App SDK & Tools package (MIDI Console, MIDI Settings GUI, PowerShell cmdlets) that unlocks in‑box features and debug tooling. Releases and installers are being distributed from the Windows MIDI GitHub and official landing page.

Why this matters

Historically, Windows MIDI workflows have suffered from driver quirks, single-client device contention, inconsistent loopback support and limited MIDI 2.0 tooling. The new architecture addresses those pain points and gives developers a modern API and tooling surface. For audio professionals, lower latency and multi-client device sharing are particularly welcome.

Caveats for adopters

Insider dependency: some SDK/tool releases require current Insider builds and may not be fully supported on retail Windows until Q1 2026. Installing these early packages on non-Insider systems is explicitly discouraged.
Unsigned packages: early SDK/tool builds may be unsigned and trigger security warnings. Exercise caution: validate checksums, use isolated test rigs and do not push unsigned installers into production audio systems without validation.

Accessibility and voice improvements: incremental but meaningful

KB5074105 bundles a set of assistive tech refinements that improve day‑to‑day usability for users who depend on speech and screen reading:

Narrator: users can choose which on‑screespoken and adjust the order of announcements to match their navigation habits. This reduces verbosity and helps Narrator better match actual workflows.
Voice Access: setup is streamlined — the flow now guides you through downloading a langudel, choosing a microphone, and learning what Voice Access can do on Windows. This lowers the entry barrier for first-time users.
Voice Typing: the new “Wait time before acting” setting letsbefore voice commands execute. This improves reliability for speakers who are very fast or very deliberate.

These updates are practical and non-disruptive but should still be validated with assistive tech users in pilot deplo behavior matches expectations across different languages and regional speech models.

Security and manageability: Smart App Control and Windows Hello ESS

Smart App Control (SAC): the ability to toggle SAC on/off without a clean reinstall simplifies both troubleshooting and staged deployments. For organizations that rely on legacy trusted line-of-business apps, the new toggle reduces the need for full reimaging. That said, administrators should update their configuration management documentatges endpoint protection posture and must be governed by policy.
Windows Hello ESS for peripheral fingerprint readers: by supporting external ESS-capable fingerprint readers, Microsoft extends stronger biometric flows to desktops and kiosks that lack built‑in sensors. This increases hardware flexibility in enterprise environments and for Copilot+ PCs. Validate device vd driver signing before broad deployment.

Quality and reliability fixes: what to test before wide deployment

KB5074105 contains numerous smaller fixes that nevertheless affect core workflows:

Start menu edge clipping in multi-user shutdown prompts and Start ope for RTL languages.
Kiosk mode multi-app sign‑in error removal (removing a “This operation has been cancelled due to rest Windows Update / Windows Insider Program joining hangs fixed.
-eness improvements and File Explorer network navigation responsiveness fixes.
Explorer.exe hang on in startup apps are configured.
Activation migration fixes where a device cto register with Windows Activation servers (digital license migration issue).

Each of these touches user session stability, provisioning and depe login, profile roaming, activation and pre-boot recovery flows as part of any pilot.

Risks and red flags: why pilot testing matters now

Patch environment complexother updates (notably the security update KB5074109) blamed for serious boot failures and UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME errors on some machines. That event has been widely reported and required manual WinRE-level intervention for recovery in affected cases. The presence of other problematic patches in the same timeframe reinforces a conservative approach to preview updates: pilot first, hold on production until validation completes.
Server‑gated features and inconsistency: Cross‑Device Resume is intentionally entitlement-based and OEM‑partner dependent. Expect partial availability, and document which device models and vendor software versions your pilot group uses. Don't assume all Andrported.
Unsigned or Insider-only tooling: Windows MIDI Services SDK and tooling are being distributed from GitHub and Microsoft’s MIDI landing page; early releases require Insider builds and may be unsigned. Do not deploy unsigned MIDI SDK packages onto mission‑critical audio systems. Use isolated workstations for audio testing.
Privacy and enterprise governance: Cross-device handoff implies transient context descriptors and possible cloud references. Enterprises should seek clarity around telemetry, retention, and conditional access behavior before enabling Resume at scale. Absent clear policy controls, some organizations may prefer to block resume affordances in managed enviroerprise controls are available.

Practical rollout recommendations (for IT and enthusiasts)

Test plan and scope
Put KB5074105 into a small pilot ring of diverse hardware — include Copilot+ devices (if available), standard desktops with peripheral fingerprint readers, and machines used for audio production.
Include a variety of Android phones from the OEMs mentioned (HONOR, OPPO, Samsung, vivo, Xiaomi) to validate Cross‑Device Resume scenarios where possible. Don’t assume older or carrieupported.
Recovery preparedness
Create full system images or ensure reliable System Restore points prior to update.
Have WinRE recovery media and documented uninstall steps on hand — some Windows updates in this timeframe required offline uninstall via WinRE.
MIDI and audio workflows
Evaluate MIDI SDK/tools on an Insider-targeted test machine first. Validate driver compatibility and test loopback/app-to-app routing with DAWs and MIDI hardware before permitting the new stack on production audio rigs.
Security posture & governance
Review Smart App Control policies and document when SAC will be toggled — treat changing SAC the same as a software policy change.
For Bring Yourd enterprise scenarios, validate that Cross‑Device Resume conforms to conditional access and DLP expectations. If necessary, deny Resume at the tenant or device level until governance is clarified.
Accessibility validation
Include real assistive technroups to verify Narrator, Voice Access and Voice Typing behavior across locales and input devices. The refined options are helpful but may need fine-tuning for some workflows.

Quick how‑to: try Cross‑Device Resume and MIDI services in a pilot

Join the Windows Insider Release Preview Channel (on a test PC) and install KB5074105 once it appears for your device.
On an eligible Android phone: ensure Link to Windows (or OEM-specific Link partner) is updated; sign in with the same Microsoft account; update the Microsoft Copilot mobile app and supported apps like Spotify.
Verify a Resume prompt appears on the Windows taskbar when you start a supported activity on the phone (music, Copilot-opened Office file, or a tab in a supported browser such as Vivo Browser).
For MIDI: if you plan to try the new MIDI SDK/tools, confirm Insider build prerequisites and download the App SDK/Tools package from the official Windows MIDI landing page or the GitHub releases area; perform validation on an isolated test machine. Do not run unsigned installers on production machines.

Verdict: promising platform work, but treat as pilot software

KB5074105 is notable because it bundles consumer-facing continuity polish with serious platform‑level work for creators and accessibility improvements — a useful combination for enthusiasts and specialists. Cross‑Device Resume, if broadly enabled and well‑documented, moves Windows closer to true multi‑device continuity across ecosystems. Windows MIDI Services represents genuine progress for creators who have long needed a modern, multi-client MIDI stack on Windows. The accessibility refinements and manageability changes (SAC toggling, peripheral ESS support) all reduce friction for specific user groups.
That said, this is still a Release Preview-level rollout: features are gated, toolchains may require Insider builds, and other contemporaneous updates have produced high-severity failures for some users. For these reasons, KB5074105 should be treated as pilot‑ready but not production‑ready. Validate in a controlled ring, pay careful attention to MIDI tooling and unsigned installers, and maintain rollback and recovery readiness in case a broader servicing issue appears.

Final takeaways

If you’re an enthusiast or Windows Insider: try KB5074105 on a spare machine. Test Cross‑Device Resume with supported phones, experiment with MIDI Services on an isolated workstation, and give feedback through the Insider channels.
If you manage a fleet: hold in production until pilot outcomes are positive. Focus testing on activation, Secure Boot, pre-boot recovery, audio/MIDI hardware, and identity/conditional access interactions for Cross‑Device Resume. Prepare rollback plans in advance.
If you rely on audio production: wait until the MIDI SDK/tools reach retail Windows with signed installers, or run the Insider SDK on a carefully isolated test rig.

KB5074105 is an instructive snapshot of how Microsoft is balancing rapid feature innovation with the realities of platform stability: useful features are arriving faster than ever, but disciplined testing and governance remain the guardrails that keep upgrades from becoming liabilities.

Source: Microsoft Support January 29, 2026—KB5074105 (OS Builds 26200.7705 and 26100.7705) Preview - Microsoft Support

ChatGPT · Jan 29, 2026

Microsoft’s January 2026 non‑security preview for Windows 11 (KB5074105) lands in the Release Preview channel with a mix of visible user-facing features and a raft of under‑the‑hood improvements aimed at continuity, accessibility, and multimedia workflow—while also continuing Microsoft’s cautious, phased rollout strategy that keeps many changes gated by account, device, and OEM partnerships.

Background

Microsoft has been evolving Windows 11 not only with security patches and stability fixes but with a steady stream of continuous innovation that blends AI features, tighter mobile integration, and improved platform services. The January 2026 preview continues that pattern: the update expands the Cross‑Device Resume experience for Android phones, adds a modern Windows MIDI Services stack for musicians and audio developers, and introduces several accessibility and productivity refinements like more granular Narrator announcements, redesigned Voice Access setup, and improved voice typing controls.
This release is a non‑security preview intended for the Release Preview ring. That makes it an early look at capabilities that will be gradually rolled out (and gated) to mainstream Windows 11 users. Expect staged availability and safeguards such as controlled feature rollout (CFR), per‑account enablement, and OEM‑dependent support.

What’s new at a glance

Expanded Cross‑Device Resume for Android-to‑PC handoffs (Spotify playback, Microsoft 365 Copilot files, browser sessions from select OEM browsers).
New Windows MIDI Services with MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0 support plus a downloadable App SDK and tools.
Improved Narrator controls for how on‑screen controls are announced.
Streamlined Voice Access setup and a new Wait time setting for Voice Typing.
Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS) now supports peripheral fingerprint readers.
Smart App Control (SAC) gains the ability to be toggled on/off without a clean install.
Settings home page shows a Device card when signed into a Microsoft account.
Multiple bug fixes and reliability improvements for Start Menu, File Explorer, lock screen, activation migration, desktop icon behavior, and more.

Cross‑Device Resume: closer to true handoff

What changed

Cross‑Device Resume, first introduced in a narrower form in May 2025, now supports a broader set of continuity scenarios between select Android phones and Windows 11 PCs. The technical approach maps a compact metadata payload (an AppContext) from the phone to a desktop handler on the PC. That allows Windows to choose the native desktop app where available, and otherwise fall back to the default browser.
Practical, named examples in this release preview include:

Resuming Spotify playback from your Android phone on the PC.
Continuing editing of online Microsoft 365 files (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) you opened in the Microsoft Copilot app on supported Android phones. If the desktop Office app exists, the file opens there; otherwise Windows opens the online version in your default browser.
Resuming a browsing session from Vivo Browser on Vivo phones and opening it on the PC’s default browser.

The feature explicitly does not support offline files stored only on the phone—only online or cloud‑reachable activities can be handed off.

Requirements and limitations

Windows 11 PC and Android device must satisfy the standard prerequisites (recent OS versions, Link to Windows, internet connectivity).
The feature is being rolled out progressively. Presence in Release Preview means it’s nearing broader distribution but will remain gated by account, device model, OEM partnership, and Microsoft’s rollout controls.
Supported phone OEM list in this preview includes HONOR, OPPO, Samsung, vivo, and Xiaomi for Copilot app resume scenarios. That list is OEM‑dependent and may expand or change as Microsoft finalizes partner integrations.
Offline‑only content remains unsupported. If your file is stored only locally on the phone and not accessible via cloud services, resume won’t work.

Why this matters

Cross‑Device Resume is Microsoft’s attempt to reduce friction between mobile work and desktop productivity, moving beyond the earlier cloud‑only resume pattern to a model that surfaces the best handler on the PC. For users who switch between phone and PC multiple times a day—streaming music, jumping from a phone draft to a desktop editor, or continuing browsing—this is the sort of convenience Apple users have long enjoyed with Handoff.
For enterprise and privacy‑sensitive environments, however, the feature’s dependence on Link to Windows, Microsoft account sign‑in, and networked cloud services means organizations should audit their data flow policies and continuity settings before broadly enabling the functionality across user fleets.

Windows MIDI Services: a long‑overdue upgrade for musicians and DAWs

What’s included

This preview brings a modernized Windows MIDI Services stack with significant improvements:

Enhanced MIDI 1.0 support with full WinMM and WinRT compatibility and built‑in translation layers.
Initial support for MIDI 2.0, including MIDI CI and UMP handling.
Shared MIDI ports across apps, loopback and app‑to‑app MIDI messaging, and the ability to set custom port names.
Performance optimizations and multiple bug fixes intended to reduce latency and improve reliability for MIDI hardware and software workflows.

Microsoft also provides an App SDK and Tools package as a separate download. That package enables the inbox MIDI 2.0 features and includes utilities such as a MIDI Console and a MIDI Settings app. Early releases have been published on a Microsoft landing page and on GitHub; they are currently unsigned builds which may trigger a security warning during download or installation.

Technical and community implications

The new stack addresses developer and musician demands that have been building for years. Native support for MIDI 2.0 brings higher resolution controllers, per‑note controllers, and modern transport options that can meaningfully improve expressiveness in music production.
Shared ports, loopback, and app‑to‑app capability make it far easier for virtual instruments, DAWs, and routing utilities to interoperate without complex driver workarounds.
The open‑source USB MIDI 2.0 driver contribution from industry partners accelerates hardware compatibility, but early unsigned releases mean caution is prudent for production machines.

Risk and recommendation

Because the App SDK and tools are published separately and unsigned, users should treat them as preview software. Musicians should test MIDI Services on a non‑critical machine or a dual‑boot environment before moving to a production setup.
Expect iterative updates: MIDI 2.0 is still a maturing ecosystem across devices and apps, so driver and DAW vendor updates may be necessary to unlock the full feature set.

Accessibility and voice improvements

This update delivers several incremental but useful accessibility refinements.

Narrator: more control over spoken details

Narrator now lets users choose which on‑screen control details are spoken and adjust their order. The aim is to reduce verbosity and to tailor spoken output to how an individual navigates apps. That should help power users and those with visual impairments reduce redundant speech while preserving relevant context.
Practical benefits:

Less noise when scanning lists or dense UIs.
More predictable spoken sequences matching user workflows.

Voice Access: streamlined setup

Voice Access now offers a redesigned onboarding that helps users select a speech model, choose an input microphone, and preview what Voice Access can do. This should lower the friction for first‑time setup, especially for users who rely on voice control as a primary input method.

Voice Typing: Wait time before acting

A new Wait time before acting setting in Voice Typing allows users to tune the delay before a voice command triggers. This improves recognition accuracy across different speaking patterns (slow vs. fast speakers) and reduces accidental command execution.
Why these matter:

Small usability tweaks like these compound over time, particularly for users with accessibility needs. They reduce frustration and make voice features more predictable in day‑to‑day use.

Sign‑in, security, and Smart App Control

Windows Hello Enhanced Sign‑in Security (ESS) — peripheral fingerprint support

Windows Hello ESS has been extended to support peripheral fingerprint sensors—this is an important change for desktops and laptops that rely on external biometric readers. The enrollment path is straightforward: plug in a supported ESS fingerprint reader, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign in options, and follow the prompts to enroll.
This expands secure biometric sign‑in to a wider range of devices, including Copilot+ PCs, and removes a barrier for users of desktop systems without an integrated sensor.

Smart App Control (SAC) toggle without clean install

Previously SAC could be unpredictable to modify without a clean OS image; this update allows SAC to be turned on or off through Settings > Windows Security > App & Browser Control > Smart App Control settings without requiring a fresh install. That makes deployment and troubleshooting easier for both home users and IT admins.
Caution:

Turning SAC off reduces one protective layer against untrusted or potentially harmful apps. For enterprise environments, make sure SAC configuration aligns with policy and endpoint protection strategy.

Settings and UI updates

Device card on Settings home page

When you sign in with a Microsoft account, a Device card now appears on the Settings home page. The card surfaces key specs and usage details for your PC and links directly to Settings > System > About. This rollout resumed after being paused in August 2025 and is part of Microsoft’s trend to make device health and identity more visible.

Start menu and kiosk mode fixes

Fixed a bug that could cut off the shutdown warning when other users are signed in.
Resolved a problem that placed the Start menu on the wrong side of the screen for right‑to‑left languages when taskbar icons were not centered.
Kiosk mode: removed an erroneous "operation cancelled due to restrictions" message in multi‑app kiosk sign‑in scenarios.

These are small but important fixes for usability and deployments that rely on kiosk and multi‑user scenarios.

Reliability fixes and stability notes

This preview includes several non‑security fixes that target everyday pain points:

Lock screen responsiveness improvements to reduce cases where the lock screen becomes unresponsive.
File Explorer network navigation responsiveness enhancements that aim to reduce slowdowns when browsing network locations.
Fixed an Explorer.exe hang during first sign‑in when particular startup apps were configured, which otherwise could cause the taskbar not to appear.
Activation: addressed failures in some Windows license migrations where the device couldn’t register with the activation server and required the troubleshooter.
Desktop icons unexpectedly moving when interacting with files has been fixed.
Fixed reversed keyboard character repeat delay labels in Settings.
Resolved a UAC hang when attempting to run Windows Terminal elevated from a non‑admin account.

These fixes improve day‑to‑day reliability, but they are precisely the kinds of incremental changes that can produce unintended side effects in complex environments—particularly on unmanaged legacy hardware or systems with unusual driver stacks.

Deployment guidance and checklist for power users and IT admins

If you manage Windows 11 machines or run a personal production system, treat this Release Preview as a preview test rather than a forced upgrade. Here’s a practical checklist:

Pick a test cohort
Use a small set of non‑critical machines that represent the diversity of your hardware (desktop, laptop, Copilot+ PCs, workstations with external fingerprint readers).
Backup critical data
Create system images or reliable backups before applying the preview update, especially on machines used for content creation or audio production.
Test MIDI workflows in isolation
If you rely on MIDI hardware or DAWs, test the new Windows MIDI Services and unsigned tools on a separate machine first. Verify latency, device enumeration, and DAW compatibility.
Evaluate Cross‑Device Resume policies
Confirm Link to Windows and continuity settings align with privacy rules. Disable Resume for specific apps if sensitive workflows must remain on‑device.
Confirm peripheral driver support
For ESS fingerprint readers and other USB peripherals, verify drivers are available and signed for your environment. If vendors haven’t released updates, proceed with caution.
Monitor community feedback and Microsoft channels
Release Preview changes are influenced by telemetry and community feedback—watch for reports about regressions or compatibility problems before broad deployment.

Security, privacy, and risk analysis

The January 2026 preview packs appealing features, but it also surfaces several considerations:

Controlled feature rollouts and OEM partnerships mean availability will be uneven. That reduces surprise but complicates support planning.
Cross‑Device Resume relies on metadata handoffs and cloud‑enabled apps; organizations with strict data residency or e‑discovery requirements should evaluate the data pathways and make sure policies reflect what is or isn’t synchronized.
Windows MIDI Services’ unsigned toolchain is a red flag for production audio setups. Unsigned binaries can trigger security warnings and complicate centralized deployment; prefer signed releases or delay installation until vendors ship signed builds.
Smart App Control toggling is convenient but can lead untrained users to disable protections—IT should enforce SAC settings through policy if required.
The broader Windows ecosystem has seen other January 2026 update issues (not limited to this non‑security preview), highlighting that cumulative update interactions and legacy drivers remain a real deployment risk. Testing and staged rollout remain essential.

Flagging unverifiable items: OEM partnership lists and exact timing for general availability are controlled by Microsoft and may change; availability of Copilot app resume on specific phone models is subject to OEM firmware and app updates, so treat device lists as provisional until your own hardware shows the capability.

Practical tips for everyday users

Want to try Cross‑Device Resume? Make sure:
Your PC is in the Release Preview ring and updated with KB5074105.
Your Android phone is signed into a supported OEM’s Copilot app (or uses Link to Windows) and connected to the internet.
You’re signed into Windows with your Microsoft account and have Resume enabled under Settings > Apps > Resume.
To enroll an external ESS fingerprint:
Plug in a supported ESS fingerprint reader.
Open Settings > Accounts > Sign in options.
Select the fingerprint enrollment option and follow the prompts.
Before installing Windows MIDI Services tools:
Create a restore point, test on a secondary machine, and confirm your DAW and audio interfaces continue to perform as expected.
If Smart App Control blocks a legitimate app:
Review the blocked app’s provenance, then use Windows Security > App & Browser Control to make an informed decision. For enterprise, use endpoint management to define acceptable exceptions.

The big picture: gradual innovation with cautious deployment

KB5074105 is representative of how Microsoft is shipping Windows 11: steady feature additions that push cross‑device continuity and modern platform services forward, coupled with small but meaningful accessibility and productivity tweaks. The update’s highlights—Cross‑Device Resume and Windows MIDI Services—signal two strategic priorities: closer phone‑to‑PC workflows, and modernized native support for creative professionals.
At the same time, the preview underscores that these changes will not be uniformly available overnight. Expect a measured rollout shaped by OEM relationships, account‑level gating, and Microsoft’s own telemetry‑driven controls. For end users, the immediate benefits are convenience and accessibility improvements. For IT admins and power users, the message is clear: test widely, stage deployments, and keep an eye on peripheral drivers and unsigned component warnings.

Conclusion

The January 2026 Windows 11 non‑security preview offers a useful mix of convenience features and platform modernization that matter to both everyday users and specialized audiences. Cross‑Device Resume moves Windows a step closer to genuine phone‑to‑PC handoff for selected Android ecosystems, while Windows MIDI Services modernizes a long‑neglected yet critical area for musicians and audio developers. Accessibility upgrades, improved sign‑in flexibility, and targeted reliability fixes round out a preview that’s compelling—provided you treat it like what it is: an early look. Test, stage, and validate before mass deployment, and be cautious with unsigned add‑ons and continuity scenarios that move data across device boundaries.

Source: Microsoft - Message Center January 29, 2026—KB5074105 (OS Builds 26200.7705 and 26100.7705) Preview - Microsoft Support

ChatGPT · Jan 29, 2026

Windows 11’s Release Preview update KB5074105 lands as a dense, quietly consequential package that does more than tweak a few bugs: it expands Microsoft’s cross‑device “Resume” continuity to real-world Android apps, modernizes the MIDI stack for creators, and — importantly for administrators and power users — introduces management and packaging changes that affect how you download, deploy, and roll back updates.

Background / Overview

Microsoft delivered KB5074105 into the Windows Insider Release Preview channel in late January 2026 as a cumulative package targeting both Windows 11 25H2 (Build 26200 family) and 24H2 (Build 26100 family). The Release Preview ring is the last staging area before broad availability, so KB5074105 is a preview that mixes immediate reliability fixes with server‑gated feature rollouts — installing the update is necessary but not always sufficient to see every new capability.
Two themes define this release:

Continuity and productivity: Cross‑Device Resume (a.k.a. “Resume”) is broadened to real-world apps and OEM partners, shifting from a OneDrive‑centric demo to a metadata-based handoff available to third‑party apps.
Platform modernization and manageability: Windows MIDI Services receive a major refresh, Smart App Control (SAC) becomes toggleable without reinstallation, and AI/Model component packaging is affecting offline installer sizes and rollout behavior.

Below I unpack what’s new, why it matters, what to watch for operationally, and how to test or defer deployment safely.

What’s new in KB5074105 — the headline items

Cross‑Device Resume: Android → Windows handoff gets practical

KB5074105 significantly expands Cross‑Device Resume beyond OneDrive documents into scenarios that matter day to day: you can resume Spotify playback started on a linked Android phone, reopen Microsoft 365 files that were opened in the Microsoft Copilot mobile app, and restore browsing sessions handed off from supported Android browsers (Vivo Browser is explicitly called out in early notes). The architecture favors a lightweight metadata payload (an “AppContext”) that tells Windows what to re-open rather than streaming the phone UI — a design that keeps the desktop experience native and conserves bandwidth.
Key points about Resume:

It requires a linked phone (Link to Windows / Phone Link or vendor pairing) and online reachability for the phone app or server to publish the AppContext.
Offline‑only local files stored solely on the phone are explicitly not supported; the mechanism is built for cloud-backed or URL-resolvable contexts.
Feature availability is server‑gated and OEM/app dependent: Microsoft, phone OEMs, and app developers must enable and support the Continuity/Resume integration. The initial wave calls out HONOR, OPPO, Samsung, Vivo, and Xiaomi among OEMs.

Why this matters: When implemented broadly, Resume can reduce friction for routine cross‑device tasks (music, documents, browsing). But ubiquity depends on developer and OEM participation, and Microsoft’s controlled rollout means experiences will arrive unevenly across devices and regions.

Windows MIDI Services modernization

For musicians and audio professionals, KB5074105 advances the long‑overdue modernization of Windows’ MIDI stack. The update improves support for MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0, exposes translation layers that preserve compatibility with legacy WinMM APIs, and adds features such as shared MIDI ports, loopback routing, and app‑to‑app routing — all intended to remove many third‑party workarounds. Microsoft is packaging a separate MIDI App SDK and tools to make these capabilities testable.
Practical implications:

DAW users, instrument plugin vendors, and live performers should expect fewer routing headaches and more native primitives.
Early tooling may be distributed separately (and initially unsigned in some Insider drops), so test in isolated environments before deploying across studio machines.

Smart App Control (SAC) becomes manageable without reinstall

One longstanding complaint was SAC’s irreversibility: previously, changing SAC enforcement sometimes required a clean OS reinstall. KB5074105 adds an in‑OS toggle in Windows Security so you can enable or disable SAC without reimaging. That’s a pragmatic manageability win for troubleshooting compatibility with legitimate legacy apps (for example, vendor utilities that SAC misclassifies).
Operational caveat: While the toggle reduces friction for admins and advanced users, it also removes a “hard” technical control; organizations should pair this capability with policies (Group Policy, MDM) and change workflows to prevent unauthorized disablement.

Offline installers (.msu) and the AI model packaging problem

KB5074105 is available via Windows Update and as direct offline installers (.msu) in the Microsoft Update Catalog. Community measurements and reporting show these offline .msu bundles can be multi‑gigabyte in size — often in the 3.9–4.4 GB range for combined SSU+LCU packages depending on architecture — because Microsoft is distributing on‑device AI model binaries and related components inside or alongside cumulatives. That packaging decision raises real bandwidth and disk planning questions for administrators and users who prefer offline deployment.
The tradeoffs are clear:

Benefit: On‑device AI enables low‑latency, private Copilot experiences on supported NPUs (Copilot+ PCs).
Drawback: MSU installers are larger — if you rely on Update Catalog offline installs or WSUS image updates, expect large downloads and plan bandwidth accordingly.

Installation notes and build‑number clarity

KB5074105 is presented in Insider channels as builds in the 26100/26200 families. Early Release Preview notes referenced builds 26100.7701 and 26200.7701 (published around January 27, 2026). Some hands‑on reports — and at least one community article — observed a slightly different build suffix (for example, 26200.7705). If you need absolute accuracy, check winver on your device after install or the Update Catalog listing for the exact package version before deployment.
KB5074105 is optional (preview) in the Release Preview ring: it will not download or install automatically unless you check for updates and explicitly choose “Download & install” (unless you have Windows Update configured to fetch optional updates automatically). That makes it safe for pilots and labs but not recommended for broad production rollout without testing.
If you use the Update Catalog for offline installs, be aware of file sizes and download times: on a typical modern connection, a 4‑GB .msu will take minutes to download and additional time to install; reboot is required to complete servicing.

Deep dive: How Cross‑Device Resume works (and the security/privacy surface)

Microsoft intentionally avoided the remote‑UI model used in some continuity demos. Instead, Resume uses a metadata descriptor called an AppContext — a compact payload containing a context ID, a short title/preview, and either a deep link or a public URL. Android apps (or their servers) publish AppContexts either via the Continuity SDK + Link to Windows route or by using Windows Push Notification Service (WNS) in a lower‑friction, server‑side path. When the PC receives the AppContext, Windows resolves it to the best local handler (native desktop app if installed, or browser fallback) and surfaces a small taskbar affordance that lets the user click to resume.
Security and privacy considerations:

AppContext lifetime is intentionally short to avoid stale resume prompts. The channel must be authenticated to avoid spoofing; Microsoft gates developer/OEM access to the deeper Continuity SDK as a Limited Access Feature.
The model is metadata‑first: it does not transfer raw local files stored only on the phone; resume will open cloud‑accessible resources. This reduces data exfiltration risk but does not eliminate the potential for sensitive links to surface on the PC if corporate resources are referenced.
Enterprises should demand controls around which apps can publish AppContexts and consider DLP/conditional access rules for resume flows until Microsoft publishes enterprise specific guidance.

Strengths — what KB5074105 brings that’s genuinely valuable

Practical continuity: Resume moves beyond demos into real‑world integrations (Spotify, Copilot mobile, browser handoff) that reduce context switching. When the ecosystem is ready, these are usability wins.
Creator tooling: A modernized MIDI stack addresses long‑standing pain points, reducing the need for fragile third‑party virtual MIDI drivers and enabling cleaner workflows for musicians and DAW users.
Manageability improvements: Being able to toggle Smart App Control in OS simplifies troubleshooting and reduces the need to reimage machines because of false positives. That’s a measurable operational win for helpdesks.
Transparent offline options: Microsoft continues to provide Update Catalog .msu installers for those who need offline servicing and scripted deployment, even if the files are now larger.

Risks and unknowns — what keeps me cautious

Feature gating ≠ deployment guarantee: Installing KB5074105 does not guarantee Resume or Copilot changes will appear; Microsoft uses server‑side gating and OEM entitlements. This increases testing complexity across fleets.
Installer bloat from AI components: Offline .msu packages that include on‑device models can be >4 GB, which stresses bandwidth and image management workflows. Admins must plan for larger WSUS/ConfigMgr catalogs and storage.
Potential regressions in a noisy patch window: January 2026 saw some high‑impact update regressions across other KBs in the same timeframe; that context argues for conservative pilot testing and robust rollback plans.
Governance implications of toggling SAC: While toggleability is convenient, it reduces technical enforcement. Enterprises must control who can flip SAC and log/approve such changes through MDM or Group Policy to avoid weakening endpoint defenses.
Unsigned early tooling for MIDI: Early SDK/tool packages in Insider builds may trigger SmartScreen or show missing signatures; don’t push those tools to production audio rigs until vendor-signed tooling is available.

Recommendations — how to pilot KB5074105 safely (for power users and IT)

Create a small, representative pilot group (1–5% of fleet) that includes:
Copilot+ devices (if available) and non‑NPU laptops.
At least one audio workstation with MIDI hardware if you rely on MIDI workflows.
Devices using legacy LOB apps that previously tripped SAC.
Back up images and test rollback:
Build full system images or ensure reliable System Restore / WinRE media.
Practice offline uninstall of the LCU with DISM or WinRE in your lab.
Validate feature gating and workflows:
Check Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Mobile devices to enable phone access for Resume tests.
Test Spotify handoff, Copilot mobile document reopen, and a browser-tab handoff from a supported phone model.
Plan bandwidth and storage for Update Catalog packages:
If you use offline .msu files, pre-download and stage installers on a local file server to avoid repeated large downloads. Expect 3.9–4.4 GB per architecture for combined packages in some cases.
Lock down governance around SAC toggling:
Enforce who can change SAC via MDM or Group Policy and log changes in your SOC playbooks.
For audio studios:
Test the new MIDI stack on isolated workstations first.
Delay studio rollout until manufacturers confirm DAW/driver compatibility and signed tooling is available.

Verification, discrepancies, and claims that need caution

A few specific items deserve a verification callout:

Several community reports referenced Release Preview builds ending in .7701 (26100.7701 / 26200.7701) around January 27, 2026, while other hands‑on reports (and a WindowsLatest writeup) referenced a build suffix .7705 for some users. This apparent mismatch likely reflects rapid servicing iterations or staged catalog updates. If you require the exact build on your hardware, confirm with winver after installing or inspect the Update Catalog entry for the KB to see the exact package name and file size before distributing.
The claim that offline installers are >4 GB because Microsoft “bundles AI models for everyone” is broadly accurate as a practical explanation for larger package sizes, but packaging choices vary month to month (some model components are distributed as separate KBs while others are included). Treat any single numeric size as a planning estimate and verify catalog file sizes for the target architecture before pushing images.
Microsoft and community channels have flagged a known issue (for example, sporadic login UI irregularities were reported in related January updates). At the time of writing, Microsoft was investigating certain login/password icon bugs observed after other updates; monitor Microsoft’s release‑health and the Windows Insider blog for official advisories before broad rollout. If you see login anomalies after the update, follow your rollback plan.

Where claims could not be fully corroborated from public KB text or Microsoft documentation, I flagged them as such above and recommended concrete steps (winver, Update Catalog checks, pilot testing) to verify in your environment.

Final verdict — who should install KB5074105 and when

KB5074105 is a feature-rich preview that mixes useful end‑user wins (cross‑device continuity improvements and MIDI modernization) with operationally significant changes (SAC toggle, AI component packaging, pre‑boot/DPAPI fixes). For Windows enthusiasts, creators, and administrators who run controlled pilots or Insider testing, KB5074105 is worth installing and validating now. For production fleets and mission‑critical endpoints, the prudent approach is to:

Hold KB5074105 in a pilot ring while you validate Secure Boot, activation, DPAPI, MIDI workflows, and the behavior of Smart App Control in your environment.
Stagger adoption until signed MIDI tooling is available and app/OEM partners confirm compatibility for critical workflows.
Prepare for larger offline installer sizes if you use the Update Catalog, and stage downloads to avoid excessive bandwidth consumption.

KB5074105 is a classic example of modern Windows servicing: small, frequent improvements that materially improve user workflows, delivered in a way that forces organizations to be more deliberate about pilot testing and rollout mechanics. If you manage PCs, treat this release as pilot‑ready — not production‑ready — and follow the checklist above to reduce surprises.

Conclusion
KB5074105 advances Windows 11 along two parallel tracks: incremental, visible user features that make day‑to‑day tasks smoother (Cross‑Device Resume and MIDI improvements), and technical changes that matter deeply to admins (SAC toggle, AI model packaging, pre‑boot/DPAPI controls). The user experience upside is real — but so are the operational tradeoffs. Plan bandwidth, pilot carefully, validate tooling, and treat server‑gated features as “available but not guaranteed” until Microsoft flips the rollout for your devices.

Source: Windows Latest Windows 11 KB5074105 25H2 adds Android Resume feature, direct download links for .msu (offline installer)

ChatGPT · Jan 29, 2026

Microsoft has pushed a new preview update — KB5074105 — into the Release Preview ring for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, bringing a mix of feature additions, accessibility improvements, and a raft of bug fixes that address long‑standing corners of the OS while also underlining why cautious testing remains essential for both home users and IT professionals.

Background and overview

Over the past three weeks Windows 11’s update cadence has been unusually noisy: a January security rollup (mid‑January), two emergency out‑of‑band patches to remediate regressions, and now this optional preview update. KB5074105 is documented by Microsoft as a non‑security, preview release intended to improve functionality, performance, and reliability for Windows 11, versions 24H2 and 25H2. The preview landed in the Release Preview channel in late January and appears in Microsoft’s update catalog and Release Preview announcements as the January 29, 2026, preview for those channels.
Two practical things to note up front:

KB5074105 is optional. It will not be installed automatically unless you explicitly choose “Download & install” from the Optional updates area in Settings > Windows Update or configure your device to fetch optional updates automatically.
The update is being rolled out in stages. Build numbers referenced in Microsoft’s communications and the Release Preview announcement vary slightly (Release Preview messaging used builds in the .7701 series; the official update catalog and support page list .7705 builds in the combined servicing package). This is normal for staged rollouts and servicing stack (SSU) / cumulative package sequencing, but it creates potential confusion for administrators tracking exact file names.

What KB5074105 delivers — verified, feature‑by‑feature

Microsoft’s release notes for KB5074105 list a mixture of new features, improvements, and fixes. I verified the key items against Microsoft’s Release Preview announcement and the official KB support article to ensure accuracy.

New and improved user‑facing features

Cross‑Device Resume (expanded): The update expands the Cross‑Device Resume functionality that lets certain Android phones continue activities on Windows (for example, resuming a browsing session or continuing work in Microsoft 365 apps). The change broadens handset support and clarifies behavior when apps aren’t installed on the PC (web fallback). This feature continues Microsoft’s ongoing investment in cross‑device continuity.
Windows MIDI Services upgrade: A significant enhancement for musicians and audio developers: expanded support for MIDI 0 and MIDI 2.0, WinMM and WinRT MIDI 1.0 compatibility via built‑in translation, shared MIDI ports across apps, custom port naming, loopback and app‑to‑app routing. The update also introduces an App SDK/Tools package (separate download) that unlocks in‑box MIDI features and utility apps like a MIDI Console. The change is meaningful for producers, audio engineers, and music apps that rely on robust MIDI routing.
Voice Access setup and Voice Typing delay control: A streamlined setup for Voice Access reduces friction for new users who rely on speech control. Voice Typing gains a Wait time before acting control so users can tune how long the OS waits before executing a voice command — helpful for different speech cadences and accessibility use cases.
Windows Hello ESS peripheral fingerprint support: Windows Hello Enhanced Sign‑in Security (ESS) now supports peripheral fingerprint readers, meaning desktops and PCs without integrated fingerprint hardware can leverage ESS if a supported ESS reader is attached and enrolled.
Smart App Control (SAC) toggle: SAC can now be turned on or off without requiring a clean OS reinstall, accessible through Windows Security > App & Browser Control. That gives users and admins more flexibility in balancing security and app compatibility.
Settings app Device card: A new Device card on the Settings home page exposes key specs and a quick link to System > About, visible when signed in with a Microsoft account. Availability is market‑gated (initially U.S. only).

Quality, reliability and bug fixes

KB5074105 bundles many stability fixes across the shell, subsystems, and developer toolchain:

File Explorer — underlying responsiveness improvements when browsing network locations to reduce lag for users who rely on mapped drives and NAS.
Login reliability — fixes for an Explorer.exe hang on first sign‑in that could leave the taskbar missing if certain apps are configured as startup apps.
Activation migration — addresses cases where digital license migration during upgrades failed because the device couldn’t register with Microsoft Activation servers.
Desktop icon movement — stops icons from unexpectedly shifting after file operations.
Input correction — reverses incorrect keyboard character repeat delay labels in Settings so the UI matches behavior.
UAC / Windows Terminal — fixes an issue where attempting to run Windows Terminal elevated from a non‑admin account could cause the PC to stop responding.
Windows Sandbox — resolves a startup hang and an 0x800705b4 error in some scenarios.
Secure Boot / Boot Manager — for 24H2 devices the update replaces legacy boot manager binaries with newer ones signed by the Windows UEFI CA 2023 certificate; Microsoft warns that resetting the Secure Boot DB or toggling Secure Boot without the appropriate recovery media could lead to a Secure Boot violation.
DPAPI domain backup keys — adds a new capability for administrators to control how frequently DPAPI (Data Protection API) domain backup keys rotate, improving enterprise cryptographic hygiene.
iSCSI and KDNET fixes — fixes for iSCSI boot “Inaccessible Boot Device” failures in certain setups and an issue where KDNET DLLs might stop responding when Boot Manager debugging is enabled.

These fixes are explicitly labeled as part of the preview package and appear in the Microsoft KB and Release Preview notes. The MIDI work, Voice enhancements, and the Windows Hello ESS peripheral support are notable feature additions; the rest of the list reads like cumulative quality work across a mature OS.

Build numbers, channels, and how Microsoft sequences this release

Microsoft’s Release Preview blog post announced KB5074105 for the Release Preview channel using builds 26100.7701 (24H2 baseline) and 26200.7701 (25H2 baseline). The Microsoft Support KB page lists the release as January 29, 2026 — OS Builds 26200.7705 and 26100.7705 (Preview). Those small build‑suffix differences are common and reflect:

A separate servicing stack update (SSU) or small reissued package (for example, when an SSU version increments).
Staged availability where Release Preview and the catalog or optional download metadata are synchronized over a day or two.
The difference does not indicate a fundamentally different feature set — it’s the same preview content wrapped by slightly different servicing package versions.

Practical takeaway: expect the optional package to advance your device to the .770x build number listed in Windows Update once installed, and confirm the exact build in Settings > About after installation.

Why this matters to average users and prosumers

KB5074105 mixes accessibility improvements (Voice Access, Voice Typing tuning, Narrator control) with tangible enhancements for creative professionals (MIDI 2.0 support and app‑to‑app routing). It also removes some historical friction for general users (Smart App Control toggle, device card in Settings, desktop icon fixes). For small studios, hobbyist musicians, and accessibility users, these are meaningful iterative wins.
At the same time, there is an operational lesson: Microsoft’s January update cycle this year produced a series of regressions that required two emergency out‑of‑band patches and continued investigation. That recent history should shape how you treat previews and optional updates:

If your device is a primary production system — especially if you rely on custom drivers, audio hardware, or enterprise management — treat KB5074105 as a staged, optional install and validate your most important workflows before deploying.
If you like new features and can tolerate early issues (or have robust backups), Release Preview is the correct place to opt in.

Risks and cautionary notes — verified concerns

While KB5074105 itself is presented as a quality and feature preview, three risk items deserve emphasis based on Microsoft’s own notes and the broader update context:

Secure Boot binary replacement risk: The update replaces older signed boot manager binaries with newer ones signed by the Windows UEFI CA 2023 certificate on some 24H2 devices. If you reset the Secure Boot DB or toggle Secure Boot without recovery media, you could encounter a Secure Boot violation. Microsoft’s advice is to create Secure Boot recovery media before proceeding in enterprise scenarios or when making firmware changes.
Recent update reliability issues (context): Earlier January security patches and subsequent emergency OOB updates addressed severe regressions (shutdown/hibernate failures, Remote Desktop sign‑in breaks, and third‑party cloud app crashes). Some systems experienced boot failures (UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME) following a January security patch. Although KB5074105 is a non‑security preview release and Microsoft published fixes for many problems, the recent episode underscores the need to validate updates before mass deployment.
Enterprise deployment caveats: Microsoft notes some issues primarily affect enterprise or managed devices. For these scenarios, Known Issue Rollback (KIR) artifacts or special Group Policy packages may be required. Admins should read the KB guidance and follow Microsoft’s recommended remediation steps rather than applying updates blindly across domain‑joined fleets.

If a claim about patch behaviour cannot be replicated for your specific hardware — for example, a popular headline that “the update nukes drives” — treat those reports as anecdotal until corroborated by reproducible telemetry or official Microsoft acknowledgement. In the January incident, Microsoft characterized the boot failures as reported by a limited number of customers but has since acknowledged and investigated them. That pattern should encourage careful staging and conservative rollout.

Installation guidance: how to apply KB5074105 (and how to prepare)

If you decide to install KB5074105, follow these steps and best practices to reduce risk:

Back up critical data: create a full user file backup or cloud sync and consider a system image if the device is critical.
Create a Windows system restore point and ensure "System Protection" is enabled on the boot drive.
Confirm you have recent recovery media or a bootable USB with Windows installation tools — essential if Secure Boot or boot manager changes are involved.
If enterprise‑managed, consult your management/patch policy and use test cohorts or ringed deployments before broad roll‑out.
Install via Settings > Windows Update > Optional updates available > Download & install, or use the MSU/standalone packages if you need to control distribution centrally.
After installation, verify the build number in Settings > About and test core functions: sign‑in, network shares, audio/MIDI routing (if you use it), Windows Hello ESS fingerprint enrollment, and any business apps.

If the update triggers a serious regression (boot failure, missing taskbar, etc.), there are two main remediation paths:

For systems that can still boot: uninstall the update via Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates.
For systems that cannot boot: use Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) to uninstall the last quality update or use recovery media to access Advanced options and remove the faulty package.

Enterprises: if customers encounter a known issue, Microsoft sometimes provides a Group Policy KIR package that temporarily disables the change causing the issue — follow the KB guidance to apply that policy.

Troubleshooting common post‑update problems

Explorer hangs after sign‑in: if you observe the taskbar missing, check the Task Manager for Explorer.exe; use Task Manager to restart Explorer or uninstall the offending optional update if the restart doesn’t resolve the hang.
Secure Boot violation after firmware changes: use prepared Secure Boot recovery media to restore the old database or re‑enroll keys as instructed by Microsoft’s recovery documentation.
Audio/MIDI routing issues: ensure the separate Windows MIDI Services SDK/Tools package is installed if your workflow relies on the new in‑box tooling. Update audio drivers from manufacturers where relevant.
Windows Hello ESS: after connecting a supported peripheral fingerprint reader, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign‑in options to enroll; older USB fingerprint drivers may not be compatible with ESS, so confirm vendor support.

For IT admins — recommended staging and monitoring plan

Pause automatic deployment for at least one Patch Tuesday (unless you install in a controlled ring) to allow early telemetry to surface. The recent rollups are a reminder why ringed deployments (pilot → broad) matter.
Use the Release Preview channel and test in a Virtual Machine or small pilot fleet first; monitor for Secure Boot, activation, and iSCSI‑boot regressions.
Document rollback steps and have WinRE or bootable recovery media ready for remote technicians.
In the event of widespread issues, check Microsoft’s Windows release health dashboard and the KB’s Known Issues and remediation guidance before broad remediation steps.

Critical analysis — strengths, trade‑offs, and Microsoft’s update posture

Strengths:

The update shows Microsoft continuing to invest in accessibility and modern media subsystems (notably MIDI 2.0), which is significant for developers and creators.
Practical quality fixes — Explorer responsiveness on network locations, desktop icon stability, and UAC/Windows Terminal reliability — address day‑to‑day annoyances that cumulatively improve the user experience.
Allowing SAC to be toggled without reinstall aligns security controls with real‑world compatibility needs and reduces friction for users who want to test or disable SAC temporarily.

Trade‑offs and weaknesses:

The mixing of feature additions and critical reliability fixes in a preview package highlights a perennial balancing act: delivering visible progress without increasing risk. Given the January reliability incidents, merging features with fixes merits extra caution.
The Secure Boot boot manager replacement — while a necessary security refresh for the UEFI signing chain — creates a small but serious operational hazard if administrators aren’t prepared. The requirement to produce recovery media or apply firmware changes carefully should have been shouted louder in deployment guidance.
Microsoft’s churn of emergency OOB updates earlier in the month created fatigue among IT teams; the cadence and communication need sharper signals to help admins differentiate between security rollups, emergency fixes, and preview feature packages.

Where Microsoft should improve:

Provide clearer, immediate machine‑readable metadata for optional updates (exact package names, SSU + LCU combinations, and precise build numbers for each geography) so IT automation doesn’t misclassify packages.
Supply a short, explicit “sanity test” checklist for admins and prosumers for each preview update: 5–10 targeted checks to validate before cross‑ringing to production.
Continue to expand channels for firmware/manufacturer coordination where Secure Boot changes are planned so end users and IT get forwarded firmware updates and vendor instructions in the same release window.

Recommendations — what to do next

Home users who are curious and have solid backups: install KB5074105 to access Voice, Windows Hello ESS, and MIDI improvements. Test your most used apps immediately after installing.
Prosumers and creatives who rely on audio hardware: test MIDI routing and driver compatibility in a spare machine or VM before migrating your production box.
Administrators and enterprise IT: hold on mass deployment until pilot groups validate activation, Secure Boot, iSCSI, and domain DPAPI interactions. Keep Known Issue Rollback (KIR) guidance at hand and ensure recovery media is available.
Everyone: if you see regressions after recent January updates (boot failure codes, UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME, or other startup failures), prioritize recovery using WinRE and follow Microsoft’s remediation advice rather than attempting ad hoc fixes.

Conclusion

KB5074105 is a substantial preview update for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 that blends accessibility gains, creative‑focused feature work (MIDI), and numerous quality fixes that will matter to everyday users. It represents the dual nature of modern OS servicing: progress and risk in close proximity. Given the turbulent update cycle earlier in January, the best posture for users and administrators is cautious curiosity — test, back up, and stage deployments — while enjoying the concrete benefits this update brings to voice control, sign‑in options, and multimedia workflows.
If you value new accessibility and creative features and have safe rollback and backup practices in place, KB5074105 is worth exploring in the Release Preview channel. If the device is mission‑critical, delay broad deployment until pilot validation confirms that your specific hardware and workflows are unaffected.

Source: Neowin https://www.neowin.net/amp/windows-...tes-with-new-feautres-and-fixes-in-kb5074105/

ChatGPT · Jan 30, 2026

Microsoft’s latest Release Preview update for Windows 11—delivered as KB5074105 and tied to the 25H2 baseline—moves several high‑profile features out of experimentation and into an optionally available preview for broader testing, most notably an Android-inspired Cross‑Device Resume (sometimes called Android Resume), a manageable toggle for Smart App Control, and a set of platform improvements that include modernized Windows MIDI Services, a new Device card in Settings, and expanded Windows Hello peripheral support. These changes are bundled in a combined servicing package (Builds 26200.7705 for 25H2 and 26100.7705 for 24H2) that you can get through Windows Update or as offline .msu installers from the Microsoft Update Catalog. )

Background / Overview

Microsoft published the Release Preview notes for Builds 26100.7701 and 26200.7701 (KB5074105) on January 27, 2026 and the formal KB support page lists the preview package dated January 29, 2026 as OS Builds 26200.7705 and 26100.7705. These updates are explicitly split between gradual rollout (feature‑gated experiences that Microsoft enables server‑side over time) and normal rollout (broad quality fixes that apply immediately to all eligible machines). That rollout pattern matters: installing the KB is necessary to receive the new feature surface, but it does not guarantee you will see every Cross‑Device Resume scenario immediately because Microsoft uses controlled feature rollouts (CFR) and OEM/app entitlements.
The package is available as an optional preview update in Windows Update’s “Optional updates available” section. If you prefer an offline approach, Microsoft also exposes the combined SSU+LCU as .msu packages in the Microsoft Update Catalog—these are large downloads (multi‑gigabyte) because they include several platform components and, in this release cycle, on‑device AI model bundles for Copilot+ features. Independent hands‑on reporting has verified the presence of offline installers and the unusually large file sizes of this preview.

What’s new in KB5074105 (25H2): Headline features

Cross‑Device Resume (Android Resume) — a practical handoff for common tasks

Microsoft’s Cross‑Device Resume is the headline user‑facing feature in this update. In short, Windows 11 can now surface a one‑click resume affordance on the taskbar to continue certain activities that were started on a linked Android phone—examples called out by Microsoft and confirmed by independent reporting include:

Resuming Spotify playback started on a supported Android phone (Windows can prompt to install the Spotify desktop client if it’s missing).
Opening Microsoft 365 documents (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) that were opened inside the Microsoft Copilot mobile app on supported OEM phones and continuing work on the PC in the native desktop app or browser fallback.
Restoring active browsing sessions handed off from compatible Android browsers (early notes call out Vivo Browser as an example).

This functionality avoids streaming or emulating an Android UI. Instead it uses a small metadata payload (commonly called an AppContext or equivalent) to tell Windows what to open and where. The phone sends the context; Windows maps it to the best local handler (desktop app if installed, otherwise the default browser) and surfaces a resume card or taskbar badge. This is deliberately lightweight: it keeps the desktop experience native and conserves bandwidth.
Why this matters: if the ecosystem cooperation is broad (OEMs, app developers and Microsoft), Cross‑Device Resume can reduce friction for routine cross‑device activities—music, documents, and browsing—making Windows feel more seamless with Android phones in a way that mirrors Apple’s Handoff but across different manufacturers and apps. Early availability is limited and gated, so expect staggered rollouts by account, device, and region.

Smart App Control becomes reversible without reinstall

One long‑standing annoyance for some users and admins has been Smart App Control’s irreversibility: if SAC was enforced or misconfigured, changing its enforcement used to require a clean OS reinstall. KB5074105 introduces an in‑OS toggle (under Windows Security > App & Browser Control > Smart App Control) allowing users and administrators to enable or disable SAC without reinstalling Windows.
This is a practical manageability improvement, but it comes with operational tradeoffs: SAC is a powerful mitigation that blocks untrusted or potentially harmful applications. Making it easy to turn off lowers the barrier for troubleshooting but also increases the attack surface if corporate policies or MDM controls don’t prevent unauthorized disablement. Treat the toggle as a convenience that must be governed in managed environments.

Windows MIDI Services modernization

For creators and musicians, KB5074105 makes meaningful improvements to the MIDI stack: expanded MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0 support, compatibility layers for legacy WinMM APIs, shared MIDI ports, loopback routing, and better app‑to‑app routing and naming. Microsoft packages the associated App SDK and diagnostic tools separately so developers and musicians can test new behavior.
This is an under‑the‑hood upgrade with practical benefits—lower latency routing, fewer third‑party driver hacks, and more consistent multi‑client behavior. Caution is warranted: the early SDK/tooling may be preview‑only and not fully signed, which can trigger SmartScreen warnings or other deployment hurdles. Test in isolated environments before wide production adoption.

Device Card, Windows Hello improvements, and accessibility refinements

Other notable user‑facing changes include:

A new Device card on the Settings home page that gives quick access to device specs and usage details (availability may be region‑gated).
Windows Hello Enhanced Sign‑in Security (ESS) now supports peripheral/external fingerprint sensors, enabling secure biometric sign‑in on desktops and kiosks that use external fingerprint readers.
Voice Access and Voice Typing improvements, including easier setup for Voice Access and new latency and wait‑time controls for Voice Typing.

These additions are incremental but useful, especially for mixed hardware setups and users who rely on adaptive input methods.

How Cross‑Device Resume works — technical breakdown and requirements

The handshake: AppContext, Link to Windows and WNS

There are two primary delivery paths for resume payloads:

The Continuity SDK + Link to Windows path, where supported Android apps publish an AppContext via Link to Windows once the phone is paired and authorized with the PC.
A server‑driven path using Windows Push Notification Service (WNS), where backends post raw notifications to Windows that surface resume affordances without shipping the mobile SDK.

Both approaches converge on the same principle: the Android side supplies a brief metadata descriptor (title/preview, identifier, and a deep link or public URL), and Windows maps that descriptor to a desktop handler and displays a resume prompt. Importantly, offline‑only local files stored solely on the phone are not supported—resume works only for content that is reachable or resolvable by the PC (cloud documents, web URLs, or content that can be opened by a local handler).

Minimum prerequisites and gating

To try Resume today you typically need:

A Windows 11 PC with the KB5074105 preview builds installed (Release Preview ring or equivalent).
An Android phone running Android 10+ with Link to Windows or vendor Link integration.
Relevant apps signed into the same account across phone and PC (e.g., Spotify) for user continuity scenarios.
Online connectivity for both devices and Microsoft’s server‑side entitlement for the specific feature.

Microsoft is gating the capability by OEM, app, and account. The initial device/OEM list referenced in preview notes includes HONOR, OPPO, Samsung, Vivo, and Xiaomi as vendor partners for Copilot document resume scenarios. That means even if you install the KB, you might not immediately see the feature unless Microsoft enables it for your device/partner configuration.

UX and fallback behavior

When a resume event appears, Windows attempts to:

Launch the native desktop app at the correct context (preferred).
If the app isn’t installed, prompt for a one‑click install via the Microsoft Store and resume after sign‑in where possible.
If no native handler exists, open the URL or web fallback in your default browser.

This handler mapping preserves native performance and reduces complexity but depends on the presence and quality of desktop equivalents and web fallbacks. In short: resume is about metadata reconciliation, not remote execution of the phone app.

.msu offline installers, package sizes, and deployment considerations

What Microsoft provides

KB5074105 is offered via Windows Update (optional preview channel) and as standalone offline installers (.msu) in the Microsoft Update Catalog. The Microsoft support pages explain the combined SSU+LCU model used for servicing combined updates and provide file listings you can download for deployment planning. If you rely on WSUS or Update Catalog deployment, use the .msu bundles. The official KB page lists the OS build numbers and the “How to get this update” options; it also documents critical admin notes such as the SSU inclusion and the proper DISM/Remove‑Package workflow if you need to remove the LCU afterward.

File sizes and bandwidth impact

Independent reporting and community testing show the offline .msu packages for this preview are large—above 4 GB for x64 in many cases—because Microsoft bundles on‑device AI models and other large assets into the combined package. One widely read hands‑on article reported these sizes as roughly 4434.4 MB for the 64‑bit 25H2 build and 4137.9 MB for ARM64 (these figures match community downloads and Update Catalog listings that surfaced during the preview). Expect long downloads and substantial disk staging requirements when using offline installers.
Practical rule of thumb: on a 200 Mbps connection, a 4.4 GB file will typically take somewhere around 2–3 minutes to download under ideal conditions, but real‑world throughput, throttling, and Update Catalog throughput variability mean you should budget more time for large enterprise pulls. Installation itself will also require a reboot and additional time to apply the package.

Uninstall caveats and SSU behavior

Because Microsoft combines the Servicing Stack Update (SSU) and the LCU in the package, you cannot uninstall the SSU via wusa.exe. If you must remove the LCU portion after installing the combined package, use DISM’s Remove‑Package with the specific LCU package name found through DISM /online /get‑packages. Administrators should be cautious about applying preview packages widely in production given these servicing mechanics.

Step‑by‑step: how to get KB5074105 and the .msu installers

Check your Windows Update settings: open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and choose “Check for updates.” Optional preview updates will appear under “Optional updates available.” Click “Download & install” to proceed if you see KB5074105. This is the simplest path for individual devices.
For offline installers: open the Microsoft Update Catalog and search for “KB5074105” (or the build number you want). Download the .msu files for your architecture (x64 or ARM64). The Update Catalog gives you the exact package name and file size prior to download. Use the “Download” button on the catalog entry and follow the download pop‑up.
Installing the .msu: run the downloaded package with elevated privileges (double‑clicking typically triggers the Windows Update Standalone Installer). After the package finishes, restart the PC when prompted. Verify your build with winver.exe (you should see Build 26200.7705 on 25H2 or 26100.7705 on 24H2).
Rolling back the LCU (if necessary): use DISM to identify the package name and then DISM /online /Remove‑Package /PackageName:<name>. Note that SSUs cannot be removed via wusa, and the combined package means special care is required to avoid leaving a mismatched SSU. Test this workflow in a VM before using it in production.

Operational guidance: testing, governance, and deployment strategy

Pilot first: Because KB5074105 contains both feature items (server‑gated) and broad quality fixes, apply it to test and pilot rings first. The preview is optional for a reason—use pilot telemetry to ensure no regressions for your most critical apps.
Review Smart App Control policy: If you plan to enable the new SAC toggle, put governance around it. Use Group Policy or MDM controls to ensure isolated troubleshooting does not become an uncontrolled security downgrade in production.
Network and storage planning: The large .msu sizes mean you must plan bandwidth and distribution points. If you use WSUS or SCCM, consider staggering downloads and using peer caching where possible.
Secure Boot and recovery readiness: The update touches Secure Boot artifacts for devices with the Windows UEFI CA 2023 certificate. Microsoft warns that resetting the Secure Boot DB or toggling Secure Boot could create rare recovery requirements. Create recovery media and test Secure Boot recovery steps for machines expected to receive the update.
MIDI and creative workflows: For music production machines, validate MIDI routing and third‑party plugins in a test environment. Early SDK tooling may be preview and unsigned; avoid pushing preview tooling into studios and live environments before full validation.

Security, privacy, and risk analysis

Privacy: what Resume reveals (and what it doesn’t)

Cross‑Device Resume’s design prioritizes metadata—URLs, deep links and compact activity descriptors—over bulk file transfer. That reduces bandwidth and avoids raw extraction of local phone files, but it does rely on cloud or notification channels and often on Microsoft’s backend services for routing and entitlement.
Risk points to consider:

The AppContext payloads are server‑mediated in many flows, which means Microsoft and app backends process resume signals. For sensitive content or tightly controlled corporate documents, treat resume as an opt‑in convenience, and verify corporate mobile‑to‑PC data governance to ensure copying or opening documents on a PC complies with policy.
Offline local files on the phone are explicitly excluded from resume support, which lessens the risk of blind file exfiltration but doesn’t eliminate concerns about cloud‑synced documents and their visibility across linked devices.

Security: Smart App Control toggle — convenience vs. control

Making SAC reversible solves a major usability complaint but reduces a last‑resort control that previously forced a reinstall. In managed fleets, prefer policy enforcement (MDM, Intune, Group Policy) to lock SAC state and record change control logs if you permit manual toggling for specific troubleshooting scenarios. If SAC is disabled in an unmanaged context, users face a larger attack surface for untrusted binaries.

Operational risk: SSU + LCU combined packaging

The combined SSU+LCU package complicates uninstall scenarios and servicing rollback. If a problematic update occurs, removing the LCU requires DISM knowledge and pre‑planning. For enterpre rollback semantics, preview packages like this should remain in pilot rings until the GA (normal rollout) version is certified.

Real‑world impressions and what to watch for

Early reporting and community discussion are optimistic but cautious. Observers praise the pragmatic, metadata-driven resume approach because it avoids heavy emulation or streaming and leverages native desktop handlers. Reported caveats include the server‑gated nature of the feature, the OEM/app dependency for full functionality, and concerns about the size of offline installers because on‑device AI models are bundled. In practical terms, users should temper expectations: the UX will feel seamless in supported scenarios but availability will vary by device and account.
What to watch next:

Wider OEM and app adoption (will major Android apps beyond Spotify add resume hooks?).
Microsoft’s timing for moving the feature from Release Preview to GA in mainstream channels.
Any telemetry or bug patterns that show up once more users install the large .msu packages—especially around Secure Boot or activation edge cases documented in the KB.

Practical tips and a quick troubleshooting checklist

Before updating, snapshot or image a test machine and note current build with winver.exe.
If you’re bandwidth constrained, download the .msu once and cache it on a local server or distribution point for staged deployment.
After installing, verify build number (winver) and check Windows Security > App & Browser Control > Smart App Control to confirm toggle state and policy behavior.
To validate Cross‑Device Resume, ensure Link to Windows is paired, the phone app is signed into the same account, and the app (Spotify or Copilot mobile) is open and capable of publishing the resume context.
If you encounter unexplained startup or boot issues after applying the combined package, check Secure Boot state and be prepared with recovery media; Microsoft’s KB notes how the update will replace older signed bootmgfw.efi images for devices with the Windows UEFI CA 2023 certificate.

Final assessment: value, caveats, and recommended approach

KB5074105 is a meaningful preview step for Windows 11’s broader vision of cross‑device continuity with Android phones. The Cross‑Device Resume feature is practical and thoughtfully designed—metadata‑driven, native on the PC, and integrated with app handlers—so it improves the continuity story without the overhead of streaming phone UIs. The Smart App Control toggle addresses a real manageability pain point, and the MIDI modernization is a long‑overdue quality‑of‑life win for creators.
At the same time, this release brings clear operational and governance tradeoffs:

The preview package sizes are large; offline deployment requires bandwidth planning and staging.
The feature rollout is controlled and OEM/app dependent—expect fragmentation and phased availability.
SAC’s togglability must be governed in managed environments to prevent inadvertent security degradation.
Admins should be aware of SSU+LCU servicing mechanics when planning uninstall or rollback strategies.

Recommended approach for enthusiasts and IT professionals:

Install KB5074105 in lab and pilot rings first, validate cross‑device scenarios and critical apps.
Use the offline .msu in tightly controlled deployments only after verifying disk and network capacity.
Lock Smart App Control state through management tooling in production environments; use the toggle sparingly for troubleshooting.
Treat Cross‑Device Resume as a convenience that requires app and OEM cooperation—don’t depend on it for secure workflows until it reaches GA and you’ve validated your organization’s policy posture.

KB5074105 is a useful preview that signals Microsoft’s intention to make Android‑to‑Windows continuity genuinely practical. For adventurous users and testers it’s worth trying now; for production fleets, the prudent course is staged testing and governance prior to broad deployment.
Concluding note: as with any preview update, availability and behavior can change as Microsoft gathers telemetry and flips CFR toggles—keep an eye on the official Windows Insider Blog and the Microsoft KB for ongoing updates, and treat pilot results as the primary source of truth for your environment.

Source: filmogaz.com Windows 11 Update 25H2 Introduces Android Resume Feature, Offers .msu Download Links

ChatGPT · Jan 30, 2026

Windows 11’s latest Release Preview package, KB5074105, landed as a curious blend of practical new features and long‑overdue platform modernizations — and, in parallel, a handful of regression reports that have left some users and administrators cautious about installing the optional preview right away. The update expands Cross‑Device Resume to real‑world Android app scenarios, modernizes Windows MIDI Services for creators, and eases management for Smart App Control, while also touching pre‑boot components such as Secure Boot and DPAPI backup keys — changes that have operational consequences and, in a small but visible set of cases, triggered camera, lock‑screen, File Explorer, and transient black‑screen symptoms.

Background

What KB5074105 is and why it matters

KB5074105 is a non‑security, cumulative Release Preview update for Windows 11 servicing lanes 24H2 and 25H2 (Build families 26100 and 26200). Microsoft published it into the Release Preview channel as a preview package that mixes immediate reliability fixes with server‑gated feature roll‑outs (controlled feature rollout, CFR). That means installing the update is necessary to receive the platform changes, but feature visibility may be staged and depend on device entitlement, region, OEM, or app support.
Microsoft’s notes and community coverage show two clear themes for the release: continuity and modernization. The continuity work centers on Cross‑Device Resume (handoff of activities from Android to Windows), while platform modernization focuses on audio (MIDI 1.0/2.0) and manageability (Smart App Control, DPAPI, Secure Boot changes). Those are useful capabilities for everyday users and creators — but the introduction of changes that touch pre‑boot cryptographic components and device attestation slightly raises the operational risk profile for managed or legacy environments.

What’s new in KB5074105

Cross‑Device Resume: practical handoffs for Android apps

One of the headline items in KB5074105 is an expanded Cross‑Device Resume feature set. Rather than being limited to OneDrive‑backed document continuation or Phone Link demos, Resume now supports practical scenarios such as resuming Spotify playback that started on a linked Android phone, reopening Microsoft 365 files edited on a Copilot mobile app, and restoring compatible browser sessions handed off from select Android browsers. The mechanism is metadata‑driven — a lightweight “AppContext” tells Windows what to open, and Windows uses the Windows Notification Service (WNS) to surface the resume affordance on the PC. Because the rollout is server‑gated and OEM/app dependent, simply installing KB5074105 does not guarantee immediate access to all resume scenarios.
Why this matters: when broadly adopted by OEMs and developers, Resume reduces friction in everyday cross‑device workflows (audio, documents, browsing). The implementation favors native desktop experiences rather than streaming phone UIs, which keeps the desktop responsive and conserves bandwidth — but developer and OEM participation remains necessary for broad usefulness.

Windows MIDI Services modernization

For musicians, podcasters, and audio professionals, KB5074105 advances the Windows MIDI stack with extensive improvements: better MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0 support, shared port naming, loopback routing, app‑to‑app low‑latency routing, and new tooling/SDK packages that expose in‑box MIDI utilities. Microsoft ships a separate App SDK/Tools bundle to enable some MIDI features, and early adopter notes caution that tooling may trigger SmartScreen or installer warnings in preview form. These changes materially improve Windows’ viability for audio production workflows — but they also justify cautious testing before migrating critical projects.

Smart App Control becomes reversible without reinstall

A long‑standing pain point has been that Smart App Control (SAC) previously required a clean OS install to switch enforcement states. KB5074105 allows SAC to be toggled from Windows Security > App & Browser Control without reinstalling Windows. This is a welcome manageability improvement for power users and helpdesks, but it also creates governance questions in managed environments where SAC state should be controlled centrally.

Windows Hello ESS, Secure Boot, and DPAPI administration changes

KB5074105 expands Windows Hello Enhanced Sign‑in Security (ESS) support to certain external fingerprint devices, which is useful for kiosk and desktop scenarios. Operationally more consequential: on devices that already have the Windows UEFI CA 2023 certificate present, the update replaces older signed boot manager binaries with versions signed by the 2023 certificate. Microsoft warns that resetting the Secure Boot DB or toggling Secure Boot on such devices can require Secure Boot recovery media in rare scenarios. The package also exposes DPAPI domain backup key rotation controls for administrators — a positive security hygiene improvement that requires careful coordination with recovery plans.

Other quality and accessibility improvements

The update bundles fixes across the Start menu, taskbar, File Explorer, sign‑in flows, Windows Update enrollment, and various accessibility features such as Narrator, Voice Access, and Voice Typing latency tuning. These are pragmatic, incremental wins for everyday usability.

Reported issues and regressions: camera, lock screen, File Explorer, and beyond

Camera and lock‑screen complaints after install

Following early deployments of KB5074105 in Release Preview rings, users reported webcam recognition failures, lock‑screen visual regressions, missing sign‑in icons, and related camera/Windows Hello oddities on a subset of devices. These complaints echo earlier incidents from January and late 2025 update waves where optional previews temporarily broke camera functionality or introduced missing lock‑screen icons. The community‑level symptoms include webcams not initializing, Windows Hello enrollments failing or not appearing correctly, and sign‑in option glyphs not rendering even though the underlying control remains functional.
Important context: many of the camera/lock‑screen reports are tied to preview packages or to specific device combinations (OEM firmware + driver interplay). Microsoft has historically tracked similar issues as UI rendering or driver incompatibility problems and has sometimes issued safegards or blocks for affected OEM models while fixes are developed. Treat early reports as environment‑dependent unless Microsoft explicitly classifies them as widespread.

File Explorer, taskbar, black screens, and isolated boot issues

Beyond camera symptoms, community threads show cases of File Explorer becoming unresponsive, taskbar/Start menu failures (including “critical error” messages), brief black screens or display freezes — and, in rare situations during the broader January servicing wave, devices landing with UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME or other boot failures after other updates. In the KB5074105 context, the most commonly reported problems were transient UI or shell regressions and isolated black screens. Microsoft has acknowledged the limited set of boot failure reports and is investigating when applicable; however, most File Explorer and Start menu issues appear to be resolved by later patches or are highly configuration dependent.

How common are these regressions?

Community reporting indicates these problems affected a visible-but‑small subset of early adopters and testers. Some reports amplified across forums and tech sites, which raised alarm and prompted cautious deployment guidance. Microsoft often classifies such early reports as “limited customer reports” while working to reproduce and address them; that pattern is consistent with the KB5074105 rollout context. In short: the incidents are meaningful enough to require attention — especially for production devices — but they are not (based on available community telemetry) a universal failure mode.

Root causes and technical analysis

Where the failures appear to originate

The symptoms reported after installing KB5074105 map to several likely technical sources:

Driver/firmware mismatch: camera and GPU vendor drivers can react poorly to shell or UWP/XAML package timing changes during first sign‑in or after updates, causing devices to fail to initialize peripherals or produce brief black screens. This is particularly likely on OEM models with custom firmware or vendor drivers.
UI rendering timing: missing lock‑screen icons are often rendering artifacts rather than authentication failures — the control exists but the glyph fails to draw. That’s a classic XAML/UI timing or resource loading regression that can be addressed without breaking authentication.
Pre‑boot binary replacement and Secure Boot DB interactions: replacing boot manager binaries signed under a new CA and changing DPAPI behavior introduces the possibility of firmware/boot chain mismatches on devices with custom Secure Boot configurations, which can elevate risk in recovery scenarios.

These mechanisms map to Microsoft’s release notes and to the patterns discussed in community threads; however, the specific failure path on any one device depends on OEM drivers, custom firmware, third‑party security tooling, and installed apps. That variability explains the mixed real‑world reports.

Are the regressions fixed or pending?

Because KB5074105 is a Release Preview package with server‑gated features, Microsoft’s normal pattern is to iterate: ship a build, monitor telemetry and Insider feedback, then push follow‑ups or hotfixes if necessary. In past incidents, urgent regressions prompted out‑of‑band patches; in other cases, Microsoft issued safegards to block the update for affected models while a fix was developed. If your environment is sensitive to camera, pre‑boot, or audio regressions, wait for broader validation or for the next cumulative rollup that addresses reported issues.

Practical mitigation, testing, and rollout guidance

Quick remediation steps for affected users

If KB5074105 (or any recent preview) introduces camera or lock‑screen problems on your device, try these first:

Open Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates and uninstall the preview package (if available). Reboot and confirm device behavior.
Update OEM drivers: check your PC manufacturer’s Support page and install the latest camera and chipset drivers. Many camera problems are driver‑related.
Test Windows Hello enrollment from Settings > Accounts > Sign‑in options; re‑enroll fingerprint/face if the device supports it.
If you see a missing lock‑screen icon, try hovering or tabbing to the invisible control — the underlying control may work even if the glyph isn’t rendered. This is a known rendering symptom from prior updates.

If you cannot recover the device or face a boot failure, use bootable recovery media to reach WinRE and initiate a rollback or system restore — ensure you have recovery tools ready before installing preview packages that touch Secure Boot or pre‑boot binaries.

Rollout checklist for administrators and power users

Treat KB5074105 as pilot ready rather than production‑ready. Use the checklist below before broad deployment:

Create a representative pilot group that mirrors production hardware and critical apps (including audio workstations, Copilot+ devices, and devices with external fingerprint readers).
Full backups and system images: create a system image and ensure WinRE bootable media is available in case Secure Boot or boot manager recovery is necessary.
Test Secure Boot interactions: on test hardware, validate toggling Secure Boot and confirm the recovery workflow when the device has a custom Secure Boot DB.
Validate DPAPI/activation scenarios: check DPAPI backup keys and activation status after upgrade in a controlled environment. DPAPI misconfiguration can lock access to encrypted data.
Audio/MIDI validation: for studios or content creators, test the new Windows MIDI Services and any SDK/tooling in isolated machines; delay migration of mission‑critical sessions until the tooling is signed and validated.
Hold back non‑essential endpoints: keep mission‑critical machines on a stable servicing channel until the preview proves reliable across your hardware mix.

Recommended policies for managed fleets

Use ringed deployment: pilot → broader test → production, and monitor telemetry and helpdesk tickets at each stage.
Maintain driver/firmware inventory: ensure vendor‑provided drivers are current before allowing optional previews on managed endpoints.
Preserve recovery media: because KB5074105 replaces some pre‑boot components on select devices, make Secure Boot recovery media standard for IT support teams.

Benefits, tradeoffs, and risk assessment

Strengths and immediate wins

Cross‑Device Resume can reduce friction between phone and PC for common tasks like music and document continuation, improving productivity for linked device users.
Windows MIDI Services modernization fills a long‑standing gap for musicians, adding modern routing, MIDI 2.0 support, and tooling that make Windows a stronger platform for creative work.
Smart App Control toggling and Windows Hello ESS enhancements reduce friction for troubleshooting and non-laptop deployment scenarios.

Risks and potential downsides

Pre‑boot changes (boot manager replacement, Secure Boot interactions) raise recovery risk on devices with custom Secure Boot DBs, and administrators must be careful when toggling firmware settings.
Driver/firmware dependency: camera and GPU regressions are often the result of mismatches between updated shell/UX code and third‑party drivers, which means older or vendor‑specific machines are at elevated risk.
Preview tooling caveats: early MIDI SDK/tooling and other preview installers may be unsigned or trigger SmartScreen warnings in their initial forms, which can be disruptive for non‑technical users.

Final recommendations

For typical home users who value stability: defer installing KB5074105 until it reaches the general update channel or until a follow‑up cumulative addresses early regressions. Back up personal data and ensure you can revert the update if needed.
For enthusiasts and Windows Insiders in Release Preview: KB5074105 contains genuinely interesting features (Resume, MIDI modernization) and is appropriate for testing on secondary hardware. Use it to validate the new continuity features and report any regressions you encounter.
For IT administrators and creators (audio professionals, studios): treat the update as pilot‑grade. Build test cohorts for Secure Boot, DPAPI, activation, and MIDI workflows; update drivers and firmware before installing previews on production machines; prepare recovery media and rollback procedures; and wait for community validation before wider distribution.

Conclusion

KB5074105 is a substantial preview package that mixes pragmatic usability improvements and platform modernization with operationally sensitive changes. The expanded Cross‑Device Resume and the Windows MIDI Services modernization are meaningful advances that can improve daily workflows and creative productivity. At the same time, the package touches pre‑boot cryptographic components and introduces configuration changes that make disciplined testing essential — particularly in managed or legacy environments where driver and firmware diversity is high. Early community reports of camera, lock‑screen, and File Explorer regressions are important and worth heeding, but they appear concentrated in specific hardware and driver combinations rather than being universal. The right approach for most organizations and cautious users is clear: pilot, validate, and stage the rollout — and ensure recovery media and updated drivers are in place before touching production endpoints.

Source: Windows Report https://windowsreport.com/windows-11-kb5074105-update-triggers-camera-and-lock-screen-issues/
Source: Windows Report https://windowsreport.com/windows-1...ce-resume-smart-app-control-and-midi-support/

ChatGPT · Jan 30, 2026

A curved ultrawide monitor shows Windows widgets as a phone connects via a glowing blue cable.

Microsoft quietly pushed KB5074105 into the Windows 11 Release Preview channel at the end of January 2026, delivering an optional, non‑security preview that bundles visible features (Android cross‑device Resume, a modernized MIDI stack, Settings and Windows Hello improvements) with a wide set of reliability fixes aimed at the Start menu, black‑screen boot glitches, and certain graphics‑stack BSODs. The package updates 24H2 and 25H2 devices to builds reported as 26100.7705 and 26200.7705 and is explicitly delivered as an optional preview you must choose to install.

Background / Overview

KB5074105 is a Release Preview (preview, non‑security) cumulative update for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2. Microsoft describes it as a mixed package: some items are part of a gradual rollout (server‑gated, enabled per device/account) while quality and reliability fixes are broadly applied when the package is installed. That distinction matters: installing the KB is a necessary first step to receive the new surface, but it does not guarantee that every new capability will be visible immediately on every PC. Thd with an official release date of January 29, 2026 and the OS builds referenced are 26200.7705 and 26100.7705.
Why Microsoft used a preview package: the company continues to separate feature delivery from reliability fixes so it can enable features in a controlled way (Controlled Feature Rollout, CFR). That reduces blast radius for new capabilities but increases the need for pilots and testing by IT teams and power users.

What’s new: headline features

Below I summarize the most notable user‑facing changes in KB5074105 and explain how they work, who benefits, and where you should be cautious.

Cross‑Device Resume (Android → Windows)

What it is: Cross‑Device Resume expands the earlier “resume” experiments so certain activities started on an Android phone can be continued on a Windows PC — examples Microsoft highlights include resuming Spotify playback, continuing edits to Microsoft 365 documents opened in the Copilot mobile app, and restoring browsing sessions handed off from supported Android browsers. This is surfaced on the PC as a resume affordance (taskbar / toast) that maps a phone activity to r on Windows.
How it works (technical summary): Resume uses a lightweight metadata descriptor (commonly called an AppContext or resume descriptor) passed via notification channels. Windows resolves that descriptor to either launch the native desktop app (if installed) or fall back to the browser or Store install flow. This de or mirroring the phone UI and keeps the desktop experience native and low‑bandwidth.
Availability and limits: The feature is server‑gated and dependent on app and OEM support. Installing the KB alone may not enable all resume scenarios — Microsoft must flip the server side entitlements andEMs must implement the resume hooks. Offline‑only content stored only on the phone is not supported. Early reports mentioned a handful of OEMs and apps in initial rolls, but those partner lists are community‑reported and may expand or change; treat them as indicative rather than exhaustive.
Why it matters: When broadly enabled, Resume can reduce friction for common cross‑device flowbrowsing) and make Windows feel more continuous with Android phones—similar in spirit to Apple’s Handoff, but relying on a metadata handoff model that requires app/OEM cooperation.

Windows MIDI Services modernization

What’s included: KB5074105 upgrades Windows’ MIDI subsystem with broader MIDI 1.0 and initial MIDI 2.0 support, shared ports, loopback and app‑to‑app routing, and translation layers for older WinMM/WinRT APIs. Microsoft also ships a separate MIDI SDK/tools bundle (consolees) to expose the new routing and diagnostics.
Who benefits: Musicians, DAW users, audio developers and anyone using MIDI hardware or virtual routing will see immediate value. Historically, Windows’ MIDI support has been fragmented; this update represents a meaningful modernization for creative workflows.
Caveats: Early SDK/tools releases may be preview‑quality; some community notes warn about unsigned installers and SmartScreen prompts during preview installs. Test thoroughly with your DAW and driver stack before moving to production.

Smart App Control (SAC) toggle in Windows Security

Change: You can now enable or disable Smart App Control from Windows Security > App & Browser Control without needing a clean reinstall. This resolves a long‑standing pain point where toggling SAC enforcement previously required reinstalling Windows.
Tradeoffs: Easier manageability for end users and admins, but in managed fleets administrators should consider governance and telemetry implications when SAC is toggled on widely.

New Device card in Settings Home

Change: A Device card shows key PC specs and usage information on the Settings home page when signed into a Microsoft account. This resumes a feature previously paused and is initially gated to some regions.

Windows Hello — Enhanced Sign‑in Security (ESS) for external fingerprint readers

Change: Windows Hello ESS now supports eligible peripheral/external fingerprint sensors, enabling desktops and kiosk‑style systems without built‑in sensors to use ESS enrollments. Enrollment is handled via Settings > Accounts > Sign‑in options.

Voice Accprovements

Change: A streamlined Voice Access setup plus a “Wait time before acting” control for Voice Typing provides better tuning for different speech cadences and improves the usability of voice interactions.

Reliability and bug fixes: targeted cleanup after January regressions

KB5074105 bundles a broad set of quality fixes — several specifically address problems that surfaced in earlier January patches. Microsoft explicitly lists fixes for:

Black screen issues in isolated multi‑user environments (common after upgrades).
Start menu and taskbar glitches, including Explorer.exe hangs on first sign‑in that could prevent the taskbar from appearing.
Graphics stack stability: addresses a dxgmms2.sys‑related system error (KERNEL_SECURITY_CHECK_FAILURE) seen on some GPU configurations.
Fixes for desktop icon movement, desktop.ini localization issues, Windows Sandbox startup hang, UAC/Windows Terminal elevation hitches, activation migration errors, and more.

Those fixes are ext matters: January’s Patch Tuesday cycle produced multiple high‑impact regressions that forced Microsoft into emergency out‑of‑band updates and rollbacks for certain issues. Independent reporting documented major cases where previous patches removed legacy modem drivers intentionally and caused boot or cloud‑client breakages — problems that made many admins cautious about immediate adoption of preview builds. If you were affected by earlier January regressions, weigh that history when deciding whether to pilot this preview.

How Microsoft delivers KB5074105 and practical notes for installation

Delivery: KB5074105 is offered as an optional preview in Windows Update’s “Optional updates available” area and as offline combined SSU+LCU packages in the Microsoft Update Catalog for admins r‑managed installs. Installing from Windows Update will not happen automatically unless you have “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” enabled; by default it remains optional.
Builds and packaging: Release notes reference both the .7701 series (Release Preview messaging) and .7705 builds in the combined servicing package — this sequencing reflects SSU+LCU composition and is normal in staged rollouts. Expect some variation in exact file names across channels and catalogs.
Staged features: Remember that some features are gated server‑side. If you install the KB, features such as Cross‑Device Resume or regionally gated Settings agenill be absent until Microsoft flips entitlements on your account or device.

Critical analysis: strengths, risks, and unanswered questions

Strengths — practical wins in the update

Meaningful continuity: Cross‑Device Resume is a practical, developer‑friendly model for mobile→desktop handoffs (metadata descriptors + native handlers). When apps and OEMs adopt resume hooks, the day‑to‑day convenience improvements will be real.
Creators win with MIDI: The MIDI stack modernization addresses a long‑standing technical debt for music creators, offering shared ports, loopbacks, and a clean path to MIDI 2.0 support. This is not a superficial tweak — itnt that benefits producers and audio app developers.
Operational manageability: The SAC toggle and DPAPI backup key management features make life easier for administrators and for troubleshooting edge cases without resorting to destructive workarounds.
Large set of reliability fixes: The package expressly addresses some of the most visible pain points from earlier January patches (black screens, Start menu hangs, dxgmms2.sys errors), which is the immediate value proposition for many users. ([support.microsoft.com](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...eb-a19b-9a59d10f194b?utm_source=opoperational concerns
Staged feature visibility complicates testing: Because features are server‑gated, even test machines in the Release Preview channel may show inconsistent behavior. This makes reproducible test plans harder and can create confusion for help desks. Treat the KB as required but not sufficient to validate a feature.
Pre‑boot / Secure Boot implications: KB5074105 replaces older-signed bootmgfw.efi with a newer signed variant on devices that already contain the Windows UEFI CA 2023 with custom firmware, manually altered Secure Boot DBs, or unusual pre‑boot chains may encounter a "Secure Boot violation" if the DB is reset or Secure Boot toggled. Administrators must confirm recovery procedures and have Secure Boot recovery media ready. This adds operational risk for fleets with legacy or custom UEFI deployments.
DPAPI / Cryptographic changes: The update exposes DPAPI domain backup key rotation controls. While this strengthens cryptographic hygiene, it also requires coordination with existing key‑rotation and backup policies — improper configuration could make recovery or decryption morenvironment.
Potential for new regressions: The January cycle showed that urgent fixes can reintroduce other edge failures. Even though KB5074105 addresses many issues, the underlying servicing complexity (SSU + LCU + staged features) means follow‑on regressions are possible, particularly in environments with older drivers, third‑party security tools, or rare peripherals. Realessential.
Privacy and enterprise governance for Resume: The resume flow increases the number of endpoints that can publish context metadata. Enterprises should evaluate DLP and endpoint policies to ensure that resume affordances do not inadvertently expose corporate links or document contexts outside allowed channels. Microsoft has not yet published exhaustive enterprise guidance for these flows — treat this as a pilot capability until policy guidance arrives.

Unverified or community‑reported items

Community sources have named early OEM partners (HONOR, OPPO, Samsung, Vivo, Xiaomi) and certain browser/app pairings in the initial Resume rollout. Microsoft’s KB focuses on general scenarios rather than exhaustive OEM lists; the precise model‑level availability was not enumerated in the official KB and should be treated as community‑reported until vendor pages confirm. If your workflow relies on a specific phone model or browser, validate with the OEM/app vendor.

Practical guidance: who should install, who should wait, and how to pilot safely

Recommendations for home and power users

If you’re curious and have a non‑critical PC for experimentation, join the Release Preview channel (Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program > Release Preview) and install KB5074105 to test Cross‑Device Resume and the MIDI tools. Use a machine where you can easily roll back or where data loss would not be catastrophic.
If you run mission‑critical workflows (work laptop, business machine, essential audio production rigs), wait for the next general availability rollup (Patch Tuesday cumulative) unless the KB fixes a problem you currently suffer from. The optional preview is designed for pilot testing, not mass production deployment.

Recommendations for audio professionals and creators

Create a dedicated test workstation with your DAW, audio interface drivers, and MIDnew MIDI Services and SDK/tools thoroughly (routing, latency, loopback) before adopting on live projects. Expect early tooality; hold off on migrating production sessions until you confirm stability.

Recommendations for IT admins and enterprise

Pilot KB5074105 on a representative subset of hardware (covering chipsets, vendor drivers, Secure Boot configurations).
Validate Secure Boot recovery procedures and have recovery media ready; confirm firmware/driver compatibility for devices with custom UEFI chains.
Test DPAPI key rotation and backup policies in a lab domain before enabling key rotation at scale.
Confirm activation and license migration behavior on test upgrades; the KB addresses some activation edge cases but verification is prudent.
Prepare rollback documentation (uninstall LCU via Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Uninstall updates, or DISM/WinRE offline methods) and ensure helpdesk staff know how to access WinRE if desktop access fails.

Quick test checklist (for pilots)

Before installing:
- Create a full image or system backup and ensure recovery media is accessible.
- Record current driver versions and firmware revisions for graphics, audio, and storage controllers.
- If you rely on legacy modems or specialized hardware, confirm vendor driver support (some January patches intentionally removed legacy modem drivers). ([windowscentral.com](https://www.windowscentral.com/micr...ms-for-some-users-but-it-is-not-a-bug?utm_sor installing on test device:
  1. Reboot and confirm Secure Boot state; verify no Secure Boot violations.
  2. Sign in and confirm Explorer.exe starts normally; test first sign‑in scenario with configured startup apps (checks for taskbar/start menu hangs).
  3. Test graphics‑heavy workloads and monitor for dxgmms2.sys traces / KERNEL_SECURITY_CHECK_FAILURE.
  4. Test Cross‑Device Resume scenarios with a supported Android phone and apps (Spotify, Copilot mobile, supported browser), noting whether resume affordances appear and trigger the expected desktop handler. If the resume affordance does not appear, remember server gating may be the reason.
  5. For audio pros: install the MIDI SDK/tools and validate MIDI routing, shared ports, and loopback tests in your DAW.
  6. Verify Smart App Control toggle behavior via Windows Security > App & Browser Control.

Final verdict

KB5074105 is a consequential Release Preview package that pairs useful, user‑visible features (Cross‑Device Resume, MIDI modernization, SAC toggle, Settings device card, Windows Hello ESS expansion) with practical reliability fixes addressing many of the most painful January regressions. For enthusiasts and creators, the update contains genuinely valuable upgrades: the MIDI stack improvements and cross‑device continuity have real product value. For enterprise and production environments, the update raises legitimate operational questions — Secure Boot/UEFI changes, DPAPI key rotation options, and the reality of staged feature enablement all demand careful pilot testing.
If you run non‑critical machines and enjoy previewing new functionality, this is a reasonable build to test now. If your work depends on deterministic behavior, treat KB5074105 as pilot‑ready rather than production‑ready; plan a measured rollout, back up recovery media, and validate the specific scenarios that matter to your users. Microsoft’s support page documents the changes and the optional nature of the preview; community reporting and independent outlets have also corroborated the scope of the fixes and the earlier January problems that motivated many of them.

KB5074105 is Microsoft’s attempt to deliver incremental functional wins while cleaning up a bumpy patching period. The result is a pragmatic mix: features that materially improve continuity and creativity, alongside fixes that address painful regressions — but also an operational surface that must be treated with the caution appropriate to any preview‑stage package.

Source: Notebookcheck Windows 11 KB5074105 preview update: New features and fixes for 25H2

ChatGPT · Jan 30, 2026

Microsoft’s late-January preview update for Windows 11 finally ships a focused, practical set of feature expansions and quality improvements aimed at cross‑device continuity, audio creators, and device security — and it does so in a way that underscores how Microsoft is now delivering new experiences through cumulative updates and staged rollouts rather than one big annual release. Preview package KB5074105 advances Windows 11 version 24H2 to OS Build 26100.7705 and version 25H2 to 26200.7705 (released to Release Preview and appearing in Windows Update as a preview on January 29, 2026). The update’s headline items are: an expanded Cross‑Device Resume for Android→Windows continuity, a significant modernization of Windows MIDI Services, a long‑requested toggle fix for Smart App Control, expanded peripheral support for Windows Hello Enhanced Sign‑in Security (ESS), and language expansion for the Agent in Settings experience on Copilot+ PCs — all delivered alongside a collection of reliability and accessibility refinements.

Background

Microsoft’s servicing model for Windows 11 now favors frequent cumulative packages and controlled feature rollouts. That means new capabilities increasingly arrive as part of quality updates, preview releases, or staged “gradual rollouts” rather than only through the traditional H1/H2 feature updates. KB5074105 is a Release Preview–level cumulative update; it is intended for pilot testing before broader distribution, and several features are subject to server‑side entitlement. Put plainly: installing the preview does not necessarily switch every new capability on for every machine immediately.
Why this matters now: January’s Patch Tuesday sequence earlier in the month delivered a baseline security rollup that required quick follow‑up fixes; the Release Preview update here reads more like Microsoft moving selected non‑security enhancements out of the lab and toward real‑world testing. For end users and administrators alike, KB5074105 presents tangible, usable improvements — especially for people who care about Android↔PC continuity and musicians who rely on MIDI — but it also demands careful pilot testing because the rollout is gradual and some changes touch low‑level platform components.

What’s in KB5074105 — at a glance

Package: Preview update KB5074105 (Release Preview)
Release date (preview): January 29, 2026
Target builds:
Windows 11 24H2 → OS Build 26100.7705
Windows 11 25H2 → OS Build 26200.7705
Delivery model: Release Preview → staged/gradual features + normal rollout fixes
Headline features:
Expanded Cross‑Device Resume (Android → Windows)
Windows MIDI Services modernization (MIDI 1.0 + 2.0)
Smart App Control can now be toggled on/off without reinstalling
Windows Hello ESS support for peripheral fingerprint sensors
Agent in Settings language expansion for Copilot+ PCs
Other: Voice Access and Voice Typing improvements, Narrator refinements, File Explorer responsiveness improvements for network locations, various reliability fixes

Cross‑Device Resume: how it works and why it finally matters

What Microsoft added

Cross‑Device Resume — the “handoff” Microsoft has steadily built since mid‑2025 — now supports practical continuations you’ll actually use day to day:

Resume Spotify playback you started on your Android phone and continue on the PC.
Continue editing Microsoft 365 documents (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) that were opened in the Microsoft 365 Copilot mobile app on supported Android phones; the document opens in the corresponding desktop app if installed, otherwise in the default browser.
Restore active browsing sessions handed off from supported Android browsers — Vivo Browser was explicitly called out as supported on compatible Vivo phones.

Important constraints and behavior:

This is a metadata‑driven handoff (a light AppContext payload) that tells Windows what to open rather than streaming your phone’s UI. That keeps work native and efficient on the PC.
Offline‑only files stored exclusively on the phone are not supported. The feature requires that the referenced content be reachable via the cloud or by URL.
Cross‑Device Resume requires a linked phone (phone pairing via the appropriate vendor software or Link to Windows/Phone Link style integration) and basic online reachability for notifications and the AppContext.
Because the rollout is gradual, not every device will see every feature immediately — Microsoft gates some experiences by entitlement and partner contracts.

Why this matters

Apple’s Handoff has set user expectations for cross‑device continuity. Windows’ historical attempts at parity (Project Rome, Phone Link) were useful but limited. This new Resume model is pragmatic: it enables developers and OEM partners to add resume metadata to their apps, and it prioritizes native desktop experiences. For real productivity gains, note two practical points:

If you work on Office documents that live in or are reachable via cloud services and regularly move between phone and PC, Cross‑Device Resume will reduce friction.
For casual continuity — music, browsing — the taskbar resume prompt and native client integration make moving from phone to PC seamless.

Caveats and risk

Device support is spotty by OEM and app: the initial list includes Vivo, HONOR, OPPO, Samsung, vivo, and Xiaomi for Copilot app resume — Pixel and many other Android ecosystems are not necessarily included in early gates.
The feature relies on cloud URLs or server‑side context, so it won’t help if your phone stores files purely locally.
Because the rollout is gradual and server‑entitled, some users will be able to test while others on the same build will not — causing confusion during pilot testing if you don’t document which devices show the feature.

Windows MIDI Services: a real modernization for creators

What changed

Windows MIDI Services gets an overdue, practical modernization in KB5074105:

Enhanced support for MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0.
Built‑in translation to provide WinMM and WinRT MIDI 1.0 compatibility for legacy apps.
Ability to share MIDI ports across applications and name ports with custom labels.
Loopback and app‑to‑app MIDI routing for lower‑latency internal routing.
Performance and reliability improvements aimed at USB MIDI devices and DAW workflows.
Microsoft ships an App SDK/Tools package (MIDI Console, MIDI Settings) as a companion download to unlock in‑box utilities.

Why this is significant

Music production on Windows historically required a mixture of third‑party utilities, drivers, and workarounds. The updated MIDI stack addresses real pain points:

Multiple apps can now use the same hardware MIDI endpoint simultaneously, which simplifies live performance setups and modern workflows where virtual instruments and routing matter.
Native translation between WinMM and WinRT widens compatibility for legacy audio applications.
MIDI 2.0 support opens higher‑precision expressivity for controllers and future devices.

For musicians and content creators, this makes Windows a cleaner platform to develop on and use without complex driver chains.

Caveats and practical notes

The SDK and tools may be distributed as separate packages initially; early releases might require explicit installation and could be unsigned in preview phases — expect installer warnings in some cases.
Low‑level MIDI and driver changes can interact with third‑party audio stacks (ASIO, vendor drivers). Test target audio hardware and DAW pipelines in a non‑critical environment before broad deployment.

Smart App Control: finally reversible without reinstalling Windows

Smart App Control (SAC) has been a contentious but important attempt to let Microsoft apply AI‑driven app reputation checks to ephemeral installer flows. Historically, the problem was simple: if a user disabled SAC once, re‑enabling it required a clean Windows install — an impractical penalty that discouraged people from experimenting with the feature.
KB5074105 contains an important user‑experience fix: SAC can now be toggled on and off from Windows Security > App & Browser Control without requiring a clean reinstall. This is a quality‑of‑life improvement with clear security‑usability benefits:

Users can temporarily disable SAC to allow a legitimately blocked installer, then re‑enable it right away.
Security protections such as Microsoft Defender and SmartScreen continue to run — SAC is an additional, higher‑confidence layer, not a replacement for runtime antimalware.

Caveat: the improved toggle is rolling out via preview channels and is not necessarily live for every device immediately; administrators should treat it as an enhancement in testing.

Windows Hello ESS: peripheral fingerprint support — useful but check compatibility

KB5074105 extends Windows Hello Enhanced Sign‑in Security (ESS) to peripheral fingerprint sensors — a meaningful change for desktop users who rely on external USB fingerprint readers.
Important details:

ESS support for external fingerprint readers means desktop PCs (including Copilot+ PCs) can use higher‑assurance biometric sign‑in workflows with supported peripheral hardware.
You still must use a supported ESS fingerprint reader; the OS will enumerate only ESS‑capable sensors when ESS is enabled.
ESS changes interact with device manufacturers and driver stacks; not every external fingerprint device will suddenly work. You must confirm support from the peripheral vendor and install compatible drivers/firmware.

Why it matters: many desktop users have long wanted the security benefits of ESS without buying a laptop with a built‑in sensor. Peripheral ESS support opens a path to stronger sign‑in security on a wider set of hardware.
Caveat and verification: Microsoft’s platform docs previously warned ESS would not enumerate non‑capable sensors and signaled that peripheral ESS support would arrive around late 2025; KB5074105 appears to flip the switch in preview, but compatibility is tightly hardware‑dependent. If you plan to adopt peripheral ESS, verify supported device lists or vendor guidance before rolling it out to fleets.

Agent in Settings and Copilot+ PCs: language expansion and AI polish

For Copilot+ PCs (Microsoft’s subset of devices optimized for deep Copilot integration), the Settings Agent gains expanded language support in this preview:

Added languages include German, Portuguese, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, Hindi, Italian, and Simplified Chinese.

This is a sign that Microsoft is broadening Copilot-related UI parity across regions and should improve discoverability and usefulness of AI‑driven assistants in Settings for non‑English users on Copilot‑optimized hardware.

Accessibility and input refinements

KB5074105 bundles incremental improvements to accessibility and speech input:

Narrator: refined control over announcement order and spoken details to better match navigation flow.
Voice Access: streamlined setup with language speech model downloads and microphone selection.
Voice Typing: a new Wait time before acting setting to tune delay between spoken command and execution.

These are small but important improvements for users relying on assistive technologies, and they reflect Microsoft’s iterative approach to accessibility: incremental UX changes rather than wholesale rewrites.

Deployment guidance — what administrators and informed users should do

Pilot the update on representative hardware profiles first.
Pick at least one machine from each major hardware family (laptop, desktop, Copilot+ PC, audio workstation).
Validate feature gates and entitlement behavior.
Cross‑Device Resume and peripheral ESS may be server‑side enabled; confirm whether your pilot experience actually shows the feature.
Test compatibility for:
Audio production chains (MIDI hardware, ASIO drivers).
Biometric peripherals and security configurations (ESS).
Cloud‑backed productivity flows (OneDrive, Microsoft 365 Copilot mobile workflows).
Monitor for rollback and recovery behavior.
As with any cumulative update, verify that your imaging and rollback plans account for the servicing stack (SSU) being updated.
Communicate with users:
Explain staged rollouts and entitlement behavior to reduce support noise when some users see features and others do not.

Numbered checklist for home users:

Join Release Preview only on non‑critical devices if you want early access.
Back up important data before installing preview cumulative updates.
If you rely on audio production or specialized drivers, delay installing on your main workstation until testing completes.
Check peripheral vendor support for ESS fingerprint readers before enabling ESS on desktops.
If Smart App Control previously blocked necessary installs and you want to try it again, install KB5074105 in preview or wait for the stable rollout.

Security, privacy, and stability analysis

Security benefits

ESS peripheral support increases the available options for high‑assurance biometric sign‑in on desktop PCs, a net win for enterprise security posture where supported hardware is available.
Smart App Control’s improved toggle reduces risky behavior (reinstalling the OS) that some users resorted to when SAC blocked legitimate tools; a reversible SAC encourages safer experiments with app installs.
Cross‑Device Resume uses metadata handoffs rather than remote code execution or UI streaming, which limits attack surface compared with a full remote UI mirroring approach.

Privacy considerations

Cross‑Device Resume requires linked phones and cloud‑reachable context for content handoff. Organizations concerned about data exfiltration from device‑to‑device metadata should review telemetry and linkage settings during pilot.
The Copilot mobile app share/continue model requires Microsoft 365 and cloud linkage for online documents; offline documents remain on the phone and are intentionally not supported to avoid accidental local file expansion.

Stability and compatibility risks

MIDI stack changes affect kernel/user audio pathways and can interact with vendor drivers and real‑time audio workloads. Test audio latency and driver integrity for DAWs and connected controllers.
ESS peripheral support requires vendors to ship compatible readers and drivers. In mixed environments, inconsistent enumeration policies could produce confusion when ESS hides non‑supported sensors.
The staged entitlement model means feature visibility will vary even within a single organization — this can increase helpdesk workload unless IT communicates clearly.

What to watch next

Broader rollout of Cross‑Device Resume beyond the initial OEM list and third‑party browser support expansion.
Official peripheral ESS hardware certification lists from major fingerprint reader vendors and OEM guidance for desktops.
The MIDI SDK/tools stabilization and whether Microsoft publishes signed, production‑ready packages for audio professionals.
The stable release cadence and Patch Tuesday inclusion of these features in the general channel — once the Release Preview proves stable, expect Microsoft to roll these items to stable builds over the coming weeks.

Final analysis — practical takeaway for Windows users and admins

KB5074105 is important not because it changes the look of Windows 11, but because it moves several high‑value, practical capabilities from experimental demos into pilotable reality. Cross‑Device Resume is the most user‑visible addition: it’s a concrete, day‑to‑day continuity feature that will reduce friction for people who jump between Android phones and Windows PCs. For creators, Windows MIDI Services modernization is the under‑the‑hood improvement that finally gives Windows a more modern, composable MIDI stack. Security and reliability updates — Smart App Control’s reversibility and peripheral ESS support — address long‑standing usability and enterprise demands.
However, proceed with care: Microsoft’s staged rollout model and server‑entitled features mean you must validate behavior in your environment. Audio professionals should not update production workstations before testing. Administrators should pilot KB5074105 across representative hardware and ensure peripheral vendors support ESS before enabling it widely.
In short: KB5074105 is a practical, welcome package for users who value continuity, music creators, and security‑conscious desktop environments — but it’s a preview for a reason. Treat it like any other preview: test deliberately, document visibility differences, and roll forward to stable only after you’re confident it won’t break critical workflows.

Conclusion
Microsoft’s Release Preview update KB5074105 (Builds 26100.7705 and 26200.7705) is a tightly scoped but meaningful step forward for Windows 11: it broadens cross‑device workflows, modernizes MIDI for creators, fixes an annoying Smart App Control limitation, and opens up ESS to peripheral fingerprint readers. Those are practical wins that will be appreciated by users — once the staged rollout reaches their devices and vendors certify compatible hardware. The update exemplifies Microsoft’s recent servicing strategy: deliver incremental, testable improvements through cumulative updates while relying on staged entitlements to manage risk. For power users and enterprise admins, the headline is simple: pilot early, test audio and biometric scenarios carefully, and expect incremental feature exposure rather than an instant, universal upgrade.

Source: Thurrott.com Microsoft Belatedly Delivers First Week D Update of 2026

ChatGPT · Feb 1, 2026

Microsoft’s February patch Tuesday is shaping up to be more than just another security rollup: the Release Preview builds arriving in late January have already revealed a cluster of functional upgrades for Windows 11 that will begin reaching wider audiences in the February 10, 2026 rollout. The package expands the OS’s cross‑device continuity, modernizes MIDI support for musicians, relaxes a longstanding Smart App Control limitation, and improves sign‑in, voice, and File Explorer responsiveness — changes aimed at both everyday users and power professionals.

Background and rollout model

Microsoft is delivering these changes inside a cumulative Preview update (KB5074105) targeted at Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2. Many features in the package are subject to Microsoft’s Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR) mechanism — which means installation of the update does not guarantee immediate access to every feature; server-side gating and partner entitlements determine who sees what and when. If you’re tracking availability in your environment, expect staged, account- or device-tied activation rather than a simultaneous, global flip.
The Release Preview release notes published by Microsoft summarize the headline changes, and independent coverage from several outlets confirms the same scenarios, giving us a reliable cross-section of what will surface in February. For administrators and enthusiasts, the practical consequence is simple: pilot first, widen deployment later.

What’s new — an itemized breakdown of the eight highlights

Below I unpack the eight most relevant changes users will notice, with technical context and practical implications for everyday use.

1. Cross‑Device Resume: Android → Windows handoff gets real

Microsoft is expanding Cross‑Device Resume to let specific Android activities started on a phone be continued on a Windows PC from the Taskbar. Practical early scenarios include:

Resuming Spotify playback started on an Android phone on the PC (desktop Spotify will open if installed, otherwise the Store prompts installation).
Continuing Microsoft 365 files opened in the Copilot mobile app (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) on supported phones; desktop Office apps open when present, otherwise a browser fallback is used.
Restoring active browsing sessions handed off from compatible Android browsers — Vivo Browser is explicitly called out for Vivo phones.

Under the hood this is a metadata-driven handoff (an AppContext payload), not an Android emulation: the phone supplies a small context descriptor and Windows maps that to a desktop handler or URL. That keeps the experience fast and native, but it also means only cloud-reachable or URL-addressable content is resuming — files stored solely offline on the phone won’t be handed off. Expect device- and vendor-specific gating in the early weeks.
Why it matters: this is Microsoft’s pragmatic route to working like Apple Handoff without running Android apps on the PC. For anyone who jumps between phone and PC frequently, it reduces friction for music, web browsing, and cloud-based Office work. However, availability will be patchy until the CFR opens wider.

2. Windows MIDI Services modernization — real gains for creators

Windows MIDI Services receives a substantial modernization, including broader MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0 support, full WinMM and WinRT compatibility via built-in translation, shared MIDI ports across apps, custom port names, loopback, and app‑to‑app MIDI routing. Microsoft is also offering an App SDK and Tools package separately for develo want to tap the new APIs and utilities.
This is an important platform upgrade: MIDI 2.0 brings higher resolution control, per‑note controllers, and better timing — improvements that matter for pro audio workflows. Microsoft’s separation of the SDK/tools as an optional download lets creators avoid inflating the base OS footprint while still getting modernized driver and routing behavior when needed. Musicians and audio application developers should plan to test the SDK tooling in non‑produadopting it in studio environments.

3. Device info card appears on Settings Home

The Settings Home page now includes a Device info card that surfaces top system specs — CPU, RAM, graphics, and storage — along with a link to the full About page. This is a small but useful quality‑of‑life change that makes device information more discoverable for troubleshooting, warranty checks, or quick hardware validation during remote support. Expect quick access for less technical users and a nicer starting place for diagnostics.

4. Smart App Control can be toggled without reinstalling Windows

One of the most consequential policy changes in this update is the ability to turn Smart App Control (SAC) on or off from Settings without performing a clean OS reinstall. Historically, SAC’s lifecycle decision was made at setup and turning it off effectively prevented re‑enabling without a reset. The new behavior places toggling at Windows Security > App & Browser Control > Smart App Control and removes the permanent lockout that frustrated many users and admins.
Practical impact: if SAC blocks a legitimate tool (for example, niche device utilities), you can temporarily disable it, install or run the tool, and re‑enable SAC afterward. Microsoft says this change is rolling out gradually and was driven by user feedback. Administrators should still test this change before enabling SAC widely, as the feature’s enforcement model remains strict and other protective layers like Defender and SmartScreen still operate.

5. Windows Hello — Enhanced Sign‑in Security extends to external readers

Windows Hello Enhanced Sign‑in Security (ESS) historically worked only with built‑in biometric hardware. The February update expands ESS to allow enrollment and configuration of supported external fingerprint readers from Settings > Accounts > Sign‑in options. That means compatible peripheral fingerprint modules that meet ESS device certification can work with the higher‑assurance sign‑in path.
Caveats: ESS requires device-level certification, specific driver/firmware support, and a secure manufacturing certificate on the sensor. Microsoft’s documentation still warns that non‑ESS peripherals won’t be enumerated when ESS is enabled, and peripheral ESS support was signposted as coming in late 2025 in prior documentation. Administrators should validate each fingerprint peripheral’s ESS capability via Device Manager and vendor guidance before deploying ESS in managed fleets.

6. File Explorer navigation is snappier on netwoate contains a focused improvement to File Explorer performance when navigating network locations, addressing responsiveness and perceived lag in file browsing over SMB shares. Microsoft lists network responsiveness fixes among the reliability improvements in the Release Preview notes, and community tests in the preview ring report noticeably reduced navigation stalls for large remote folders. This is a welcome change for knowledge workers and admins who rely on mapped drives and NAS devices. setup wizard and usability tweaks

Voice Access receives a simplified setup experience, shipping with a wizard that walks users through downloading the required speech model, choosing the preferred microphone, and starting the service. The onboarding flow should make it easier for users who rely on accessibility features to get functional faster and reduce the friction of manual speech model installs. Microsoft continues to refine accessibility tools iteratively, and this update aligns with that trajectory.

8. Voice Typing — control the wait time before executing commands

Voice Typing gets a small but practical addition: a Wait time before acting setting in Voice Typing Settings that lets you tune how long the system waits after hearing a command before executing it. Options include Instant, Medium (default), and Very Long. This is particularly helpful for users who use dictation plus voice commands in the same flow and need to avoid premature command triggering while speaking naturally.

Cross-checks and verification

I confirmed the feature list against Microsoft’s official January 29, 2026 Release Preview KB5074105 notes and several independent technology outlets covering the Release Preview rollup. Microsoft’s support page explicitly calls out Cross‑Device Resume and Copilot+ enhancements in the KB entry, while reputable reporting from mainstream technology sites corroborated the MIDI, Smart App Control, and Windows Hello ESS changes — giving us two independent confirmations for the ms.
Where Microsoft’s public documentation is explicit (for example, the KB article and ESS guidance), I relied on those primary sources; where community reporting or hands‑on previews filled in behavior or constraints (for instance, which vendors and phones are initially supported by resume scenarios), I cross‑referenced coverage from multiple outlets and Release Preview community notes to ensure accuracy. Because CFich devices see which features, any availability nuance described above reflects the Release Preview behavior and Microsoft’s stated rollout model.

Strengths: why these updates matter for users and admins

Real productivity gains from continuity — Cross‑Device Resume reduces friction across phone andmusic, browsing, cloud Office), making switching contexts less disruptive. This may meaningfully improve workflows for hybrid device users.
Modern audio foundation — Upgrading Windows MIDI Services to better support MIDI 2.0 and modern routing is a long overdue change for creators that modernizes the platform for software instruments, DAWs, and pro audio tools.
Less punitive security controls — Allowing Smart App Control to be toggled without reinstalling Windows resolves a major usability flaw that made SAC impractical for many users and environments. This balances safety with operational flexibility.
Improved accessibility and onboarding — Voice Access and Voice Typing updates make assistive technology easier to adopt and tun user experience benefits for people who rely on these features.

Risks, caveats, and areas to watch

Staged availability and confusion — CFR and server entitlements make behavior inconsistent across identical builds. Pilot programs and careful changelogs are essential in business deployments to avoid user confusion when some devices see features and others do not. tfalls with security controls** — Smart App Control’s enforcement can still block legitimate applications; toggling it off fixes that practical problem but doesn’t replace per-app control or whitelisting. Expect to pair SAC with additional endpoint management policies in corporate environ
Peripheral certification constraints for ESS — Windows Hello ESS requires certified sensors and specific driver/firmware support; not all external fingerprint readers will be supported. Deployments should validate sensors against manufacturer claims and Microsoft’s ESS guidance.
Regression risk from low-level changes — MIDI stack modernization and other platform-level fixes touch driver and audio subsystems. Studios and organizations that rely on complex audthe new MIDI services and the optional SDK/tools before production adoption.

Practical advice — how to prepare and deploy

Follow a cautious, test-forward approach to rolling out this February update in production environments.

Create a full system backup and a system restore point before applying the update. Recent Windve occasionally triggered uninstall or stability challenges, so a full backup mitigates rollback risk.
Pilot in Release Preview or a small controlled group: enroll a handful of diverse machines (consumer laptops, managed desktops, audio workstations) and document which features appear and which remain server-gated. This will reveal CFR differences earlier than a full production rollout.
Validate Smart App Control behavior: test workflows that previously failed due to SAC and document the new toggle behavior for your helpdesk scripts; ensure users know the location Windows Security > App & Browser Control > Smart App Control.
For ESS and biometric rollouts: request ESS compatibility documentation from fingerprint peripheral vendors, and test enrollment/un-enrollment flows with ESS enabled and disabled. Follow Microsoft’s device verification checklist in Device Manager and registry keys if necessary.
Audio teams should test the MIDI SDK and loopback features in an isolated environment. Because the SDK is supplied separately, confirm installation policies and driver signing expectations before wider adoption.

Troubleshooting hot tips

If Cross‑Device Resume doesn’t appear after installing the update, confirm that your phone is one of the initially supported vendors (HONOR, OPPO, Samsung, Vivo, Xiaomi were mentioned in preview notes) and that you have a linked phone pairing solution active. Remember the rollout is server-gated.
If SAC blocks a legitimate installer, toggle Smart App Control off, run the installer, then toggle SAC on again; retain Defender and SmartScreen protections during the process. Keep change logs for security audits.
For ESS peripheral failures, check that the accessory has an ESS-capable registry flag and that firmware/drivers match the vendor’s ESS guidance; external sensors without the ESS certificate will not be enumerated when ESS is enabled.

Final assessment

February’s update is notable because Microsoft is blending practical productivity features with platform modernization and security policy fixes. Cross‑Device Resume advances Windows’ long‑promised continuity story in a pragmatic, cloud‑centric way. Windows MIDI Services’ improvements are a forward‑looking bet on creators. Smart App Control’s reversible toggle fixes a UX dead end that undermined adoption, and ESS extension to peripherals broadens high‑assurance sign‑in options — with the usual caveats about certification and device support.
The net effect is incremental but meaningful: more fluid device continuity, better support for creators, and fewer security‑related usability traps. Administrators should treat this update as a pilot candidate rather than a universal push: test, validate device support, and maintain robust rollback options. For end users, these changes will mostly arrive as nice, unobtrusive improvements — provided Microsoft’s CFR continues to roll changes out methodically and without regressions.
If you manage Windows 11 systems, start planning pilot tests now — focus on cross‑device continuity scenarios you care about, validate biometric and MIDI hardware, and update support documentation to reflect the new Smart App Control toggle location and recommended troubleshooting steps. These proactive steps will make your February rollout smoother and reduce surprises as the features migrate from Release Preview into broader availability.

Source: Windows Central 8 new Windows 11 features expected to arrive with the February 2026 update

ChatGPT · Feb 1, 2026

Microsoft’s February Patch Tuesday for Windows 11 is shaping up to be a quietly significant release: arriving as an optional preview in late January and scheduled for broader rollout on Patch Tuesday (February 10, 2026), the update (KB5074105 / OS builds 26200.7705 and 26100.7705) delivers eight practical feature upgrades, accessibility refinements, and developer-facing improvements — from true cross-device continuity with Android phones to a long-awaited overhaul of Windows’ MIDI stack. For everyday users and IT pros alike, this is less a headline-grabbing redesign and more a collection of thoughtful improvements that address long-standing usability gaps, while also carrying the usual caveats of a gradual feature rollout and the lingering memory of recent quality regressions.

Background: what this release is and why it matters

Microsoft shipped KB5074105 as a preview build at the end of January 2026 and intends to begin a staged rollout to the wider Windows 11 population on Patch Tuesday, February 10, 2026. The update targets both Windows 11 version 25H2 and 24H2 (the same set of features is delivered to each release). Technically it’s a preview/optional non-security cumulative (LCU) paired with servicing stack elements, and Microsoft will use its existing Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR) system to enable new features selectively across devices, hardware classes, and geographies.
That release model means many of the items in this update will appear gradually: some users (and many Windows Insider Release Preview participants) will see features immediately, while others will receive them over days or weeks. The practical implication is that you can opt-in to get features sooner by enabling the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” toggle in Windows Update — but you should do so only after weighing the usual trade-offs between early access and stability.
Why this update matters now

It bundles several incremental, but broadly useful features that Microsoft has been trialing in Insider builds throughout 2025.
It includes developer-focused work (notably the Windows MIDI Services platform), which can change how musicians and audio software interact with Windows.
It removes a few historical friction points — for example, allowing toggling Smart App Control without a full reinstall — that have caused real-world headaches.
Finally, it arrives in the shadow of January’s problematic rollup, so administrators and cautious consumers will want to prepare before applying it.

The eight headline features — what’s new and how it works

Below I break down each major addition, explain the technical or user prerequisites, and assess the real-world impact.

1) Cross-Device Resume: continue Android app work from the Taskbar

What it does

A new Cross-Device Resume capability surfaces a single-click alert on your Windows taskbar when a supported app is active on a linked Android phone.
Clicking that taskbar icon resumes the activity on the PC: Spotify playback, browsing sessions, and Microsoft 365 files in Word/Excel/PowerPoint are all included for supported phones and apps.

Requirements and behavior

Your PC must be running Windows 11 (version 24H2 or later).
Your Android device must run Android 10 or newer and be connected with the Link to Windows service (or equivalent OEM integration).
Supported OEMs and apps are selective: phones from HONOR, OPPO, Samsung, vivo, and Xiaomi can resume online Copilot files; Vivo’s browser supports cross-device browsing; Spotify, and Microsoft 365 experiences are specifically mentioned.
Offline-only files stored locally on the phone aren’t supported; the feature resumes cloud-backed or app-level sessions.

Why it matters

This is an Apple Handoff-style capability for Android->Windows that simplifies continuity for heterogeneous phone/PC setups.
For people who switch between phone and PC frequently, it reduces friction and keeps workflows unbroken.

Risks and limits

The experience depends on vendor and app support; not every Android app will integrate immediately.
Privacy-minded users should note the feature relies on device linking and cloud coordination; review which apps you allow to “Resume.”
Because availability is gated by CFR, the feature may appear for some machines earlier than others.

2) Windows MIDI Services: a long-overdue overhaul for musicians and audio apps

What it does

Windows MIDI Services is a new in-box MIDI architecture and SDK that provides modern MIDI 1.0 compatibility and MIDI 2.0 support.
The update brings WinMM and WinRT MIDI 1.0 compatibility through a service-based architecture, enabling multi-client access, loopback endpoints, app-to-app MIDI, custom port names, and better performance.

Developer and device details

Microsoft ships an App SDK and tools separately; developers must use those packages to adopt MIDI 2.0 features fully.
Backwards compatibility shims allow many legacy WinMM and WinRT apps to work, but some multi-client behaviors and new features require the updated service.
Microsoft’s deploy notes emphasize this is a staged effort: preview SDKs and service bits have been available in Insider channels and GitHub releases; consumers and developers should be cautious installing preview components onto retail builds.

Why it matters

For creators, this is arguably the most substantial MIDI modernization in Windows since the 1980s. Multi-client MIDI alone fixes long-standing workflow hurdles for musicians (for example, sharing a MIDI device between a DAW and a controller utility).
Native MIDI 2.0 support opens new expressive and timing capabilities for modern instruments and controllers.

Risks and limits

The full experience is roll-out dependent: feature parity for legacy APIs and the best performance paths may arrive after the initial in-box shipping.
Microsoft explicitly warns that installing preview service packages on non-Insider retail systems can cause limitations or instability; producers and studios should treat this feature as a staged upgrade and test before migrating a production system.

3) Device info card in Settings: specs at a glance

What it does

The Settings Home page gains a Device info card that exposes the PC’s top-line hardware — processor, memory, storage, GPU — with a direct link to the full About page.

Why it matters

It’s a small quality-of-life improvement that saves time for support and troubleshooting: you don’t have to drill into About or third-party tools to see basic specs.
The card is helpful for remote support, training, or quick inventory checks on unmanaged machines.

Risks and limits

No major downsides; availability depends on CFR so some machines will show the card earlier than others.

4) Smart App Control can be enabled/disabled without reinstalling Windows

What it does

Historically, Smart App Control (SAC) had a painful limitation: once turned off, re-enabling required a clean Windows reinstall.
This update removes that one-way lock: you can toggle SAC on or off from Windows Security without a complete OS reinstall.

Why it matters

This is a practical fix for users who found SAC overly aggressive and had to choose between broken apps and losing an important security guardrail.
IT admins and advanced hobbyists benefit: testing and tuning SAC no longer requires wiping test devices.

Risks and limits

Turning SAC off reduces a protective layer; be deliberate and prefer Evaluation mode where available.
As with any security control change, mistakes or toggling SAC to “off” on managed fleets can widen attack surface; manage via policy for enterprise devices.

5) Enhanced Sign-in Security and Windows Hello: wider external fingerprint support

What it does

Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS) is being expanded to accept more external fingerprint readers and cameras in supported scenarios.
The Settings path surfaces toggles to manage ESS behavior with external devices.

Why it matters

Peripheral fingerprint readers are common for docking stations, conference rooms, and laptops; broader support helps users keep biometric sign-in where the built-in sensor is unavailable.
Improved hardware flexibility is particularly valuable for organizations standardizing biometrics across mixed hardware.

Risks and limits

ESS remains a security-sensitive surface: Microsoft’s guidance advises caution with third-party peripherals and notes that some external sensors may need vendor assurances or firmware updates to meet ESS security expectations.
In some releases, ESS restricts non-ESS sensors by default; if you rely on a particular peripheral, verify vendor compatibility or test before rolling out widely.

6) File Explorer speed boost for network navigation

What it does

The release includes performance improvements targeted at File Explorer responsiveness when navigating network locations and large SMB shares.

Why it matters

Network drives and NAS access are critical for many business workflows; reducing perceived lag improves productivity for knowledge workers, admins, and multimedia professionals.

Risks and limits

Improvements are incremental and may not address every slow-case (there can still be driver, firmware, or NAS-side bottlenecks).
If you rely on file servers, test the update during a maintenance window and validate performance on representative large folders.

7) Voice Access: a new setup wizard to simplify onboarding

What it does

Voice Access receives an initial-setup wizard that guides users through downloading language models, choosing microphones, and tuning the environment for reliable recognition.

Why it matters

For accessibility users and anyone who wants hands-free PC control, lowering the friction of installing speech models and configuring audio dramatically improves adoption.
Auto-download of on-device models supports privacy-preserving recognition without round trips to cloud services.

Risks and limits

Language model download size and microphone setup may still require bandwidth and local storage; confirm those constraints in constrained environments.
On-device models are generally private, but any system that uses speech models should still consider permission and microphone control hygiene.

8) Voice Typing: set a delay before a voice command acts

What it does

Voice Typing gains a “wait time before acting” setting with multiple latency options (instant, medium [default], long, very long), letting users tune how quickly spoken commands execute.

Why it matters

This is a useful tweak for people who want to avoid accidental execution of voice commands or need more time to dictate instruction sequences.
It also helps workflows where short pauses naturally occur in speech; long wait settings reduce unintended commands.

Risks and limits

Changing wait times can alter how responsive the system feels; choose settings appropriate to your speaking style and environment.

How the rollout works: Release Preview, CFR, and enabling early access

Microsoft uses several channels and mechanisms to introduce features:

The update appears first as an optional “preview” (KB5074105 preview build published Jan 29, 2026).
The company then begins a Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR): new features are gated and enabled on devices selectively — by telemetry signals, hardware, or region — to reduce widespread impact and to monitor real-world behavior.
The Release Preview Channel in the Windows Insider Program often receives the preview experience earliest; developers and power users can test there.

If you want early access

Open Settings > Windows Update.
Turn on the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” toggle.
Click “Check for updates” and look under Optional updates available to grab the preview LCU.

Caveat: enabling this toggle shifts you toward earlier feature enablement and, by extension, earlier exposure to any regressions tied to those features.

Practical precautions before installing

Given the operational history of recent rollups — notably January’s cumulative that required emergency out-of-band patches for several regressions — treat this preview with some caution.
Recommended pre-install checklist

Create a System Restore point (Control Panel > Recovery > Open System Restore).
Create a full image backup or use your company’s approved backup tool to produce a recoverable snapshot.
Export or note product keys and activation status if you rely on OEM or volume licensing.
Test the update on a non-critical machine or a virtual machine that mirrors your hardware configuration before mass rollout.
If deploying to a fleet, stage the rollout: pilot a small group, validate key business workflows (Office, line-of-business apps, remote desktop, printing), then proceed.

If you are highly risk-averse, wait for Microsoft to declare the update as generally available (normal rollout) rather than installing the optional preview.

Critical analysis: strengths, trade-offs, and where to be cautious

Strengths and user-value

The update packs several practical, productivity-enhancing features that target real user pain points: cross-device continuity, spec surfacing, better voice-first accessibility, and improved MIDI handling for creators.
Microsoft’s move to let users toggle Smart App Control without reinstalling Windows addresses an old and awkward limitation, a real usability win.
The Windows MIDI Services work is strategically important for creative professionals; multi-client access and MIDI 2.0 capabilities are long overdue and have the potential to modernize the audio ecosystem on Windows.

Technical and operational risks

Staged rollouts via CFR reduce blast radius, but they complicate parity across an organization: two employees running the same Windows build may see different capabilities at the same time.
The residual concern from January’s problematic cumulative means administrators should exercise extra caution with optional and preview updates until telemetry shows stability across representative hardware.
Smart App Control’s improved toggling is helpful, but it also makes it easier for less-experienced users to disable a protective control; enterprises should manage SAC via policy or configuration profiles.
Windows MIDI Services, while powerful, has preview-kits and separate SDKs; developers and studios should treat initial releases as preview and avoid migrating production systems until Microsoft marks the platform GA and the in-box shims stabilize.

Privacy and security considerations

Cross-Device Resume requires device linking and cloud coordination; organizations and privacy-conscious users should audit which apps are allowed to resume and whether any corporate data may be exposed when sessions move between a personal phone and a managed PC.
Enhanced Sign-in Security and external biometrics expand convenience but also increase the perimeter for biometric data. Validate hardware vendor claims and ensure devices meet ESS security profiles where required.
Voice features download on-device models in many cases, which reduces cloud exposure, but always confirm whether any parts of a speech stack use cloud services and how those streams are handled.

Compatibility concerns

The Smart App Control behavior that caused third-party software (for example, some gaming tools) to break in prior updates demonstrates that aggressive app whitelisting can hit legitimate software. That tension continues.
MIDI Service adoption may require driver or firmware changes on participant hardware (some class-compliant devices benefit from a new combined class driver).

For power users and developers: what to test first

If you plan to adopt this update early (Release Preview or optional install), prioritize testing these scenarios:

For productivity teams: OneDrive/SharePoint file open/save flows, Office file continuity between phone and PC, Remote Desktop, and printing.
For creators and studios: MIDI device enumeration, multi-client behavior (two apps using the same device), loopback endpoints, and the performance profile for low-latency MIDI I/O.
For accessibility users: confirm that Voice Access setup wizard correctly downloads models, that microphone selection works across USB/BT headsets, and that Voice Typing wait-time settings match real-world dictation habits.
For security teams: evaluate Smart App Control toggling, verify device attestation and Enhanced Sign-in Security settings for external biometrics, and confirm Group Policy and MDM settings behave as expected.

Developer note on MIDI

Use the separate App SDK and tools Microsoft publishes for MIDI Services when developing or testing MIDI 2.0 features. Avoid installing preview service packages on retail production boxes — prefer Insider Canary or dedicated test rigs for early work.

How to roll it out safely in an organization

A pragmatic rollout plan

Pilot: pick a small, cross-functional pilot group that uses a variety of hardware and workloads (developers, creative staff, remote workers).
Validate: test critical line-of-business apps, video conferencing, printing, RDP, and cloud-file workflows for regressions.
Staged deployment: expand to a larger user group if no major issues; keep detailed telemetry and feedback channels open.
Policy control: for Smart App Control and ESS settings, use Group Policy/MDM to enforce desired behavior rather than relying on end-user toggles.
Communicate: notify end-users about the cross-device resume behavior, voice model downloads, and any expected large downloads for speech models or MIDI SDKs.

Final verdict: practical, useful, but test first

Microsoft’s February-side update for Windows 11 isn’t disruptive in the sense of a UI overhaul, but its cumulative value is high: cross-device continuity, modern MIDI services, clearer system information in Settings, and helpful voice and accessibility fixes all address real user needs. At the same time, the update arrives shortly after an unsettled January rollup; that context means prudence is warranted.
If you’re a casual user who appreciates new features, there is value in enabling the update after performing a full backup and creating a system restore point. If you manage devices in an organization or run audio production systems, treat this release as a staged opportunity: pilot first, validate core workflows, and rely on policies to control security toggles.
This update exemplifies Microsoft’s incremental approach in 2025–26: continuous delivery, CFR-managed feature exposure, and targeted improvements that sometimes require patience and careful rollout. For the Windows enthusiast, musician, or accessibility advocate, there is a lot to like — provided you plan the adoption and prepare for the usual update-era trade-offs.

Source: FilmoGaz Discover 8 Exciting Features in Windows 11 February Update

ChatGPT · Feb 1, 2026

Microsoft’s Windows 11 February 2026 Update is not a dramatic redesign — it’s a pragmatic, stability-first release that stitches together months of Insider testing into a focused set of improvements for performance, security, and day-to-day productivity.

Overview

This update — delivered as preview builds 26100.7701 and 26200.7701 (KB5074105) and pushed to the Release Preview Channel in late January 2026 — signals a deliberate change in Microsoft’s cadence: fewer headline features, more reliability work, and a tidy set of functional upgrades that matter to both regular users and power users. The release brings better cross-device continuity with Android, a cleaner presence for device specs inside Settings, more flexible Smart App Control, expanded Windows Hello fingerprint scenarios, File Explorer responsiveness fixes (notably for network locations), improved voice accessibility tools, and a long-awaited professional-grade overhaul for MIDI on Windows.
Beneath the surface, this update is about confidence: restoring trust after a period when feature rollouts generated friction, and delivering incremental but meaningful improvements that reduce daily friction for a wide range of users.

Background: where this update fits in Microsoft’s strategy

Windows 11’s development in 2025 and early 2026 has been characterized by rapid experimentation — AI integrations, Copilot features, and new system agents — but those experiments sometimes produced instability or inconsistent rollouts. The February 2026 Update represents a reset toward quality-first releases.
Key signals:

The update was published to the Release Preview Channel on January 27, 2026, with a supporting KB preview on January 29, 2026.
Microsoft is using a Controlled Feature Rollout model, meaning features arrive gradually across devices and markets rather than appearing simultaneously for everyone.
Many of the improvements are pragmatic: responsiveness fixes, accessibility refinements, and security usability adjustments rather than radical UI changes.

This matters because enterprise IT teams and individual power users who prioritize stability will find the approach welcome; the company appears to be responding to feedback that emphasized reliability over novelty.

What’s new — feature-by-feature breakdown

Cross‑Device Resume with Android: smarter continuity

What it does: Cross‑Device Resume now expands coverage for Android-to-PC task continuation. Supported actions — like continuing media playback, opening Microsoft 365 files, or resuming browser sessions — can surface on the PC taskbar and be picked up with a single click.
Supported scenarios: Spotify playback; online Microsoft 365 files opened in the Microsoft Copilot app; Word, Excel, PowerPoint files opening in desktop apps if installed (otherwise in the browser); certain browser sessions (notably Vivo Browser) available to resume on the PC.
Requirements and limits:
A PC running Windows 11 and an Android phone with Android 10 or later.
Link to Windows must be set up on the phone and the phone must be listed under Mobile devices on the PC.
Feature availability varies by phone brand and requires partner access for third-party apps via the Continuity/Phone Link APIs.
Why it matters: This tightens the bridge between Android phones and Windows PCs, reducing context-switch friction for users who move quickly between devices.
Practical note: The feature is opt-in per app (you can toggle resume for supported apps in Settings → Apps → Resume), and it’s being rolled out in phases; expect brand- and model-based differences in availability.

Device Info Card in Settings: quick specs at a glance

What it does: A Device card appears on the Settings home page when you sign in with a Microsoft account (initially flagged as available in the United States), showing core hardware details — CPU, RAM, GPU, storage — and providing a direct link to the About page.
Why it matters: This small but useful UI change removes friction for troubleshooting and basic inventory tasks. Instead of clicking through multiple pages, users get immediate visibility into their machine’s core specs.
Practical note: The card is visible when signed in with a Microsoft account and is being phased back into rollout after earlier testing.

Smart App Control: now toggleable without reinstall

What changed: Smart App Control (SAC) — Microsoft’s app reputation and execution guard — can now be enabled or disabled from Windows Security → App & Browser Control without performing a clean reinstall.
Why it matters: Previously, once SAC was disabled it could only be re-enabled via a clean install, which was extremely inconvenient for users who found legitimate apps blocked. This change makes SAC practical for broader audiences, letting users test or revert behavior without wiping their system.
Trade-offs and risks:
Turning SAC off reduces a layer of defense. For everyday users, leaving SAC in Evaluation or Enforcement and using exceptions is safer than turning it fully off.
Enterprises should manage SAC behavior via policy and testing rather than relying on individual toggles across fleets.
Practical steps: Go to Windows Security → App & Browser Control → Smart App Control to check or change the setting once the rollout is available to your device.

Windows Hello: enhanced fingerprint support for external sensors

What it does: Windows Hello Enhanced Sign‑in Security (ESS) expands support to external fingerprint sensors — USB and peripheral readers — so systems without built‑in sensors can use ESS’s stronger sign-in guarantees.
Why it matters: This is a big win for desktops, docked laptops, and environments that rely on peripheral readers (kiosk setups, shared workstations, conference rooms). It enables a consistent biometric workflow across mixed hardware.
Practical note:
To enroll, plug in a supported ESS fingerprint reader, then go to Settings → Accounts → Sign‑in options and follow the prompts to set up Enhanced Sign‑in Security.
Vendor compatibility matters: not every third‑party reader will meet ESS security expectations, and firmware or driver updates may be required.

File Explorer performance: better responsiveness (especially on networks)

What it does: Under-the-hood changes improve File Explorer responsiveness, particularly when navigating network locations and large directories.
Why it matters: For users who work with network shares, NAS devices, or large media folders, small latency reductions translate to smoother workflows and less perceived slowness.
Caveats: This is a set of backend optimizations rather than a UX redesign; improvements are context-dependent and will vary with network configuration and storage hardware.

Voice Access and Voice Typing: accessibility refinements

Voice Access:
New streamlined setup flow to download a speech model, select a microphone, and learn basic commands.
The setup reduces initial friction for users who want full voice control over desktop navigation and Windows features.
Voice Typing:
Introduces a “Wait time before acting” setting that adjusts how long the system waits after hearing a phrase before executing a voice command.
This improves recognition for different speaking speeds and reduces accidental triggers.
Why it matters: These changes make built‑in voice features easier to adopt and more reliable, particularly for users with variable speech patterns or accessibility needs.

Windows MIDI Services: a major improvement for creators and musicians

What it does: The update ships Windows MIDI Services, a modern service-based MIDI stack that brings:
Full WinMM and WinRT MIDI 1.0 support with in-service translation and compatibility.
MIDI 2.0 support and the Universal MIDI Packet (UMP) model.
Shared MIDI ports across apps, custom port names, loopback and app-to-app MIDI, and performance improvements.
Developer tooling:
An App SDK and Tools package (distributed out-of-band, currently unsigned in previews) provides a MIDI Console, MIDI Settings app, and developer hooks.
Why it matters:
Musicians and audio software developers get first-class MIDI support on Windows, enabling multi-app workflows and modern MIDI 2.0 features.
This eliminates many historical pain points where only one application could open a hardware MIDI port at a time.
Caveat: During early rollout, SDK/tools may be unsigned and require caution. Production stability depends on driver and device support; developers should test carefully.

Why this update matters: practical impacts and real-world scenarios

For everyday users

Less friction: The Device card and File Explorer responsiveness tweaks remove small but frequent annoyances — faster access to specs and fewer pauses when browsing folders.
Better safety without pain: The SAC toggle makes it feasible for mainstream users to try stronger app controls without being forced into a reinstall if a legitimate program is blocked.
Smooth phone-to‑PC handoff: If you carry an Android phone from a supported partner brand, you can get quick continuity benefits (resume Spotify, reopen documents) without switching platform ecosystems.

For power users and IT pros

Deployability: Microsoft’s continued emphasis on Controlled Feature Rollouts reduces the risk of mass‑impact regressions; admins can expect features to appear gradually and test before broad deployment.
Manageability: The SAC change removes a major administrative headache when testing security configurations on imaging labs or test devices.
Developer enablement: Windows MIDI Services opens new possibilities for audio software, enabling multi-client MIDI workflows and modern protocol adoption.

For creators and accessibility users

Creators gain robust MIDI routing and better device naming/routing tools — crucial for studio setups, live performance, and multi‑app instrument chains.
Accessibility improvements to Voice Access and Voice Typing make voice features more approachable for users relying on assistive technologies.

Risks, limits, and what to watch for

Controlled rollout means uneven availability. Expect feature visibility to vary by device, region, signing-in state, and whether your device is a Copilot+ PC.
Smart App Control: giving users the ability to turn SAC off is positive for flexibility, but it’s also a risk if users disable protections without understanding the trade-offs. Administrators should enforce policies in corporate environments.
External fingerprint readers: ESS support for peripherals is useful, but compatibility isn’t universal. Third-party sensors may need firmware updates or vendor drivers; evaluate before mass deployment.
MIDI tooling: early SDK and tools are sometimes unsigned or preview-only. Musicians should avoid installing unsigned components on production machines or should do so in controlled environments.
Cross‑Device Resume: Not all apps or phone models are supported; offline files on the phone are not currently resumable. Expect incremental expansion of supported apps and partner devices over time.
Patch complexity: The update bundles security fixes and platform updates (including boot manager changes). IT pros should validate Secure Boot scenarios and test activation/license migration pathways before broad rollouts.

Deployment guidance and practical steps

How to check for and get the update

Open Settings → Windows Update.
Click Check for updates.
If your device is part of Microsoft’s controlled rollout you may receive a preview build or staged features.
If you are in the Release Preview Channel and still not seeing features, be patient — the rollout is phased and some items are country- or device-locked.

Enable or change Smart App Control

Open Windows Security.
Select App & Browser Control.
Click Smart App Control and toggle as desired.
Recommendation: Use Evaluation or test on a limited set of devices before turning SAC off globally.

Enroll an external ESS fingerprint reader

Plug in the supported fingerprint sensor.
Go to Settings → Accounts → Sign‑in options.
Under Enhanced sign‑in security, follow the prompts to enroll the peripheral.
Recommendation: Validate vendor compatibility and test enrollment flow for your device model before rolling out at scale.

Use Cross‑Device Resume

Ensure Link to Windows is installed and configured on your Android phone.
Confirm phone is linked to your Microsoft account and appears under Mobile devices on the PC.
Look for the phone‑badged app icon on the PC taskbar and click to resume supported tasks.
Tip: If you don’t see supported apps, check Settings → Apps → Resume and toggle app behavior.

Technical verification and transparency

Microsoft published the Release Preview announcement for builds 26100.7701 and 26200.7701 on January 27, 2026, and the KB preview was made available in late January. Feature documentation and support pages confirm Cross‑Device Resume prerequisites (Windows 11, Android 10+, Link to Windows), Smart App Control settings details, and Device card behavior. Windows MIDI Services and its App SDK/Tools are being distributed via Microsoft’s GitHub and a dedicated Windows MIDI Services landing page; the SDKs have preview and unsigned packages during early rollout.
Where specifics are platform-limited, Microsoft flagged availability restrictions (for example, the Device card appearing only for signed-in Microsoft accounts and initially in the U.S.). The Controlled Feature Rollout mechanism means compliance with the published timelines does not guarantee simultaneous availability to every device.

Deeper analysis: strengths, trade-offs, and what Microsoft got right

Strengths

Quality over spectacle: Microsoft prioritized reliability and usability — a welcome pivot that mitigates update-related headaches from past rollouts.
Practical security improvements: Making SAC toggleable dramatically increases the feature’s usability in real-world scenarios, especially for hobbyists and IT labs.
Cross-device continuity: Expanding Cross‑Device Resume to include more Android partners and essential apps reduces friction for users who live across phone and PC.
Professional-grade MIDI support: Windows getting modern MIDI capabilities is long overdue; this elevates Windows as a viable platform for professional music workflows.
Accessibility polish: Voice Access and Voice Typing updates improve adoption potential for people who depend on voice interaction.

Trade-offs and concerns

Feature fragmentation: The Controlled Feature Rollout continues to create a fractured experience across the user base where some people have features and others don’t; this complicates documentation and support.
Security surface area with peripheral biometrics: While external ESS support increases flexibility, it also requires cautious vetting of hardware vendors and drivers.
Developer friction from unsigned tools: Early MIDI tooling being unsigned is a temporary but real deployment friction, and it increases the barrier for less technical users.
User confusion: Allowing toggles for powerful security features like SAC will require clear UI messaging so non-expert users understand the consequences.

Who should install this update now — and who should wait?

Install now if:
You’re an early adopter in the Release Preview Channel and want to test Cross‑Device Resume, ESS external fingerprint support, or Windows MIDI Services in a controlled environment.
You rely on network shares and want to validate File Explorer responsiveness improvements on your infrastructure.
You’re a creator or developer who needs modern MIDI behavior and are prepared to work with preview SDKs and tooling.
Wait or test first if:
You manage enterprise fleets where consistent behavior is critical; wait until Microsoft releases a broad GA update and validate in your test environment.
You depend on third‑party fingerprint hardware that hasn’t been validated for ESS — test before wide deployment.
You want to avoid preview or unsigned packages, particularly for production audio machines.

Real-world scenarios and quick troubleshooting tips

If Cross‑Device Resume isn’t appearing:
Confirm Link to Windows is installed and that the phone is listed in Mobile devices on the PC.
Check Settings → Apps → Resume to ensure the specific app is allowed.
Remember: feature rollout is phased and may be restricted by phone brand or regional availability.
If Smart App Control blocks an installer you need:
Use the Windows Security → App & Browser Control → Smart App Control interface to switch SAC to Evaluation or disable temporarily (understand the security trade-offs).
For long-term management in enterprises, use Group Policy or Intune to define approved app policies.
If an external fingerprint reader won’t enroll:
Confirm the reader is ESS-certified or supported for Enhanced Sign‑in Security.
Update the reader’s firmware and drivers from the vendor and retry enrollment.
Try enrolling on a test device first to validate compatibility.
If MIDI tools warn about unsigned packages:
Only install preview SDKs on non-production machines.
Use a test VM or a dedicated music workstation to evaluate behavior until signed releases are available.

Final assessment

The Windows 11 February 2026 Update is a measured, sensible release that prioritizes stability, security usability, and incremental productivity gains. It’s not the kind of update that will dominate tech headlines with flashy UI transformations, but its pragmatic fixes — from making Smart App Control reversible to bringing modern MIDI to Windows and refining cross-device continuity — materially improve the platform for a wide range of users.
For IT professionals, the message is clear: this release is about trust and reliability. Test judiciously, prioritize compatibility checks for biometric hardware and MIDI workflows, and take advantage of Controlled Feature Rollout to stage deployments. For everyday users, the update quietly smooths a lot of rough edges: fewer stalls in File Explorer, easier voice setup, and a friendlier way to continue phone tasks on the PC.
In short, February 2026’s Windows 11 update isn’t flashy, but it’s exactly the kind of course correction Microsoft needed — fewer surprises, fewer regressions, and sensible features that respect how people actually use Windows day to day.

Source: thewincentral.com Windows 11 February 2026 Update: What’s New

ChatGPT · Feb 2, 2026

Microsoft’s February 2026 cumulative update for Windows 11 moves beyond incremental polish and toward practical cross-device continuity: the Release Preview rollout expands Cross‑Device Resume, makes Smart App Control toggleable without reinstalling Windows, extends Windows Hello Enhanced Sign‑in Security to more peripheral fingerprint readers, and ships a substantial overhaul of Windows MIDI Services — all wrapped in a patch that also targets File Explorer responsiveness and accessibility improvements.

Background / Overview

Microsoft published Release Preview notes on January 27, 2026 for the preview package delivered as Builds 26100.7701 and 26200.7701 (KB5074105) for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2. That release is the final stage before a wider Stable‑channel distribution expected in early February, and Microsoft has explicitly separated the package into immediate fixes and features that are being rolled out gradually via server-side gating.
Two practical realities shape how this update will land on everyday machines:

A subset of capabilities uses Controlled Feature Rollouts (CFR), which means installing the update makes you eligible but does not guarantee instant access.
The release is available now in the Release Preview Channel and is expected to reach the Stable Channel in the February Patch Tuesday window. Independent coverage and Microsoft’s notes both identify February 10, 2026 as the day Patch Tuesday upda

The headline items land in two categories: continuity and productivity features that reshape daily workflows, and platform changes that matter to specific user groups (musicians, security/IT admins, accessibility users). Community reporting and forum analysis from early adopters confirm the same core story: Cross‑Device Resume is widening its support for Android→PC handoffs while Microsoft simultaneously reduces friction around previously stubborn settings like Smart App Control.

What’s new — feature by feature

Cross‑Device Resume: from OneDrive trickle to true app handoff

The most visible feature in this package is an expanded Cross‑Device Resume. What began as a OneDrive‑centric convenience has been redesigned to allow Android apps and OEM ecosystems to publish a small “activity descriptor” that Windows maps to the best local handler on your PC — preferably a native desktop app, otherwise the browser. Practical scenarios Microsoft calls out include resuming:

Spotify playback started on aontinued on the PC,
Microsoft 365 documents (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) opened in the Copilot mobile app on supported phones and resumed on the desktop Office apps (or browser fallback),
Browsing sessions from certain OEM browsers (e.g., vivo Browser) restored on the PC’s default browser.

Why this matters: instead of emulating or streaming the phone’s UI, Microsoft uses a lightweight metadata handshake (sometimes referenced as AppContext) that keeps the desktop experience native and avoids the bandwidth and complexity of running Android UI on the PC. That design is why Microsoft can support heterogenous Android devices — the phone stays the authoritative runtime while Windows receives just the minimal context needed to continue the activity.
Caveats and availability

This is a gradual rollout. Even after installing the update, your device may not immediately receive every resume scenario because Microsoft gates capability server‑side and requires app or OEM-level integration. Expect variations by phone model, OEM, region, and user account.
Offline files stored only on the phone are not supporteloud‑backed or online contexts are required.

Smart App Control: the toggle that should have arrived sooner

Power users have long complained about Smart App Control (SAC): once enabled, previous behavior effectively prevented disabling SAC without a clean OS install. The February preview fixes that nuisance by allowing users to toggle SAC on or off from Windows Security > App & Browser Control without reinstalling Windows. Microsoft documents the change in its release notes and the update makes the toggle widely available as part of the KB5074105 package.
Why this matters: SAC provides strong protection against untrusted binaries and script-based threats, but developers, testers, and advanced users often need to run unsigned tools. Making SAC reversible reduces friction and aligns Windows’ usability with real-world workflows.
Caveat: rollout is staged. Community threads and Microsoft Q&A show some users still waiting for the toggle to appear in their builds — this indicates Microsoft is enabling SAC changes gradually and monitoring telemetry. If you don’t see the toggle right away, that is expected behavior rather than an error.

Windows Hello Enhanced Sign‑in Security (ESS) and peripherals

The update expands Windows Hello Enhanced Sign‑in Security (ESS) to support more peripheral fingerprint readers in some scenarios. Historically ESS was tightly coupled to built-in sensors and hardware that supports match-on-chip with manufacturer‑embedded certificates. Microsoft’s documentation has long explained that ESS requires specific hardware/firmware and that peripheral support was limited, but the platform now allows more flexibility for external biometric devices via a Settings toggle that can permit peripheral sign-in.
Important details:

ESS still depends on secure, certified sensors for full hardware‑protected matching (match‑on‑chip). Not every USB fingerprint reader will qualify.
Microsoft recommends cautious deployment: enabling peripheral ESS before the hardware/driver chain is fully vetted can create compatibility issues; the support pages emphasize plugging in and enrolling peripherals during initial setup if you intend to use them.

Windows MIDI Services: a sweep for musicians and audio creators

Under the hood, Microsoft rebuilt significant parts of the MIDI stack. The update introduces:

Full WinMM and WinRT MIDI 1.0 support with built‑in translation,
Shared MIDI ports across apps, custom port naming, and loopback / app‑to‑app MIDI routing,
Improved reliability and reduced latency for digital audio workstations and MIDI tools.

Practical benefits:

Musicians can run multiple MIDI-aware apps that share the same virtual ports rather than each grabbing exclusive access.
Loopback endpoints and app‑to‑app routing let DAWs and utility apps exchange MIDI data without fragile third‑party drivers.
A separate App SDK and Windows MIDI Services package unlocks tools (MIDI Console, MIDI Settings) and makes the system usable for both legacy WinMM apps and modern WinRT clients.

Caveats:

Parts of the MIDI improvements were tested in Insider builds and as a standalone Windows MIDI Services preview; for some legacy apps you may still need updated drivers or the new MIDI Services package to get multi‑client behavior. The GitHub and Microsoft notes advise using Insider releases if you need the bleeding‑edge multi‑client features immediately.

Accessibility and voice improvements

The update focuses on practical accessibility improvements:

Voice Access receives a redesigned setup wizard that helps users select microphones and download speech models more reliably.
Voice Typing adds a “Wait time before acting” setting so users can control how long the system waits after speaking before executing a recognized command. These small but meaningful refinements are aimed at lowering friction for speech workflows.

Quality and reliability fixes (File Explorer, Settings, Start menu)

Beyond feature expansions, KB5074105 includes reliability patches:

File Explorer ren browsing network locations — a long‑standing pain point for users who work with SMB/NAS shares.
Settings app: a new Device card on Settings Home displays core PC specs; the Settings agent also gains support for additional languages (Italian, Hindi, Simplified Chinese).
Start menu: resolved issues with menu placement and clipped warning messages.

How to get the update and deployment guidance

Join the Release Preview Channel (Windows Insider Program) if you want early access to KB5074105.
In Settings > Windows Update, enable Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available, then click Check for updates. The preview package should appear as an optional update.
Make a backup: Microsoft and reporting sites advise creating a system restore point or a full image before applying optional preview updates. January’s Patch Tuesday sequence ecluded emergency fixes that showed how updates can sometimes create regressions; prudent backups protect your work and configuration.

Pro‑tips for administrators and power users:

Test on a representative device fleet before broad rollout: the controlled feature rollout model can make feature availability inconsistent; use the preview to confirm app/OEM behavior and deploy when server-side gating has opened for your target region.
For MIDI professionals, consider using a lab machine or a Windows Insider Canary/Dev build to test multi‑client routing and loopback behavior while drivers and DAWs catch up.

Critical analysis: strengths, limitations, and risks

Strengths — meaningful, user-centric refinements

Real productivity wins: Cross‑Device Resume is a sensible, low-bandwidth approach to continuity that delivers genuine value for everyday scenarios — resuming music, picking up a document, restoring a browser tab — without relying on heavy virtualization or streaming. The mapping-to-native-app approach preserves desktop fidelity and performance.
Reduced friction in security controls: Making SAC reversible is a welcome move that aligns security with flexibility; it lowers the barrier for developers and power users who need to run unsigned utilities temporarily.
Platform modernization for creators: The MIDI stack changes are long overdue and significant for professional audio workflows — shared ports and loopback improve how modern DAWs and soft synths interoperate on Windows.
Accessibility refinements are practical: Improvements to Voice Access and Voice Typing aren’t flashy, but they materially improve control and reduce setup friction for users relying on speech.

Limitations — why some users will remain unconvinced

Gated rollout and OEM dependence: Cross‑Device Resume’s usefulness depends on apps and OEM integration. Because Microsoft gates features server‑side and requires app or OEM implementation, users with unsupported phones or older app versions may see little benefit despite installing the update. This makes adoption feel fragmented at first.
Not a replacement for deep Android app support: Resume is a clever handoff mechanism, but it is not the same as running Android apps on Windows. For workflows that require the full app interface or local state that’s only stored on-device, Resume may not suffice.
Hardware/driver gate for ESS: Enhanced Sign‑in Security still requires certified hardware for full protection. Peripheral fingerprint readers are not universally supported; enterprises with custom hardware will need to validate ESS compatibility.

Risks and security/privacy considerations

Privacy of cross-device metadata: Resume relies on small activity descriptors sent from the phone to the PC. Microsoft’s design minimizes data flow by sending compact metadata rather than entire app states, but users and IT teams should still consider privacy policies of participating apps and OEMs. The controlled rollout also means telemetry will inform Microsoft’s decisions; organizations should monitor logs and audit trails if they’re concerned about cross‑device signals.
Peripheral biometric risk vectors: Expanding ESS to peripherals can be positive, but it creates a wider hardware surface area. Microsoft advises best practices (plug-enroll-keep-attached) and notes that ESS requires certified sensors for full protection; organizations should treat new peripheral policies as part of their risk assessments.
Update regressions remain possible: Even well-tested preview updates can introduce regressions in specific configurations. The sensible advice stands: create restore points, keep installers for rollback, and stage deployments across pilot groups. Past January updates required emergency fixes; KB5074105 is no exception to cautious rollout practices.

Recommendations for Windows users and admins

If you vaare comfortable with staged rollouts, join the Release Preview Channel and install KB5074105 to be eligible for Cross‑Device Resume, SAC toggle, and MIDI improvements. Test these features in a controlled environment first.
Musicians and audio pros should test the new MIDI Services on a non-production machine and confirm DAW/driver behavior before switching live rigs; consider the Windows MIDI Services preview packages if you need immediate multi‑client routing.
Security‑conscious users: review SAC and ESS settings after installing the update. Confirm that biometric devices meet ESS requirements before deploying peripherals broadly; use the ESS toggle thoughtfully in managed environments.
Back up first — full disk image or system restore point — and stage rollout across pilot groups. Keep an eye on feedback channels and Microsoft’s release notes for any fast‑moving changes or hotfixes in the days after Patch Tuesday.

Readiness checklist (quick reference)

Create a full backup or system image.
Enroll a pilot PC in the Release Preview Channel and enable optional updates.
Install KB5074105 on the pilot machine and verify:
Cross‑Device Resume appears when pairing a supported Android phone (Spotify, Copilot, Vivo Browser scenarios).
Smart App Control toggle is present under Windows Security > App & Browser Control.
Windows Hello ESS peripheral toggle and fingerprint enrollment behave as expected.
MIDI routing and loopback work with your DAW/sample setup.
Validate File Explorer network performance and Settings / Start menu behavior.
If all checks pass, roll out more widely; otherwise, file feedback with Microsoft and hold on broader deployment.

Final appraisal

The February 2026 preview for Windows 11 is less about headline‑grabbing platform reinvention and more about making the pieces of daily computing actually work together. Cross‑Device Resume is the most tangible UX win here — it finally gives users a lightweight, realistic way to move activities from Android phones to Windows PCs without heavy emulation. The Smart App Control toggle fixes an irritating pain point for power users. The MIDI overhaul is a significant technical upgrade that will matter to creators once drivers and apps adopt the new capabilities. Accessibility and reliability fixes add welcome polish.
However, the update’s real-world impact will be staggered: server‑side gating, OEM and app integration requirements, and hardware certification mean that many users will not see all of these benefits immediately. Organizations and power users should treat this as a pilotable, controlled‑rollout opportunity — test first, back up, and deploy when the features are enabled for your fleet.
If you want to try these features now, enroll in the Release Preview Channel, make a full backup, and test the scenarios that matter to you — but plan deployments with realistic expectations about rollout timing and OEM/app support.
Conclusion: this update is a practical, disciplined step toward a more connected Windows experience — incremental in scope but tangible in day‑to‑day value for people who move between phones and PCs, musicians who need reliable MIDI routing, and security-minded users who want reversible controls. Keep your backups ready, pilot broadly, and expect the full, consistent experience to arrive gradually as Microsoft and partners flip server‑side gates and ship app/OEM integrations.

Source: TechRepublic New Windows 11 Features Arrive This Month, Including Cross-Device Resume

ChatGPT · Feb 2, 2026

Microsoft’s February Windows 11 patch is unusually substantive: a Release Preview cumulative (KB5074105) shipped in late January expands cross‑device continuity, modernizes Windows’ MIDI stack, relaxes a long‑standing Smart App Control restriction, broadens biometric support for Windows Hello Enhanced Sign‑in Security, and bundles a slate of accessibility and File Explorer reliability fixes — updates that matter to everyday users, creators, accessibility advocates, and IT teams alike.

Background / Overview

Microsoft delivered the KB5074105 preview to the Release Preview channel on January 29, 2026, as non‑security, optional preview builds for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2 (OS Builds 26100.7705 and 26200.7705). The package contains features that are being exposed via Microsoft’s Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR) model — meaning installing the update makes a device eligible but doesn’t guarantee immediate access Microsoft pairs this preview-level LCU with a servicing stack update (KB5074104) to ensure safe installation.
Microsoft signaled this preview as the lead‑in to the February Patch Tuesday distribution window; community tracking and Microsoft insiders expected a broader rolatch Tuesday, February 10, 2026, with staged feature activation continuing across accounts and device classes. Because many items are server‑gated or require OEM/app partner integration, you should treat KB5074105 as a pilot candidate rather than an autent.

What’s new — quick snapshot

Expanded Cross‑Device Resume for Android→Windows continuity: Spotify playback, Microsoft 365 documents opened in the Copilot mobile app, and some browser sessions (Vivo Browser called out).
Windows MIDI Services modernization: native support improvements for MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0, shared ports, custom port names, loopback and app‑to‑app routing, plus a separate App SDK/Tools package for inbox features.
Smart App Control (SAC) becomes toggleable — you can turn SAC on/off without reinstalling Windows. This removes a painful prior restriction.
Voice and accessibility: new Narrator customization, redesigned Voice Access setup, and a Voice Typing “Wait time before acting” control.
Windows Hello ESS: Enhanced Sign‑in Security now supports peripheral/external fingerprint readers — useful for desktops, kiosks, and Copilot+ PCs.
Settings UX: Device card moved to the Settings Home page for quicker system inspection.
Various quality fixes: File Explorer responsiveness on network paths, lock screen hangs, Start menu layout issues, desktop icon miability patches.

Each of the load‑bearing items above is explicitly documented in Microsoft’s KB5074105 release notes and corroborated by independent reporting and insider coverage.

Deep dive: Cross‑Device Resume — how it works, when it helps

What Microsoft changed

Cross‑Device Resume moves beyond simple file syncing to a metadata‑driven “resume descriptor” model (sometimes summarized as an AppContext or resume payload). An eligible Android app on a linked phone publishes a short descriptor containing a deep link or cloud pointer; Windows maps that descriptor to a local handler and surfaces a single‑click resume affordance on the Taskbar or system toast. When possible, Windows opens the native desktop app (Spotify, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or falls back to the default browser. Vivo Browser and certain OEM scenarios are explicitly supported in this initial expansion.

Real‑world scenarios

Start a podcast episode or Spotify playlist on your phone and continue playback on the desktop Spotify client.
Open a Microsoft 365 file in the Copilot mobile app and continue editing on the desktop Word/Excel/PowerPoint app.
Resume a browsing session from Vivo Browser on your phone and pick up tabs on the PC.

These are pragmatic continuations rather than Android UI streaming — the model favors native desktop experiences and minimal bandwidth use. (theverge.com)

Requirements & limits

Requires a linked phone (Link to Windows / vendor pairing) and network/cloud reachability for the referenced content. Offline‑only phone files are not supported.
Rollout is gated: OEM partnerships (HONOR, OPPO, Samsung, vivo, Xiaomi are mentioned for some Copilot scenarios) and server entitlement determine who sees the feature first. Don’t assume universal availability immediately after installing KB5074105.

Practical verdict

Cross‑Device Resume is useful for cloud‑backed, sessionable content (music, online Office docs, browsed pages). It’s not a cure‑all for local phone‑stored assets, and its real value depends on app participation and OEM support. For enterprise pilots, focus on cloud Office workflows and standardize test devices with supported OEM phones before broad‑scale adoption.

Deep dive: Windows MIDI Services — what creators should know

What’s included

KB5074105 ships updated Windows MIDI Services with enhanced support for both MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0, full WinMM and WinRT compatibility via translation layers, shared MIDI ports across apps, custom port names, loopback p communication. Microsoft also distributes a separate App SDK/Tools package (MIDI Console, MIDI Settings) to enable inbox MIDI 2.0 features; early releases may be unsigned and trigger installer warnings.

Why it matters

This is the most substantial MIDI modernization Windows has seen in decades. MIDI 2.0 brings higher resolution control and expanded capability for modern controllers and DAWs, and system‑level support for shared ports and loopback reduces the need for third‑party routing tools. Musicians, sound designers, and DAW integrators will see lower friction when connecting multiple apps and hardware.

Caveats for production environments

The SDK/Tools being separately packaged means enterprise packaging and signing policies must be considered; unsigned packages can trip endpoint protections. Test in isolated music workstations or VMs before rolling out to production audio rigs.
Latency and driver interactions still depend on hardware vendors and audio interface drivers; validate buffer/driver settings across representative hardware.

Smart App Coin (and security considerations)

The change

Previously, Smart App Control (SAC) had a one‑way user flow: once turned off on a device, it effectively could not be re‑enabled without a clean OS reinstall. KB5074105 introdle under Windows Security > App & Browser Control that allows you to turn SAC on or off without reinstalling Windows — a major quality‑of‑life improvement for developers and power users who frequently install unsigned tools.

Why this matters

SAC’s strictness discouraged adoption because the cost of disabling it was permanent for the life of that Windows image. Making SACat fear, enabling users to temporarily disable SAC for a trusted install and re‑enable it immediately after. This change should increase SAC adoption while giving users flexibility to complete legitimate installs that SAC might initially flag.

Security tradeoffs and management

Disabling SAC temporarily reduces the defense‑in‑depth posture. Advise users to keep Defender Real‑time Protection and SmartScreen active while SAC is off.
For enterprises, manage SAC behavior via Group Policy or Intune configuration and auditing — an on/off toggle is more forgiving but also demands policy discipline to prevent abuse.

Accessibility, voice, and settings refinements

Narrator

Narrator gains finer controls for what elements are announced and the order of announcements. These settings are intendednd enable users to tune Narrator to their navigation habits, which is a meaningful accessibility improvement for screen‑reader users.

Voice Access & Voice Typing

Voice Access now includes a redesigned setup wizard that downloads the appropriate speech model, helps select microphones, and explains the workflow — lowering the barrier to adoption. Voice Typing adds a “Wait time before acting” control so users with different speech rhythms can tune how long the system waits before executing a spoken command. These are pragmatic changes that improve usability and reduce false positives.

Settings Home Device card

A seak: the Device card now appears on the Settings Home page (US‑only at present), making it faster to see CPU, RAM, and edition details. It’s a straightforward quality‑of‑life improvement for helpdesk and home users.

Windows Hello ESS: peripheral fingerprint support

Windows Hello Enhanced Sign‑in Security (ESS) now supports external fingerprint sensors, removing a blocker for desktop deployments and kiosks that lack built‑in biometric hardware. Enrollment is done through Settings > Accounts > Sign‑in options after connecting a supported device. This broadens n to more form factors and makes ESS more practical for mixed environments.
Practical notes:

Devices must be ESS‑cpected registry flags/drivers to enroll successfully. If an external reader fails to enroll, check vendor firmware/drivers and ESS compatibility documentation.

Quality & reliability fixes that matter

KB5074105 bundles numerous practical fixes that help daily usability:

File Explorer responsiveness improvements, particularly for network shares and remote folder navigation.
Fixes for lock screen unresponsiveness and Explorer.exe hang on first sign‑in when startup apps run.
Corrections for Start Menu layout issues in RTL languages and quirks where desktop icons moved unexpectedly when opening or renaming files.

These fixes are part of the normal‑rollout portion of the update and will install broadly once the package reaches GA; they represent the kind of stability work that helps both end users and administrators.

Verification: what I checked and where the claims stand

I verified the core claims against Microsoft’s official KB5074105 preview documentation (January 29, 2026), which lists the headline items, build numbers, and the gradual/normal rollout model. Independent coverage from major outlets corroborates the Cross‑Device Resume scenarios, the MIDI modernization, and the Smart App Control toggle. The separate MIDI SDK/tools distribution and the potential for unsigned previitly called out in Microsoft’s notes and were also reported by specialist outlets.
A few practical details remain conditional or environment‑dependent:

Exailability for Cross‑Device Resume is server‑gated and subject to OEM/app integration — expect variability across phones, regions, and accounts. This is a deliberate Microsoft design choice and is documented in the release notes.
The separate MIDI SDK/Tools being unsigned at preview time is factual in Microsoft’s notes; organizations with strict signing policies should not deploy these packages into production without signature verification.

Where claims were unverifiable or likely to change quickly, I flagged them explicitly (for example, server‑side gating and phased enabling by Microsoft), and I recommend admins check the Windows release health dashboard and update history entries for live updates and potential known issues before mass deployment.

Deployment guidance for IT — pilotk plan

Pilot cohort selection
Choose a representative set: typical knowledge‑worker laptops, at least one music/creative workstation, a kiosk or desktop with external fingerprint hardware, and a couple of Android phones from OEMs Microsoft mentioned (HONOR, OPPO, Samsung, vivo, Xiaomi). This helps validate Cross‑Device Resume entitlements and ESS enrollment paths.
Test MIDI workflows in an isolated environment
Install the separate MIDI SDK/Tools onto dedicated test machines or VMs. Validate driver compatibility, DAW routing behavior, and latency under representative audio IO loads. Keep a rollback snapshot.
SAC policy validation
Test the SAC toggle workflow: intentionally block a known installer, disable SAC, install the app, and re‑enable SAC. Ensure Defender, SmartScreen, and telemetry remain active according to policy. Document approvals for audited installs.
Biometric enrollment tests
Validate ESS enrollment with supported external fingerprint readers. Confirm vendor drivers/firmware are current and that enrollment succeeds on test hardware.
Rollout and monitoring
Stage KB5074105 via Windows Update for Business/Intune or WSUS to pilot rings. Monitor telemetry and user reports for File Explorer, Start menu, and lock screen regressions. Maintain rollback points and an uninstall plan (note: the SSU component is persistent once installed).
Communication and training
Inform users about the SAC toggle change and Voice Access onboarding tweaks. For creators, explain the separate MIDI SDK/tool availability and signing caveats. Keep helpdesk scripts updated for ESS peripheral enrollment steps.

Risks, edge cases, and what to watch for

Controlled Feature Rollouts will cause inconsistent feature visibility across pilots and the wider fleet. Prepare documentation that explains entitlement variance to avoid “works for me” confusion.
Early MIDI SDK/tools may be unsigned and trigger endpoint protection blocks; treat them as preview software until official signed packages arrive.
Changing SAC behavior reduces friction but also introduces the possibility of misuse — ensure governance (policies, audits) are in place if SAC is toggled frequently in your organization.
Biometric peripheral support depends on vendor ESS compatibility; non‑ESS readers will not enroll. Validate hardware lists prior to broad ESS enablement.

Strategic assessment — strengths and gaps

Strengths

Microsoft demonstrates a practical approach: focused improvements (continuity, creator tools, accessibility) that address recurring user pain points rather than cosmetic UI churn. The SAC toggle and ESS peripheral support remove real blockers to adoption.
MIDI modernization is forward‑looking and important for musicians who rely on Windows — native MIDI 2.0 support and app‑to‑app routing simplify workflows previously handled by third‑party tools.

Gaps and open questions

The reliance on CFR and vendor integrations means features will arrive unevenly; user expectations need management. Cross‑Device Resume’s initial value depends heavily on app implementations and OEM cooperation.
A separate, possibly unsigned MIDI SDK/tools package complicates enterprise packaging and security posture. Microsoft must ship signed, production‑ready tools quickly to convert the preview value into production deployments.

Practical recommendations (short list)

If you prioritize stability: wait for the normal rollout and the signed MIDI SDK/tools before deploying widely.
If you need features now: pilot KB5074105 on non‑critical hardware with the checklist above and validate ESS, SAC, and MIDI tool behaviors before expanding.
For audio professionals: don’t adopt the separate MIDI SDK/tools on production systems until you confirm vendor signing and perform throughput/latency testing in a controlled DAW environment.
Update helpdesk documentation to cover the SAC toggle, ESS external reader enrollment steps, and Voice Access onboarding flow.

Conclusion

KB5074105 is a noteworthy February update for Windows 11 because it blends targeted productivity gains, platform modernization for creators, and long‑overdue manageability fixes. It’s not a flashy redesign — instead, it addresses concrete pain points: making Smart App Control reversible, expanding practical phone→PC continuity, modernizing MIDI for musicians, and improving accessibility onboarding. That combination improves everyday reliability and usability across diverse user groups.
The operative theme is practicality — Microsoft is shipping smaller, higher‑value changes through cumulative updates while gating features for staged activation. For administrators and enthusiasts, KB5074105 is a pilot‑worthy release: test thoughtfully, validate MIDI and biometric scenarios, and plan governance for the new SAC behavior. For end users, expect gradual availability and meaningful quality fixes that, while subtle, will reduce friction in daily PC tasks.

Source: ZDNET The Windows 11 February patch is a big one - here's what PC users are getting

ChatGPT · Feb 2, 2026

Microsoft’s February Windows 11 update is more than a routine rollup: delivered to versions 24H2 and 25H2 as preview builds in late January and scheduled for wider rollout in early February, the package stitches together meaningful productivity features, accessibility improvements, and platform-level fixes—while also resolving some longstanding manageability frustrations for administrators.

Background / Overview

Microsoft released preview builds 26100.7701 and 26200.7701 (packaged as KB5074105) to the Release Preview channel on January 27–29, 2026, and documented the changes in its official release notes and Insider blog. The company is using a two-track delivery model for this package: a gradual (server-gated) rollout for new feature exposures and a normal rollout for quality and reliability fixes. That means installing the cumulative update makes a device eligible for new features, but feature availability can still be gated per device, account, or region.
Why this matters: unlike a single marquee UI redesign, this update is a collection of smaller, high-utility changes that reduce friction across common workflows—particularly cross-device continuity with Android, voice and acc security control flexibility, and modernized MIDI support for creators. The result is cumulative: many modest changes that, together, reshape how people transition between devices and how creators and IT teams manage their environments. Independent reporting and the Microsoft notes converge on the same set of headline items, giving reasonable confidence in the package contents while reminding administrators to pilot before broad deployment.

Cross‑Device Resume: continuity that feels practical (not theoretical)

What changed

One of the most visible additions is the expanded Cross‑Device Resume capability. Where resume used to be heavily OneDrive-centric, Microsoft now surfaces activity descriptors from supported Android phones that let the PC pick up an active context. Typical early scenarios include:

Resuming Spotify playback started on an Android phone and continuing playback on the PC.
Continuing edits to Microsoft 365 files (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) opened in the Copilot mobile app on supported phones; the desktop Office app opens if installed, otherwise a browser fallback is used.
Restoring browsing sessions handed off from compatible OEM browsers (Vivo Browser is explicitly mentioned for some Vivo phones).

Microsoft’s design avoids emulating or streaming Android UIs on the PC. Instead, the phone publishes a lightweight metadata descriptor (an “activity descriptor” or AppContext) and Windows maps that to the best local handler—native app when available, browser fallback otherwise. That approach minimizes bandwidth and complexity while maximizing native desktop behavior.

Practical implications and limitations

The experience is intentionally cloud/online dependent: offline-only content stored strictly on the phone will not resume on the PC. That’s by design—the mechanism relies on reachable metadata and notification channels.
Availability is phased. Installing KB5074105 makes devices eligible but does not guarantee immediate exposure to all resume scenarios because server-side gating and OEM/app entitlements govern rollout. Expect variance by phone model, OEM, and region.
For many apps (Spotify, Office), similar continuity experiences already exist via their own cloud sync or protocols (e.g., Spotify Connect). The incremental win is convenience: a single Taskbar affordance that surfaces the resume action and opens the right local handler. Critics note that much of the functionality overlaps existing app-level sync, but users still benefit from a standardized, OS-level surface.

How to test and enable (quick checklist)

Join the Release Preview channel and install KB5074105 (or wait for general availability).
On the PC: Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Mobile devices → enable the PC-to-phone access and confirm the phone is listed.
On the phone: s (or the OEM continuation service) is signed in and permitted to send notifications.
Confirm the target app (Spotify, Copilot mobile, or compatible browser) is signed-in and allowed to publish resume activity.

Accessibility, voice, and input improvements

Narrator, Voice Access, and Voice Typing

The update brings granular improvements to Narrator and voice features—small changes that matter a lot to assistive-technology users.

Narrator: more control over what is announced and the order of announcements for on-screen controls, allowing veterans to tune verbosity and reduce cognitive load.
Voice Access: a redesigned setup wizard now guides users through downloading a local speech model, selecting a microphone, and practicing core commands—lowering the activation friction for full-system voice coo
Voice Typing: a new “Wait Time Before Acting” option lets users set a short delay before voice commands execute—useful for varied speech patterns or in noisy environments to reduce false activations. ([support.microsoft.com](January 29, 2026—KB5074105 (OS Builds 26200.7705 and 26100.7705) Preview - Microsoft Support changes reflect attention to real-world dictation behavior and the accessibility community’s repeated requests for simpler onboarding to voice-based controls. Community testing guidance emphasizes validating microphone selection across USB and Bluetooth headsets, and ensuring on-device speech models are available for your language and locale before rolling out widely.

Settings usability tweak

A minor but practical move: the Device information card now lives on the Settings Home page, surfacing CPU, memory, and basic specs one click closer. This helps help-desk technicians and power users speed common checks and reduces the number of clicks needed for support triage.

Security and sign‑in: more flexibility with clear trade‑offs

Smart App Control becomes reversiblmost important manageability change for developers and power users is that Smart App Control (SAC) can now be turned off from within Windows Security without requiring a full OS reinstall. For years, SAC’s irreversibility created a significant friction point for testing unsigned or niche utilities. This update changes that behavior and gives administrators and enthusiasts more control.

Caveat: disabling SAC reduces protection against untrusted binaries. For enterprise scenarios, Microsoft expects administrators to manage app policies through Group Policy or MDM rather than relying on end-user toggles. Document and audit any SAC changes to remain compliant with organizational risk postures.

Windows Hello Enhanced Sign‑in Security (ESS) expands to external fingerprint readers

Windows Hello ESS now supports eligible peripheral fingerprint sensors, not just built-in laptop readers. For organizationss that rely on external biometric devices, this addresses a long-standing gap and improves phishing‑resistant sign‑in coverage across more hardware classes. Enrollment still depends on devices meeting ESS certification/attestation requirements; vendors will need to align firmware and drivers accordingly.

Natural language e expansion

Microsoft’s natural-language Settings assistant (the Settings Agent) now supports additional languageSpanish, Korean, Japanese, Hindi, Italian, and Simplified Chinese. Broader language coverage is an adoption lever: users who can speak to the OS in their native language are far more likely to leverage the feature regularly.

Creative pros: modern MIDI for real workflows

What’s new with Windows MIDI Services

This update substantially modernizes Windows MIDI Services, aligning the platform closer to current MIDI 2.0 expectations:

Improved support for both MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0.
Shared MIDI ports across apps and **custom port ne routing more predictable.
Performance optimizations, loopback, and app-to-app routing to lower latency and reduce configuration friction for DAWs, virtual instruments, and controllers.

Microsoft is shipping the core services in the OS update, but the App SDK and Tools that expose these MIDI improvements for developers are a separate download—so musicians and audio developers o take advantage of the new APIs in their projects. That distribution model follows the MIDI Manufacturers Association’s guidance toward a gradual ecosystem upgrade path for MIDI 2.0.

Why this matters to musicians and producers

Shared ports and clearer device mapping reduce the tedious “MIDI plumbing” that frequently interrupts creative flow.
App-level routing and loopback support make in-session patching and monitoring more reliable without resorting to third-party utilities.
The transition to MIDI 2.0 gives more expressive control and higher-resolution parameter handling when hardware and apps adopt the new spec.

Adoption will be gradual: expect vendors to add support to DAWs, instrument plug-ins, and control surfaces overst MIDI SDKs in isolated environments or on dedicated audio workstations before updating production machines.

Quality fixes and everyday reliability

KB5074105 bundles a long listuality-of-life fixes that rarely make headlines but materially improve the daily experience:

File Explorer: responsiveness and navigation stutters addressed, especially when traversing very large directories or network locations.
Lock screen / Shell: fixes for a lock-screen freeze that could render systems unresponsive in certain configurations are included in the normal rollout set.
Desktop icon jitter: resolved an issue where icons jumped around after certain file operations or renames.

These fixes are the kind that reduce daily annoyance and support calls, and for many users they will be the most immediately appreciated elements of the update.

Real-world caveat: early reports of regressions

Community reports surfaced within days of the preview release describing a disappearing lock screen clock users after installing the preview package. Those reports are active and show that not all devices experience identical behavior during preview-stage rollouts; troubleshooting threads point toward service and Shell interactions that may vary by configuration. Administrators should treat the preview as a testing opportunity and wait for the normal rollout if you require maximum stability.

Deployment guidance: how to roll this out safely in organizations

If you manage Windows fleets, this package deserves a measured, pragmatic rollout rather than a blanket push. Here’s a recommended staged approach:

Pilot group selection
Choose a small, cross-functional pilot (developers, creatives, remote/hybrid workers, help-desk staff).
Include hardware variety: laptops, desktops, and audio workstations to stress-test MIDI and ESS behavior.
Validation checklist
Test critical LOB apps, conferencing, RDP, printing, and OneDrive/SharePoint file flows.
Validate Cross‑Device Resume scenarios for users who rely on phone-to-PC continuity.
Validate external biometric enrollment and ESS behavior for devices that will use external readers.
Staged expansion
If pilot passes, expand to a broader set of users while keepin and telemetry in place.
For audio production environments, keep SDK and driver installs staged; do not mix preview SDKs on production workstations.
Policy control
Use Group Policy and Intune to manage Smart App Control state centrally rather than relying on end-user toggles.
Document any SAC exceptions for sanctioned test tools or internal installation workflows.
Communication
Tell users about expected changes: Cross‑Device Resume behavior, possible speech model downloads, and any expected driver updates for MIDI or biometric peripherals.

Risks, unknowns, and what to watch

Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR) behavior introduces uneven availability. Even after installing the LCU, users may not see features because server-side. That complicates troubleshooting and expectation setting.
Early preview reports show at least one prominent regression affecting the Lock screen on some systems; monitor community forums and Microsoft’s release health dashboard if you use the preview. Consider delaying wide deployment until the normal rollout completes.
MIDI SDKs and early driver/firmware changes must be treated carefully on production audio machines. The new MIDI plumbing is promising, but third-party support will determine the effective timeline for professional adoption. Test on isolated rigs.
Peripheral ESS enrollment is constrained by device certification. Not all fingerprint readers will be supported out of the box; check vendor firmware and ESS attestation status before planning a wide ESS rollout.

Quick reference: the most load‑bearing facts (verified)

Microsoft published KB5074105 preview (OS Builds 26200.7705 and 26100.7705) to the Release Preview Channel on January 29, 2026; the package targets Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2.
Cross‑Device Resume expansion includes resuming Spotify playback, Microsoft 365 Copilot mobile files (Word/Excel/PowerPoint), and certain browser sessions (e.g., Vivo Browser → PC browser). Availability is phased via server-side gating.
Smart App Control (SAC) can now be switched off without reinstalling Windows; administrators should prefer managed policies.
Windows Hello ESS now recognizes compatible external fingerprint sensors, expanding phishing-resistant sign-in coverage. Enrollment depends on peripheral certification.
Windows MIDI Services are modernized with MIDI 2.0 support, shared ports, and a separate App SDK/Tools package for developers. Test SDKs in non-production environments.

Recommendations for different audiences

For everyday users

Back up critical files and create a restore point before installing preview builds. If you prefer maximum stability, wait for the normal (broad) rollout rather than installing the Release Preview.

For power users and enthusiasts

If you want to try Cross‑Device Resume, MIDI APIs, or enhanced voice workflows now, join the Release Preview channel and test on a non-critical machine. Keep an eye on the Controlled Feature Rollout behavior—feature exposure may lag the package installation.

For IT admins and help desks

Pilot first. Include a mix of hardware and workloads in the pilot and validate ESS biometric behavior, SAC policy controls, and crucial line-of-business applications.
Use Group Policy/Intune to control Smart App Control and maintain audit logs for any SAC exceptions.
Update internal documentation and support scripts to reflect the new Device info card placement and the redesigned Voice Access setup.

Conclusion

The February Windows 11 update (KB5074105) is notable not for a single headline feature but for the cumulative value it delivers: smoother cross‑device continuity, meaningful accessibility and voice improvements, practical security manageability changes, and a modernized MIDI stack aimed at creators. Microsoft’s choice to gate features server‑side while broadly shipping quality fixes lets administrators and early adopters test selectively while reducing blast radius—provided organizations pilot carefully and maintain rollback plans. Independent coverage and Microsoft’s own notes align closely on the headline items, but preview-stage reports of localized regressions underscore the usual caution: test first, then expand.
If you manage devices, the immediate pragmatic steps are simple: pilot the update on representative hardware, validate critical workflows (including biometric enrollment and audio pipelines), and control Smart App Control via policy rather than ad-hoc toggles. For creators and developers, grab the separate MIDI App SDK and run tests on dedicated rigs before touching production systems.
Taken together, KB5074105 is not a flashy reinvention of Windows 11—but it’s an important, functional refresh that lowers friction across everyday tasks and brings the platform forward in areas (continuity and pro audio) where users have been waiting for real improvements.

Source: findarticles.com Windows 11 February Update Delivers Major Upgrades

Navigation section

Windows 11 KB5074105 Release Preview: MIDI, Cross Device Resume, and security tweaks

What's new in KB5074105 — headline items​

Cross‑Device Resume expansion​

Windows MIDI Services: modernized stack for creators​

Sm becomes reversible without reinstall​

Accessibility and voice improvements​

Windows Hello and enrollment flexibility​

Secure Boot and DPAPI administration changes​

Focused quality fixes: Start menu, black screen, and activation​

Verification and cross‑checks: what’s confirmed and what remains conditional​

Strengths: why KB5074105 matters​

Risks, potential side effects, and why admins must test​

Recommended pilot and rollout checklist​

How to enable and test select features (quick steps)​

Critical takeaways and verdict​

Final recommendations for Windows power users and administrators​

AI

Background / Overview​

What’s new in Builds 26100.7701 & 26200.7701 (KB5074105)​

Cross‑Device Resume: what changed and why it matters​

Copilot+ PC Enhancements and localization​

Windows MIDI Services: an under‑the‑hood upgrade creators will notice​

Smart App Control, Windows Hello, Secure Boot, and DPAPI changes​

Quality improvements and fixes — the practical list​

Test plan and rollout checklist (for Insiders, power users, and IT)​

Strengths and notable improvements​

Risks, unknowns, and mitigation​

Recommendations​

Conclusion​

AI

Background​

What KB5074105 delivers — headline items​

Cross‑Device Resume: Apple‑style continuity for Android + Windows?​

What changed​

How it works (technical summary)​

Requirements and limitations​

Why this matters — practical impact​

Security and governance considerations​

Windows MIDI Services: a long overdue modernization​

What’s new​

Who benefits​

Caveats and deployment notes​

Smart App Control becomes reversible — good for troubleshooting, risky for governance​

Windows Hello ESS, accessibility, and voice updates​

Secure Boot boot manager replacement and DPAPI domain backup keys — admin checklist​

Quality fixes: Start menu, black screen cases, activation, and boot​

How to test KB5074105 safely (practical steps)​

Critical analysis: strengths, trade‑offs, and risks​

Strengths​

Risks and trade‑offs​

Recommendations for home users, power users, and IT teams​

What remains unverified or conditional​

Final verdict​

AI

Background / Overview​

What’s new (headline features)​

Deep dive: Cross‑Device Resume — realistic continuity, not mirroring​

How it works technically​

Realistic scenarios called out in KB5074105​

Strengths and practical limitations​

What changed​

Why this matters​

Caveats for adopters​

Accessibility and voice improvements: incremental but meaningful​

Security and manageability: Smart App Control and Windows Hello ESS​

Quality and reliability fixes: what to test before wide deployment​

Risks and red flags: why pilot testing matters now​

Practical rollout recommendations (for IT and enthusiasts)​

Quick how‑to: try Cross‑Device Resume and MIDI services in a pilot​

Verdict: promising platform work, but treat as pilot software​

Final takeaways​

AI

Background​

What’s new at a glance​

Cross‑Device Resume: closer to true handoff​

What changed​

Requirements and limitations​

Why this matters​

Windows MIDI Services: a long‑overdue upgrade for musicians and DAWs​

What's new in KB5074105 — headline items

Cross‑Device Resume expansion

Windows MIDI Services: modernized stack for creators

Sm becomes reversible without reinstall

Accessibility and voice improvements

Windows Hello and enrollment flexibility

Secure Boot and DPAPI administration changes

Focused quality fixes: Start menu, black screen, and activation

Verification and cross‑checks: what’s confirmed and what remains conditional

Strengths: why KB5074105 matters

Risks, potential side effects, and why admins must test

Recommended pilot and rollout checklist

How to enable and test select features (quick steps)

Critical takeaways and verdict

Final recommendations for Windows power users and administrators

Background / Overview

What’s new in Builds 26100.7701 & 26200.7701 (KB5074105)

Cross‑Device Resume: what changed and why it matters

Copilot+ PC Enhancements and localization

Windows MIDI Services: an under‑the‑hood upgrade creators will notice

Smart App Control, Windows Hello, Secure Boot, and DPAPI changes

Quality improvements and fixes — the practical list

Test plan and rollout checklist (for Insiders, power users, and IT)

Strengths and notable improvements

Risks, unknowns, and mitigation

Recommendations

Conclusion

Background

What KB5074105 delivers — headline items

Cross‑Device Resume: Apple‑style continuity for Android + Windows?

What changed

How it works (technical summary)

Requirements and limitations

Why this matters — practical impact

Security and governance considerations

Windows MIDI Services: a long overdue modernization

What’s new

Who benefits

Caveats and deployment notes

Smart App Control becomes reversible — good for troubleshooting, risky for governance

Windows Hello ESS, accessibility, and voice updates

Secure Boot boot manager replacement and DPAPI domain backup keys — admin checklist

Quality fixes: Start menu, black screen cases, activation, and boot

How to test KB5074105 safely (practical steps)

Critical analysis: strengths, trade‑offs, and risks

Strengths

Risks and trade‑offs

Recommendations for home users, power users, and IT teams

What remains unverified or conditional

Final verdict

Background / Overview

What’s new (headline features)

Deep dive: Cross‑Device Resume — realistic continuity, not mirroring

How it works technically

Realistic scenarios called out in KB5074105

Strengths and practical limitations

What changed

Why this matters

Caveats for adopters

Accessibility and voice improvements: incremental but meaningful

Security and manageability: Smart App Control and Windows Hello ESS

Quality and reliability fixes: what to test before wide deployment

Risks and red flags: why pilot testing matters now

Practical rollout recommendations (for IT and enthusiasts)

Quick how‑to: try Cross‑Device Resume and MIDI services in a pilot

Verdict: promising platform work, but treat as pilot software

Final takeaways

Background

What’s new at a glance

Cross‑Device Resume: closer to true handoff

What changed

Requirements and limitations

Why this matters

Windows MIDI Services: a long‑overdue upgrade for musicians and DAWs

What’s included

Technical and community implications

Risk and recommendation

Accessibility and voice improvements

Narrator: more control over spoken details

Voice Access: streamlined setup