Windows 11 Launches 2026 Update with Key Battery Life Fixes
Microsoft has launched its first significant update of 2026 for Windows 11. The Patch Tuesday update, identified as KB5074109, is now available for users operating Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2. This update addresses important issues, particularly related to battery performance and device security.
Key Updates in Windows 11 2026
One of the most critical fixes in this update concerns devices equipped with Neural Processing Units (NPUs). Previously, some NPUs would remain powered on while the system was idle, negatively impacting battery life. This issue has been rectified, improving overall power performance.
Additional Improvements
- Secure Boot Certificates: The update introduces a new mechanism to identify eligible devices for automatic Secure Boot certificates. Devices will receive these certificates only after proving reliable performance in updating.
- Modem Driver Removals: The update removes specific modem drivers, including agrsm64.sys and smserial.sys. Consequently, hardware relying on these drivers will cease to function on Windows.
Networking Fixes
Networking-related issues have also been resolved within this update:
- A fix was applied to the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) to correct “No route to host” errors during mirrored networking.
- The update addresses RemoteApp connection failures in Azure Virtual Desktop environments.
Windows Deployment Changes
In a significant change, Windows Deployment Services (WDS) will no longer support hands-free deployment functionality by default. IT administrators can find detailed guidance on this modification in the WDS documentation.
Component Updates
Lastly, the essential Windows component, WinSqlite3.dll, has undergone an update. This change aims to alleviate concerns about its security status, ensuring it is recognized as safe by various security software.
To stay informed about Windows and Xbox updates, follow El-Balad for the latest news and insights.
