I tried to install "2026-01 Security Update (KB5074109) (26200.7623)" but it fails after repeated attempt

Question

"2026-01 Security Update (KB5074109) (26200.7623)" won't install despite repeated attempt

Answer 1

Hello Michael Liang!

Thanks for reaching out to the Q&A forum

I see you're having trouble with the Security Update (KB5074109) (26200.7623). Here are the steps to resolve the issue:

Step 1: Basic checks

Make sure you have at least 10–15 GB free on the system drive (usually C:)

Temporarily disable third‑party antivirus or firewall (not Windows Defender).

Reboot once, then try Retry all again.

Step 2: Clear Windows Update cache

Open Command Prompt (Admin) and run these commands one by one:

net stop wuauserv

net stop bits

net stop cryptsvc

ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old

ren %systemroot%\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old

net start wuauserv

net start bits

net start cryptsvc

Then retry the update.

Step 3: Run DISM and SFC

In a Terminal/Command Prompt, run (as administrator):

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

sfc /scannow

Wait for both to finish, reboot, and try the update again.

Step 4: Download and install the update manually (recommend)

Go to the Microsoft Update Catalog

Search for KB5074109, download the correct version for your system (e.g., Windows 11 23H2 x64)

Double‑click the downloaded .msu file and follow the prompts, then restart.

Hope this helps. Let me know how it goes so we can decide the next step if needed.

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Answer 2

Hi, I'm Bernard, a fellow Windows user. I'm happy to help!

This issue occurs when there is a miscalibration or corrupted system files with the Windows update, and for us to sort out the issue, kindly follow the steps below:

Reset Windows update components:

Open Terminal (Admin) or Windows PowerShell(Admin) (Press Windows key + X then click Terminal(Admin))

Copy each line of command, then press Enter (one line at a time)

 

net stop bits
net stop wuauserv
net stop appidsvc
net stop cryptsvc
Del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\*.*"
rmdir %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution /S /Q
rmdir %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 /S /Q
regsvr32.exe /s atl.dll
regsvr32.exe /s urlmon.dll
regsvr32.exe /s mshtml.dll
netsh winsock reset
netsh winsock reset proxy
net start bits
net start wuauserv
net start appidsvc
net start cryptsvc

 

-Once done, restart the device and check.

If none of the above solutions work, I suggest doing an in-place upgrade, which will update the device to the latest version and repair all issues without deleting any files.

 

Kindly follow the steps from this link:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/4252110/how-to-run-in-place-upgrade-in-windows-11

Answer 3

If you're experiencing issues with the installation of the "2026-01 Security Update (KB5074109) (26200.7623)" and it fails after repeated attempts, it may be helpful to check your update history for any error messages related to the update. This can provide insight into why the installation is failing. Additionally, you might consider the following steps:

1. Check for Related Updates: Sometimes, there are subsequent updates that address issues with previous ones. For example, an out-of-band fix was released as "KB5078127" which may resolve issues related to Outlook and OneDrive after the installation of the problematic update.
2. Try Installing Again: If you keep seeing the same update being offered for installation, try to install the update later. Ensure your Windows Update settings are configured to detect updates correctly.
3. Consult Microsoft Support: If the problem persists, you may want to contact Microsoft Support for further assistance, especially if there are specific error codes associated with the failed installation.

These steps may help resolve the installation issue you're facing with the update.