Microsoft has kicked off 2026 with a major Windows security push, and it carries a message that both everyday users and IT teams will appreciate: install the latest update immediately.
For millions of people, this becomes the first free Windows update of 2026, delivered through Microsoft’s January Patch Tuesday cycle. And behind the simple update prompt sits a serious reality: this patch wave fixes over 100 security flaws, including at least one vulnerability already being exploited.
If you run Windows for work, gaming, business, or personal life, this is one update that deserves attention.
What Microsoft Confirmed in the First Free Windows Update of 2026
Microsoft’s first Patch Tuesday release of 2026 delivers security fixes across Windows products and related components, patching 113 to 114 vulnerabilities depending on how the count is categorized across products.
Why this update matters more than usual
Security researchers and major cybersecurity trackers highlight that this update includes:
- More than 100 security vulnerabilities fixed
- Multiple severity levels, including critical issues
- A confirmed case of a vulnerability being exploited in real attacks
This moves it beyond routine maintenance and into the category of “patch first, ask questions later.”
The Biggest Security Risk Fixed in January 2026 Patch Tuesday
Microsoft warns that attackers are already exploiting at least one Windows flaw fixed in this update cycle.
The actively exploited zero-day you should care about (CVE-2026-20805)
One of the most urgent fixes centers on:
CVE-2026-20805 – Desktop Window Manager Information Disclosure Vulnerability
This flaw is described as actively exploited, meaning attackers have already used it before or during patch release availability.
While “information disclosure” may sound mild to beginners, experts know this class of weakness often plays a role in broader attack chains like:
- Privilege escalation chains
- Credential exposure paths
- Memory probing and leakage
- System reconnaissance for follow-up malware execution
In short: one weakness opens the door for another.
How Many Vulnerabilities Did Microsoft Fix in the First Windows Update of 2026?
Let’s talk scale, because scale changes urgency.
According to multiple reports covering January 2026 Patch Tuesday, Microsoft addressed around 114 flaws, with a breakdown that includes privilege escalation, remote code execution, information disclosure, spoofing, and more.
What the vulnerability breakdown tells security teams
The breakdown matters because it reveals what attackers prefer:
- Privilege escalation vulnerabilities often support persistence
- Remote code execution vulnerabilities support initial compromise
- Information disclosure vulnerabilities support attack chaining
That mix is exactly what shows up in real-world enterprise incidents.
Windows 10 Users: KB5073724 Is the Update Many People Miss
If you are still running Windows 10, there is a specific update under the spotlight:
Windows 10 update KB5073724
PCWorld urges Windows 10 users to install KB5073724 quickly due to security vulnerabilities addressed by the patch.
Why KB5073724 matters even after support deadlines
Windows 10 support timelines have been a major topic across the Windows ecosystem, especially for businesses and individuals who still rely on older machines. Updates tied to security programs can become the difference between a stable computer and a high-risk endpoint.
Some Windows 10 users may receive certain updates only through ESU style eligibility, depending on their situation and subscription.
Windows 11 Users: KB5074109 Brings Security Fixes Plus a Real Battery Improvement
Windows 11 also receives its first major update package for the year, including:
Windows 11 KB5074109
Windows Central reports that the January 2026 Windows 11 update includes an important fix for battery drain on PCs with an NPU, where the NPU could remain powered even while idle.
Why the NPU battery fix is a bigger deal than it sounds
If you own a modern laptop marketed as AI-powered or Copilot+ capable, the NPU is supposed to deliver efficiency. If a background power state bug keeps it awake during idle time, you end up with the opposite result: battery dropping faster than expected.
This update helps align AI hardware with the promise users were sold: smarter computing without punishing battery life.
Who Should Install This Windows Update Immediately?
Short answer: almost everyone.
Long answer: the urgency depends on how Windows is used in your life.
Install immediately if you are a regular user
You should update quickly if you:
- Use your PC for banking, payments, or UPI-linked apps through browsers
- Store personal documents, IDs, contracts, tax files
- Keep saved passwords in your browser
- Download games, mods, files, plugins, or installers
Even one exploited weakness can turn a normal day into a recovery nightmare.
Install immediately if you manage business systems
If you work in IT, security, compliance, or infrastructure, this update is high priority because of:
- The exploited zero-day status
- The high volume of patched vulnerabilities
- The typical post-holiday exploit spike pattern seen in January releases
How to Install the January 2026 Windows Security Update Safely
Even beginners can do this confidently.
Step-by-step update process (Windows 10 and Windows 11)
- Save open work
- Plug in your charger if battery is low
- Go to Settings
- Open Windows Update
- Select Check for updates
- Download and install all available updates
- Restart the PC
One smart practice most people skip
Restart again within the next few hours if your system prompts for additional patch stages. Some security components complete their final replacement only after a reboot cycle.
What Experts Look For After Installing This Update
This section is where experienced readers stay impressed, because updating is step one. Validation is step two.
Quick post-update checks
After patching:
- Confirm Windows build number updated
- Confirm Defender definitions updated
- Confirm system performance feels normal
- Confirm no missing network or printer drivers
Enterprise verification checklist
For managed environments, security teams typically validate:
- Patch deployment status across endpoints
- Active exploit signals in EDR dashboards
- Reboot compliance rates
- Exceptions for legacy devices that missed the patch
If a vulnerability is actively exploited, delayed reboot compliance becomes a real risk multiplier.
Conclusion
This update is easy to ignore because it arrives like every other Windows patch prompt. The reality is bigger.
Microsoft’s first Windows update of 2026 addresses over 100 vulnerabilities, includes at least one exploited flaw, and reinforces a clear message: updating protects your system more effectively than any “careful browsing habits” ever will.
If you want a fast win for your digital safety this week, install the update, restart fully, and move on with confidence.
