According to Windows Report | Error-free Tech Life, Microsoft has officially released the January 2026 non-security update, KB5074105, for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2. The update significantly expands Cross-Device Resume, allowing activities like Spotify playback or Office work started on an Android phone to be continued directly on a PC. It removes a major limitation by letting users turn Smart App Control on or off directly from Windows Security without needing a clean install. The patch also introduces native support for MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0 for musicians and creators. Furthermore, it adds a new Device card to the Settings homepage and includes various fixes for the Start Menu, lock screen, and File Explorer. This optional update is available now through Windows Update.
Strategy Beyond Bug Fixes
Here’s the thing: this isn’t just a routine patch. Microsoft is clearly using these “non-security” updates to drip-feed feature enhancements that bolster its ecosystem strategy. The Cross-Device Resume expansion is a direct play to make the Windows-Android relationship stickier, competing with Apple’s Handoff. It’s a smart, practical move. And the Smart App Control change? That’s Microsoft responding to real user feedback. Forcing a clean install to disable a security feature was, frankly, a non-starter for most people. Fixing that removes a barrier to adoption and makes the feature actually usable.
The Creator And Accessibility Angle
The native MIDI 2.0 support is a huge, if niche, win. For musicians and audio developers, not having to rely on third-party translation layers for modern gear is a big deal. It’s Microsoft quietly investing in the professional creative workflow on Windows, which is a market they can’t afford to lose. On the flip side, the Narrator and Voice Access improvements show a continued, genuine focus on accessibility. Streamlining setup and giving users more control over how assistive tech works? That’s how you build an inclusive OS, not just with checkbox features. These updates might not make headlines, but they matter deeply to the people who need them.
update-dance”>The Optional Update Dance
Now, it’s still marked as “optional,” which is always a bit of a dance. Microsoft gets to push new features out to enthusiasts and IT admins who want them early, while gathering data before a forced, broader rollout. It’s a low-risk way to see if anything breaks. For the average user, the advice is probably to wait a week or two. But if you’re a musician chomping at the bit for better MIDI support, or you’ve been annoyed by Smart App Control’s rigidity, hitting “download and install” now is pretty tempting. Basically, this is one of those updates where the new stuff might actually be worth the minor update hassle.
