Windows 11 KB5074105 Improves Cross-Device Resume, Smart App Control, and MIDI Support

We already knew KB5074105 was on the way after it appeared in the Release Preview Channel, and now the update is officially here. As spotted by Neowin, Microsoft has released the January 2026 non-security update KB5074105 for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, bringing a mix of new features, accessibility improvements, and system fixes.

KB5074105 expands Cross-Device Resume and Smart App Control

The most notable change is the expansion of Cross-Device Resume in KB5074105. Windows 11 now lets you continue activities started on your Android phone directly on your PC, based on the apps and services you already use. This includes resuming Spotify playback, continuing work in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, and picking up browsing sessions without starting over. The feature pushes Windows further toward a more seamless phone-to-PC experience.

Microsoft has also expanded language support for the Settings Agent for Copilot+ PCs, making guided help inside the Settings app available to more users worldwide. This change improves accessibility and usability for non-English installations.

Another long-awaited update removes a major limitation around Smart App Control. With KB5074105 installed, you can now turn Smart App Control on or off without performing a clean Windows install. The option sits inside Windows Security under App & Browser Control, giving users more flexibility when adjusting security settings.

The update also introduces native support for MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0, including full WinMM and WinRT MIDI 1.0 compatibility with built-in translation. This addition targets musicians, creators, and developers who rely on modern MIDI workflows in Windows.

Accessibility sees further improvements as Narrator now offers more control over how it announces on-screen elements. Users can decide which details are spoken and adjust their order to better match how they move through apps.

Voice Access now features a streamlined setup process that makes getting started much easier. The redesigned experience walks users through downloading the appropriate speech model for their language, selecting an input microphone, and learning how Voice Access can assist with everyday tasks on a Windows PC.

Voice Typing is receiving a small but meaningful upgrade with a new Wait time before acting setting. This option lets users control the delay before a spoken command is executed, making voice input more flexible for different speaking speeds and helping improve overall recognition accuracy.

In Settings, Microsoft is adding a new Device card to the home page that surfaces key system specifications and usage details at a glance. From there, users can jump directly to the System > About section for more detailed information about their PC.

On the security side, Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security now supports peripheral fingerprint sensors, expanding biometric sign-in options beyond built-in hardware.

KB5074105 also fixes a wide range of issues across the system. Microsoft addressed Start Menu reliability problems, resolved cases where the lock screen could become unresponsive, improved File Explorer responsiveness when navigating network locations, and fixed a bug that caused desktop icons to shift unexpectedly when opening or renaming files.

This remains an optional update, but it stands out for delivering meaningful features rather than just routine maintenance. Users can install KB5074105 now through Windows Update or wait to see how it behaves before broader rollout.