The rollout of the January 2026 security patch, specifically the Windows 11 KB5074109 update, was intended to deliver critical security enhancements and system improvements. However, a significant number of users are reporting a severe bug that prevents the operating system from mounting the boot volume correctly. This critical failure leads to frustrating boot loops, rendering the PC inaccessible for many. If your computer is stuck restarting or displaying errors after this update, you are not alone.
Symptoms of the KB5074109 Boot Failure
Users affected by this botched update generally experience one or more of the following symptoms immediately after the installation restart:
- Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) or a completely black screen shortly after the manufacturer logo appears.
- The system enters an automatic restart loop, failing to reach the login screen repeatedly.
- An inability to access the desktop or safe mode through standard boot methods.
Fortunately, the issue can typically be resolved by removing the problematic package via the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). Below is a comprehensive guide on how to access WinRE and uninstall the update to restore system functionality.
How to Access Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)
The Windows Recovery Environment is a companion operating system installed alongside Windows 11, designed to troubleshoot, recover, or repair unbootable systems. Since you cannot boot into Windows normally, you must trigger WinRE using one of the following methods.
Method 1: Triggering WinRE via Automatic Repair
This method utilizes the built-in fail-safe of Windows 11 that detects boot failures. Follow these steps precisely:
- Power on your PC completely.
- As soon as the Windows logo or your PC manufacturer’s logo appears on the screen, press and hold the physical Power button on your computer case or laptop for about 5 to 10 seconds to force a hard shutdown.
- Turn the computer back on.
- Repeat this process (powering on and forcing a shutdown upon seeing the logo) three consecutive times.
- On the fourth boot attempt, allow the system to run. Windows should detect the repeated failures and automatically load the Preparing Automatic Repair screen, eventually taking you to the WinRE interface.
Method 2: Booting from USB Installation Media
If the automatic trigger fails, you will need an external recovery drive. You can create this on a working computer if you do not already have one.
- Insert a bootable Windows 11 USB installation drive into your PC.
- Restart the computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI boot menu (usually by pressing keys like F12, F2, or Del during startup).
- Select the USB drive as the primary boot device.
- When the Windows Setup screen appears, select your language and click Next.
- Click the Repair your computer link located in the bottom-left corner of the window.
- Select Troubleshoot and then navigate to Advanced options.
Step-by-Step: Uninstalling Update KB5074109
Once you have successfully accessed the WinRE Advanced options menu, you can remove the faulty update without needing to log into Windows.
- From the Advanced options screen, select Uninstall updates.
- You will see two options. Select Uninstall latest quality update. The KB5074109 update is classified as a quality update (security patch), not a feature update.
- Confirm your admin account if prompted and enter your password.
- Click the button to confirm the uninstallation.
The system will now attempt to remove the January 2026 patch. This process may take several minutes. Once complete, click Done and then select Continue to reboot your computer. Your Windows 11 system should now boot normally, free from the boot loop cycle.
Recommendation: Pause Updates Temporarily
After successfully recovering your system, it is highly recommended to pause Windows updates for at least one week. This prevents the problematic KB5074109 update from automatically reinstalling itself before Microsoft releases a fixed version. Go to Settings, select Windows Update, and choose Pause for 1 week to ensure stability.
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