KB5073696: Overview with user sentiment and feedback
Last Updated February 28, 2026
Probability of successful installation and continued operation of the machine
Overview
The January 13, 2026 KB5073696 (Monthly Rollup) is a security update for Windows Server 2012 R2. This update includes various fixes and quality improvements, including changes to Windows Deployment Services (WDS) and the removal of certain modem drivers. It is part of the cumulative updates released in December 2025 (KB5071503 and KB5074978).
General Purpose
The key changes in this update include:- WDS will stop supporting hands-free deployment functionality by default. Administrators should review the guidance and follow the instructions provided in the Windows Deployment Services (WDS) Hands-Free Deployment Hardening Guidance.- The update removes the following modem drivers: agrsm64.sys (x64), agrsm.sys (x86), smserl64.sys (x64) and smserial.sys (x86). Modem hardware dependent on these drivers will no longer work in Windows.This update also addresses various security vulnerabilities. For more details, please refer to the Deployments | Security Update Guide and the January 2026 Security Updates.
General Sentiment
Based on the information provided, this update appears to have a mix of both positive and negative aspects. On the positive side, the update includes important security fixes and quality improvements. However, the changes to WDS and the removal of certain modem drivers may cause disruption for some users, especially those relying on hands-free deployment or modem hardware.Overall, the sentiment seems cautiously optimistic, as the update addresses important security concerns, but there are also some known issues that users should be aware of before installing. Careful testing and evaluation is recommended before deploying this update broadly.
Known Issues
- The installation of this Extended Security Update (ESU) might fail when you try to install it on an Azure Arc-enabled device that is running Windows Server 2012 R2. To ensure a successful installation, make sure all Subset of endpoints for ESU only are met as described in Connected Machine agent network requirements.
Disclaimer: We take measures to ensure that AI-generated content is of the highest possible quality, but we cannot guarantee its accuracy and recommend that users do their own independent research. Generated on 2026-02-28 01:17 AM
