KB5073697: Overview with user sentiment and feedback
Last Updated February 28, 2026
Probability of successful installation and continued operation of the machine
Overview
This security update for Windows Server 2008 SP2 includes various fixes and quality improvements. It is part of the cumulative updates released in December 2025 and January 2026. The update addresses changes in Windows Deployment Services (WDS) behavior, removes certain modem drivers, and resolves security vulnerabilities. It is important to install the latest Servicing Stack Update (SSU) before applying this update to ensure successful installation.
General Purpose
The key changes introduced by this update include:- [Windows Deployment Services (WDS)] This update changes the default behavior of WDS to stop supporting hands-free deployment functionality. Administrators should review the guidance and follow the instructions provided in the Windows Deployment Services (WDS) Hands-Free Deployment Hardening Guidance.- [Drivers] This update removes the following modem drivers: agrsm64.sys (x64), agrsm.sys (x86), smserl64.sys (x64) and smserial.sys (x86). Modem hardware dependent on these specific drivers will no longer work in Windows.The update also addresses various security vulnerabilities. For more details on the resolved security issues, please refer to the Deployments | Security Update Guide and the January 2026 Security Updates.
General Sentiment
The general sentiment towards this update is mixed. While it addresses important security vulnerabilities and provides quality improvements, the changes to Windows Deployment Services and the removal of certain modem drivers may cause disruption for some users and administrators. It is crucial to review the guidance and prepare accordingly before applying this update to avoid potential issues. Additionally, the presence of known issues indicates that users may encounter problems after installation, which could impact the overall confidence in this update.
Known Issues
- The update documentation states that there are currently no known issues with this update. However, the presence of known issues in the input data suggests that there may be undocumented issues that users could encounter after installing this update.
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 01:16 AM
