Newest Home windows replace kills dial-up modems… deliberately
Abstract created by Sensible Solutions AI
In abstract:
- Microsoft’s January 2026 Home windows 11 replace (KB5074109) deliberately disables dial-up modems by eradicating “unsafe” driver packages like agrsm.sys and smserial.sys.
- PCWorld experiences this security-focused change impacts small companies utilizing modems for calls and logging methods, plus distant customers nonetheless counting on dial-up web.
- The elimination occurred with out producer notification, leaving customers with out rapid options and forcing pricey modem replacements for affected methods.
Do you know there are nonetheless folks within the US who’re linked to the web by way of traditional dial-up modems? They’re principally older people in distant areas with out simple or reasonably priced entry to broadband, however they’re on the market. And with the latest January 2026 replace for Home windows, Microsoft has performed a nasty trick on such customers.
After putting in the January Home windows 11 patch, dial-up modems might not work. As reported by Home windows Central, the KB5074109 replace has damaged quite a few modems in a single fell swoop.
Probably the most shocking factor about this, nevertheless, is that it isn’t a bug or a random error (as is the case with many different issues on this explicit replace). This transfer is completely intentional. As Microsoft explains within the official launch notes, the January replace removes sure driver packages that the corporate considers “unsafe.” Allegedly, these packages include unpatched safety vulnerabilities and anybody who has such a modem ought to substitute it with a brand new one.
Sadly, some previous modems depend on these driver packages to proceed functioning. Moreover, this will additionally have an effect on newly bought modems, together with these nonetheless obtainable in america.
Which modems are affected?
Complaints about malfunctioning modems are piling up on Microsoft boards and different websites like Tom’s {Hardware}. Many of those modems are apparently utilized in smaller corporations, for instance to reply cellphone calls or log methods.
No particular modem producer stands out as particularly affected. Nonetheless, what is identified is that the next driver packages had been current earlier than the replace removed them:
- agrsm.sys (x86)
- agrsm64.sys (x64)
- smserial.sys (x86)
- smserl64.sys (x64)
To make issues even worse, the modems’ producers apparently weren’t even knowledgeable that this may occur nor given sufficient of a heads-up to offer workarounds or fixes for customers.
What are you able to do about it?
In the event you’re affected and you might want to restore modem performance, the one factor you are able to do proper now could be uninstall the KB5074109 replace.
Be taught extra about the right way to roll again a Home windows replace. In the event you take this route, be sure you additionally disable computerized updates afterwards. Nonetheless, please word that KB5074109 is a safety replace, which suggests you received’t be protected in opposition to present threats.
This text initially appeared on our sister publication PC-WELT and was translated and localized from German.
