Windows 11 New Security Feature Denies Unauthorized Access to System Files

[harlan4096]

Microsoft has introduced a significant security control in the latest Windows 11 preview update designed to restrict unauthorized interaction with critical system files.

Released as part of the January 2026 non-security preview (KB5074105), this enhancement specifically targets the Storage settings menu, a sensitive area of the operating system that reveals detailed information about drive usage, temporary files, and system-reserved storage.

By implementing a mandatory User Account Control (UAC) prompt, Microsoft aims to prevent unprivileged users and potential threat actors with local access from modifying or analyzing storage configurations without explicit administrative approval.

Hardening System Security

The primary modification in this release serves as a hardening measure for local system security. Previously, users with access to an unlocked Windows session could navigate to Settings > System > Storage and view granular details regarding how hard drive space was being utilized.

This access included the ability to interact with temporary files and view the breakdown of installed applications and system files.

With the installation of KB5074105, Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2 now enforce an administrative checkpoint at this gateway. When a user attempts to access the Storage settings, the operating system triggers a UAC prompt.

If the current user does not possess administrative privileges, they must provide valid credentials to proceed. This effectively mitigates the risk of “shoulder surfing” or unauthorized data manipulation by individuals who may have gained physical access to a workstation or remote access to a non-admin session.

This update applies to the most recent iterations of the Windows 11 platform, specifically version 24H2 and the newer version 25H2.

The rollout is currently in the “C-release” phase, meaning it is an optional preview that allows administrators to test the changes before they are included in the mandatory Patch Tuesday security update scheduled for February.

The following table outlines the technical specifics associated with this release:

Beyond the security hardening of the Settings menu, KB5074105 introduces updates to the underlying AI framework integrated into Windows 11. These changes affect the “Copilot+ PC” experiences, specifically updating the models used for local processing.

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