Welcome to our deep dive into the latest Windows 11 quirk! If you've recently updated your system, you might have hit a wall where Windows 11 asks for admin access to open Storage settings, but breaks the Temporary files cleanup for some files/folders. It is a bit of a head-scratcher, right? One minute you are trying to reclaim some disk space, and the next, you are facing a security prompt like you are trying to hack into the Pentagon.
Windows 11 KB5074105 (Build 26200.7705) quietly added a new feature that requires admin permission to access your Storage settings. Microsoft confirmed to Windows Latest that this change is "intentional" and is not a known is
Windows 11 KB5074105 shipped on January 29 and is an optional update, so it doesn’t install on its own. However, quite many of us installed it because it finally addresses the January 2026 Patch Tuesday’s black-screen bug on Nvidia GPUs. The update also fixed issues with the Start menu. But as we often see in the world of international trade and software development, fixing one hole sometimes pokes another in the supply chains of our user experience.
Why the Sudden Need for Admin Rights?
At the same time, you might notice that Windows 11 now shows a User Account Control (UAC) prompt when you open Storage settings.
By forcing an elevation check, Windows makes sure only an administrator-approved session can access system locations and protected files. This is basically Microsoft’s way of hardening the OS against international conflicts in the digital space—reducing the risk of a standard user account, a background process, or a bad attacker from deleting critical data.
"To help ensure that only authorized Windows users can access system files, Windows now displays a User Account Control (UAC) prompt when you open Storage settings (Settings > System > Storage)," Microsoft noted in an update to the support document.
While it’s a good idea to protect storage settings, it looks like Microsoft accidentally broke the Temporary files cleanup feature for some of us.
The Impact on Your System Maintenance
| Feature | Before KB5074105 | After KB5074105 |
| Access to Storage Settings | Direct access for all users | Requires UAC/Admin Elevation |
| Windows Update Cleanup | Visible in Settings | Often missing/invisible in Settings |
| User Experience | Seamless | Interrupted by prompts and missing data |
| Security Posture | Standard | Hardened against unprivileged access |
The Economics of Software Stability
You might be wondering why these bugs happen in such a mature OS. The economics of maintaining an operating system used by billions is staggeringly complex. When we talk about macroeconomics, the stability of Windows affects the global labor market and productivity. If a billion workers lose ten minutes a day to a UAC prompt or a "black screen bug," the economic impact is massive.
Software companies are under constant pressure to show economic growth. This leads to faster update cycles, which can sometimes strain the supply chains of quality assurance. Furthermore, geopolitical tensions have led to an "explosion" in cyber-attacks, forcing Microsoft to implement these "intentional" security hurdles, even if they annoy the average user.
Key Factors Influencing Windows Security Strategy
International Trade: Export controls on encryption and security tech.
Economic Sanctions: Restricting software updates in specific regions affects global version parity.
Foreign Investment: Large-scale investment in AI (like Copilot) is shifting focus away from "boring" file system stability.
Geopolitical Tensions: State-sponsored actors targeting unprivileged user accounts to escalate privileges.
Temporary Files Can’t Clean Windows Update Files Anymore
After Windows asked me to grant admin permission to open Storage Settings, I selected Yes, and the Storage page finally loaded/fetched the numbers for folders or drives. But when I opened Temporary files and refreshed the results, I noticed that it’s no longer possible to clean up Windows Update files.
Certain folders like Windows Update, drivers, and others are missing in the Temporary files cleanup in Windows 11 KB5074105. Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files is simply not showing Windows Update Cleanup (and other admin-only cleanup buckets).
It is a bit like a labor market where the workers (the cleanup tools) show up but aren't allowed to enter the building.
How to Fix the Missing Cleanup Options
If you are staring at an empty list where your 5GB of "Windows Update Cleanup" used to be, don't panic. You can still get the job done using the "old school" methods that haven't been broken by the latest update yet.
Open the Start Menu and type Disk Cleanup.
Right-click it and select Run as administrator.
Select your C: drive and wait for it to scan.
Click the Clean up system files button (this triggers another scan).
Look for "Windows Update Cleanup" in the list. It should show up here even if it's missing in the modern Settings app.
Check the boxes you want and hit OK.
Main Points to Remember
KB5074105 is Optional: You don't have to install it unless you are suffering from the Nvidia black-screen issue.
UAC Prompt is Permanent: Microsoft says the admin requirement for Storage is a feature, not a bug.
Settings App is Glitchy: The modern UI is failing to "bridge the gap" to admin-level folders for some users.
Legacy Tools Still Work: Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr.exe) remains the reliable backup for system maintenance.
Security vs. Convenience: This is a classic example of international politics and security needs clashing with user convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why did Microsoft add a UAC prompt to Storage settings?
To prevent standard users or malicious background processes from accidentally (or intentionally) deleting system-critical files like update backups or drivers. It’s part of a larger push to harden Windows against international conflicts in cyberspace.
Will this be fixed in the February Patch Tuesday?
Microsoft hasn't called the missing "Temporary files" entries a "bug" yet, but usually, when enough people complain on the Feedback Hub, they tweak the UI to ensure the admin-level buckets show up after the UAC prompt is accepted.
Is it safe to delete Windows Update Cleanup files?
Yes, as long as your computer is running fine. Deleting them just means you can't "uninstall" the latest update and go back to the previous version. If you are tight on space, it's a great way to trigger some economic growth for your hard drive!
Does this affect Windows 10?
No, this specific change is part of the Windows 11 Build 26200.7705 (25H2/24H2) branch. Windows 10 users are safe from this specific UAC prompt... for now.
Conclusion: Navigating the New Windows Normal
At the end of the day, Windows 11 KB5074105 is a mixed bag. It solves a massive headache for Nvidia users but introduces a minor annoyance for everyone else. It’s a reminder that our digital tools are constantly shifting under the weight of international trade agreements, security requirements, and the sheer scale of modern macroeconomics.
If your Temporary files cleanup is missing half its folders, just remember that the power is still in your hands—you just might have to use a tool from 1998 to find them. Keep an eye on those supply chains of updates, and maybe hold off on optional previews if you prefer a predictable, "explosion-free" computing experience.
"Contact us via the web."
Source Links
January 29, 2026—KB5074105 (OS Builds 26200.7705 and 26100.7705) Preview - Microsoft Support Windows 11 KB5074105 now asks for admin access to open Storage settings - Windows Latest. Windows 11 New Security Feature Denies Unauthorized Access to System Files - Cybersecurity News Microsoft confirms Windows 11 January 2026 Update issues - Windows Latest
Libellés:
Windows 11, KB5074105, Storage Settings, UAC Prompt, international conflicts, geopolitical tensions, economics, economic impact, labor market, international trade, economic sanctions, macroeconomics, microeconomics, economic growth, foreign investment, supply chains, growth, Temporary Files Bug, Windows Update Cleanup.
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