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Windows 11 Update KB5074105 Adds Admin Prompt to Storage Settings

Microsoft’s KB5074105 update for Windows 11 now requires admin rights to access the Storage panel and may hide some cleanup options. Learn the impact, possible bugs, and workarounds.
6 February 2026 by
TechStora Editorial Board

What the KB5074105 Patch Changes

The recent Windows 11 update (KB5074105) introduces a hidden tweak: opening the Storage panel in Settings now triggers a User Account Control (UAC) dialog. The prompt appears only for non‑admin accounts, effectively restricting access to storage‑related settings to the primary user or an administrator.

Impact on Non‑Admin Users

For standard users this change means:

  • Additional click‑through before viewing storage details.
  • Inability to modify storage settings without admin credentials.
  • Potential confusion when the UAC dialog appears for the first time.

While the restriction can protect the system from accidental changes, it also disrupts the usual workflow for shared PCs.

Potential Bug: Missing Cleanup Options

Alongside the permission change, users have reported that two cleanup options—temporary files from old Windows updates and device drivers—have disappeared from the Storage panel. These items are still removable via the classic Disk Cleanup utility, but their absence from the modern interface may be a regression.

Workarounds and Alternatives

If you need to manage storage without admin rights, consider the following:

  • Log in with an administrator account to access the Storage panel.
  • Use the legacy Disk Cleanup tool (type “Disk Cleanup” in the Start menu).
  • Run cleanmgr /sageset:1 to create a custom cleanup profile.
  • Wait for a future update that restores the missing options or adjusts the UAC behavior.

Conclusion

The KB5074105 update tightens control over Windows 11’s Storage settings, which can be beneficial for security but may inconvenience non‑admin users and introduces a minor UI bug. Keep an eye on upcoming patches for a possible fix, and use Disk Cleanup as a reliable fallback for now.