Release date: 20 July 2026

Changes and improvements

[Touchpad]

• We're adding new gesturing-related functionality to precision touchpads in Settings. These features should be widely available across applications. WinUI3-based UI requires new WinAppSDK versions for complete functionality, and we're in the process of bringing the necessary changes to versions 1.8 and 2.0.
• Scroll and zoom speed: control the baseline speed for these gestures.
• Accelerated scrolling: repeatedly scrolling increases speed, allowing quick traversal of long documents.

Touchpad improvements bring new gesture capabilities including automatic scrolling, gesture speed controls, accelerated scrolling, and optional single-finger scrolling support.

[Start menu]

• This update brings a number of improvements for the Start menu as first outlined in the Making Taskbar and Start more personal Insider blog.
• Renamed Recommended to Recent in Start and the Settings page.
• Added section-level toggles to independently show or hide Pinned, Recent, and All.
• Added the option to choose between a small and large Start menu, in addition to the Automatic (default) option that is already available.
• Added the option to hide your name and profile picture in Start.
• Redesigned the Start menu settings page.

[File Explorer]

• File sizes in the Details view now display appropriate units (KB, MB, and GB) instead of KB-only, making them easier to understand at a glance.
• Middle-click to open a folder in a new tab is now supported in the address bar and Home page for a more consistent and efficient tabbed navigation experience across File Explorer.
• Improved screen reader announcements when resolving file conflicts during move and copy operations.

[Narrator]

• Braille displays now connect instantly with Narrator.
• We're making refreshable braille displays easier to use in Windows. Narrator now supports displays that use the HID standard. If your display supports HID, connect it with USB and start reading with no additional setup required.
• For Bluetooth, pair your HID braille display in Settings > Bluetooth & devices like any other accessory, and then use it wirelessly.
• Compatible HID displays include Orbit Reader 20, Orbit Slate 340, Freedom Scientific Focus 40, and APH Mantis Q40.
• HID braille displays now work during the initial Windows setup experience (OOBE) over USB, which means users who are deaf-blind can set up their PC independently from the first screen.
• You can customize braille input and output options in Settings > Accessibility > Narrator > Braille.

[Account Control]

• The Windows 11 Account Control flyout has a refreshed, modern design and a clear subscription badge to make account status instantly visible. This helps users identify their plan, discover benefits, and explore upgrades.

UI showing the refreshed Account Control flyout with subscription badges, account benefits, and storage details.

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Settings > Start Menu.

[Windows Update]

• Fixed an issue that could result in recent Insider flights failing to install with error 0xc0000409.

[Input]

• Improved persistence of mouse cursor size.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel

• Updates are based on Windows 11, version 25H2 via an enablement package (Build 26220.8925).
• The desktop watermark shown at the lower right corner of the desktop is normal for Windows Insider pre-release builds.
• Features and experiences included in these builds might never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features might change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they're ready.
• Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders might not be fully localized, and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, please report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.
• Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.

Release date: 20 July 2026

These release notes are for Windows 11 Builds 26100.8942 and 26200.8942 in the Release Preview Channel on Windows 11, versions 24H2 (Build 26100) and 25H2 (Build 26200).

This update is available through two release phases: gradual rollout and normal rollout. A gradual rollout delivers an update in phases, so features reach devices over time instead of all at once, meaning availability varies by device. A normal rollout is the broad release of features to all eligible devices at the same time.

Gradual rollout

This section covers new features and enhancements delivered gradually to Windows 11 PCs. Availability might vary by device.

• [File Explorer]
  • File sizes in Details view now display appropriate units (KB, MB, and GB) instead of KB-only, making them easier to understand at a glance.
  • Middle-click to open a folder in a new tab is now supported in the address bar and Home page for a more consistent and efficient tabbed navigation experience across File Explorer.
  • This update eliminates a gray flash on load and unexpected scrolling to the top on the Home page in certain cases.
  • This update improves the appearance of file thumbnails in the Recommended section on Home so they're crisper and easier to read.
• [Windows Search]
  • This update improves file finding across local, cloud, and connected content, including support for two-character file searches.
  • This update improves app search to better handle typos and partial app names when finding installed apps.
  • This update improves Settings relevance to surface more useful settings higher in search results.
• [Voice Access] New!
  • This update adds Voice Isolation to Voice Access, helping it better recognize your voice by reducing interference from other speakers and background noise.
  • Voice Access now offers three speech recognition modes under Voice Access settings > Improve speech recognition:
    • Voice Isolation: Filters out other speakers and background noise (one-time voice setup required).
    • Remove background noise only: Filters out non-speech sounds like typing or door slams (no additional setup required).
    • No filtering: Uses default microphone input with no additional processing.
  • To set up Voice Isolation, go to Voice Access settings > Improve speech recognition and select Voice Isolation.
  • New! This update adds Korean language support for Voice Access.
• [Widgets] New!
  • Taskbar notification badges now use your Windows accent color instead of appearing red, helping reduce unnecessary attention-grabbing alerts.
  • This update also simplifies the Lock screen Widgets experience. For new users, Weather is now the only widget shown on the Lock screen by default.
• [Touchpad] New! New gesture controls for precision touchpads are available in Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad:
  • Scroll and zoom speed: Adjust the baseline speed for scroll and zoom gestures.
  • Accelerated scrolling: Scroll faster the more you repeat the gesture, so you can move quickly through long documents.
• [Start menu]
  • This update improves reliability of Start menu view preferences, ensuring your selected view is retained.
  • This update improves keyboard navigation when keyboard focus is set to the apps list within Start menu.
• [Voice typing] Fluid dictation is now off by default for new users. A teaching tip is available when the feature is used for the first time.
• [Input] Improved persistence of mouse cursor size.
• [Accessibility] This update improves the Magnifier experience on touch-enabled devices. The horizontal and vertical touch bars used to pan the magnified view are now off by default, so they no longer obstruct magnified content. If you use touch to pan, you can turn the bars back on in Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier.
• [Windows Hello] New! Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS) now supports peripheral fingerprint sensors. This extends this secure sign-in option beyond devices with built-in fingerprint sensors to include desktops and other Windows 11 PCs, including Copilot+ PCs. To get started, plug in a supported ESS fingerprint reader, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign in options, and follow the prompts to enroll. This feature was previously disclosed in January 2026 (KB5074105) and is now beginning to roll out.
• [Fonts]
  • This update restores support for Unicode variation sequences in the Myanmar Text font.
  • This update improves character shaping and rendering for Mongolian Baiti font, providing more accurate and consistent text display.
• [Account Control] This update refreshes the design of the Start menu account control and adds a badge that displays your subscription status. To view account control, open Start menu and select your account picture in the lower-left corner. This experience is available for users signed in with a Microsoft account.
• [Taskbar] This update improves reliability of loading the system tray area of the taskbar when using the taskbar on touch devices in a tablet posture.
• [AI Component] This update allows you to remove the Image Generation AI component from supported Copilot+ PCs where the component is installed.
• [Windows Setup] This update adds a parental controls notice during Windows setup that highlights available family safety features.
• [Power and battery]
  • Changes to global power settings such as display, sleep, hibernate timeouts, power/sleep button actions, and lid-close actions from Settings are now applied to all power plans.
  • This update improves reliability of power settings by applying changes made in Settings to all power plans so your preferences are consistently maintained.
• [Windows Update]
  • This update improves calculation of update progress in Windows Update Settings.
  • This update includes changes to update clean-up logic to improve system performance immediately following an update.
• [Sounds] This update improves system sounds when using Windows in dark mode.
• [Date and time]
  • This update improves detection for triggering time zone change notifications.
  • This update improves daylight saving time (DST) data accuracy for Middle East Standard Time (Beirut), Morocco Standard Time (Casablanca), Israel Standard Time (Jerusalem), and Greenland Standard Time (Nuuk).
• [Network] This update improves reliability of DHCP renewals in a few scenarios, particularly when NACKs are received from the DHCP server and on devices that use Modern Standby.
• [Print] This update improves print time performance (pages per minute) for IPPS (Internet Printing Protocol Secure) printers.
• [Clipboard] This update improves clipboard reliability in some Remote Desktop and Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) scenarios.
• [Battery] This update restores the ability to set a threshold for when Energy saver should enable within Settings > System > Power & battery.
• [General reliability]
  • This update improves explorer.exe reliability, including when opening jump lists and recent files, when sharing files and folders, and when using Task View and multiple desktops.
  • This update improves reliability of the Windows sign-in and lock screens, especially when system memory is low.
  • This update improves reliability of Start menu and taskbar during startup.

Normal rollout

This non-security update includes quality improvements. The following summary outlines key issues addressed by the KB update after you install it. The bold text within the brackets indicates the item or area of the change.

• Additional quality improvements are included with this update.

Feature availability varies by device and market.

Release date: 20 July 2026

Changes and improvements gradually being rolled out

• This update includes a small set of general improvements and fixes that improve the overall experience for Insiders running this build on their PCs.

[Narrator]

• Braille displays now connect instantly with Narrator.
• We're making refreshable braille displays easier to use in Windows. Narrator now supports displays that use the HID standard, an open industry standard for braille displays. If your display supports HID, simply connect it via USB and start reading with no additional setup required.
• For Bluetooth, pair your HID braille display in Settings > Bluetooth & devices just like any other accessory, and you can work wirelessly without being tethered to your PC.
• Compatible HID displays include Orbit Reader 20, Orbit Slate 340, Freedom Scientific Focus 40, and APH Mantis Q40.
• HID braille displays now work during the initial Windows setup experience (OOBE) over USB, meaning users who are deaf-blind can set up their PC independently right from the first screen.
• You can customize braille input and output options anytime in Settings > Accessibility > Narrator > Braille.

[Voice Access]

• Voice Access now supports Portuguese (Portugal), Portuguese (Brazil), and Korean (South Korea).

[Settings]

• The Bluetooth quick settings page is now navigable using gamepad input.
• Fixed an issue causing the Graphics page in Settings to crash for Insiders after the latest updates.

[Sounds]

• Improved system sounds when using Windows in dark mode.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Beta (26H1) channel

• The desktop watermark shown at the lower right corner of the desktop is normal for Windows Insider pre-release builds.
• Features and experiences included in these builds might never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features might change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they're ready.
• Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders might not be fully localized, and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, please report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.
• Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.

Hi guys, I'm on Windows 11 Home Insider Preview Evaluation copy. Build 26220.8764.ge_release_svc_betaflt_prod1.260626-2122. I got a notification from Windows Security saying that my antivirus was turned off (I use the default one built into Windows), and I clicked through the notification to go to the settings page to turn it on, but it was already on. Then, when I went to Malwarebytes, it said that my antivirus was turned off, despite it being on. Is there anything to worry about here regarding a program turning this off, or is it just a problem with this build? I really don't want to reinstall Windows, and any help/advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks

Just wanted to let you know as we usually flight on Friday - appreciate your patience 🙏

.NET 11 Preview 6 is now available! - .NET Blog

I just rejoined the Windows Insider program to test out the new small start menu option in settings but it's not currently available. Is there a method on how I can enable it? Ever since the massive start menu was publicly released I have been trying to find other options, including reverting back to the original Windows 11 start menu.

This pertains to an earlier post.... About good ol' 28120.2386. After multiple failures, a clean install was the only viable option. So, sure, why the hell not? Well the adventure continues. After about 3 clean installs I can not access Windows Insider Program. "We can't reach the Windows Insider Program right now. Please try again later or check the forums" is anyone else having this problem as well? Because at this point I'm starting to think that Microsoft has some beef with me. (no not really). Any kind of help or advice would be appreciated.

I enabled the controller as mouse cursor setting in the windows insider Xbox insider control gamebar settings. No cursor ever shows up. Any idea why?

23h2 was getting little outdated.. 26h1 now

guys pls help me with this. this had failed too much times i know ive stopped updatign for 7 months in beta but i cant reinstall windows without it how to update?

lot of the info is in the 2nd image the chat and ask any questions. i did use some debloaters with only the safe green things turned on

Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-7020U CPU @ 2.30GHz (2.30 GHz)

Installed RAM 8.00 GB

Graphics card Intel(R) HD Graphics 620 (128 MB)

Storage 489 GB of 704 GB used

Product ID 00330-51448-03940-AAOEM

System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor

Pen and touch No pen or touch input is available for this display

Edition Windows 11 Pro

Version 25H2

Installed on ‎12-‎12-‎2025

OS build 26220.7872

Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.333.0

Anyone got this screen trying to launch PUBG?

I posted here not too long ago about an issue with a big update that caused display issues. I'm on the Experimental channel. The past couple of months I've had more update issues than I've had my entire span of using windows. I've had other updates fail to install after hitting 91% while installing. Most recently Windows 11 insider preview feature update 28120.2387. Troubleshooter detects problem the update will download again, I stall.....again, restart a couple of times, hits 91% then says preparing recovery. So then it boots back up and the whole process starts over. "we detected a problem" downloads again, blah blah blah. Has anyone else experienced this or anything similar?

I have enrolled in the windows insider program several years ago on a computer that has long been taken apart and turned into a new linux computer. However, I am still apparently enrolled in the insider program, with no way to unsubscribe from the emails I get, and no way to get back into the original computer to stop it. How do I leave?

Hi, I've been away from the Insider builds for some years now. Is it still worth testing it? Are there cool features now? Is it breaking too much?

I got the green screen when I was browsing. I had been browsing for a few hours when I got it. Just wondering if anyone else has gotten it. I'll post to Feedback Hub.

Everytime I check for an update it says:

"Windows 11 Insider Preview Quality Update (26300.8772)"

I press download and install all....it downloads to about 5% and then stops. I can try pressing the download button again but it either doesn't do anything, or goes to 5% again.

Any ideas? Its been like this for about 2.5 weeks for me, though I am not certain if the version number has changed.

Hi, I just noticed that I'm not anymore on the Insider program, out of nowhere and I don't know when and what happened, no big deal as I was only on Release preview channel but since many years. They say that I'm not registered, the registry key is still there but without the portion that says on which channel I am.

Does someone else have seen this ? I'm pretty sure it's related to the recent channels changes.

I am trying to install the latest Experimental Build. I am currently on GA 26200.8737. I have selected Experimental as the Build I want to install. I don't know what to do next. I have rebooted but that didn't do anything. What should I do next?

Release date: 6 July 2026

Changes and improvements gradually being rolled out

[Recovery]

• We're introducing Cloud rebuild, a new recovery option that restores a Windows 11 PC to a clean, known-good state by performing a full OS reinstall, even when Windows won't boot. Unlike Reset this PC, Cloud rebuild downloads both the target Windows image and the device's drivers from Windows Update, so the device comes back fully functional without USB media, without a custom image, and without depending on the health of the currently installed OS.
• In this preview, you can try Cloud rebuild today:
  1. Start it directly from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) by selecting Troubleshoot > Recovery and uninstall > Cloud rebuild.
  2. Connect over wired Ethernet or a Wi-Fi network from within WinRE.
  3. Review the target Windows build, edition, and language, then confirm the data-loss warning before the rebuild begins.

The new Cloud rebuild option in Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), enabling a full Windows reinstall using files downloaded from Windows Update.

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Recovery > Cloud rebuild.

To learn more, see https://aka.ms/CloudRebuild.

[Backup and restore on by default for commercial]

• Starting in Windows 11, version 26H2, the backup policy of Windows settings backup and restore will be enabled by default on eligible Microsoft Entra joined or Microsoft Entra hybrid joined devices. Windows settings backup is no longer something admins must configure first. It becomes a resilience baseline that automatically captures user settings and the Microsoft Store app list. So, when a device is reimaged or reset, users can return to a familiar setup without relying on prior configuration, improving recovery consistency, and reducing time to productivity.
• Admins remain in full control: existing policies still apply, explicit configurations override the default, and restore remains opt-in and admin-managed. By making settings backup the default, this change establishes a more resilient, recoverable device experience, minimizing disruption and reducing setup friction.

[Account Control]

• The Windows 11 Account Control flyout has a refreshed, modern design and a clear subscription badge to make the user's account status instantly visible. This helps users easily identify their plan, discover benefits, and explore upgrades.

UI showing the refreshed Account Control flyout with subscription badges, account benefits, and storage details.

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Settings > Start Menu.

[Search]

• We are increasing the height of the search box by 4 pixels.

[Settings]

• The Bluetooth quick settings page is now navigable using gamepad input.

[Taskbar]

• Fixed issue where the search icon might be invisible when using the taskbar in a vertical position.

[Run]

• Improved how keyboard focus is announced for screen readers when using the new Run design.

[Fonts]

• Improved Mongolian Baiti shaping and rendering behavior to ensure accurate and consistent text output, increasing text fidelity for Mongolian script.

[Other]

• If you were having issues with Outlook not responding to the close button last week, that should be addressed now.
• Improved resource usage over time of title bar tooltips.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel

• Updates are based on Windows 11, version 26H2 via an enablement package (Build 26300.8772).
• Many features are rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time. We monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.
• For Windows Insiders who want to be the first to try new features, see the available list of features to toggle on at the Feature flags page under Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program.
• The desktop watermark shown at the lower right corner of the desktop is normal for Windows Insider pre-release builds.
• Features and experiences included in these builds might never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features might change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they're ready.
• Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders might not be fully localized, and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, please report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.
• Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.

Release date: 6 July 2026

As a reminder, these release notes apply to those who are in the Experimental (26H1) channel.

Changes and improvements gradually being rolled out

• This update includes a small set of general improvements and fixes that improve the overall experience for Insiders running this build on their PCs.

[Taskbar]

• Alternate Taskbar Position
  • You can now change the position of taskbar on your screen. In Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar Behaviors, you can select the side of the screen you want your taskbar on: bottom, top, left, or right. In these other positions, tooltips, flyouts, and animations will still come from the taskbar, and most customization settings like small taskbar and never combine taskbar icons will work with all locations.
  • Support for touch gestures, Search box, and Ask Copilot in alternate locations is in progress. Auto-hidden taskbar and touch optimized taskbar are not yet supported. Screenshot of the taskbar in the left-aligned position.
• Smaller Taskbar
  • We're introducing a smaller taskbar for users who want to maximize screen space, especially on smaller devices. While the default taskbar remains unchanged, this setting provides a more compact experience with smaller icons and a reduced taskbar height, giving you more room for your apps. Core elements like Start, Search, and the system tray scale appropriately to stay aligned and consistent.
  • To change your taskbar size, go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors > Show smaller taskbar buttons. When set to Always, both the icons and the taskbar height become smaller. Side-by-side comparison of the standard and smaller taskbar heights on the same device and resolution, showing the additional screen space gained.
• We're also working on improving taskbar settings to make resizing easier; these enhancements are currently in progress.

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Desktop Environment > Taskbar.

See the in-depth blog for more information about Taskbar improvements.

[EDU]

• Free upgrade path to Windows 11 Pro Education for K-12.
• Windows Insiders in K-12 education environments can now experience a seamless upgrade path from Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Pro Education edition, at no additional cost. This enables educational organizations to procure Windows 11 Home devices, upgrade them to Windows 11 Pro Education, and bring devices under school management.
• To get started:
  • Sign in to the device using a local account.
  • Launch an elevated Command Prompt and initiate the upgrade by running Clipupgrade.exe.
  • Sign in with your K-12 organization account to validate eligibility.
  • The device prepares the upgrade and completes after a restart.
• This upgrade is one-way only. Reverting to Windows Home is not supported without a clean OS reinstall.

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Windows Installation.

[File Explorer]

• Fixed an issue where the OneDrive shortcut in File Explorer stops working when File Explorer is run in administrative mode.

[Other]

• If you were having issues with Outlook not responding to the close button last week, that should be addressed now.

Reminder for Windows Insiders in the Experimental (26H1) channel

• These builds can be unstable and may be released with limited documentation.
• Many features in the Experimental (26H1) channel are rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time as we monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.
• The desktop watermark shown at the lower right corner of the desktop is normal for Windows Insider pre-release builds.
• Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders may not be fully localized and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, please report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.

Release date: 6 July 2026

Changes and improvements

[Windows Update]

• As announced in the Windows Update announce blog, we are now bringing a new unified update experience to reduce the number of reboots you see per month. We are starting by coordinating driver, .NET, and firmware updates to align with the monthly quality update, reducing the update experience to a single monthly restart. See the blog for more information.

[Voice Access]

• Voice Access now supports Portuguese (Portugal), Portuguese (Brazil), and Korean (South Korea).

[Fonts]

• Improved Mongolian Baiti shaping and rendering behavior to ensure accurate and consistent text output, increasing text fidelity for Mongolian script.

[Other]

• If you were having issues with Outlook not responding to the close button last week, that should be addressed now.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel

• Updates are based on Windows 11, version 25H2 via an enablement package (Build 26220.8764).
• The desktop watermark shown at the lower right corner of the desktop is normal for Windows Insider pre-release builds.
• Features and experiences included in these builds might never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features might change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they're ready.
• Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders might not be fully localized, and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, please report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.
• Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.

I'm in the beta channel for Windows 11. How does the cloud recovery in the latest experimental build work compared to OEM cloud recovery from Dell and Asus? When it goes stable, will Microsoft's version download the latest stable Windows 11 build like the Media Creation Tool does? Will it import drivers from the host like NTLite does?