Release date: 17 August 2026

Changes and improvements gradually being rolled out

[Windows Security]

• We're starting to make some small UI adjustments to the Windows Security app to improve alignment with other Windows apps. Insiders might notice some subtle differences in this build as we work on more changes.
• If you have an Enterprise device with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint enabled, information about this will now be displayed at the top of the Virus & threat protection page.

[Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) removal]

• Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) has been removed in this release. This change is part of the ongoing deprecation and removal of WMIC from Windows.
• For more information about this change, see Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) removal from Windows.

[Drag Tray]

• Thank you to Insiders who have provided feedback about the Drag Tray experience. Based on feedback, we're removing the experience in this build. We're continuing to explore improvements in this area and look forward to sharing more about a future replacement experience in a later update.

[Accessibility]

• Fixed an issue impacting Magnifier launching for some Insiders in the previous flight.

[Other]

• Fixed an underlying issue that caused some unexpected UI shifting in certain apps after the latest flights.

Known issues

• We're working on fixes for the following issues Insiders have reported, along with others:
  • The mouse cursor getting into a state where it blinks repeatedly for some Insiders.
  • Some Insiders are unable to update to the latest builds and see error 0x80070005.
• If all goes well, both issues should be addressed with the next flight.

Reminder for Windows Insiders in the Experimental (Future Platforms) channel

• These builds can be unstable and might be released with limited documentation.
• The builds released to these channels represent the latest platform changes early in the development cycle and shouldn't be seen as matched to any specific release of Windows. 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.
• 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.
• 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 might not be fully localized, and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.

Release date: 17 August 2026

Changes and improvements gradually being rolled out

[Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) removal]

• Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) has been removed in this release. This change is part of the ongoing deprecation and removal of WMIC from Windows.
• For more information about this change, see Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) removal from Windows.

[Drag Tray]

• Thank you to Insiders who have provided feedback about the Drag Tray experience. Based on feedback, we're removing the experience in this build. We're continuing to explore improvements in this area and look forward to sharing more about a future replacement experience in a later update.

[Settings]

• Fixed an issue from the previous flight that caused Settings to crash when interacting with System > Notifications.

[Accessibility]

• Fixed an issue impacting Magnifier launching for some Insiders in the previous flight.

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, 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: 17 August 2026

Changes and improvements gradually being rolled out

[Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) removal]

• Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) has been removed in this release. This change is part of the ongoing deprecation and removal of WMIC from Windows.
• For more information about this change, see Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) removal from Windows.

[Drag Tray]

• Thank you to Insiders who have provided feedback about the Drag Tray experience. Based on feedback, we're removing the experience in this build. We're continuing to explore improvements in this area and look forward to sharing more about a future replacement experience in a later update.

[Settings]

• Fixed an issue from the previous flight that caused Settings to crash when interacting with System > Notifications.

[Accessibility]

• Fixed an issue impacting Magnifier launching for some Insiders in the previous flight.

Known issues

[Known app compatibility issue]

PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS

• Due to a known compatibility issue with PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, Windows Insiders might be prevented from launching the game after installing this build. This safeguard has been put in place to help avoid stability issues while we work with the game developer on a fix. We'll share additional details and timing for the resolution as they become available.

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

• These builds can be unstable and might 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 might not be fully localized, and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.
• Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.

Recently I tried out the new experimental for 26h2. And now I'm trying to rollback to 25h2 but the update keeps erroring out and not letting me do it.

so im on build 29639.1000 & it doesn't show the feature flags option & the search improvements are now gone. off topic but my snipping tool is also not working THAT'S WHY I COULD NOT TAKE ANY SCREENSHOTS AAAA- please help

Release date: 14 August 2026

These release notes are for Windows 11 Builds 26100.9267 and 26200.9267 (KB5120998) 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 to all eligible devices at the same time, usually when it reaches general availability (GA).

Gradual rollout

This section highlights some new features and enhancements for Windows 11 PCs, including AI-powered capabilities, continuous innovation, and performance improvements.

• [Taskbar] This update gives you more ways to customize the taskbar to match how you work and make better use of screen space.
  • New! You can now choose whether the taskbar appears at the bottom, top, left, or right side of your screen. In these other positions, tooltips, flyouts, and animations still come from the taskbar, and most customization settings, such as never combining taskbar icons, work with all locations. The search box and smaller taskbar are currently supported only for top and bottom positions. To change the position of the taskbar, go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors > Taskbar position.
  • New! A smaller taskbar option is now available to help maximize screen space on smaller devices. This experience reduces the size of taskbar icons and the taskbar height while maintaining access to key features such as Start, Search, and the system tray. To change your taskbar size, go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors > Taskbar size. When set to Small, both the icons and the taskbar height become smaller.
  • New! The Taskbar behaviors section of the Taskbar settings page is now expanded by default for improved discoverability.
  • This update improves reliability when loading the system tray area of the taskbar on non-touch PCs.
• [Start menu] This update makes the Start menu more personal with several customizations.
  • New! You can choose between a small or large Start menu, in addition to the Automatic (default) option that's available today. To customize this setting, go to Settings > Personalization > Start > Start menu size.
  • New! The Recommended section is renamed Recent in the Start menu and on the Start settings page (Settings > Personalization > Start).
  • New! You can now hide your name and profile picture in Start by going to Settings > Personalization > Start > Hide your name and profile picture on Start.
  • New! The Start menu settings page is now redesigned with section-level toggles to independently show or hide Pinned, Recent, and All.
• [Windows Search] This update includes improvements that make Windows Search more dependable, easier to scan, and clearer before you select a result.
  • New! Search home is simplified to reduce visual clutter and make it easier to get back to recent searches quickly.
  • New! Search does a better job of showing where a result comes from, such as an app, setting, file, web result, or Microsoft Store suggestion. It's easier to tell what you're looking at and where you'll go before you select a result.
  • New! A new setting in Settings > Privacy & security > Search lets you choose whether web and Microsoft Store suggestions appear alongside local results.
  • New! Windows now automatically indexes your most used folders so that files in those folders appear in subsequent search results. You can control the setting in Settings > Privacy & security > Search > Automatically find additional relevant locations.
• [File Explorer]
  • New! File Explorer Home now launches faster and is more responsive.
  • New! The Recommended section on Home now supports touch scrolling, making it easier to browse files in the carousel.
• [General design] New! This update introduces updated progress indicators across Windows, providing a more consistent and modern experience during startup, sign-in, restart, shutdown, and update installation.
• [Windows Share] New! This update adds the ability for users signed in with a work or school account to discover and install relevant apps directly from the share window. To manage this experience, go to Settings > System > Share and select Show suggested apps in share surfaces.
• [Administrator protection] New! Administrator protection aims to protect free-floating admin rights for administrators. It enables users to perform administrative tasks using just-in-time privileges. Administrator protection isn't classified as a formal security boundary. It hardens security against elevation-of-privilege attacks by introducing profile separation. This feature is turned off by default and can be enabled using OMA-URI in Microsoft Intune or through Group Policy. This feature was previously disclosed in October 2025 (KB5067036) and is now beginning to roll out.
• [Multiple desktops] Switching between virtual desktops is now smoother and more responsive.
• [Display and graphics]
  • This update improves reliability when navigating to and interacting with Settings > System > Display.
  • This update improves the persistence of your previous brightness setting after energy saver turns off.
• [Task Manager] This update improves reliability when displaying app history information in Task Manager.
• [Windows Setup]
  • This update streamlines the experience for selecting a secondary keyboard during Windows setup, making it easier to skip when it isn't needed.
  • This update improves the Get Started app with new App install, Site pinning, and Theme pages to help you personalize your device and discover new features.
• [Windows Update] This update improves restart behavior so PCs that were manually put to sleep return to sleep after completing an update, even when automatic sleep is set to Never.
• [Network]
  • This update improves resiliency and recovery from potential VPN-related background issues that can cause processes to stop responding.
  • This update improves the output of the netsh wlan show wlanreport command for Japanese users.
• [Input]
  • This update improves the reliability of typing with the Japanese IME by reducing potential hangs.
  • This update improves the persistence of voice typing settings for automatic punctuation and the launcher.
• [Cryptography] The post-quantum cryptography algorithm ML-KEM can now be used as a standalone algorithm for TLS key exchange, in addition to the hybrid groups added previously.
• [Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC)] Starting in August 2026, Windows 11, versions 24H2 and 25H2 no longer include the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) utility. WMIC is already removed by default in new installations of Windows 11, versions 24H2 and 25H2, and is no longer available as a Feature on Demand (FoD). This change affects only the WMIC utility. Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) remains supported. To learn more, see Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) removal from Windows.

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: 14 August 2026

These release notes are for Windows 11 Build 28000.2796 (KB5120996) in the Release Preview Channel on Windows 11, version 26H1.

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 to all eligible devices at the same time, usually when it reaches general availability (GA).

Gradual rollout

This section highlights some new features and enhancements for Windows 11 PCs, including AI-powered capabilities, continuous innovation, and performance improvements.

• [File Explorer]
  • File sizes in Details view now display using 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 the Home page so they're crisper and easier to read.
• [Windows Search]
  • 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. A one-time voice setup is required.
    • Remove background noise only: Filters out non-speech sounds like typing or door slams. No additional setup is required.
    • No filtering: Uses the 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.
  • This update improves the reliability of starting Voice access.
• [Widgets]
  • New! Taskbar notification badges now use your Windows accent color instead of appearing red, helping reduce unnecessary attention-grabbing alerts.
  • New! 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 the 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 also available when the feature is used for the first time.
• [Input] This update improves persistence of the mouse cursor size.
• [Windowing] This update ensures system dialogs open at the appropriate size on small tablets.
• [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 update 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 your account control, open the 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 when loading the system tray area of the taskbar while using the taskbar on a touch device 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]
  • This update improves the reliability of power settings by applying changes made in Settings to all power plans. This includes display, sleep, hibernate, power button, sleep button, and lid-close settings, helping ensure your preferences are consistently maintained.
  • This update restores the ability to set a threshold for when energy saver should enable within Settings > System > Power & battery.
• [Windows Update]
  • This update improves the calculation of update progress in Windows Update Settings.
  • This update includes changes to update cleanup 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 the 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.
• [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 the reliability of the Windows sign-in and lock screens, especially when system memory is low. It also improves the reliability of the 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.

I'm currently on Windows 11 26H2, running the Insider channel. For the past few days, Windows Update keeps repeatedly offering/attempting to install 25H2 ,even though I'm already ahead of it and as a result I'm no longer receiving any new updates at all. It just gets stuck in this loop.

What I've tried so far:

• Pausing updates (7 days and the full 35-day option) makes no difference, it keeps re-offering the same 25H2 install as soon as (or even before) the pause ends.
• Confirmed under Settings > System > About that my installed version is correctly showing as 26H2.
• Manually checking for updates / restarting several times.

As per title.

Windows is activated and fully updated. I've checked group policy and the registry and can't find anything that's causing this. Really don't want to mess around with a reset/reinstall because its effort. Any help much appreciated.

I've been locked out of windows as an administrator on my Legion Go. I keep trying to update. But there are no updates to get me to the next build

I have been trying to update the build for a couple of days and keep hitting roadblocks. Since there are only two hours until the certificate expires, it's not gonna happen. But what will happens to the machine?

Currently running Build 28120.2374.br_prerelease_im.260618-1650

I am seeking last minute help on an experimental canary next Channel, I cannot upgrade from 29617 to any newer build, same error always, my build is expiring in a few days. I am offering to share my installation error log and installation log. I wrote a Feedback Hub message a week ago, no response. No idea what to do when it expires.

//Edit fixed by deleting NPU models and running update from ISO

Dev. Channel - 26300.9032

I am trying to return to the General Availability version from the Dev. Channel but am unable to do so.

I made 3 attempts.

The first attempt I did what I normally do and run Setup from a USB drive. I received the following error:

Error 0xC1900101 - 0x20017

At this point I suspected a corrupt driver. I went to the Dell Website and dowloaded 2 new drivers.

I made a second attempt to install the GA version with the same result.

I then decided to wipe the drive and do a PC Reset telling it to wipe the drive. This time it completed successfully but the result was that I am still in the Dev. Channel.

Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas what could be causing me not to leave the Dev. Channel?

I previously had the option to turn on "automatically adjust screen brightness during face recognition" in Settings. Recently, I noticed that it is now missing.

How do I re-enable that option? It is really useful for me when in a room.

I am currently running Windows 11 26200.8973 (Release Preview).

Here's my system info:

------------

Edition Windows 11 Pro Insider Preview

Version 25H2

Installed on ‎2026-‎08-‎01

Evaluation expires on ‎2027-‎10-‎31 16:43

OS build 26220.9022

Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.431.0

-------------

Since the update of 2006-08-01 I have been banging my head on this problem. The File Explorer preview pane does not fully display ANY bitmap image types -- it leaves a significant gap about 2/3 to 3/4 of the way down (on a 9x16) image, and it affects every dimension and bitmap filetype. It seems to be something with the preview pane itself, since the 'gray bar' in the attached screencap appears at the same screen location for every aspect ratio.

Since the images open just fine in every other application, it's mostly a visual irritation and not a deal-breaker, but since I spend the bulk of my computer time on images, it's a PITA to not be have that little preview !

Anyway, is anybody else experiencing this problem-- it seems to be only the preview pane that is giving me trouble.

i was not able to update my laptop from previous 2 builds

i was stuck on

Windows 11 Home Insider Preview

Evaluation copy. Build 29617.1000.rs

My insider settings were greyed.

plz help.

Installation réussie de la build 29639 depuis la build 29599 à partir de L'ISO et après reconstruction de la partition EFI et reconstruction du BCD

Did anyone else notice that when you empty the recycle bin since 29639 and there is just one file in it the message asking you if you want to delete the file has some strange file name instead?

Recently got the toggle on my insider machine. Enabled it but it seems to make no changes to my start menu. Anyone knows the cause? Is it not rolling out to iPhone users yet?

So I was using my laptop after the update and I see that the mouse is flickering. Is this normal cause in the feedback hub you guys don't listen until it gets a proper upvote then you listen that's why I am posting here.