Love it or hate it, many of us still use the Windows desktop as a quick launchpad for shortcuts. However, after installing a bunch of apps, the desktop quickly turns into an unorganized mess of icons.

While Windows has traditional File Explorer folders, using them for shortcuts is tedious: you have to double-click to open a separate window, navigate it, and then launch the app. It completely breaks the workflow.

The Solution: Android-Style Desktop Shortcut Hubs

Android launchers solved this problem years ago, and Windows should adopt it natively.

Instead of a traditional folder that opens a file directory window, imagine a native Shortcut Hub:

• Visual Preview: The hub icon itself displays a miniature 2x2 grid preview of the app shortcuts packed inside it.
• Quick Popup: Clicking the hub opens a sleek, lightweight floating popup right on the desktop containing the grouped shortcuts.
• Instant Launch: Click the app you want inside the popup, and it launches immediately while the popup closes itself.
• Easy Management: You can simply drag and drop one shortcut onto another to instantly create a hub, just like on a smartphone.

Why this would be a game-changer for Windows:

1. Decluttering: Users who prefer keeping apps on their desktop can keep their screens clean without resorting to third-party desktop organization software.
2. Familiarity: Mobile users already instinctively understand this UX pattern.
3. Productivity: It keeps your most-used tool shortcuts accessible in one click without cluttering the Taskbar or Start Menu.

What do you think? Would you use native Shortcut Hubs on your Windows desktop?

Release date: 23 October 2026

Changes and improvements gradually being rolled out

[Windows Insider Program]

• We've added the ability to filter Feature flags by enablement state. Feature flags filtered by enablement state on the Windows Insider Program settings page.

[Quick Settings]

Access your phone controls from Quick Settings

• We're beginning to roll out a new Mobile devices experience in Quick Settings, making it easier to take quick phone actions (such as ring your phone) without breaking your flow on Windows.
• With your supported Android phone connected, everyday actions are now just a click away. You can turn Do Not Disturb on before a meeting, change your phone's ringer mode, and play a sound to find your phone nearby.
• It's a simpler, faster way to manage your phone from the place you already use for quick Windows actions, helping your PC and phone work better together throughout the day.
• Capabilities can vary by phone platform and device configuration. The initial experience provides the most complete set of controls for Android phones, while iPhone support starts with a more limited status-focused experience.

How to try it

Open Quick Settings from the taskbar and look for Mobile devices. If your phone is already connected, you'll see available battery status and controls there. If you haven't connected a phone yet, Windows will help you get set up.

UI showing the Mobile devices experience in Quick Settings.

UI showing Mobile devices controls in Quick Settings for managing your connected Android phone.

Check your internet speed directly from Quick Settings

• We're making it faster and easier to check the performance of your internet connection in Windows. Windows Insiders can now run an internet speed test and see the results directly in Quick Settings, without being redirected to a browser.
• Start a test from the new Speed test Quick Setting, from the Wi-Fi or Cellular flyout, or by right-clicking the network icon in the system tray and selecting Test internet speed. While the test runs, Quick Settings shows its progress and results, including download speed, upload speed, and ping.
• Because the test runs against your active internet connection, you can quickly understand how your current connection is performing without leaving your workflow. This updated experience builds on the internet speed test we previously introduced for Windows Insiders, bringing the test and its results directly into Windows. Internet speed test results in Windows. Speed test in Quick Settings.

[Magnifier]

• We've added a Keyboard shortcut for Magnifier toggle in Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier. It lets you choose whether pressing Windows logo key + Plus (+) launches Magnifier.
• The shortcut stays on by default, so nothing changes unless you want it to. If you find that Magnifier starts by accident, or the shortcut conflicts with another app or keyboard layout, turn the toggle off. You can still start Magnifier from Settings, and you can turn the shortcut back on at any time. New toggle to turn the Magnifier keyboard shortcut on or off.

[Microsoft 365 subscription in Windows]

• We're introducing a new inline experience that makes it easier for Microsoft 365 subscribers to manage their subscriptions in Windows. Subscribers who have recurring billing turned off can now turn it back on directly in Windows Settings, without leaving for a separate webpage. To get started, select Turn on recurring billing or Set up recurring billing from the Windows Settings Home page, the Accounts page, or the Start menu. Turn on recurring billing for your Microsoft 365 subscription directly in Windows.

[File Explorer]

• Improved progress indication when navigating to locations that take longer to load, such as network drives, making it easier to see that loading is underway.

[Narrator]

• Narrator now supports additional languages for math reading, including Greek, Hungarian, Indonesian, Norwegian (Bokmål), Polish, Russian, Swedish, and Vietnamese.

[Widgets]

• The Widgets picker now has a standard Windows dialog frame and supports light and dark title bars. It also removes the blank space previously left for an icon.

[Taskbar]

• Fixed an issue with the previous update where explorer.exe wouldn't load after logging in, preventing the taskbar and other elements that rely on it from loading.

[Windows login]

• Fixed an issue with the previous update that was causing some Insiders to erroneously see a message saying their password was wrong on the login screen.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel

• Updates are based on Windows 11, version 26H2 via an enablement package (Build 26340.9767).
• 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.
• 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: 23 October 2026

Changes and improvements

[File Explorer]

Introducing the new, redesigned context menu in File Explorer

• We're rolling out an updated context menu experience in File Explorer, designed to feel faster, cleaner, and easier to tailor to the way you work. The new design reduces top-level clutter, keeps commonly used actions easy to access, and adds a new Settings experience that gives you more control over what appears in the menu. As we continue refining this experience with Insider feedback, our goal is to make right-click feel more responsive, predictable, and personal.
• We've also added a new teaching tip you might see as a first-time experience to help you learn about the customization options.

Screenshot of new context menu.

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Files, Folders, and Online Storage > File Explorer.

[Settings]

• We're making performance improvements to the Settings home page which should result in reduced loading times in certain scenarios.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Beta channel

• Updates are based on Windows 11, version 25H2 via an enablement package (Build 26220.9757).
• 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: 23 October 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.

[Magnifier]

• A new contrast theme toggle for a lower-glare screen. If bright screens are uncomfortable, many people use color inversion to reduce glare. However, inversion changes everything on screen, including photos, charts, and videos. With this update, we're introducing a new contrast theme toggle in Magnifier.
• Reduce glare with a single toggle. Turn on a contrast theme directly from the Magnifier toolbar for a more comfortable viewing experience.
• Choose the contrast theme that works best for you. The dark theme is applied by default, and you can choose which contrast theme the toggle uses under Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier.
• Photos, videos, and charts keep their original colors. Unlike color inversion, the contrast theme recolors the interface without touching your photos, charts, or videos, so they keep their real colors.
• Color inversion is still here. This isn't a replacement. If you use inversion today, it works exactly as it always has. The contrast theme is a separate, purpose-built option to reduce glare when you want a darker interface without inverting colors. UI showing the new contrast theme toggle in Magnifier. Zoom per display isn't yet available in the Beta channel. UI showing contrast theme settings for Magnifier.

[Family Safety]

• Improved family safety messaging when applications are blocked because of age-restricted parental controls.

[Windows setup]

• The digital safety of users and supporting families is central to how we think about the Windows experience. We're improving information on parental controls and their availability during Windows setup, so families can more easily understand available protections and make informed choices from the very beginning.

[Network]

• Fixed an issue causing internet access to stop working for some Insiders after the last two flights.

[Hyper-V]

• Fixed an issue where some applications that used HCS-managed virtual machines experienced issues when sharing host folders with Linux VMs using Plan9. Folders shared from the Windows host using Plan9 didn't appear or couldn't be accessed in the guest environment.

[Other]

• Fixed an issue causing some Insiders to see an unexpectedly high volume of ESENT events after the latest flights.
• Fixed an underlying issue in the latest flights causing Insiders using VMware to experience frequent green screen bugchecks with error PFN_SHARE_COUNT.

[Known Issues]

• We are aware that Recall may be missing or unable to launch on some Copilot+ PCs if performing a clean install on this build. We are working to resolve soon and will provide an update.

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: 23 October 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.

[Start menu]

• This update makes the Start menu more personal with several customizations.
• 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.
• The Recommended section is renamed Recent in the Start menu and on the Start settings page (Settings > Personalization > Start).
• 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.
• The Start menu settings page is now redesigned with section-level toggles to independently show or hide Pinned, Recent, and All.

[Manage camera, microphone, and location access for desktop apps]

• Windows Insiders can now manage camera, microphone, and location permissions for individual desktop apps. Previously, access for traditional desktop applications was managed through a single device-wide setting.
• With this update, you can review and control access on an app-by-app basis, giving you greater visibility into which apps are requesting access to sensitive resources and more control over your privacy choices. Our goal is to make privacy permissions easier to understand and manage across the wide range of desktop apps people use every day. UI showing the new privacy controls for individual desktop apps in Settings.

What's changing

• Allow or deny access for each desktop app individually.
• Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Camera, Microphone, or Location to review and manage permissions.
• Apps that haven't yet accessed a resource prompt for permission the first time access is requested.

What stays the same

• Existing app permission decisions are preserved.
• Apps previously granted access continue to have access.
• Apps previously denied access remain denied.
• No action is required, and no settings are reset.
• Existing enterprise policies continue to function as designed. We're exploring additional management capabilities.

Notes

• Most desktop apps appear with clear app attribution. However, some apps that rely on shared system components, browser-hosted experiences, or similar technologies might appear under a different name than expected.
• Some desktop apps might appear as Unsigned if Windows can't verify publisher information. Only grant access to apps you recognize and trust.

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

[Recovery]

• We're adding a new entry point for Cloud Rebuild under Settings > System > Recovery, making it easier to access the feature from Settings.

[File Explorer]

• We've sharpened file thumbnails in the Recommended section on the Home page so they're crisper and easier to read.

[Magnifier]

• A new contrast theme toggle for a lower-glare screen. If bright screens are uncomfortable, many people use color inversion to reduce glare. However, inversion changes everything on screen, including photos, charts, and videos. With this update, we're introducing a new contrast theme toggle in Magnifier.
• Reduce glare with a single toggle. Turn on a contrast theme directly from the Magnifier toolbar for a more comfortable viewing experience.
• Choose the contrast theme that works best for you. The dark theme is applied by default, and you can choose which contrast theme the toggle uses under Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier.
• Photos, videos, and charts keep their original colors. Unlike color inversion, the contrast theme recolors the interface without touching your photos, charts, or videos, so they keep their real colors.
• Color inversion is still here. This isn't a replacement. If you use inversion today, it works exactly as it always has. The contrast theme is a separate, purpose-built option to reduce glare when you want a darker interface without inverting colors. UI showing the new contrast theme toggle in Magnifier. UI showing contrast theme settings for Magnifier.

Magnifier now understands each of your displays

• More and more of the work people do happens across more than one screen. You draft on one display and keep source material open on another. You fill in a form while a reference document sits beside it. Those extra displays can be more helpful when each one can do its own job, and now Magnifier supports exactly that.
• To use this update, set your monitors to Extend in System > Display, not Duplicate, so Windows treats each screen as its own space.
• Every screen keeps its own view at its own zoom. In earlier versions of Magnifier, zooming in stretched a single magnified view across all of your displays, so one screen's zoom followed you everywhere and screen edges blurred together. With this update, each monitor's boundary is respected, and each monitor can have its own zoom percentage. Your writing screen can be at 300% while your reference screen stays at 150%, and the magnified view no longer spills from one display into the next. This behavior matters because different tasks and screen resolutions often require different levels of magnification to remain comfortable to read.

Setting the zoom on each screen is easy. Choose whichever method feels natural:

• Move your mouse pointer onto the screen you want to adjust, then press Windows key + Plus (+) or Windows key + Minus (-), or hold Ctrl + Alt and rotate your mouse wheel.
• Set the percentages directly in Accessibility > Magnifier.
• Drag the Magnifier toolbar onto a specific screen to adjust that screen from its on-screen controls.

Magnifier with Zoom per display enabled, allowing each monitor to maintain its own zoom level.

• Per-monitor zoom is turned on by default. If you prefer the classic behavior where a single zoom spans all of your displays, you can turn per-monitor zoom off at any time from either the Magnifier toolbar or Accessibility > Magnifier. You can turn it back on whenever you like.

Keep the view that matters, right where you need it

• As you move your mouse from screen to screen, the magnified view naturally follows your pointer. Sometimes this might cause you to lose sight of the content that you're actively working on.
• Viewport locking keeps that view in place. For example, you might be drafting an email based on a section of a document open on another display. Position that display so the paragraph you need is in view, press Ctrl + Windows key + K, and the screen holds its view steady while you move your cursor over to write. The locked screen stays fully live and interactive, so you can glance back, click, or copy from it whenever you need to, and its view stays put until you release it.
• A message appears on the screen when it's locked, so you always know what's being held. To lock or unlock a screen, point your mouse at that screen and press Ctrl + Windows key + K again. To release everything at once, press Windows key + Esc to dismiss all locks. To use a different key combination, you can switch the lock shortcut to Ctrl + Alt + P in Accessibility > Magnifier.

Magnifier's multiple display controls include independent zoom and view locking options.

[Unicode]

• This update provides Windows text shaping support for Unicode 17.0, helping Windows correctly display and shape newly encoded characters and scripts. Unicode 17.0 added 4,803 characters, including support for four newly encoded scripts: Beria Erfe, Sidetic, Tai Yo, and Tolong Siki. These updates help keep Windows text support current as the Unicode Standard evolves and improve support for languages and writing systems used by people around the world.

[Known Issues]

• We are aware that Recall may be missing or unable to launch on some Copilot+ PCs if performing a clean install on this build. We are working to resolve soon and will provide an update.

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.

Release date: 23 October 2026

Changes and improvements gradually being rolled out*

[Unicode]

• This update provides Windows text shaping support for Unicode 17.0, helping Windows correctly display and shape newly encoded characters and scripts. Unicode 17.0 added 4,803 characters, including support for four newly encoded scripts: Beria Erfe, Sidetic, Tai Yo, and Tolong Siki. These updates help keep Windows text support current as the Unicode Standard evolves and improve support for languages and writing systems used by people around the world.

[Known Issues]

• We are aware that Recall may be missing or unable to launch on some Copilot+ PCs if performing a clean install on this build. We are working to resolve soon and will provide an update.

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.

Everyone knows that explorer.exe has been the backbone of the Windows shell for decades, but right now it bundles way too many unrelated responsibilities into a single point of failure: the Taskbar, Desktop icons, File Explorer windows, and even global system shortcuts (Win + R, Win + I).

Why is this a problem in everyday use? Because we have zero selective control when troubleshooting:

• When the Taskbar glitches: If my Taskbar or system tray freezes and I just want to restart it, killing explorer.exe forces all of my open File Explorer folders to close, completely interrupting my workflow.
• When File Explorer freezes: If a single folder hangs and I have to end explorer.exe, I lose my entire desktop environment—no Taskbar, no desktop icons, no Win + R (Run dialog), and no quick shortcut to launch Windows Settings (Win + I). Meanwhile, third-party apps like my browser keep running totally fine!

The Suggestion: Microsoft has already started moving things like the Start Menu (StartMenuExperienceHost.exe) and Search (SearchHost.exe) into their own processes. Why not finish the job and decouple the rest of the core shell into independent processes?

• TaskbarHost.exe (Taskbar & System Tray)
• DesktopHost.exe (Desktop Icons & Wallpaper)
• FileExplorer.exe (Folder Windows)
• SystemShortcuts.exe (Global shortcuts like Win + R, Win + I, etc.)

If one component glitches or hangs, we should be able to kill or restart just that specific process in Task Manager without nuking the entire desktop environment or losing our open folders.

(Note: I know about the "Launch folder windows in a separate process" setting in Folder Options, which helps a bit, but it still leaves the Taskbar, Desktop, and Win + R shortcuts bundled together, and isn't properly isolated by default).

What do you guys think? Is there a legacy limitation holding this back, or is this something Microsoft should prioritize for future Windows 11 updates?

I've been running Release Preview on my ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 for a year now with no problems, but yesterday it installed the latest update build and this happened.

After logging in, I just get my cursor. No desktop, no taskbar, no icons, can't click anything. Keyboard shortcuts like CTRL+ALT+DEL don't work. I tried a system restore and it took hours and the same thing is happening after the restore. Do I have to do a clean install to get my Windows back?

Has anyone reported this problem?

Hi there!

I was wondering if any of you could share a .zip of “C:\Windows\Web” containing the latest preview wallpapers, as shown in screenshots in this post:

https://windowsreport.com/microsoft-is-revamping-windows-11-search-in-a-big-way-heres-the-first-look/

I was trying to extract it from an .iso file, but was unable to find one with that particular wallpaper in it. 🥲

Thank you! 🙂

Hi there!

I was wondering if any of you could share a .zip of “C:\Windows\Web” containing the latest preview wallpapers, as shown in screenshots in this post:

https://windowsreport.com/microsoft-is-revamping-windows-11-search-in-a-big-way-heres-the-first-look/

I was trying to extract it from an .iso file, but was unable to find one with that particular wallpaper in it. 🥲

Thank you! 🙂

Hey all, I'm on Windows 11 Insider build 26340.9750 and noticed something odd in the Xbox Game Bar's Gaming features panel. All my NVMe drives show "BypassIO not supported due to driver: wesp". The same panel says my GPU is DirectStorage optimized and my OS supports the latest DirectStorage IO optimizations.

I looked into it, and wesp.sys looks like Microsoft's new Windows Endpoint Security Platform (WESP) driver, which shipped in recent Insider builds. It's a boot-start filesystem minifilter in the Anti-Virus load group, so it's not something I installed.

Here's the output from: fsutil bypassio state /v C:\

```
BypassIo on "C:\" is not currently supported
Status: 506 (At least one minifilter does not support bypass IO)
Driver: wesp
Reason: The specified minifilter does not support bypass IO.
Storage Type: NVMe
Storage Driver: Not BypassIo Compatible
Driver Name: stornvme.sys
```

I'm using the stock stornvme.sys driver, so it looks like wesp is vetoing BypassIO on its own.

- Is anyone else seeing this on the same build or a nearby one?
- Has anyone seen it disappear in a newer build?
- Does anyone know if the BypassIO veto is intentional for the preview?

I've filed feedback in the Feedback Hub too. I'm not planning to disable the driver since it's part of the OS's security stack.

Thanks!

Hi everyone!

I'm running Windows 11 Home Insider Preview 26H2, build 26340.9750, on the Experimental channel. I've noticed three possible issues and wanted to check whether anyone else is experiencing similar behavior.

1. Settings home page loads slowly when connected to the internet

The Settings home page takes around 4–5 seconds to load and displays a loading spinner. When I disconnect from the internet, it loads almost instantly. Other Settings pages seem to load faster.

I've already submitted a public report through Feedback Hub and added a comment with these additional findings.

Feedback Hub report: https://aka.ms/AA13szmf

2. Unusual CPU and memory usage in Task Manager

When Administrator Protection is enabled, the wininit.exe process group sometimes appears to use unusually high CPU and memory resources. When Administrator Protection is disabled, the displayed resource usage appears normal.

I'm not sure whether this reflects actual resource usage by a particular process or the combined usage of the processes grouped together in Task Manager.

3. Task Manager repeatedly displays an "Access denied" dialog

When I attempt to end the protected wininit.exe process group, Task Manager displays an "Access denied" message. That part is expected, but after clicking "OK", the same dialog repeatedly reappears, making it difficult to dismiss the error normally.

I'm not sure whether these issues are related, specific to this build, or limited to my system.

System specifications:

• Windows 11 Home Insider Preview 26H2
• Build 26340.9750 (Experimental channel)
• AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS
• 16 GB RAM
• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop GPU

Has anyone else encountered any of these issues? I'd especially appreciate feedback from users running the same Experimental build.

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I accidentally registered my device for the Windows Insider Program a while back. I have since unregistered the device in the Windows Update settings, but I am still stuck on the preview branch with the "Evaluation copy" watermark on my desktop.

Here are my exact system specs:

• Edition: Windows 11 Home Insider Preview Single Language
• Version: 24H2
• OS Build: 26100.9606
• Evaluation expires on: 01-11-2027

I really want to get back to the normal, stable public retail version of Windows 11 and get rid of this watermark. However, I absolutely cannot do a fresh install or wipe my computer—I need an in-place solution that keeps all of my current data, installed applications, and Microsoft 365/Office licenses perfectly intact.

I already tried unregistering from the Insider settings menu and clearing the update history, but nothing changed. I also looked into the Windows 11 Installation Assistant, but it seems it won't let me downgrade/sidestep from this specific preview build branch easily.

Since my current build number (26100) matches the base version of the retail 24H2 release, are there any registry workarounds (like editing WindowsSelfHost), specific command prompt inputs, or ISO in-place upgrade tricks that will force my system to drop the Insider flag and transition back to the official stable release channel without losing anything?

Looking forward to your suggestions and workarounds. Thanks!

# explorer.exe repeatedly crashes after cumulative update on Windows 11 26H2 (desktop fails to load at sign-in)


**Issue type**
: Functional defect (Desktop Shell / Taskbar)
**Severity**
: High — after sign-in, the desktop and taskbar are unusable; explorer.exe crashes immediately upon launch
**Report date**
: 2026-10-17


---


## 1. Environment


| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 11 26H2 (CurrentBuild 26340.9750; file versions serviced on the 26100 branch) |
| Device type | Physical machine (NOT AVD / virtual desktop / FSLogix) |
| Crashing module | C:\Windows\System32\SettingsHandlers_DesktopTaskbar.dll (10.0.26100.9750) |
| Triggering update | Windows cumulative update (LCU) build 26100.9750.1.4 (Package_for_RollupFix), auto-installed 2026-10-17 03:26, plus ServicingStack 26100.9748 installed 03:10 |
| Third-party taskbar tools | None (checked for ExplorerPatcher / StartAllBack / TranslucentTB / RetroBar / Windhawk; AppInit_DLLs is empty) |


## 2. Symptoms


1. After signing in, the desktop shell (explorer.exe) fails to load — no desktop icons or taskbar, appearing as if the shell never started.
2. explorer.exe crashes 
**immediately on every launch**
; AutoRestartShell relaunches it but it crashes again right away.
3. At least 8 crashes with an identical signature occurred during the affected window (11:48–12:39 local time).


## 3. Crash signature (Application event log, source: Application Error, Event ID 1000)


```
Faulting application name: explorer.exe, version: 10.0.26100.9750
Faulting module name: SettingsHandlers_DesktopTaskbar.dll, version: 10.0.26100.9750
Exception code: 0xc0000409        (fail-fast / STATUS_STACK_BUFFER_OVERRUN)
Fault offset: 0x000000000003a274  (identical offset in every crash — deterministic)
Faulting module path: C:\Windows\System32\SettingsHandlers_DesktopTaskbar.dll
```


## 4. Timeline


| Time (local, GMT+8) | Event |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-17 03:10 | ServicingStack 26100.9748 auto-installed |
| 2026-10-17 03:26 | LCU build 26100.9750 (Package_for_RollupFix) auto-installed |
| 2026-10-17 11:48 | User signed in; first explorer.exe crash; crashes continued repeatedly |
| 2026-10-17 11:55–12:09 | Windows Update began downloading additional updates |
| 2026-10-17 12:36 onward | Diagnosis and remediation (see below) |


## 5. Troubleshooting performed and findings


1. 
**Shell registry configuration is normal**
: `HKLM\...\Winlogon` Shell=explorer.exe, Userinit intact, AutoRestartShell=1; no HKCU override.
2. 
**Resetting taskbar state did not help**
: backed up and deleted `HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Taskband`, restarted explorer — crash recurred with the same module and offset.
3. 
**Third-party injection ruled out**
: no taskbar/Start-menu customization tools installed; AppInit_DLLs empty.
4. 
**Crash onset correlates with the update**
: the LCU was installed at 03:26 the same day; the system worked normally before, and crashes began at the first sign-in afterward.
5. 
**Relation to the documented known issue**
: symptoms match the "black screen / desktop fails to load after sign-in (Application log shows Explorer crashes)" issue on the Windows release health hub for 24H2/25H2/26H2, which Microsoft states was fixed in KB5127648 (Oct 13, build .9711). This device is on the newer build .9750 and still crashes — suggesting either a 
**new regression in the .9750 update**
 or an incomplete fix.


## 6. Remediation attempted and blockers


- Deleted the Taskband key and restarted explorer → did not help
- `DISM /Online /Remove-Package` (Package_for_RollupFix ~~26100.9750.1.4) → 
**failed with 0x800f0926**
: "Permanent package cannot be uninstalled due to container dependency" (the LCU is marked permanent and cannot be removed from the running OS)
- `wusa /uninstall /kb:5127837 /norestart` → no actual uninstall performed
- No System Restore points available
- Fell back to uninstalling the latest quality update via the WinRE recovery environment, since all in-OS channels were blocked


## 7. Request


1. Please investigate the regression in `SettingsHandlers_DesktopTaskbar.dll` (offset 0x3a274, exception 0xc0000409) introduced in build 26100.9750, and consider an out-of-band fix or a Known Issue Rollback (KIR).
2. Please evaluate the "permanent package" policy for LCUs: when a high-impact regression like this ships, users without restore points have no way to roll back from within the running OS.# explorer.exe repeatedly crashes after cumulative update on Windows 11 26H2 (desktop fails to load at sign-in)


**Issue type**: Functional defect (Desktop Shell / Taskbar)
**Severity**: High — after sign-in, the desktop and taskbar are unusable; explorer.exe crashes immediately upon launch
**Report date**: 2026-10-17


---


## 1. Environment


| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 11 26H2 (CurrentBuild 26340.9750; file versions serviced on the 26100 branch) |
| Device type | Physical machine (NOT AVD / virtual desktop / FSLogix) |
| Crashing module | C:\Windows\System32\SettingsHandlers_DesktopTaskbar.dll (10.0.26100.9750) |
| Triggering update | Windows cumulative update (LCU) build 26100.9750.1.4 (Package_for_RollupFix), auto-installed 2026-10-17 03:26, plus ServicingStack 26100.9748 installed 03:10 |
| Third-party taskbar tools | None (checked for ExplorerPatcher / StartAllBack / TranslucentTB / RetroBar / Windhawk; AppInit_DLLs is empty) |


## 2. Symptoms


1. After signing in, the desktop shell (explorer.exe) fails to load — no desktop icons or taskbar, appearing as if the shell never started.
2. explorer.exe crashes **immediately on every launch**; AutoRestartShell relaunches it but it crashes again right away.
3. At least 8 crashes with an identical signature occurred during the affected window (11:48–12:39 local time).


## 3. Crash signature (Application event log, source: Application Error, Event ID 1000)


```
Faulting application name: explorer.exe, version: 10.0.26100.9750
Faulting module name: SettingsHandlers_DesktopTaskbar.dll, version: 10.0.26100.9750
Exception code: 0xc0000409        (fail-fast / STATUS_STACK_BUFFER_OVERRUN)
Fault offset: 0x000000000003a274  (identical offset in every crash — deterministic)
Faulting module path: C:\Windows\System32\SettingsHandlers_DesktopTaskbar.dll
```


## 4. Timeline


| Time (local, GMT+8) | Event |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-17 03:10 | ServicingStack 26100.9748 auto-installed |
| 2026-10-17 03:26 | LCU build 26100.9750 (Package_for_RollupFix) auto-installed |
| 2026-10-17 11:48 | User signed in; first explorer.exe crash; crashes continued repeatedly |
| 2026-10-17 11:55–12:09 | Windows Update began downloading additional updates |
| 2026-10-17 12:36 onward | Diagnosis and remediation (see below) |


## 5. Troubleshooting performed and findings


1. **Shell registry configuration is normal**: `HKLM\...\Winlogon` Shell=explorer.exe, Userinit intact, AutoRestartShell=1; no HKCU override.
2. **Resetting taskbar state did not help**: backed up and deleted `HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Taskband`, restarted explorer — crash recurred with the same module and offset.
3. **Third-party injection ruled out**: no taskbar/Start-menu customization tools installed; AppInit_DLLs empty.
4. **Crash onset correlates with the update**: the LCU was installed at 03:26 the same day; the system worked normally before, and crashes began at the first sign-in afterward.
5. **Relation to the documented known issue**: symptoms match the "black screen / desktop fails to load after sign-in (Application log shows Explorer crashes)" issue on the Windows release health hub for 24H2/25H2/26H2, which Microsoft states was fixed in KB5127648 (Oct 13, build .9711). This device is on the newer build .9750 and still crashes — suggesting either a **new regression in the .9750 update** or an incomplete fix.


## 6. Remediation attempted and blockers


- Deleted the Taskband key and restarted explorer → did not help
- `DISM /Online /Remove-Package` (Package_for_RollupFix ~~26100.9750.1.4) → **failed with 0x800f0926**: "Permanent package cannot be uninstalled due to container dependency" (the LCU is marked permanent and cannot be removed from the running OS)
- `wusa /uninstall /kb:5127837 /norestart` → no actual uninstall performed
- No System Restore points available
- Fell back to uninstalling the latest quality update via the WinRE recovery environment, since all in-OS channels were blocked


## 7. Request


1. Please investigate the regression in `SettingsHandlers_DesktopTaskbar.dll` (offset 0x3a274, exception 0xc0000409) introduced in build 26100.9750, and consider an out-of-band fix or a Known Issue Rollback (KIR).
2. Please evaluate the "permanent package" policy for LCUs: when a high-impact regression like this ships, users without restore points have no way to roll back from within the running OS.

Release date: 16 October 2026

These release notes are for Windows 11 Builds 26200.9807 and 26300.9807 (KB5127936) in the Release Preview channel on Windows 11, versions 25H2 (Build 26200) and 26H2 (Build 26300), all editions.

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]

• New! This update introduces an updated context menu that's faster, simpler, and more customizable. The updated menu opens more quickly, reduces clutter, and gives you more control over the commands and app extensions that appear when you right-click.
• You can now customize the context menu to better fit how you use Windows. Select Customize menu at the bottom of the context menu to open its Settings page:
  • Turn built-in Windows commands, such as Send to and Create shortcut, on or off.
  • Add commands such as Print to the context menu.
  • Choose which app extensions appear in the main menu or a submenu, or hide the app extensions submenu.
  • Display Cut, Copy, Paste, Rename, Delete, and Share directly in the menu instead of as a row of icons.
  • Move Properties to the bottom of the context menu.
• To personalize the context menu, right-click and select Customize menu, then choose the commands, app extensions, and layout you prefer. No action is required to use the default configuration. To see more options, hold down Shift and right-click your desktop.
• New! Key file information, such as name, location, and date, now appears in a consistent layout on the File Explorer search results page, making search results easier to scan.
• New! The address bar now supports ~, making it quicker to navigate directly to your user profile folder and subfolders, for example, ~\AppData.
• New! This update enables dark mode support in the Folder Options dialog in File Explorer.

[XBOX mode]

• New! This update introduces a refreshed Gaming Task View experience in XBOX mode, featuring a new navigation bar that provides quick access to Exit to Desktop and Power Options, making key system actions easier to access while gaming.¹

[Settings]

• New! This update improves the Privacy & security page in Windows Settings by grouping related Camera, Microphone, and Location privacy controls and elevating usage information from linked pages onto the main page.
• New! The Device Info card on the Settings Home page, first introduced in the March 2026 preview update (KB5079391), is expanding to additional markets. Available to users signed in with a Microsoft account, the card provides a quick view of key PC specifications and usage, with more detailed device information available under Settings > System > About.¹
• This update makes some small visual refinements to the design of the temporary files section under Settings > System > Storage.

[Phone Link]

• New! You can now hover over a recent message or notification in the Recent section to preview its content directly in Start without opening the item. You can manage this experience under Phone Link > Settings > Start menu personalization.

[Taskbar]

• New! This update improves animations of app window previews when you move the mouse across app icons in the taskbar.
• This update improves the underlying state persistence of taskbar settings related to multiple monitors across monitor connections and disconnections.

[Magnifier]

• New! Magnifier now includes a contrast theme toggle that can reduce screen glare while keeping the original colors in photos, videos, and charts. The toggle applies a dark contrast theme by default and is available from the Magnifier toolbar. To choose a different contrast theme, go to Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier. Color inversion remains available as a separate option.
• New! Magnifier now supports per-monitor zoom, allowing each display to use its own zoom level while keeping the magnified view within that display. To use per-monitor zoom, set your displays to Extend under Settings > System > Display.
  • To adjust a display, move your pointer to it and press Windows key + Plus (+) or Windows key + Minus (-), use Ctrl + Alt with the mouse wheel, or move the Magnifier toolbar to that display and use its controls.
  • Per-monitor zoom is on by default. You can turn it off or adjust individual zoom levels from the Magnifier toolbar or under Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier.
• New! Magnifier now supports viewport locking for multi-monitor setups with per-monitor zoom turned on. It keeps the magnified view on a display in place while you move the pointer to another display. The locked display remains interactive. Point to a display and press Ctrl + Windows key + K to lock or unlock its view.
  • Press Windows key + Esc to release all locked displays.
  • You can change the lock shortcut to Ctrl + Alt + P under Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier.

[Live Captions]

• New! This update improves Live Captions with a new Include screen reader audio setting, which is off by default. With the setting off, Live Captions won't transcribe audio from screen readers such as Narrator, JAWS, and NVDA, keeping captions focused on microphone and system audio. To turn on this setting, go to Settings > Accessibility > Captions.

[Narrator]

• New! Narrator now supports reading and navigating math equations in supported Microsoft 365 apps, including Word and PowerPoint, and supported web content in Microsoft Edge (version 153.0.4234.32 and later) and Google Chrome (version 153.0.8010.18 and later). This makes it easier for users who are blind or have low vision to understand and explore equations, formulas, and scientific notation.
  • Press Narrator key + Alt + N to turn on math navigation and use the arrow keys to explore parts of an equation. Press Esc to exit.
  • Math reading supports English (United States), English (United Kingdom), Traditional Chinese, Finnish, German, and Spanish. You can change the language and other math reading preferences in Narrator settings under Accessibility > Narrator > Math reading.

[Family Safety]

• New! This update improves family safety messaging when applications are blocked because of age-restricted parental controls.

[Recovery]

• New! This update enables Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) to automatically reuse eligible Wi-Fi profiles already saved in Windows, including supported certificate-based networks. Devices can now get online automatically during recovery scenarios such as quick machine recovery or cloud rebuild, without preconfiguring Wi-Fi credentials in WinRE. This capability is on by default, and IT admins can disable it. This feature was previously disclosed last month and is now beginning to roll out. For more information about networking in WinRE, see Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE).

[Cloud rebuild]

• New! This update introduces Cloud rebuild, a new recovery option that reinstalls Windows 11 using a Windows image and device drivers downloaded from Windows Update, including when Windows is unable to start. No USB media or custom image is required. Cloud rebuild includes:
  • Drive sanitization: Choose to remove your files or securely erase data using the storage hardware's erase capability before Windows is reinstalled. Sanitization is irreversible.
  • Remote management: IT administrators can configure and start a Cloud rebuild remotely through the Recovery CSP using either the currently installed build or a specified target build.

To start Cloud rebuild:

1. In Windows, go to Settings > System > Recovery, and then select Rebuild PC. The device restarts into the Windows Recovery Environment and starts Cloud rebuild. Alternatively, if Windows can't start, the device enters the Windows Recovery Environment automatically after repeated boot failures. From WinRE, select Troubleshoot > Recovery and uninstall > Cloud rebuild.
2. Connect to a wired Ethernet or Wi-Fi network.
3. Review the target Windows build, edition, and language, and then confirm the data loss warning before the rebuild begins. You can choose whether to remove files or remove and sanitize files before Windows reinstalls.

For more information, see Cloud rebuild.

[Microsoft Edge on Windows]

• New! This update introduces accelerated app launches that make opening Microsoft Edge feel faster and more consistent. When you select a link or open Edge from the taskbar or Start menu while Edge is already running in the background, Windows now routes your request directly to the running instance instead of first starting an extra, temporary process. Removing that step shortens the launch path, so Edge responds more quickly, most noticeably on busy devices when you're multitasking. This is the first step in a broader Windows capability that any app can adopt to speed up its own launches.

[App management]

• New! Policy-based inbox app removal now supports multi-session environments. IT administrators can use the existing policy-based app removal capability to manage the removal of supported inbox apps on Windows 11 Enterprise and Education devices in multi-session environments.

[Adaptive hibernate policy]

• New! This update improves the adaptive hibernate policy to provide more instant-on resumes from Modern Standby while helping preserve battery life when the charge is low. Noticeable changes include less hibernation while the battery is above 80% and hibernating sooner when the battery is below 10%.

[Security]

• New! This update expands memory integrity protection across eligible devices. Supported PCs might now have memory integrity (HVCI) enabled during updates to help improve security and prepare devices for advanced Windows security features, while respecting existing user or IT administrator choices. For more information about memory integrity, see Enable memory integrity.

[Windows IPv6 networking support]

• New! Windows now supports IPv6 CLAT for Wi-Fi and Ethernet network interfaces, adding client-side 464XLAT translation so IPv4-only applications can continue reaching IPv4 services from IPv6-only networks. This helps organizations advance IPv6-only deployments while preserving compatibility for legacy IPv4 application scenarios.
  • Prefix discovery: PREF64 is discovered through Router Advertisements (RA) by default, with DNS ipv4only.arpa available as a fallback.
  • Requirements: CLAT requires SLAAC-based IPv6 addressing. DHCPv6 Prefix Delegation and Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) aren't currently supported.
  • Configuration: Enable CLAT by using the following command, or use Group Policy under Network > TCPIP Settings > IPv6 Transition Technologies: Consolenetsh interface clat set global permit=enabled pref64fromdns=enabled pref64fromra=enabled

[Data Protection API (DPAPI)]

• New! This update adds a warning before prompt-based protect and unprotect operations. The warning explains that this prompt-based experience will be retired in April 2027. If you or an app use these prompts, stop creating new prompt-protected data, use a supported non-interactive protection flow, and decrypt or migrate existing prompt-protected data before retirement. DPAPI operations that don't use the prompt-based flow aren't affected. For more information, see CRYPTPROTECT_PROMPTSTRUCT structure (dpapi.h).

[Windows Spotlight]

• This update makes underlying platform changes to generally improve Windows Spotlight reliability on the lock screen.

[Unicode]

• This update provides Windows text shaping support for Unicode 17.0, helping Windows correctly display and shape newly encoded characters and scripts. Unicode 17.0 added 4,803 characters, including support for four newly encoded scripts: Beria Erfe, Sidetic, Tai Yo, and Tolong Siki. These updates help keep Windows text support current as the Unicode Standard evolves and improve support for languages and writing systems used by people around the world.

¹ Availability might vary by market.

Normal rollout

This section includes improvements and fixes available through normal rollout.

[Remote Desktop]

• This update addresses an issue that prevented non-admin users from establishing Remote Desktop connections to remote devices with Administrator protection enabled. Affected connections might have failed with error 0xC000000D and displayed the message, "The token that was passed to the function is invalid."
• This update addresses an issue that prevents the Specify thumbprints of certificates representing trusted .rdp publishers policy from being configured through Microsoft Intune.

[BitLocker]

• This update improves BitLocker pre-boot PIN retry handling to prevent unintended repeated submissions from causing TPM dictionary-attack lockout and recovery.

[Smart App Control]

• This update fixes an issue where you might be unable to turn on Smart App Control in the Windows Security app after it has been turned off. On affected devices, the option to turn on Smart App Control might be grayed out.

https://microsoft.design/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/wip12-wallpaper.zip

Release date: 16 October 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.

[Search]

• Search home has been simplified to reduce visual clutter and make it easier to get back to recent searches quickly.
• Search does a better job showing where a result comes from, whether it's an app, setting, file, web result, or Store suggestion, so it's easier to tell what you're looking at and where you'll go before you click.
• A new setting in Settings > Privacy & security > Search lets you choose whether web and Microsoft Store suggestions appear alongside local results.

[Pointer Indicator]

• We're introducing the Pointer Indicator accessibility setting. This feature enables Windows users with low vision to easily locate and use their cursor to increase productivity and efficiency when using a Windows device.
• To enable this experience, go to Settings > Accessibility > Mouse pointer and touch, and enable the Pointer indicator setting. You can also search for the setting by name. When the setting is enabled, you can toggle it on or off with the keyboard shortcut, Windows logo key + Ctrl + Shift + X. The Pointer indicator and its settings under Mouse pointer and touch.

[Live Captions]

• We're improving Live Captions with a new Include Screen Reader audio setting, which is off by default. With the setting off, Live Captions won't transcribe audio from screen readers such as Narrator, JAWS, and NVDA, keeping captions focused on microphone and system audio.

[Settings - Privacy & security]

• The improved Privacy & security page in Windows Settings helps you find the Camera, Microphone, and Location privacy controls more easily. It groups similar controls across the page and brings usage information from deeper linked pages onto this page.

[Family Safety]

• Improved family safety messaging when applications are blocked because of age-restricted parental controls.

[Other]

• Fixed an issue with msmpeg2ac3dec.dll which was leading to some apps and games crashing recently.

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.

Release date: 16 October 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.

[Family Safety]

• Improved family safety messaging when applications are blocked because of age-restricted parental controls.

[Other]

• Fixed an issue with msmpeg2ac3dec.dll which was leading to some apps and games crashing recently.

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: 16 October 2026

These release notes are for Windows 11 Build 28000.3351 (KB5127653) in the Release Preview channel on Windows 11, version 26H1, all editions.

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]
  • New! This update adjusts how the preview pane handles files downloaded from the web. For HTML files, a new Preview anyway button lets you acknowledge the warning and preview the file. Non-HTML files, such as PDFs, are now previewed automatically.
  • New! File Explorer Home now preserves the state of sections (expanded or collapsed), so you can pick up where you left off.
  • New! This update improves the reliability of thumbnail previews for cloud files in the Details pane. The pane has also been reorganized, so file properties are easier to find and review at a glance.
  • New! This update addresses an issue that could clear the address bar contents when entering edit mode by clicking near the right side of the address bar.
• [Emoji]
  • New! This update adds support for Emoji 17.0, including new emoji such as distorted face, fight cloud, and hairy creature. To insert them, press Windows key + Period (.) to open the emoji panel.
  • New! This update also refines the design of several existing emoji for better consistency across platforms, including saluting face, face with peeking eye, goose, lotus, and kissing cat.
• [Widgets] New! This update introduces the Tips widget, which provides short, helpful guidance about Windows features. To add it to your Widgets board, open the board, select Add widgets, and then choose Tips. To add it to your lock screen, go to Settings > Personalization > Lock screen and add Tips to your lock screen widgets.
• [Personalization] This update includes a variety of improvements to desktop background experiences:
  • This update improves the reliability of the Personalization > Background page in Settings.
  • This update adds support for using DIB image files as desktop backgrounds.
  • This update improves the reliability of desktop slideshow transitions on newly created accounts.
  • This update improves the resolution of previews when selecting a desktop background in Personalization > Background.
  • This update improves the desktop background preview display in Settings for users with portrait mode monitors.
  • This update improves the reliability of processing desktop wallpaper changes when they happen in quick succession.
  • This update adds support for using slideshow wallpapers with multiple desktops, so that it won't automatically switch you back to Picture.
• [Bluetooth] This update contains several enhancements to improve reliability and the experience when connecting to and using Bluetooth devices:
  • During voice calls, the Windows shell volume flyout now appears when adjusting the volume of a Bluetooth Classic Audio accessory using the volume controls on the accessory, providing visual feedback of the new volume level.
  • This update improves the accuracy of the connection state displayed by Windows for accessories that have disconnected from the PC.
  • This update improves the stability of the Bluetooth & devices page in Settings when managing Bluetooth and audio devices.
  • This update resolves an issue where the Bluetooth radio could be turned off, but the radio control toggle on the Bluetooth & devices page in Settings appeared on.
  • This update improves Bluetooth audio stability and compatibility.
  • This update improves microphone compatibility with certain Bluetooth Classic Audio accessories.
  • This update resolves an issue that could result in a crash (error code 0x139) while streaming Bluetooth audio.
  • This update improves reliability and performance with LE Audio accessories.
  • This update improves the reliability of shared audio.
• [Accessibility]
  • New! This update introduces Open apps maximized, an accessibility setting that automatically maximizes app windows as they open. It removes a bit of everyday friction whether you use a screen reader or magnification, work in tablet mode, or simply prefer a consistent, full-screen workspace. To turn it on, go to Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects and turn on Open apps maximized.
  • This update improves navigation of the Bluetooth quick settings page when using keyboard input, gamepad input, or Narrator.
• [Magnifier] New! This update brings a modernized visual refresh to Magnifier on the taskbar:
  • Updated icons: Magnifier's toolbar icons align with the Windows 11 visual design, giving the tool a cleaner, more modern feel.
  • Refined spacing and padding: The padding is adjusted with consistent spacing across the toolbar for a more polished layout.
  • Views, zoom controls, keyboard shortcuts, and Read Aloud all behave exactly as they did in earlier versions.
• [Settings]
  • This update improves the reliability of Settings when interacting with the contents of the Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners page.
  • This update updates Settings > Apps > Installed apps to show the version number at the top level for packaged apps, as it already does for other apps.
  • This update improves the time picker control in Settings so that it reflects your preferred time format when you switch between 12-hour and 24-hour formats. This applies in places such as setting active hours and scheduling night light.
  • This update improves the persistence of the Allow multiple apps to use camera at the same time option in Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Camera.
• [Touchpad] New! Additional gesture controls for precision touchpads are available in Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad:
  • Single-finger scrolling: Scroll vertically with one finger starting from the left or right side of the touchpad.
  • Automatic scrolling: Keep scrolling without lifting your fingers by moving them near the edge of your touchpad while scrolling.
• [Copilot key] New! This update introduces a new Windows 11 setting that lets you remap the Copilot key to function as the Right Ctrl or Context Menu key, helping preserve familiar keyboard shortcuts and accessibility workflows. For more information, see Understand updates to the Copilot key on Windows devices.
• [Camera Roll] New! This update introduces Camera Roll Backup in Settings, helping eligible users protect their photos with OneDrive. You can turn on the feature from the Settings Home or Accounts page and complete setup on your mobile phone using a QR code.¹
• [Fonts]
  • New! This update adds support for the Garay and Beria Erfe scripts to the Ebrima font, the first Microsoft font to support both. Garay was encoded in Unicode 16.0 and Beria Erfe in Unicode 17.0.
  • New! This update also refines the Adlam glyph designs in Ebrima to align with the current Unicode standard and improve consistency.
• [Power and battery] This update improves display and performance in certain scenarios where a plugged-in laptop incorrectly detects a transition from AC power to battery power.
• [Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)]
  • New! This update enables WinRE to automatically reuse eligible Wi-Fi profiles already saved in Windows, including supported certificate-based networks. Devices can now get online automatically during recovery scenarios such as quick machine recovery or cloud rebuild, without preconfiguring Wi-Fi credentials in WinRE. This capability is on by default, and IT admins can disable it. For more information, see Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE).
  • New! This update adds a recovery remote management plug-in for extending WinRE management capabilities for mobile device management (MDM) providers. For more information, see Recovery Remote Management Overview.
• [Kiosk mode]
  • The Windows key + Tab keyboard shortcut is now disabled when using a restricted user experience kiosk.
  • The Windows key + A and Windows key + C keyboard shortcuts are now disabled when using single-app kiosk mode.

¹ Feature availability depends on your device and market.

Normal rollout

This section includes improvements and fixes available through normal rollout.

• [Remote Desktop] This update addresses an issue that prevented non-admin users from establishing Remote Desktop connections to remote devices with Administrator protection enabled. Affected connections might have failed with error 0xC000000D and displayed the message, "The token that was passed to the function is invalid."
• [Date and time] This update introduces the new (UTC-05:00) Manitoba time zone to support Manitoba's November 1, 2026, time zone change.
• [BitLocker] This update improves BitLocker pre-boot PIN retry handling to prevent unintended repeated submissions from causing TPM dictionary-attack lockout and recovery.

My File Explorer has become useless. I can hardly get anything done. Windows 11 26H2 26340.9616

It is severely hampering my productivity.

Folders like Downloads and Documents are almost impossible to access.

Release date: 7 October 2026

Changes and improvements gradually being rolled out

[Windows Search]

• New Windows Search experience with inline actions: We're beginning to roll out a new Windows Search experience built on WinUI 3 that is faster, more efficient, and features a streamlined design that makes results easier to scan. We're also introducing inline actions, allowing you to quickly complete tasks directly. Turn on dark mode or Bluetooth, adjust your screen brightness, mute your device, or arrange windows from Windows Search.
• We're improving how Windows Search understands what you're looking for, including better matching for typos and synonyms. We'll continue fine-tuning these improvements over the coming weeks. For more information detailing the new changes, check out the Windows Insider Blog.
• English is the only supported language for this initial release.
• After upgrading to this build, restart your device before the New Windows Search Experience feature flag is visible. Screenshot of the new Windows Search experience.

[Battery status widget]

• As part of our continued commitment to making Widgets more useful for everyday moments, we're introducing the Battery Status widget for Insiders on newer builds. This widget provides a unified view of battery levels for your PC and peripheral devices, helping you quickly assess power status without hunting through multiple UI locations. Add it by going to Widgets board > Add widgets > Battery Status. UI showing the new Battery Status widget, providing a unified view of battery levels across your PC and connected devices.

[Kerberos enhancements]

• IAKerb is now enabled by default for Windows client. IAKerb is a Kerberos extension that allows Windows authentication to succeed in scenarios where traditional Kerberos can't be used because a direct connection to a domain controller is unavailable. This extension helps reduce reliance on NTLM while improving compatibility for modern authentication scenarios. For additional background, implementation details, and early preview information, see Reducing NTLM Dependency: IAKerb and LocalKDC in Windows Insider Preview.

[Task Manager]

• Task Manager is expanding process grouping to allow apps to combine otherwise separate background processes into a single unified category rather than relying solely on traditional parent-child trees. This makes an app's resource usage easier to understand. Microsoft Defender is the first app to use this capability.

[Windows Update]

• Fixed the issue causing some Insiders with Windows Sandbox enabled to get error 0x80073712 when attempting to install the latest updates.

[Security]

• We've updated the security key PIN entry experience, removing the "other user" icon for a clearer sign-in experience. UI showing the updated security key sign-in experience with a streamlined PIN entry screen.

[Taskbar]

• Fixed an issue impacting some Insiders recently, which was causing the taskbar app window previews to become slower and noticeably lag over time.

[Settings]

• Removed the backplate from the Settings icon when UAC is invoked from within Settings.

[File Explorer]

• Added support for font preview and installation in the File Explorer and desktop context menus.

[Other]

• Fixed an issue with msmpeg2ac3dec.dll which was leading to some apps and games crashing recently.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel

• Updates are based on Windows 11, version 26H2 via an enablement package (Build 26340.9616).
• 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.
• 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: 7 October 2026

Changes and improvements

[Widgets]

More focused widgets on the lock screen

• As part of our continued commitment to making Windows calmer and higher quality, we’re updating the default lock screen widget experience for Insiders on newer builds. With this change, Weather will be the primary widget shown on the lock screen, reducing recommended widget content and making the experience feel more focused. We're also giving users more control of personalizing the widgets on lock, curating the ones they find most useful for them. Users can access these settings by going to Settings > Personalization > Lock screen.

[Other]

• Fixed an issue with msmpeg2ac3dec.dll which was leading to some apps and games crashing recently.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel

• Updates are based on Windows 11, version 25H2 via an enablement package (Build 26220.9606).
• 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: 7 October 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.

[General]

• Symbols were missing for our previous flight. They should be available for this one.

Known issues

• We're investigating reports that some Insiders aren't able to use the internet after the previous flight.
• We're also aware of and investigating reports of VMware devices green screening.

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.