Microsoft rolls out optional Windows 11 preview update

Microsoft has made the KB5101684 optional preview cumulative update available for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2, adding 42 bug fixes and a set of new features that will preview changes slated for the August Patch Tuesday release.

What the update includes

The preview raises 24H2 systems to build 26100.8973 and 25H2 systems to build 26200.8973. It is not a security update, so it will not install automatically unless users have opted‑in to receive the latest‑updates option.

Among the immediate fixes, File Explorer now correctly handles files on DFS‑mapped drives that were flagged as internet‑originated after a device reconnects to a network. The change prevents the Preview Pane from warning that a file could harm the computer and stops an unexpected Mark of the Web from being applied.

Mobile device management receives a fix for newly provisioned or recovered Windows devices released on or after July 14, 2026 (KB5101650). After enrollment in a service like Microsoft Intune, affected devices could stay in a non‑compliant state and be blocked from corporate resources.

It also resolves a false “invalid credentials” error that could stop File History automatic backups to SMB network shares.

Additional stability improvements target Secure Boot device data, Office applications running in virtualized environments.

New capabilities that roll out gradually

Voice Access gains three new modes under its settings. Voice Isolation filters out other speakers and background noise after a one‑time voice setup. A second mode removes background noise only, while the third leaves the microphone input unchanged. Korean language support is also added for Voice Access.

Windows Hello now extends enhanced sign‑in security to peripheral fingerprint sensors. Users can attach a supported ESS fingerprint reader, enroll it through Settings → Accounts → Sign‑in options, and benefit from the same security level previously limited to built‑in sensors.

For Copilot+ PCs that include the Image Generation AI component, the update allows users to uninstall that feature if they wish.

File Explorer’s Details view now shows file sizes in appropriate units (KB, MB, GB) instead of kilobytes only. Middle‑clicking a folder in the address bar or Home page opens it in a new tab, and a gray flash on load has been removed. Thumbnail quality in the Recommended section has been improved.

Search handling for typos and partial app names is refined, and Settings results are prioritized higher. New precision touchpad gestures let users adjust scroll and zoom speed and enable accelerated scrolling.

Other interface tweaks include taskbar notification badges adopting the Windows accent color, weather becoming the sole default lock‑screen widget for new users, and a redesigned Start menu account control that shows a subscription status badge. Fluid Diction is turned off by default in Voice Typing, and a parental‑controls notice appears during Windows Setup.

Power‑settings reliability has been bolstered by applying display, sleep, hibernate, power button, sleep button, and lid‑close changes across all power plans.

From a practical standpoint, the gradual rollout means that early adopters may see features like Voice Isolation or peripheral fingerprint support before the broader August update reaches them. For IT departments, the immediate fixes to DFS‑mapped drives and MDM compliance could reduce support tickets, while the staged features give them time to test compatibility in their environments.

How to get the preview

Because KB5101684 is optional, users must manually select it unless they have enabled automatic installation of the latest updates. To do so, open Settings, go to Windows Update, and click “Check for Updates.” Under the KB5101684 entry, click “Download and install.” Alternatively, the standalone package can be downloaded from the Microsoft Update Catalog for manual installation.

After the download completes, restart the device when prompted to finish the update to the appropriate build number. Microsoft notes that there are currently no known issues with the preview, and all fixes and features are expected to appear in the August Patch Tuesday cumulative update for all Windows 11 users.