Build 28000.2597 for Windows 11 26H1 drops as the August 2026 update (preview)

Windows 11 build 28000.2597 for 26H1 adds new features, improvements, and reliability fixes across the operating system.
The update improves Widgets, Windows Update controls, File Explorer performance, accessibility, Bluetooth, networking, and system stability.
Windows 11 gains new customization options, including touchpad controls, improved power settings, account updates, and AI component management.

Microsoft has made Windows 11 build 28000.2597 available as part of the August 2026 update for devices running version 26H1. This update introduces new features and changes already available on Windows 11 25H2.

According to the changelog, build 28000.2597 for Windows 11 is packed with a large collection of new features, improvements, and fixes. The update focuses on improving system reliability, modernizing built-in experiences, enhancing accessibility, improving File Explorer performance, and refining several core components.

The release is divided into two phases. Some features are being delivered gradually through a controlled rollout, meaning they may not appear immediately on every compatible device. Other improvements are included as part of the normal rollout and become broadly available after installing the update.

If you want to keep up with every Windows release, including Insider Preview builds and cumulative updates, the Windows Build Tracker has the full timeline.

It’s worth noting that Windows 11 26H1 is not a version for current devices. Microsoft has explicitly stated that version 26H1 is not an upgrade path for Windows 11 25H2 or earlier releases.

According to the company’s newly published Microsoft Health Dashboard page, version 26H1 is a hardware-optimized release designed to enable next-generation silicon developed in partnership with device manufacturers and silicon partners. This release will be available exclusively as a preinstalled experience on select new devices beginning in early 2026, with capabilities tailored specifically for those platforms.

Microsoft is referring to the new ARM64 PCs, starting with devices powered by the Snapdragon X2 Plus, Elite, and Extreme processors. If you own a computer running on Intel or AMD hardware, Windows 11 26H1 will never be offered to your system.

What’s new on Windows 11 26H1 build 28000.2597
Windows 11 August 2026 Patch Tuesday – Manual installation process
Windows 11 August 2026 Patch Tuesday – Update history

Important: Usually, Microsoft doesn’t release new features immediately. When a feature is announced as part of an update, it usually signals the start of a gradual rollout using the Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR) technology. Availability can vary based on region, hardware, and software configuration. For instance, some features take longer to reach users in Europe due to regulatory requirements.

What’s new on Windows 11 26H1 build 28000.2597

Microsoft is gradually rolling out new features and improvements with Windows 11 build 28000.2597 for version 26H1. Since these changes are part of a controlled rollout, availability may vary depending on the device configuration.

Windows Update adds a calendar-based pause experience

Windows 11 is introducing a new calendar-based experience for managing update pauses through Settings > Windows Update.

The new option allows users to select a specific end date when pausing updates instead of relying only on predefined pause periods. Users can pause updates for up to 35 days and extend the pause period by selecting a different end date when needed.

The change gives users more flexibility in controlling update schedules and makes it easier to delay updates when installing or restarting the PC may not be convenient.

Widgets become quieter and more focused

Microsoft is updating the Widgets experience with changes designed to reduce interruptions and provide a more focused dashboard.

In this update, Widgets no longer automatically open when users hover over the Taskbar icon. Microsoft is also reducing notifications and Taskbar badges by default to create a quieter experience.

The first time users open Widgets, the system now opens directly to the dashboard instead of requiring additional interaction. Users can customize the experience by opening Widgets settings from the navigation bar and changing available preferences.

Microsoft is also improving how notifications work inside Widgets. Dashboard icons can now display the number of available alerts, and notification badges automatically clear after users leave the dashboard.

The update also introduces smarter default behavior. Some settings can remain based on how users interact with Widgets, while others adjust automatically to reduce unnecessary interruptions.

The company says the update improves the overall reliability, responsiveness, and visual quality of Widgets.

Accessibility improvements add screen tint and better Magnifier controls

Windows 11 build 28000.2597 introduces new accessibility improvements designed to make the operating system easier to view and provide more precise zoom controls.

A new Screen Tint feature allows users to apply a full-screen color overlay that can help reduce eye strain and improve readability. Users can choose from preset tint options, adjust the intensity level, or configure Windows to enable the feature automatically.

The feature is available under Settings > Accessibility.

Microsoft is also improving Magnifier by allowing users to enter a specific zoom percentage directly and adjust zoom levels using smaller increments.

The Magnifier toolbar now includes controls for changing zoom increments, allowing users to customize the experience without opening the main Windows Settings app.

File Explorer improves performance and adds new quick actions

This release includes several improvements for File Explorer focused on performance, responsiveness, and everyday file management.

When users hover over files in File Explorer Home, the system can now display quick actions such as “Open file location” and “Ask Copilot.” Microsoft is also expanding this experience to work and school accounts connected through Microsoft Entra ID.

The update improves File Explorer startup performance, allowing the file manager to launch faster and respond more quickly during normal use.

Microsoft is also improving File Explorer responsiveness when mounting ISO files, helping these operations complete more smoothly.

The address bar receives several compatibility improvements. It now better supports paths containing double backslashes and quotation marks, allowing Windows to handle a wider range of file path formats.

For example, File Explorer can now better process paths such as C:\Users\user and "C:\Users\user".

The company is also improving the reliability of address bar suggestions. The dropdown now closes more consistently after selecting an item.

The update fixes an issue where OneDrive files could appear duplicated in the “Favorites” section on the Home page.

The “Rename” experience also receives several fixes. Windows 11 now prevents a problem where text could repeatedly become selected while renaming items in folder views. The update also fixes cases where changing only the capitalization of a file name was not immediately reflected for locally stored files or cloud-based files.

Bluetooth improvements improve reliability and compatibility

Windows 11 build 28000.2597 includes several Bluetooth improvements designed to provide a more reliable experience when connecting and using wireless accessories.

The update improves microphone mute synchronization between the audio mixer and Bluetooth Hands-Free Profile (HFP) devices. This helps ensure that headphones and headsets with physical mute buttons or indicators maintain a consistent mute state between the device and Windows 11.

Microsoft is also improving compatibility with specific Bluetooth audio accessories. AirPods should appear faster when entering pairing mode, while microphone reliability is improved for Beats Studio Pro headphones.

Bluetooth audio stability is improved in several scenarios. The update improves reliability with certain computer manufacturer drivers and addresses issues that could result in error code 0x9F.

Windows 11 also improves voice call reliability when using Classic Bluetooth devices with the Hands-Free Profile.

For LE Audio accessories, the update reduces the time required for devices to begin playing audio while the microphone is active.

Microsoft is also improving Bluetooth connection recovery. LE Audio devices should reconnect more reliably after disconnecting, switching connections with another device, or restoring a connection after an interruption.

Classic Bluetooth audio devices can now reconnect faster after Windows 11 resumes from hibernation.

The update also improves Bluetooth settings reliability and fixes an issue where Windows could display a “Remove failed” message when users attempted to remove Bluetooth devices after the Bluetooth radio became unavailable or changed after pairing.

Bluetooth and Phone Link improve call audio routing

This flight also improves how phone calls are handled when using a connected smartphone through Phone Link.

When users place an outgoing call from a paired phone, the audio remains on the phone while the call is ringing. The sound only transfers to the computer after the call is answered from the computer.

Microsoft is also changing incoming call behavior when “Do Not Disturb” is enabled. When notifications are muted, incoming call audio from a paired phone will no longer play through the PC.

Voice access and voice typing expand language support

Microsoft is expanding voice access and voice typing support with additional languages, including French, German, and Spanish.

The updated dictation experience improves real-time text processing by correcting grammar, punctuation, and recognition errors while users speak.

Windows 11 can also improve clarity when background noise affects recognition, helping users create more accurate text and reducing the need for manual corrections after dictation.

Audio reliability improvements

Windows 11 build 28000.2597 improves the reliability of the built-in HD Audio driver.

The change addresses stability issues with the built-in audio driver and helps provide a more consistent audio experience across supported devices.

Taskbar reliability improvements

Microsoft is improving Start menu reliability when selecting the left edge of the Taskbar while Taskbar icons are configured to appear on the left side.

The update addresses scenarios where opening Start from this location may not work correctly.

Networking improvements improve virtualization and connectivity

Users will also find several networking improvements focused on virtualized environments, VPN compatibility, and connection reliability.

Confidential Virtual Machines (CVMs) now use SR-IOV hardware acceleration by default, improving network throughput and performance in supported virtualization environments.

Microsoft is also fixing a configuration issue affecting nested Hyper-V virtualization networking. The change improves reliable network provisioning when running virtual machines inside other virtualized environments.

The update improves the reliability of the networking stack by reducing bug checks related to Wi-Fi power management.

The company is also improving cellular WWAN connectivity, including support for IPv6 VPN connections. Compatibility with third-party VPN software and SR-IOV configurations on server hardware is improved as well.

In addition, Windows 11 now better preserves network adapter settings and bindings after operating system upgrades.

Printing improvements simplify printer setup

Windows 11 is changing how supported printers are installed by using Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) by default when available.

The change simplifies printer installation and improves reliability by reducing dependency on traditional third-party printer drivers.

Users can control this behavior from Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Default install printers using Windows Ready Print.

The update is part of Microsoft’s broader transition toward modern printer management and improved driver selection.

Windows Subsystem for Linux improves VPN support

Microsoft is improving the Windows Subsystem for Linux experience when using mirrored networking mode with VPN connections.

The update improves compatibility and reliability for users running Linux environments alongside VPN software on Windows.

Display and graphics improvements

Build 28000.2597 includes improvements for multi-monitor and color management scenarios.

Microsoft is improving rendering reliability when scrolling through content in certain applications that span multiple monitors.

The update also improves the reliability and persistence of applying color profiles, helping ensure display calibration settings remain consistent.

Location settings become clearer

Microsoft is changing how some location options are displayed in Windows Settings to make their behavior easier to understand.

When location services are disabled under Settings > Privacy & Security > Location, options such as “Default location” and “Allow location override” are now grayed out.

Search reliability improvements

Windows 11 build 28000.2597 improves the reliability of Search-related Group Policy settings.

The update helps ensure administrators can more consistently manage Windows Search behavior in managed environments.

Touchpad gets right-click zone customization

Microsoft is adding a new touchpad customization option that allows users to adjust the size of the right-click area.

The setting is available under Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad.

Users can choose between “Default,” “Small,” “Medium,” or “Large” to control how much of the bottom-right corner of the touchpad responds to a single-finger right-click.

The option is available only on touchpads with a pressable surface. If a manufacturer provides additional customization through its own software, the operating system displays a “Custom” option that reflects those settings.

The update also improves recognition of English characters when using Japanese handwriting input.

General performance and reliability improvements

Windows 11 build 28000.2597 improves shutdown performance by reducing the time required for the Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) to stop when turning off the computer.

Microsoft is improving reliability across several Windows components, including explorer.exe.

The update improves explorer.exe stability when switching between desktops, launching applications that use shell extensions, and using acrylic blur effects across the Start menu, Settings, and lock screen.

Windows sign-in and lock screen reliability is also improved, including scenarios involving third-party credential providers.

Microsoft is addressing an issue where Taskbar icons could appear as blank gray placeholders.

The update improves navigation to File Explorer Home while OneDrive synchronization is active and improves shell reliability across multiple desktop and file management scenarios.

Application compatibility improvements

Build 28000.2597 for Windows 11 also resolves an issue where some installers and applications could unexpectedly display User Account Control (UAC) elevation prompts after installing update KB5089549.

The fix improves application installation behavior and reduces unnecessary administrator prompts.

Remote Desktop receives a refreshed design

Microsoft is updating the Remote Desktop settings experience in Windows 11.

The dialog used to enable Remote Desktop under Settings > System > Remote Desktop now features a refreshed design that better matches the current Windows interface.

Graphics Kernel improves support for local AI models

Windows 11 is improving Graphics Kernel memory management policies to support larger local AI models on computers with more than 32GB of installed memory.

The change helps compatible systems better handle advanced AI workloads running directly on the device.

Changes arriving immediately

Windows 11 build 28000.2597 also includes additional improvements that are available through the normal rollout process. These changes focus on Start menu behavior, security, account management, power settings, Windows Update, printing, battery controls, and overall system reliability.

Start menu improvements

Microsoft is improving the reliability of Start menu view preferences.

After installing this update, the operating system is better at remembering the Start menu view selected by users and keeping those preferences consistent.

The update also improves keyboard navigation when focus is placed on the apps list inside Start.

Voice typing changes

Windows 11 now changes the default behavior of Fluid dictation for new users.

The feature is now disabled by default when creating a new user profile. Microsoft is also adding a teaching tip that appears the first time users access the feature, helping explain how voice typing works before enabling it.

Magnifier improves the touch experience

Microsoft is improving the Magnifier experience on touch-enabled Windows 11 devices.

The horizontal and vertical touch bars used to pan around the magnified view are now disabled by default. This prevents the controls from covering parts of the enlarged content.

Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security expands fingerprint support

This build expands Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS) support by adding compatibility with external fingerprint sensors.

Previously, ESS fingerprint authentication was mainly available on devices with built-in fingerprint readers. In this update, supported external ESS fingerprint readers can be used on additional Windows 11 devices, including desktop computers and Copilot+ PCs.

To configure the feature, users can connect a supported ESS fingerprint reader and open Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and complete the fingerprint enrollment process.

Font improvements

Microsoft is improving font compatibility and rendering on Windows 11.

The update restores support for Unicode variation sequences in the Myanmar Text font, improving character display for supported languages.

It also improves character shaping and rendering for the Mongolian Baiti font, providing more accurate and consistent text output.

Account Control receives a refreshed design

Windows 11 is updating the Account Control experience available from the Start menu.

For users signed in with a Microsoft account, the refreshed design adds a subscription status badge that provides additional account information directly from the account menu.

The change provides a more modern account management experience without requiring users to open separate account pages.

Taskbar system tray reliability improvements

Microsoft is improving the reliability of loading the system tray area of the Taskbar.

The update addresses situations where system tray icons and related controls may not load correctly, improving consistency during startup and normal use.

AI components can now be removed from Copilot+ PCs

The operating system now introduces an option that allows users to remove the Image Generation AI component from supported Copilot+ PCs where the component is installed.

The change gives users more control over optional AI functionality.

Windows Setup adds parental controls information

Microsoft is adding a parental controls notice during Windows setup.

The new message highlights available family safety features and helps users discover tools designed to manage family accounts, screen time, and device usage.

Power settings become more consistent

Windows 11 is improving how power settings are stored and applied across the operating system.

Changes made from Settings for display timeout, sleep timers, hibernate settings, power button behavior, sleep button actions, and laptop lid-close actions are now applied across all power plans.

Previously, some settings could apply only to the active power plan, which could cause preferences to change after switching between plans.

The update improves reliability by ensuring selected power preferences remain consistent.

Windows Update improvements

Microsoft is improving Windows Update with changes focused on progress reporting and system cleanup.

The update improves how the operating system calculates update progress in Windows Update Settings, providing a more accurate indication of installation status.

Microsoft is also improving update cleanup logic to help improve system performance after installing updates.

Dark mode sound improvements

Windows 11 build 28000.2597 improves system sounds when using dark mode.

The update provides a more consistent audio experience when Windows is configured with the dark theme.

Date and time improvements

Microsoft is improving how the operating system detects situations that require time zone change notifications.

The update helps ensure users receive time zone prompts more reliably when the system detects changes.

Network reliability improvements

Windows 11 receives improvements for DHCP reliability. The update addresses several scenarios where DHCP renewals could fail, including situations involving DHCP negative acknowledgments (NACKs) from servers and devices using Modern Standby.

The change improves network reliability during connection renewal scenarios.

Printing performance improvements

Microsoft is also improving print performance for Internet Printing Protocol Secure (IPPS) printers.

The update improves page-per-minute performance, allowing supported printers to complete print jobs more efficiently.

Clipboard improvements for remote environments

Windows 11 build 28000.2597 improves clipboard reliability in some Remote Desktop and Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) scenarios.

The update helps ensure copy and paste operations work more consistently when users access remote systems.

Battery settings restore Energy Saver threshold control

Microsoft is restoring the ability to configure the battery percentage threshold that determines when Energy Saver automatically activates.

Users can manage this setting from Settings > System > Power & battery.

General reliability improvements

The update includes additional reliability improvements across Windows 11.

Microsoft is improving explorer.exe reliability when opening jump lists and recent files, sharing files and folders, and using Task View and multiple desktops.

Windows sign-in and lock screen reliability is improved, especially in situations where system memory is low.

The update also improves the reliability of Start menu and Taskbar startup behavior, helping these experiences load more consistently when the operating system starts.

Windows 11 August 2026 Patch Tuesday – Manual installation process

Since there’s always a chance of problems during and after applying a quality update, it’s recommended to prepare your computer by creating a restore point and a full backup before proceeding with the installation.

To download and install this Windows 11 update, open the “Windows Update” settings and click the “Check for Updates” button.

If your computer has issues after installing this package, follow these instructions to uninstall the August 2026 update. If you’re unable to uninstall the update, follow these steps to recover your device.

Windows 11 August 2026 Patch Tuesday – Update history

Initial Release – Patch Tuesday (Release Preview):
- Windows 11 26H1 build 28000.2333 release date: July 20, 2026. Official notes.
- Windows 11 26H1 build 28000.2340 release date: TBD. Official notes.
Final Release – Patch Tuesday (General Availability):
- Windows 11 26H1 build 28000.2597 release date: TBD. Official notes.