- Windows 11 26H2 is testing three important changes that Microsoft hasn’t highlighted.
- A new option can make apps open maximized regardless of their previous window state.
- New privacy controls let users manage permissions for individual Win32 apps.
- A redesigned AutoPlay dialog gets a modern WinUI interface and returns to the center of the screen.
The next version of Windows 11, 26H2, is expected to be released in the second half of the year, and Microsoft has been publicly testing many new features and improvements. However, the company still hasn’t mentioned some changes already spotted in the latest Windows Insider Program previews.
For example, Microsoft is preparing an interface update for the AutoPlay dialog, a new option to restart apps in full-screen mode, and additional privacy settings in the operating system.
In this guide, I’ll outline some of the changes coming to Windows 11 that the company hasn’t officially introduced.
Restorable apps in maximized mode
In the latest preview of version 26H2, a new option has been discovered that lets the system launch apps in maximized mode by default.
The option, called “Open apps maximized,” has been spotted in the latest Windows 11 26H2 preview under Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects. When enabled, Windows 11 will try to open applications maximized the next time they are launched.
This is different from simply restoring an app to the window size and position it used previously. With the new setting enabled, Windows 11 can force apps to start maximized even if they were previously closed in a smaller window.
The change could be particularly useful for users who prefer working with applications in full-screen desktop layouts and don’t want to manually maximize a window every time they open it.
The option also appears to apply regardless of the window state the application used during the previous session. For example, if you close an app while it is running in a small window and then launch it again with Open apps maximized enabled, Windows 11 will open the app maximized instead.
This feature can be enabled manually using the ViveTool with this command on build 26340.9212:
vivetool /enable /id:62915050
Revoke permissions for traditional apps
Microsoft is also working on new privacy settings that let you manage access to the camera and microphone for Win32 (traditional) apps individually.
In the latest preview for Windows 11 26H2, the “Privacy & security” settings can now show individual permission controls for Win32 apps, allowing users to revoke access without affecting every other desktop application.
The change was spotted in build 26340.9212, an Experimental channel build released to Insiders. The company did not mention the feature in its official release notes, and its availability appears to vary between systems.
Windows 11 already lets you manage app permissions, including access to sensitive resources such as the camera, microphone, location, and voice activation. However, traditional Win32 applications have historically been treated differently from Microsoft Store apps. For example, the current settings can allow or block camera or microphone access for desktop apps as a group rather than letting you control each application individually.
The new implementation changes that behavior by allowing permissions to be managed on an app-by-app basis. That means you could, for example, allow Chrome to access your camera while blocking that same access for another desktop app.
The controls aren’t limited to the camera and microphone, either. Testing has also revealed individual controls for permissions such as Location and Voice activation, suggesting Microsoft could eventually bring the same granular approach to several types of Win32 app permissions.
This feature can be enabled manually using the ViveTool with this command on build 26340.9212:
vivetool /enable /id:60730253
AutoPlay dialog gets a WinUI redesign
Windows 11 is also getting a redesigned AutoPlay dialog that brings the experience closer to the operating system’s modern WinUI interface.
The updated dialog has a cleaner design and, more importantly, changes how the system handles the action you select. Instead of simply choosing what to do when removable media or another device is connected, the dialog now lets you specify whether you want the operating system to perform the selected action every time or only this once.
The dialog is also changing its position on the desktop. Rather than appearing near the top-right corner of the screen, as it does in the current version of Windows 11, the redesigned AutoPlay interface opens in the center of the screen.
Interestingly, this brings the experience closer to how AutoPlay worked in older versions of the operating system, including Windows 7, where the dialog appeared centered on the desktop.
This feature can be enabled manually using the ViveTool with this command on build 26340.9212:
vivetool /enable /id:62141177
Microsoft hasn’t highlighted this AutoPlay redesign in the official Windows 11 26H2 announcements, making it another example of a change discovered during testing rather than one the company has publicly promoted.
Pureinfotech’s Take
I like the direction Microsoft is taking with these changes, mainly because they address some of the smaller frustrations that tend to stick around in the operating system for years. The maximized-app option won’t change how anyone uses Windows 11, but it’s the kind of setting I can see being useful every day once you enable it.
Which hidden Windows 11 26H2 feature do you like most?
Voting closes: August 26, 2026 1:00 pm
The privacy changes are more important to me. I’ve always thought Windows should give users the same level of control over traditional desktop apps that it provides elsewhere. Win32 software still makes up a huge part of the ecosystem, so treating desktop apps as one big permission group has felt increasingly outdated.
I’m also glad to see Microsoft revisiting AutoPlay’s interface instead of simply leaving another legacy experience untouched.
None of these changes alone is a reason to rush into an Insider build. They’re still being tested, and Microsoft could change or remove them before they reach the stable version.
What are your thoughts about these hidden features coming to Windows 11 26H2? Let me know in the comments.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert and founder of Pureinfotech in 2010. With over 23 years as a technology writer and IT Specialist, Mauro specializes in Windows, software, and cross-platform systems such as Linux, Android, and macOS.
Certifications: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), VMware Certified Professional (VCP), and CompTIA A+ and Network+.
Mauro is a recognized Microsoft MVP and has also been a long-time contributor to Windows Central.
You can follow him on YouTube, Threads, BlueSky, X (Twitter), LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].
