- Windows 11 builds 26300.10066 and 26200.10066 (KB5132057) preview upcoming improvements for versions 26H2 and 25H2 ahead of the expected December 2026 update.
- The update introduces a redesigned Windows Search experience with inline actions, faster results, file previews, and improved recognition of typos and synonyms.
- Other changes include automatic screen brightness adjustment for Windows Hello, a modern Run dialog, faster File Explorer searches, and expanded accessibility features.
Microsoft is rolling out Windows 11 builds 26300.10066 and 26200.10066 (KB5132057) as the first preview in the Release Preview channel to include the new features and changes coming with the “December 2026 Security Update” for versions 26H2 and 25H2. This is expected to be the last update of 2026 and brings a wave of fixes and Windows K2 improvements. The update is expected to leave preview on December 8, 2026, during Patch Tuesday around 1PM ET.
According to the official changelog, the preview update (KB5132057) for 26300.10066 and 26200.10066 released on November 13, 2026, introduces a redesigned Windows Search experience with faster results, inline actions, and richer previews, along with improvements to Windows Hello facial recognition, the Run dialog, File Explorer search, and accessibility features.
Other changes include Quick Settings integration in XBOX mode, notifications for newly available widgets, a new Pointer indicator, additional Magnifier controls, expanded Narrator language support, and passwordless web sign-in support for Microsoft Entra hybrid-joined devices. The update also improves voice typing reliability and fixes issues affecting RemoteApp and TPM initialization on certain ARM-based systems.
The normal rollout includes fixes for Miracast display resolution, Microsoft 365 subscription upgrade notifications, incorrect shutdown warnings, Sage 50 Accounting crashes, and cross-device passkey authentication on Android devices.
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.
- What’s new on Windows 11 26H2 and 25H2 update KB5132057
- What’s new on Windows 11 23H2 update (TBD)
- Windows 11 December 2026 Patch Tuesday – Manual installation process
- Windows 11 December 2026 Patch Tuesday – Update history
- Pureinfotech’s Take
What’s new on Windows 11 26H2 and 25H2 update KB5132057
Microsoft is currently rolling out these improvements and fixes as part of the December 2026 Security Update for Windows 11 26H2 and version 25H2.
Redesigned Windows Search
Windows 11 introduces a redesigned Windows Search experience with a simpler results list, better performance, and improved memory efficiency. You can now perform common tasks directly from search, including turning on dark mode or Bluetooth, adjusting screen brightness, muting your device, and arranging open windows.
Search results also let you preview files and see details such as their modification date, storage location, and creator. You can also get quick answers about weather, stocks, and general facts without opening another app.
Improved recognition of typos and synonyms also makes it easier to find what you need, even when your search terms aren’t exact. The new experience is initially available in English.
Windows Hello gets automatic screen brightness adjustment
Windows Hello can now temporarily increase screen brightness during facial recognition, making it easier to sign in when you’re in a dark or dimly lit room.
To enable this feature, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Facial recognition (Windows Hello) and turn on Automatically adjust screen brightness during face recognition.
Run dialog gets a modern design
The Run dialog receives a redesigned interface with a more modern look and improved usability.
You can try the new experience by going to Settings > System > Advanced and turning on New Run dialog.
Quick Settings comes to XBOX mode
When using XBOX mode, you can now access Quick Settings directly from the Gaming Task View navigation bar.
This gives you access to the full set of Quick Settings available on the Taskbar without having to leave the gaming experience.
Widgets get new availability notifications
Windows can now notify you when an installed app adds a new widget. Selecting the notification opens the Widgets dashboard and highlights the new widget, making it easier to find and add it to your board.
File Explorer gets faster search on This PC
Searching from “This PC” in File Explorer now uses the Windows 11 search indexer, making results much faster and bringing the experience in line with searches from File Explorer Home.
Settings makes Microsoft account benefits easier to find
The Settings app now makes it easier to discover the benefits and services available through your Microsoft account, helping you find the features and services associated with your account.
Screen capture gets a red border
The screen capture experience now uses a red border instead of yellow to indicate when a capture session is active, making it easier to recognize when a capture is in progress.
Pointer indicator improves mouse accessibility
A new Pointer indicator helps people with low vision locate and follow the mouse pointer more easily.
To enable it, open Settings > Accessibility > Mouse pointer and touch and turn on “Pointer indicator.” You can then use the “Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + X” keyboard shortcut to turn the indicator on or off.
Microsoft is also improving mouse pointer performance during screen captures, reducing visible cursor latency in scenarios such as game streaming.
Magnifier gets new keyboard shortcut controls
A new “Keyboard shortcut for Magnifier” toggle under Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier lets you decide whether using the “Windows key + Plus (+)” shortcut starts Magnifier. The option is enabled by default.
Magnifier adds a help menu
Magnifier now includes a help menu that makes it easier to discover its key features and find relevant support resources.
You can also open Feedback Hub directly from Magnifier to share feedback.
Narrator expands math reading language support
Narrator can now read mathematical content in eight additional languages, including Greek, Hungarian, Indonesian, Norwegian (Bokmål), Polish, Russian, Swedish, and Vietnamese.
Keyboard accessibility shortcuts get an easier way to cancel
If you accidentally trigger Sticky Keys, Filter Keys, or Toggle Keys using their keyboard shortcuts, you can now turn off the feature directly from the notification prompt.
You can still manage notifications and sounds for these accessibility features under Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard > Notification preferences.
Voice typing gets reliability improvements
Microsoft is improving the reliability of configuring voice typing settings, making it easier to adjust the feature.
Web sign-in expands to hybrid joined devices
Web sign-in now supports Microsoft Entra hybrid joined devices, in addition to Microsoft Entra joined devices. At the lock screen, users can sign in without a password using a FIDO2 security key, a passkey on their phone, or a Temporary Access Pass (TAP). After authentication, the system obtains a Kerberos ticket, allowing users to continue accessing on-premises file shares and internal websites.
Other fixes
This update also addresses several issues across Windows 11, including the following:
- RemoteApp: Fixed an issue that could add an extra character at the beginning of Japanese text entered in RemoteApp applications.
- TPM: Fixed a problem that could cause boot failures or TPM initialization errors on Arm-based systems using a TPM 2.0 Command Response Buffer (CRB) interface.
- Display: Fixed an issue that could cause Miracast connections to use a lower resolution with certain wireless display receivers.
- Settings: Fixed a problem that could leave the Microsoft 365 subscription upgrade option visible after a successful upgrade, resulting in an error when selected again.
- Power: Fixed an issue that could incorrectly display the “Someone else is using this PC” warning when no other user was signed in.
- Apps: Addressed an issue that could cause Sage 50 Accounting to close unexpectedly when selecting certain application options.
- Passkeys: Fixed an issue that caused cross-device passkey authentication on Android devices to display a “Something went wrong” error.
What’s new on Windows 11 23H2 update (TBD)
The company has also released security fixes and improvements for Windows 11 23H2:
- TBD
This version of the operating system won’t receive any new features, as it has reached end of support.
Windows 11 December 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, enroll the device in the Release Preview channel on the Windows Insider Program page, and click the “Check for Updates” button on the main update settings page.
If your computer has issues after installing this package, follow these instructions to uninstall the December 2026 update. If you can’t uninstall the update, follow these steps to recover your device.
Why the November preview becomes the December update
Microsoft develops Windows updates in stages, which can make release dates and naming confusing. Changes for a monthly update typically appear in the Release Preview channel the month before the update’s final release. Microsoft then releases the changes as an optional, non-security update in the Stable Channel, usually near the end of that month, before including them in the following month’s Patch Tuesday update.
For example, the changes previewed in November 2026 are intended for the December 2026 update. Microsoft first tests them in the Release Preview channel, then makes them available as an optional update in the Stable Channel, and finally includes them in the December 8 Patch Tuesday update. The final release can also include additional fixes and security updates.
In other words, the month a feature appears in a preview does not necessarily match the month of its final release. The November preview is an early look at changes intended for the December update.
Windows 11 December 2026 Patch Tuesday – Update history
- Initial Release – Release Preview Channel:
- Windows 11 26H2 build 26300.10066 release date: November 13, 2026. Official notes.
- Windows 11 25H2 build 26200.10066 release date: November 13, 2026. (same).
- Second Release – Optional Install (Stable Channel):
- Windows 11 26H2 build 26300.xxxx release date: November xx, 2026. Official notes.
- Windows 11 25H2 build 26200.xxxx release date: November xx, 2026. (same).
- Final Release – Patch Tuesday (Stable Channel):
- Windows 11 26H2 build 26300.xxxx release date: December 8, 2026. Official notes.
- Windows 11 25H2 build 26200.xxxx release date: December 8, 2026. (Same).
- Windows 11 23H2 build 22631.xxxx release date: December 8, 2026. Official notes.
Pureinfotech’s Take
I think the redesigned Search experience is the headline feature in this preview, but the other changes make the December update more interesting than a typical collection of fixes. The improved Windows Hello experience, new Run dialog, Magnifier enhancements, and File Explorer search improvements address everyday tasks that can make Windows 11 easier to use.
Which Windows 11 improvement are you most interested in trying?
Voting closes: December 11, 2026 1:00 pm
I also like that Microsoft is continuing to improve accessibility and reduce friction across the operating system. Not every change will affect every user, and some features are still rolling out, but this preview shows that the company is working on more than visual updates.
I’m particularly interested in seeing how the new Search experience performs once it reaches more devices.
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].
