- Windows 11 build 26300.8068 (KB5079464) is now available in the Dev Channel of the Windows Insider Program with a small set of improvements and fixes.
- The update introduces changes to the system debloat policy, expands the ability to rename the user profile folder during setup, updates the point-in-time restore experience, and renames the Drag Tray feature to Drop Tray.
- Microsoft is also rolling out Windows 11 build 26220.8062 (KB5079458) in the Beta Channel with many of the same changes.
Microsoft has released Windows 11 build 26300.8068 as the update KB5079464 for version 26H2 through the Dev Channel of the Windows Insider Program. This preview introduces some new features and a small set of improvements and fixes.
In addition, the company is rolling out Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.8062 (KB5079458) in the Beta Channel, with most of the same features as those available in the Dev Channel.
According to the company, the “Windows 11 Insider Preview Quality Update (26300.8068)” ships with an updated version of the policy to debloat Windows 11, and you can now change the profile folder name from the “Name your device” page during the setup process.
Microsoft is also updating driver policy enforcement, changing the point-in-time feature, and renaming the Drag Tray feature to Drop Tray, and much more.
Although these changes are part of development for version 26H2, the operating system may still report version 25H2 in Settings for now. Microsoft will update the version number closer to the official release.
What’s new on Windows 11 build 26300.8068
These are the new features and improvements rolling out in the Dev Channel:
Debloat feature changes
Microsoft is updating the “Remove Default Microsoft Store packages” policy for the Enterprise and Education editions to include a dynamic app uninstaller list. The change allows network administrators to remove preinstalled MSIX and APPX apps by adding their Package Family Names (PFNs) to a configurable list.
Administrators can access the policy through the Local Group Policy Editor by navigating to:
-
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > App Package Deployment > Remove Default Microsoft Store packages from the system
To remove additional apps, admins can add the corresponding package family names to the “Specify additional package family names to remove” multi-text field within the policy.
Package family names can be retrieved using the Get-AppxPackage command in a terminal. For example, the following command returns the PFN for Notepad:
Get-AppxPackage *Notepad* | Select-Object PackageFamilyName
Currently, the dynamic list capability isn’t available through the related Intune configuration service provider (CSP). Once the feature becomes generally available, administrators will be able to locate the Remove Default Microsoft Store packages setting through the Settings picker in Intune.
There is also a known limitation with OMA-URI. Since OMA-URI cannot validate multi-entry ADMX multi-text policies, administrators must configure and validate the dynamic list through Group Policy or the Settings Catalog in Intune. Since the Intune option isn’t yet available in the Windows Insider Preview, testing must be done using Group Policy for now.
Setup with change profile name option
Microsoft is continuing to expand a change to the setup experience that allows users to choose a custom name for their user profile folder name during installation. The feature first began rolling out to Windows Insiders last fall.
In this update, Microsoft has refined the experience to make the custom naming option easier to use on the “Device Name” page during initial Windows setup.
Windows Driver Policy improvements
The company is updating the driver security policy to further reduce reliance on the legacy cross-signed driver program and strengthen kernel-level protections.
In the past, the Windows kernel allowed third-party drivers from both the now-deprecated cross-signed root program and the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program (WHCP). The WHCP provides significantly stronger security safeguards compared to cross-signed drivers, requiring hardware compatibility testing, publisher identity verification, and malware scanning before drivers are approved.
Starting with this update, the Windows kernel introduces a new enforcement policy that removes the default trust for cross-signed drivers. Using this new approach, third-party drivers that are part of the WHCP program will continue to be trusted by default, while a limited allow list of verified publishers and drivers from the older cross-signing program will remain permitted.
The feature initially runs in audit mode for at least 100 hours and three system reboots. During this period, the operating system evaluates the drivers loaded on the system to determine whether they comply with the new policy. If the drivers are compatible, the system automatically enables enforcement. If not, the system remains in audit mode.
After enforcement begins, a small number of systems may encounter situations where cross-signed drivers are blocked, though Microsoft says this scenario is expected to be uncommon.
Point-in-time restore changes
Microsoft is rolling out updates to the point-in-time restore experience, adding new controls and clearer information for administrators and users.
When launching the restore feature, local administrators will now see a settings dialog after a User Account Control (UAC) prompt. From this interface, admins can review or modify the default restore configuration directly before starting the process.
The updated experience also introduces a list of restore points available on the device, allowing users to quickly see the restore options before proceeding.
The software giant has also improved the messaging within the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) restore workflow. The interface now recommends plugging the device into a power source before starting the restore process to avoid interruptions.
In addition, the operating system version displayed during the restore process now appears in a four-part version format, replacing the previous two-part version number.
Accounts settings changes
Subscribers with a Microsoft 365 Family plan will see an option on the “Accounts” page in the Settings app to upgrade to another Microsoft 365 subscription. If you prefer not to see this prompt, you can disable it by turning off suggested content in Settings.
In addition, the company is also updating the dialog for when changing the account type to match the design language on Windows 11.
Other changes
The company has also released several other improvements for the operating system:
- Drag Tray renamed to Drop Tray: Microsoft has renamed the Drag Tray feature to Drop Tray and moved its settings from Nearby Sharing to Settings > System > Multitasking.
- Pen settings improvements: The Pen settings page now includes refinements to the pen tail button options, including a new “Same as Copilot key” option that allows the button to launch the same app configured for the Copilot key.
- File Explorer change paused: Microsoft has temporarily paused the rollout of recent File Explorer context menu refinements to continue working on additional improvements before reintroducing them in a future update.
- Display language reliability: Improved reliability when setting and using the preferred display language in the operating system.
- System File Checker fix: Removed an unexpected error that could appear when running the
sfc /scannowcommand.
Download Windows 11 update KB5079464
To download and install these Windows 11 builds, enroll your Devices in the Dev or Beta Channels through the “Windows Insider Program” settings from the “Update & Security” section. Once you enroll the computer in the program, you can download the build from the “Windows Update” settings by turning on the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” option and clicking the “Check for Updates” button.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert and founder of Pureinfotech in 2010. With over 22 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.
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