Build 26300.8346 for Windows 11 26H2 adds modern Run dialog, quieter Widgets, and more

Windows 11 build 26300.8346 refines everyday features with quieter Widgets, smarter sharing, and key system fixes.

Windows 11 build 26300.8346
Windows 11 build 26300.8346 / Image: Mauro Huculak
  • Windows 11 build 26300.8346 makes Widgets quieter and less distracting by default.
  • File Explorer, Share, and Run dialog receive usability and interface improvements.
  • Accessibility and storage get upgrades with Magnifier controls and Dev Drive GB sizing.
  • Multiple fixes improve reliability across Event Viewer, Task Manager, and Task Scheduler.

Microsoft has released the Windows 11 Insider Preview Quality Update (26300.8346) for version 26H2 via the Experimental experience in the Windows Insider Program. This preview introduces improvements to existing features and a small set of fixes and changes.

In addition, the company is rolling out the Windows 11 Insider Preview Quality Update (26220.8283) to the Beta experience, with some changes and fixes available in the Experimental channel.

According to the company, Windows 11 build 26300.8346 includes changes to make the Widgets feature less distracting, some small tweaks to File Explorer, and improvements to Windows Share for Azure Active Directory (AAD) accounts.

Also, the company is making changes to the Magnifier to offer more control over zoom, and there are improvements to the Storage settings, the Feedback Hub app, and more.

Although these changes are part of development for version 26H2, the operating system will continue to 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 26300.8346

These are the new features and improvements rolling out in the Experimental Channel:

Widgets now quiet by default

Microsoft is dialing back the noise in the Widgets experience to make it feel less intrusive in everyday use.

As part of this preview, Widgets launches in a more controlled and less attention-grabbing state, reducing unexpected alerts and visual interruptions across the desktop.

For example, core behaviors like opening on hover and Taskbar badging are now disabled by default, while alerts remain limited until you actively engage with the experience.

The first launch now opens directly into Widgets, giving you a clear entry point without background distractions. If you prefer a more proactive setup, these behaviors can still be re-enabled from the Widgets settings, keeping the experience flexible while prioritizing focus by default.

File Explorer improvements refine Home experience

Build 26300.8346 introduces a series of targeted fixes to improve the reliability and visual consistency of the File Explorer Home page.

Microsoft has addressed an issue causing a grey flash during load, as well as unexpected scrolling behavior that would jump users back to the top of the page.

The “Favorites” section has also been cleaned up to prevent OneDrive files from appearing duplicated in certain scenarios. In addition, file thumbnails in the “Recommended” section are now sharper, making them easier to preview and identify at a glance.

Run dialog gets a modern refresh

Although the new Run dialog was found in previous preview builds, Microsoft is announcing it now.

Windows 11 new Run dialog
Windows 11 new Run dialog / Image: Mauro Huculak

The modernized Run dialog experience introduces a cleaner interface with updated visuals and improved usability. Microsoft is also adding new controls that let users manage the feature directly in the Settings app, making customization more accessible.

For now, the new Run dialog is being rolled out as an opt-in feature for Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel, where it can be enabled through advanced system settings.

Windows Share expands smarter app suggestions to AAD users

Microsoft is enhancing the Windows Share experience by extending intelligent app suggestions to Azure Active Directory users.

Previously limited to Microsoft account users, this feature now allows AAD users to discover and install relevant apps directly from the ShareSheet without needing to open the Microsoft Store.

The integration keeps the sharing flow uninterrupted while surfacing useful app recommendations exactly when needed. A new setting also gives users control over whether these promotional suggestions appear, ensuring the experience remains both helpful and customizable.

These changes are also available with build 26220.8283 in the Beta channel.

Magnifier gains precise zoom controls

The Magnifier tool is becoming more flexible on build 26300.8346 with new options that give users finer control over zoom levels.

Magnifier new zoom
Magnifier new zoom / Image: Microsoft

You can now enter an exact zoom percentage directly from the toolbar, enabling precise adjustments rather than relying solely on incremental changes. In addition, Microsoft has introduced preset zoom steps ranging from subtle increases like 5 percent to much larger jumps up to 400 percent.

These presets are accessible from the “Settings” dropdown, making it easier to switch between commonly used zoom levels instantly. The update improves accessibility by adapting more naturally to different user needs and preferences.

Storage settings improve Dev Drive management

The software giant is making Dev Drive configuration more intuitive by updating how storage size is defined. When creating a new Dev Drive, users can now specify capacity in gigabytes (GB) instead of being limited to megabytes (MB), simplifying the setup process.

This improvement also extends to resizing volumes within the Storage settings, providing a more practical and user-friendly approach when managing disk space.

The company is also making these changes to build 26220.8283 in the Beta channel.

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Feedback Hub is now more reliable and accessible

The latest update to the Feedback Hub app brings a range of refinements based directly on Insider feedback.

This version improves overall reliability while introducing design and accessibility tweaks to create a more polished experience.

Microsoft has also enhanced localization support, including the ability to view non-English community feedback in English and to automatically translate collection titles and official responses into major languages. Additionally, the file upload limit for feedback submissions has been restored to 500MB, and improvements to upvote and comment count accuracy ensure better visibility into community engagement.

Other changes 

The company has also released several other improvements for the operating system. For example, this update resolves an issue that caused excessive APISet events in Event Viewer, resulting in cleaner, more useful system logs.

Column width adjustments in Task Scheduler now persist across sessions, eliminating the need to reconfigure the layout each time. Also, this update addresses inaccurate processor speed readings in Task Manager for virtual machines after resuming from hibernation, ensuring reliable data.

As part of the known issues for both the Experimental and Beta tracks, the company notes a small glitch in the Windows Insider Program settings where the Release Preview option may not appear as selectable after enabling the toggle. Closing and reopening the settings page typically resolves the issue.

Finally, Insiders using Feature flags to enable the new experience may notice the feature state showing incorrectly as current. However, Microsoft says that despite the visual inconsistency, changing and applying the state works as expected.

Download Windows 11 update 26300.8346

To download and install these Windows 11 builds, enroll your Devices in the Experimental 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.

It’s worth noting that Microsoft is now labeling preview builds with the new names (Experimental, Beta, and Release Preview), even though users may still not have transitioned to the Experimental experience. Users in the Beta Channel have not yet begun moving to the new Beta experience.

About the author

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.

You can follow him on YouTube, Threads, BlueSky, X (Twitter), LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].

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