Build 26300.8497 for Windows 11 26H2 adds new Screen Tint and Voice Isolation features

• Windows 11 build 26300.8497 introduces Screen Tint, Voice Isolation, and HID Braille plug-and-play support.
• Microsoft adds a new Windows Ready Print toggle for IPP-based printer installations.
• The update fixes Explorer crashes, audio muting issues, IME problems, and Start menu bugs.
• Microsoft also released build 26220.8491 in the Beta track with similar changes.

Microsoft has released the Windows 11 Insider Preview Quality Update (26300.8497) for version 26H2 via the Experimental experience in the Windows Insider Program. This flight introduces new features and improvements for accessibility features, as well as various fixes.

According to the official notes, Windows 11 build 26300.8497 includes a new feature known as Screen Tint, Voice Isolation for Voice Access, and HID braille display plug‑and‑play support.

Also, this preview rolls out a new Windows Ready Print option for installing an IPP-based printer, changes to the magnifier touch bar, and bug fixes.

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In addition, the company is rolling out the Windows 11 Insider Preview Quality Update (26220.8491) to the Beta experience, with some changes and fixes available in the Experimental channel, such as Voice Isolation.

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 26300.8497

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

Screen Tint accessibility feature

Microsoft is introducing a new “Screen Tint” accessibility feature on Windows 11 to reduce eye strain and light sensitivity during long sessions. The feature applies a color overlay across the entire display to soften screen intensity without replacing Night Light.

You can open Settings > Accessibility > Vision > Screen tint (Windows key + U) to enable the feature and customize the experience with six preset colors or a custom color option. There’s also a strength slider to control the overlay’s intensity, from subtle to full tint.

Unlike Night Light, which reduces blue light and warms colors to help with sleep, Screen Tint is designed to lower overall screen intensity during the day to make displays more comfortable for sensitive eyes. Both features can work together at the same time.

Microsoft notes that enabling Screen Tint automatically disables Color filters, and vice versa, meaning users who rely on color filters may need to keep the new feature turned off.

Narrator with Braille support

Windows 11 build 26300.8497 improves accessibility by adding native HID support for refreshable Braille displays on Windows Narrator. The update enables true plug-and-play support for compatible devices over USB, removing the need for additional setup or drivers.

You can also connect supported Braille displays wirelessly through Settings > Bluetooth & devices using Bluetooth pairing like any other accessory.

Compatible HID Braille displays include the Orbit Reader 20, Orbit Slate 340, Freedom Scientific Focus 40, and APH Mantis Q40.

The company also notes that HID Braille displays now work during the Out-of-box Experience (OOBE) over USB, allowing deaf-blind users to set up a PC independently from the first screen. Additional Braille input and output settings remain available under Settings > Accessibility > Narrator > Braille.

Magnifier without touch panning bars

The system now turns off touch panning bars by default in Magnifier to provide a cleaner and less distracting experience on touchscreen devices.

The change automatically removes the on-screen navigation bars from the magnified view, but users who prefer the controls can enable them again in Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier.

Windows Ready Print adds new install toggle

The development team is adding a new Windows Ready Print setting to control how new printers are installed on the system.

The new option appears under Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Default install printers using Windows Ready Print. When enabled, the operating system installs compatible printers by default, using the IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) standard to improve reliability and simplify setup.

If the setting is turned off, Windows can use other available installation methods instead.

The feature is part of Microsoft’s modern printing platform initiative, now branded as Windows Ready Print, which aims to deliver a more consistent and streamlined printing experience while moving away from legacy third-party printer drivers.

Voice Isolation in Voice Access

Windows 11 is introducing a new “Voice Isolation” feature for Voice Access to improve speech recognition in noisy environments and shared spaces.

The feature uses on-device processing to focus on the user’s voice while filtering out nearby conversations and background noise. Microsoft says no voice data leaves the device.

Voice Access now includes three speech recognition modes under Voice Access settings > Improve speech recognition:

• Voice Isolation: Filters out background voices and noise with a one-time voice setup.
• Remove background noise only: Reduces non-speech sounds like typing or door slams without additional setup.
• No filtering: Uses the default microphone input with no extra processing.

To enable Voice Isolation, users must complete a short setup process by reading a brief paragraph aloud so the system can learn and recognize their voice.

Other changes 

This flight also includes several fixes and reliability improvements across the operating system.

Microsoft resolved an issue causing the IME candidate window to stop appearing for some users typing in Japanese and Chinese. The company also fixed a bug from the previous flight (Experimental and Beta) that triggered continuous explorer.exe crashes, which could cause the Taskbar and screen to repeatedly blink and refresh.

Other fixes in this build include:

• Resolved a bug (in the Experimental and Beta channels) causing the Energy Saver quick setting to appear twice.
• Fixed an issue preventing the Windows + X menu and right-clicking the Start button from working for some users.
• Addressed a problem (in the Experimental and Beta channels) that unexpectedly muted system audio on certain devices.
• Improved the reliability of Simple Service Discovery Protocol (SSDP) notifications to prevent the service from becoming unresponsive.
• Improved the reliability of the dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth command.

As part of the known issues, Microsoft warns that the Reset this PC feature may get stuck during the reset process in this flight.

It is important to note that Voice Isolation is the only feature available in both Experimental and Beta channels. All other features and improvements are available only in the Experimental channel.

Feature flags for build 26300.8497

Here’s a complete list of the flags you can use to enable experimental features on Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program > Features flags:

• Alternate taskbar positions.
• Consistent solid (donut) spinners across key Windows scenarios.
• Faster reopening of restartable apps.
• Fluid Dictation Language Expansion in Voice Access.
• Fluid Dictation Language Expansion in Voice Typing.
• Free upgrade path to Windows 11 Pro Education for K-12.
• Improved Magnifier quick settings access.
• Make Narrator braille display Settings visible without downloading optional features (FOD).
• New Windows Insider Program experience.
• Pause updates on your schedule.
• Screen Tint.
• Smaller Taskbar.
• Touchpad Enhancements.
• Windows Search Box.

Download Windows 11 update 26300.8497

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.

Alternatively, you can also download the ISO files from the Windows Insider Preview Downloads page. Specific preview builds are available for a limited time only. 

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.