Build 26300.9032 for Windows 11 26H2 expands Search and improves battery life – Experimental

• Windows 11 build 26300.9032 is rolling out through the Experimental channel for version 26H2 with several improvements.
• Windows Search can now automatically expand its indexing scope based on recent activity, making more files discoverable without manual configuration.
• The update introduces an improved adaptive hibernate policy, improves the Phone Link flyout in Start, and includes reliability fixes for File Explorer, Settings, Storage, Taskbar, and Start.
• The build also renews the Windows Insider flight certificate, which expires on August 11, 2026, ensuring Insider devices continue receiving future preview builds.

Microsoft is releasing the Windows 11 Insider Preview Quality Update (26300.9032) for version 26H2 through the Experimental experience in the Windows Insider Program. This flight introduces improvements for existing features, as well as various fixes, as part of the Windows K2 initiative.

According to the official notes, Windows 11 build 26300.9032 introduces the ability for Windows Search to expand search beyond the indexing scope based on your activity, and the company introduces a new adaptive hibernate policy.

This update also rolls out improvements for the Phone Link flyout in the Start menu and Settings app discovery and navigation. In addition, there are several fixes for the Start menu, Taskbar, File Explorer, and Storage. Furthermore, the Spotlight features improve reliability in the Lock screen.

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What’s new on Windows 11 build 26300.9032 (Experimental)

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

Windows Search with deeper search

Windows Search is becoming more useful by automatically expanding its indexing scope based on how you use your computer.

Instead of relying only on manually selected folders, the system can now use activity signals, such as recently opened files and frequently accessed locations, to make more relevant content searchable across your device.

In addition, Microsoft is adding a new “Search the contents of online files” option that lets you control whether Windows Search can also search files in online services, such as OneDrive.

Start menu shows message previews from your phone

Microsoft is improving the Phone Link experience in the Start menu by letting you preview the content of recent messages and notifications without opening the app or picking up your phone.

You only have to hover over an item in the “Recent” section to see what’s new at a glance, making it easier to decide whether it needs your attention.

The feature is rolling out gradually to Insiders in the Experimental channel and requires Phone Link version 1.26021.3.0 or later. You can enable it from Phone Link > Settings > Start menu personalization.

Adaptive hibernate improves battery life

The company is refining the adaptive hibernate policy to better balance responsiveness and battery life.

Computers will now stay in Modern Standby longer when the battery is above 80 percent, allowing for more instant-on resumes, while it will switch to hibernation sooner once the battery drops below 10 percent to help preserve the remaining charge.

Other fixes

In addition, Windows 11 build 26300.9032 also pushes several fixes and improvements.

• Settings: Search now covers more areas of the Settings app and uses improved ranking to surface the most relevant results faster.
• Start menu: Fixed an issue that could cause the Start menu to crash when dragging apps.
• Taskbar: Resolved a bug where hovering over an app preview in the taskbar overflow would immediately dismiss the thumbnail.
• File Explorer: Home now remembers whether sections are expanded or collapsed between sessions. The update also fixes the address bar being cleared when entering edit mode, improves reliability when dragging files to disconnected network drives, and resolves an issue affecting DFS mapped drives that could incorrectly flag files as originating from the internet or apply an unexpected Mark of the Web after reconnecting to the network.
• Windows Spotlight: Includes reliability improvements for the Spotlight experience on the lock screen.
• Storage: Fixed an issue preventing File History from automatically backing up to SMB network shares due to a false “invalid credentials” error.

In addition, Microsoft notes that this build renews the Windows Insider flight certificate, which is required for Insider devices to continue receiving preview builds. Since the current certificate expires on August 11, 2026, the company recommends installing this build (or a later one with the renewed certificate) before that date to avoid interruptions to future updates.

Feature flags for build 26300.9032

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
• Fewer update restarts
• Magnifier Simplification
• Mouse crosshairs and pointer improvements
• Refined Windows Search
• Searchable System Components
• Short Query File Search support
• Show Braille settings by default
• Small Taskbar Feature

Download Windows 11 update 26300.9032

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