- Microsoft released Windows 11 builds 26100.4484 (KB5060829) for version 24H2 and 22631.5549 and 22621.5549 (KB5060826) for version 23H2 and 22H2 in the Stable Channel.
- These previews for the July 2025 Patch Tuesday Update bring features such as smaller Taskbar icons, default app improvements for the EEA, PC-to-PC file transfer on Windows Backup, and fixes for search, authentication, printing, and more.
- The updates will become mandatory on July 8, 2025, during the final Patch Tuesday rollout.
UPDATED 6/27/2025: Microsoft now has Windows 11 builds 26100.4484 (KB5060829) and 22631.5549 and 22621.5549 (KB5060826) in the Stable Channel as an optional install for the upcoming “July 2025 Security Update” for versions 24H2, 23H2, and 22H2.
According to the announcement, update KB5060829 for version 24H2 introduces changes to set apps as default, adds an option to change the Taskbar icon size, rolls out a new PC-to-PC file transfer feature for the Windows Backup app, and includes a compression feature for Windows Share, among other enhancements.
Additionally, update KB5060826 for version 23H2 (and 22H2) introduces visual changes to the Share interface and minor adjustments to the default app settings.
Furthermore, this release for Windows 11 pushes several non-security fixes for authentication, networking, performance, security, search, and more.
For clarification, during the early stages of development, the company does not reveal the final name of its updates in the Stable Channel after the final release. When the updates are ready for the Stable Channel as a preview, they will be known as non-security updates. It’s not until they become fully available during the Patch Tuesday Update release that the company will label them as the “July 2025 Security Update.”
- Windows 11 24H2 build 26100.4484 (KB5060829) changes
- Windows 11 23H2 build 22631.5549 (KB5060826) changes
Windows 11 24H2 build 26100.4484 (KB5060829) changes
Microsoft plans these improvements and fixes as part of the July 2025 Security Update for Windows 11 24H2:
Default app changes for EEA
On Settings > Apps > Default app, the “Set default” button previously only assigned default settings to specific browser types (http, https, .htm, and .html). As part of this update, in the European Economic Area (EEA), to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), it also includes additional link and file types like ftp, read, .mht, .svg, .xhtml, and more on the “Default apps” setting page, if the browser supports them.
Also, when changing the default browser, the system will now automatically pin itself to both the Taskbar and Start menu. You can opt out by clearing the corresponding checkboxes during setup on the “Default apps” setting page.
Finally, if a browser can handle PDFs, a separate “Set default for .pdf” button now appears. This allows users to set it as the default PDF handler with a single click.
Taskbar with smaller icons
On Settings > Personalization > Taskbar, the “Taskbar behaviors” settings now include the “Show smaller taskbar buttons” setting that allows making the icons smaller in the Taskbar in specific situations, including “Always,” “Never,” or “When taskbar is full.”
However, it’s not possible to choose the size of the icons, and when using this setting, it won’t change the size of the Taskbar. The option is intended solely to create more space in the Taskbar.
This option is hidden, meaning you must use the ViveTool app to enable it with the vivetool /enable /id:29785184 command.
Additionally, in the System Tray, the “Accessibility” page now includes a text description for each feature, making it easier to identify them.
If the new descriptions are not available, you may be able to enable them manually by running this ViveTool command: vivetool /enable /id:56887328
Finally, the company is rolling out several fixes for the Taskbar behavior, and the needy state pill (indicator for apps needing attention) is now wider and more visible.
Windows Share with file compression
As part of the update KB5060829, when using the Windows Share experience to send an image, you can now select the compression scale from High, Medium, or Low Quality.
If the setting isn’t available, you may be able to enable it manually by running this ViveTool command: vivetool /enable /id:55390938
Also, when sharing web content, the Windows Share interface will now add a content preview.
Language & region with new region details
On Settings > Time & language > Language & region, the page will now display the country or region selected during the computer setup under the “Device setup region” setting.
Screen Curtain in Narrator
Windows 11 build 26100.4484 also introduces a new Screen Curtain feature for the Windows Narrator, which enhances privacy by blacking out the screen while the feature is active, keeping sensitive information hidden from view.
While the Narrator feature is enabled, you can use the “Caps + Ctrl + C” keyboard shortcut to turn the Screen Curtain on or off.
In addition, as part of the Windows Narrator experience, Microsoft is introducing a new feature to discover and learn about the latest capabilities as they become available.
Settings app home with new cards
In the Settings app, the “Home” page features enterprise-specific cards, including familiar options such as “Recommended settings” and “Bluetooth devices,” as well as two cards for device information and accessibility preferences.
Windows Backup with transfer to new PC feature
Windows Backup now offers an option to transfer your data over the local network to a new PC, allowing you to move files and settings seamlessly when setting up a new computer.
After installing this preview, you may see the landing and pairing experience in the app, but the feature is not fully functional at this time.
Microsoft notes that in the future, you will be able to transfer your files and settings from your old computer to your new computer through the initial setup experience.
Click to Do new actions
For those with a business Microsoft 365 subscription, the Click to Do feature adds a new “Ask M365 Copilot” option to the context menu when selecting text or images, allowing you to send the selected content directly to the chatbot.
Other fixes and changes
The development team is also pushing several fixes and changes for the next monthly update.
- File Explorer: Faster performance when extracting large archive files.
- Voice Access: Adds support for Simplified and Traditional Chinese, and you can now add custom words to the dictionary.
- About settings: Fixes the issue with character rendering instead of disk size.
- Copilot key: Improved functionality and restart reliability.
- Storage: Fixes for issues with Storage Spaces Direct (S2D), and improvements to the experience of uninstalling unused language and optional feature packages.
- Windows Search: Faster and more reliable search experience.
- Windowing: Addressed issues with app responsiveness and window resizing after “ALT + Tab” or sleep, and fixed crashes related to snapping.
- Scripting: Resolved slow script execution when running from older SMB shares.
- Graphics: Reduced screen flashing, removed unnecessary display resets, and fixed green tint and UI freezes during calibration.
- Color filters: Repositioned intensity and color boost sliders for better live preview visibility during adjustments.
- Input: Fixed a bug where Japanese typing stopped working after switching keyboard languages.
- Printing: Corrected unexpectedly thick printed lines for more accurate output.
- MSFTEdit.dll: Prevented crashes in apps like Sticky Notes and dxdiag when using Arabic or Hebrew display languages.
Windows 11 23H2 build 22631.5549 (KB5060826) changes
These are the new features and changes that the software giant plans to roll out with the July Patch Tuesday Update for Windows 11 23H2 and 22H2.
Default app changes for EEA
Previously, the “Set default” button only assigned traditional browser types (HTTP, HTTPS, .HTM, etc.). However, now, in the European Economic Area (EEA), to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), it also includes additional link and file types like ftp, read, .mht, .svg, .xhtml, and more on the “Default apps” setting page, if the browser supports them.
In addition, when you select a new default browser, it’ll now automatically pin itself to both the Taskbar and Start menu. You can opt out by clearing the corresponding checkboxes during setup on the “Default apps” setting page.
Finally, if a browser can handle PDFs, a separate “Set default for .pdf” button now appears. This allows users to set it as the default PDF handler with a single click.
Windows Share improvements
When sharing links or web content, the Share interface will now produce a visual preview of the content to be shared.
Windows Backup with transfer to new PC feature
Similar to version 24H2, this version of the operating system also includes an option to transfer your data over the local network to a new PC using the Windows Backup app, allowing you to move files and settings seamlessly when setting up a new computer.
After installing this preview, you may see the landing and pairing experience in the app, but the feature is not fully functional at this time.
Microsoft notes that in the future, you will be able to transfer your files and settings from your old computer to your new computer through the initial setup experience.
Other fixes and changes
The company is also pushing several fixes and changes for the next monthly update.
- Security logs: An issue that caused excessive security logs to fill up system drives and prevent users from logging in has been resolved.
- Authentication: Domain-joined Windows 11 (versions 22H2 and 23H2) machines can now update account passwords correctly on Windows Server 2025 domain controllers, thereby preventing trust relationship issues.
- Country and Operator Settings Asset (COSA): Profiles for specific mobile operators have been updated to enhance connectivity.
- Remote Desktop: An issue prevented Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connections until the issue with the device was resolved.
- File sharing: Workstations and servers will no longer stop responding when connecting to Server Message Block (SMB) network shares.
- Storage: Unused language packs and “Feature on Demand” packages can now be completely removed, freeing up storage and accelerating Windows Update installations.
- Kiosk bug: Kiosk devices will no longer freeze after an administrator locks and unlocks them.
- Windows Hello: Automatic renewal of expiring certificates in Windows Hello for Business now functions correctly.
- Windows Search: The search box will now load much faster, addressing delays of over 10 seconds.
Patch Tuesday installation process
To download and install this Windows 11 build, enroll your device in the Stable Channel through the “Windows Insider Program” settings. 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.
As part of the Patch Tuesday development, the software giant is also pushing the updates for Windows 10.
Windows 11 July 2025 Patch Tuesday – Update History
- Initial Release – Release Preview Channel: Microsoft rolled out build 22631.5545 (KB5060826) on June 12, 2025, as part of the Release Preview Channel for version 23H2. On June 19, 2025, build 26100.4482 (KB5060829) became available for Windows 11 24H2 in the Release Preview Channel.
- Second Release – Optional Update (Stable Channel): A preview (optional) update has become available in the Stable Channel on June 26, 2025. View build 26100.4484 Stable Channel (preview) notes from Microsoft. For versions 23H2 and 22H2, the notes for the fixes and changes in the Stable Channel are on this page.
- Final Release – Patch Tuesday (Stable Channel): The mandatory security update for all supported devices will roll out on July 8, 2025, as part of Patch Tuesday. View final release notes from Microsoft. (Details to be confirmed.)
Update, June 27, 2025: This content has been updated with new information and revised to ensure accuracy.
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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