Build 26100.4482 (KB5060829) for Windows 11 drops as the July 2025 Update (preview)

Microsoft released Windows 11 builds 26100.4482 (KB5060829) for version 24H2 and 22631.5545 (KB5060826) for version 23H2 in the Release Preview Channel.
These previews for the July 2025 Patch Tuesday Update bring features like smaller Taskbar icons, default app improvements for 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 6/19/2025: Microsoft now has Windows 11 builds 26100.4482 (KB5060829) and 22631.5545 (KB5060826) in the Release Preview Channel, which are the first previews of the upcoming “July 2025 Security Update” for versions 24H2 and 23H2.

According to the announcement, update KB5060829 for version 24H2 brings changes to set apps as default, introduces an option to change the Taskbar icon size, rolls out a new PC-to-PC file transfer feature for the Windows Backup app, adds a compression feature for Windows Share, and more.

In addition, update KB5060826 for version 23H2 rolls out visual changes to the Share interface and small changes 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 days of development, the company never defined its updates in the Release Preview Channel with the name of the final release. When the updates are ready for the Stable Channel as a preview, they will be known as non-security updates, and 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.”

Important: Usually, the company doesn’t release new features immediately. A new feature advertised as part of an update only marks the beginning of the gradual rollout. It also depends on the geographical location, software, and hardware configuration. For example, because of the rules in Europe, many features take longer to arrive.

Windows 11 24H2 build 26100.4482 (KB5060829) changes
Windows 11 23H2 build 22631.5545 (KB5060826) changes

Windows 11 24H2 build 26100.4482 (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 some browser types (http, https, .htm, .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.

Windows 11 new default browser setting / Image: Microsoft

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 lets users make it 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.”

Taskbar smaller icons setting / Image: Mauro Huculak

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 only meant to make 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.

In addition, in the System Tray, the “Accessibility” page now adds a text description for the different features to make it easier to identify them.

Taskbar Accessibility text descriptions / Image: Mauro Huculak

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.

Windows Backup with file transfer to new PC

Windows Backup now offers a PC-to-PC migration experience, allowing you to move files and settings seamlessly when setting up a new computer.

Windows Backup file transfer feature / Image: Mauro Huculak

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.

Windows Share with file compression

As part of the update KB5060829, if you use the Windows Share experience to send an image, you can now select the compression scale from High, Medium, or Low Quality.

Windows Share compression option / Image: Mauro Huculak

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.

Device Setup Region information / Image: Mauro Huculak

Screen Curtain in Narrator

Windows 11 build 26100.4482 also introduces a new Screen Curtain feature for the Windows Narrator that enhances privacy by blacking out the screen at the same time 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.

Narrator new features discovery / Image: Microsoft

In addition, as part of the Windows Narrator experience, Microsoft is adding a new experience to discover and learn about the latest capabilities when they become available.

Settings app home with new cards

In the Settings app, the “Home” page includes enterprise-specific cards with familiar options like “Recommended settings” and “Bluetooth devices,” along with two cards for device information and accessibility preferences.

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 22631.5545 (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.

Default app changes for EEA

Previously, the “Set default” button only assigned traditional browser types (http, https, .htm, .html). 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 lets users make it 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.

Other fixes and changes

The company is also pushing several fixes and changes for the next monthly update.

Security logs: An issue caused by excessive security logs filling up system drives and preventing users from logging in has been fixed.
Authentication: Domain-joined Windows 11 (versions 22H2 and 23H2) machines can now correctly update account passwords on Windows Server 2025 domain controllers, preventing trust relationship problems.
Country and Operator Settings Asset (COSA): Profiles for certain mobile operators have been updated for improved connectivity.
Remote Desktop: An issue prevented Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connections until a device restart was fixed.
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 fully removed, freeing up storage and speeding up 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 Release Preview 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 is expected to become available in the Stable Channel later in June 2025. View the Stable Channel (preview) notes from Microsoft. (Exact date to be determined.)
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 29, 2025: This content has been updated with new information, and it’s been revised to ensure accuracy.