- Windows 11 builds 26200.8728 and 26100.8728 (KB5095093) are available as the preview of new Windows K2 features and improvements coming with the July 2026 Security Update for versions 25H2 and 24H2.
- Key features include Point-in-time Restore, new Windows Update pause controls, and a redesigned Widgets experience focused on reducing distractions.
- The update delivers wide-ranging improvements across File Explorer, Bluetooth, networking, printing, accessibility, and system stability.
Microsoft is rolling out Windows 11 builds 26200.8728 and 26100.8728 (KB5095093) as the first preview of the wave of Windows K2 improvements coming in July 2026. The rollout will be available starting July 14, 2026, and the company usually starts the deployment at 1PM Eastern Time.
According to the official changelog, the 2026-06 Preview Update (KB5095093) (Build 26200.8728) begins the rollout of the Point-in-time Restore recovery feature, pushes new Windows Update changes to pause updates indefinitely, and introduces a new version of the Widgets experience that reduces distractions.
The KB5095093 update also includes changes and improvements to File Explorer, Bluetooth, Voice Access, Voice Typing, Printing, and more.
If you want to keep up with every Windows release, including Insider Preview builds and cumulative updates, the Windows Build Tracker has the full timeline.
In addition, Microsoft is making the KB5093998 update (build 22631.7219) for Windows 11 23H2 available with several fixes, but this release doesn’t introduce any new features.
- What’s new on Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2 update KB5095093
- What’s new on Windows 11 23H2 (TBD)
- Windows 11 July 2026 Patch Tuesday – Manual installation process
- Windows 11 July 2026 Patch Tuesday – Update history
- Pureinfotech’s Take
What’s new on Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2 update KB5095093
Microsoft is currently rolling out these improvements and fixes as part of the July 2026 Security Update for Windows 11 24H2 and version 25H2.
Point-in-time restore for Windows
Starting with the July 2026 update, Windows 11 introduces Point-in-time restore, a new recovery capability that introduces a faster way to return a system to a previous working state without lengthy troubleshooting.
The feature captures automatic snapshots that include apps, settings, and personal files, allowing users to roll back to a known-good configuration when problems arise. The goal is to reduce recovery friction and minimize downtime during system instability or configuration issues.
Windows Update new controls
Windows Update gains a more flexible scheduling model centered around a calendar-based pause system. Instead of relying on fixed intervals, users can now choose a specific end date when pausing updates, extending control up to 35 days.
The pause can be adjusted at any time by selecting a new date, giving users more predictable control over update timing without losing the ability to temporarily defer installations.
Widgets become quieter and less distracting
The Widgets experience is shifting toward a quieter and less intrusive design, with changes aimed at reducing interruptions and simplifying default behavior. Widgets no longer expand automatically on hover, and both notifications and Taskbar badges are minimized by default, with accent-matching colors for a subtler visual presence.
On first use, the dashboard now opens in a simplified state, while lock screen access defaults to a single Weather widget for clarity. Settings are easier to adjust directly from the navigation bar, allowing users to customize behavior without having to navigate deep into system menus. Notification counters remain visible but clear automatically when leaving the dashboard, keeping the interface clean.
Under the hood, the experience also benefits from improvements in reliability and responsiveness, along with refinements to visual consistency across the dashboard.
Accessibility changes
Accessibility enhancements focus on improving readability and giving users more precise control over visual scaling. A new Screen tint option applies a full-display color overlay designed to reduce eye strain, with adjustable intensity and preset configurations available directly from Settings under Accessibility.
Magnifier receives more granular zoom control, allowing users to enter exact percentage values rather than relying solely on step-based adjustments. This makes it easier to fine-tune zoom levels for specific tasks.
Control is also streamlined within the Magnifier interface itself, where zoom increments can now be adjusted directly from the toolbar, eliminating the need to switch between system settings during use.
File Explorer improvements
The hover actions in File Explorer Home now work for work and school accounts (Entra ID), not just personal ones. This adds quick options like Open file location and Ask Copilot. The feature is still not available in the European Economic Area.
The address bar is now more flexible and accepts paths with double backslashes or quotation marks. This makes it easier to paste or type folder paths from different sources without errors.
Search suggestions in the address bar are also more stable and now close properly after you pick an option. At the same time, an issue that caused duplicate OneDrive items in Favorites has been fixed.
Renaming files is now more reliable and less disruptive during edits. Text no longer gets repeatedly reselected during edits, and changes that only involve letter case now update instantly across both local files and cloud content.
Bluetooth changes
Bluetooth reliability and performance see a broad set of refinements focused on audio stability, device compatibility, and connection behavior. Windows 11 now keeps the microphone mute state in sync between the audio mixer and the Hands-Free Profile (HFP), improving consistency for supported Bluetooth headphones with physical mute controls or indicators.
Device compatibility is also improved, with faster pairing detection for devices like AirPods and more reliable microphone performance on headphones such as the Beats Studio Pro. Audio stability benefits from fixes targeting driver-related issues, while voice call quality is enhanced on classic Bluetooth devices using HFP.
LE Audio handling becomes more resilient, with improved streaming recovery after disconnections and faster audio start times when the microphone is active. Classic Bluetooth devices also reconnect more quickly after system hibernation, improving overall responsiveness.
Device management is more reliable as well, reducing “Remove failed” errors when hardware states change during unpairing. The “Bluetooth & devices” settings page also becomes more stable during everyday use.
Connection behavior is further refined to improve recovery when multiple devices are active, such as when a phone reconnects and temporarily interrupts LE Audio accessories.
Phone Link improvements
As part of the Phone Link experience, call handling between a paired phone and computer using Bluetooth becomes more consistent and predictable, particularly in routing audio during the early stages of a call. Outgoing calls now remain on the phone during the ringing phase, switching seamlessly to the device only once the call is answered on Windows 11.
Incoming call behavior is also refined when “Do Not Disturb” is enabled, preventing unwanted audio interruptions on the PC when calls are being managed on a connected phone.
Voice Access and Typing languages
Voice Access and Voice Typing now support French, German, and Spanish, expanding dictation options across more regions.
Also, as you speak, the system refines text in real time by correcting grammar, punctuation, and recognition errors. It also adapts better to background noise, improving clarity and reducing the need for manual edits. This feature is available on Copilot+ PCs.
Network virtualization fixes
Networking receives improvements across both virtualized and standard environments. Confidential Virtual Machines now default to SR-IOV hardware acceleration for better performance and throughput.
A nested Hyper-V networking issue has been resolved to improve the reliability of virtual machine provisioning. In addition, system-level updates reduce Wi-Fi bug checks, improve cellular connectivity, including IPv6 VPN support, and enhance compatibility with third-party VPN tools.
Finally, network settings are also preserved more reliably during operating system upgrades.
IPP printing setup
New printer installations now use Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) by default when supported, streamlining setup and improving reliability. A new Settings toggle allows users to control this behavior, supporting a more modern printing model.
You can control this behavior by using the toggle in Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Default install printers using Windows Ready Print.
Location settings clarity
Location settings in “Privacy & Security” are now easier to understand when location services are turned off.
Also, related options, such as Default location and location override, are now automatically disabled to clearly indicate when location data is unavailable.
Touchpad customization
Touchpad settings gain more control with a new option to adjust the size of the right-click zone. Users can define how much of the corner responds to single-finger right-click actions on supported devices.
Also, Japanese handwriting input improves recognition of English characters, enabling better mixed-language typing.
Explorer.exe stability improvements
Windows shell reliability improves significantly, especially around explorer.exe.
Also, fixes address login and lock screen issues involving third-party credential providers, reduces blank Taskbar icons, and improves File Explorer Home stability during OneDrive sync.
Furthermore, virtual desktop switching becomes more consistent, app launching improves when shell extensions are installed, and visual issues with acrylic blur effects across Start, Settings, and the lock screen are resolved.
Other fixes and improvements
This update also introduces some additional fixes and improvements:
- Audio: Improves the reliability of the inbox HD Audio driver.
- Taskbar: Fixes an issue where clicking the left edge of the taskbar to open Start may not respond correctly when icons are left-aligned.
- Emoji panel: Switches the GIF provider from Tenor to GIPHY for a smoother browsing and sharing experience.
- Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL): Improves stability in mirrored networking mode when using VPN connections.
- Display: Improves scrolling reliability in apps across multiple monitors and enhances color profile application and persistence.
- Authentication: Improves Netlogon secure channel connections for domain controllers and older server configurations.
- Networking: Improves reliability when connecting to shared network resources, including NetUseAdd and unauthenticated connections.
- Start Menu: New apps and removed apps now update without requiring sign-out or restart.
- Taskbar: Fixes issues with notification badges so counts and visuals update correctly across apps.
- Group Policy: Search-related group policy behavior is now more reliable, improving consistency in managed and enterprise environments.
Finally, Microsoft is also refining the rollout of updated Secure Boot certificates. Starting with this release, quality updates include additional high-confidence device-targeting signals that help identify systems ready to automatically receive the new certificates.
What’s new on Windows 11 23H2 update (TBD)
The company has also released security fixes and improvements for Windows 11 23H2, as part of the update.
- TBD
Also, this version of the operating system won’t receive any new features, as this release has reached the end of support.
Windows 11 July 2026 Patch Tuesday – Manual installation process
Since there’s always a chance of problems during and after applying a quality update, it’s recommended to prepare your computer by creating a restore point and a full backup before proceeding with the installation.
To download and install this Windows 11 update, open the “Windows Update” settings, enroll your device in the Release Preview channel of the Windows Insider Program, and in the “Windows Update” settings, turn on the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” toggle switch, and click the “Check for Updates” button.
If your computer has issues after installing this package, follow these instructions to uninstall the July 2026 update. If you’re unable to uninstall the update, follow these steps to recover your device.
Windows 11 July 2026 Patch Tuesday – Update history
- Initial Release – Release Preview Channel:
- Windows 11 25H2 build 26200.8728 release date: June 12, 2026. Official notes.
- Windows 11 24H2 build 26100.8728 release date: June 12, 2026. (same).
- Second Release – Optional Install (Stable Channel):
- Windows 11 25H2 build 26200.xxxx release date: TBD. Official notes.
- Windows 11 24H2 build 26100.xxxx release date: TBD. (same).
- Final Release – Patch Tuesday (Stable Channel):
- Windows 11 25H2 build 26200.xxxx release date: July 14, 2026. Official notes.
- Windows 11 24H2 build 26100.xxxx release date: July 14, 2026. (same).
- Windows 11 23H2 build 22631.xxxx release date: July 14, 2026. Official notes.
Pureinfotech’s Take
This is one of those Windows 11 releases where the value isn’t in a single headline feature but in the accumulation of improvements across the system. Microsoft is clearly leaning into refinement here. File Explorer, Bluetooth, networking, and Explorer.exe stability all get attention at once, which usually signals a broader “polish pass” phase in the Windows 11 lifecycle rather than a feature-driven push.
Which Windows 11 improvement matters most in this update?
Voting closes: July 21, 2026 1:00 pm
Point-in-time Restore is an important addition, primarily because it changes how recovery works by bypassing traditional troubleshooting paths. If it behaves as described, it could genuinely reduce downtime for both casual users and network environments, but I’d still treat it as something to test cautiously in real-world scenarios before fully relying on it.
Windows Update’s new pause model is a bigger deal than it first appears, since it effectively pushes the operating system closer to a near-indefinite pause behavior. While it’s not a full disable option, it gives users far more control over update timing than we’ve seen before on Windows 11, and that shift will likely be welcomed by anyone who’s felt forced into Microsoft’s update cadence.
The rest of the update feels like the company is tightening long-standing rough edges, especially in Bluetooth reliability, shell responsiveness, and update control. These aren’t flashy changes, but they’re the ones users tend to notice over time when they’re missing.
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].
