KB5101684 for Windows 11 direct download for early access to August 2026 features

• Windows 11 KB5101684 (Build 26200.8973) is now available as an optional install for versions 25H2 and 24H2.
• The update improves the File Explorer experience with reliability fixes, better Windows Search accuracy, and enhanced Windows Hello support.
• New improvements include better touchpad controls, Voice Access enhancements, updated Start menu account information, and power management fixes.
• Users can install the update through Windows Update or download the standalone “.msu” package from the Microsoft Update Catalog.

The Windows 11 August 2026 Update (KB5101684, build 26200.8973) is now available for direct download as an optional preview release for versions 25H2 and 24H2. Since this is a non-security “C” release, it won’t install automatically, but you can manually download and install it right away either through Windows Update or using the standalone package from the Microsoft Update Catalog.

While this isn’t one of those preview updates packed with flashy new features, I think it’s a more important release than it first appears. Microsoft continues refining many of the everyday parts of Windows 11 that people interact with most, including File Explorer, Windows Search, Windows Hello, touchpad gestures, Voice Access, and power management.

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How to enable new features for Windows 11 August 2026 Update (KB5101684)

Individually, many of these changes seem small, but together they address the kind of usability annoyances and reliability issues that have been gradually improving as part of the Windows K2 initiative. Those incremental improvements often have a bigger impact on the overall experience than a single headline feature.

Windows 11 KB5101684 direct download

You can use this link to download the update manually for versions 25H2 and 24H2 (x64 and ARM64) from the Microsoft Update Catalog website.

If Windows Update isn’t working correctly or you need to update multiple computers, downloading the “.msu” package can be the easier option.

Once you download the package to your device, double-click it to apply the update.

Install the August 2026 Preview Update

To install the update through Windows Update manually, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings on Windows 11.

2. Click on Windows Update.

3. Check the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” toggle switch to download updates before they roll out automatically to everyone.

4. Click the Check for updates button.

   

5. Click the “Download and install” option to apply a preview of an upcoming update of Windows 11.

6. Click the Restart now button.

After you complete the steps, the update will install on your computer.

What’s new in the August 2026 Preview Update

Microsoft is rolling out several fixes and improvements with this release. Some of the more notable changes include:

• File Explorer: Displays file sizes using KB, MB, and GB, adds middle-click support to open folders in new tabs, and improves Home page reliability.
• Windows Search: Delivers more accurate results with better typo recognition, partial app name matching, and improved local and cloud search.
• Windows Hello: Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS) now supports compatible external fingerprint readers.
• Voice Access: Adds Voice Isolation to reduce background noise and improve speech recognition accuracy.
• Touchpad: Introduces customizable scroll and zoom speeds with accelerated scrolling gestures.
• Copilot+ PCs: Allows users to uninstall the Image Generation AI component.
• Microsoft account: Refreshes the Start menu account flyout with a cleaner design and clearer subscription and storage information.
• Power and battery: Applies power settings across all power plans and restores the Energy Saver battery percentage option.

As with other preview releases, some features may roll out gradually and might not be available immediately after installing the update.

Should you install this update?

Because this is an optional preview update, you don’t need to install it right away. If you’re experiencing one of the issues addressed in this release or want early access to the upcoming improvements, installing the update may be worthwhile.

Otherwise, you can wait until August 11, 2026, when Microsoft will automatically deliver these fixes and enhancements as part of the regular monthly security update.