- Windows 11 builds 26200.9539 and 26100.9539 (KB5124010) are rolling out to the Release Preview channel as the October 2026 update (non-security preview) for versions 24H2 and 25H2.
- This release adds new File Explorer, touchpad, accessibility, personalization, and Bluetooth improvements.
- The update lets users remap the Copilot key, automatically maximize apps, use new touchpad gestures, and access Emoji 17.0 and a new Tips widget.
- WinRE can reuse eligible saved Wi-Fi profiles during recovery, while Microsoft is also adding remote management support for MDM providers.
Microsoft is rolling out Windows 11 builds 26200.9539 and 26100.9539 (KB5124010) as the first preview of the October 2026 Security Update in the Release Preview channel through the Windows Insider Program, bringing a wave of non-security fixes and Windows K2 improvements. The rollout will be available starting October 13, 2026, and the company usually starts the deployment at 1PM Eastern Time.
According to the official changelog, the “2026-09 Preview Update (KB5124010) (26200.9539)” rolls out a slew of improvements for File Explorer, personalization, accessibility, Bluetooth, Settings, and touchpad controls, while also adding several smaller changes throughout the operating system.
For example, some of these additions include better File Explorer previews, Emoji 17.0, a new Tips widget, an option to automatically maximize apps, new precision touchpad gestures, the ability to remap the Copilot key, and improved Wi-Fi support in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
The KB5124010 update also discontinues the “PC-to-PC Migration” experience with Windows Backup. The changes are rolling out gradually, so some features may not appear on every PC immediately.
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.
- What’s new on Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2 update KB5124010
- What’s new on Windows 11 23H2 update (TBD)
- Windows 11 October 2026 Patch Tuesday – Manual installation process
- Windows 11 October 2026 Patch Tuesday – Update history
- Pureinfotech’s Take
What’s new on Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2 update KB5124010
Microsoft is currently rolling out these improvements and fixes as part of the October 2026 Security Update for Windows 11 24H2 and version 25H2.
File Explorer gets a handful of useful refinements
Starting with this release, the “Preview” pane lets you preview downloaded HTML files after you acknowledge the warning, while other files such as PDFs preview automatically.
File Explorer Home also remembers which sections you expanded or collapsed, so you can return without resetting the layout.
Microsoft is improving cloud-file thumbnail reliability in the “Details” pane and reorganizing file properties for easier viewing. The update also fixes an annoying issue that could clear the address bar when you clicked near its right side to edit it.
Personalization gets a much-needed polish
Microsoft is making the Personalization > Background experience more reliable, while also fixing several frustrating wallpaper issues. The page should now behave better when changing wallpapers quickly, and previews get higher resolution and improved handling for portrait-oriented monitors.
The update also adds DIB image support for desktop backgrounds and improves slideshow transitions, particularly on newly created accounts. Slideshow wallpapers can now work across multiple desktops without unexpectedly switching back to “Picture.”
And for anyone who saw their wallpaper mysteriously turn black after every reboot in the previous flight, Microsoft has fixed that issue too.
A simpler way to open apps maximized
Windows 11 is also removing a small but annoying bit of friction with a new “Open apps maximized” accessibility setting.
When you enable the feature, the system automatically maximizes apps as they launch, which can be especially useful with screen readers, magnification, tablet use, or simply for anyone who prefers a consistent full-screen workspace.
The option is known as “Open apps maximized,” and it’s available under Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects.
The update also makes the Bluetooth quick settings page easier to navigate when using a keyboard, gamepad, or Narrator, improving accessibility for users who don’t rely on a mouse or touch input.
Magnifier gets a visual refresh
The Magnifier is getting a small but welcome visual makeover. Microsoft is refreshing the tool’s toolbar with updated icons that better match the operating system’s current design language, along with refined spacing and padding for a cleaner, more polished layout.
The important part is that nothing changes about how Magnifier works. Your existing views, zoom controls, keyboard shortcuts, and Read Aloud feature will continue to behave exactly as before.
Bluetooth gets a long list of reliability fixes
The company is addressing several Bluetooth annoyances in this build, improving how the operating system handles connections, audio, microphones, and settings.
The volume flyout now appears during voice calls when you adjust a Bluetooth Classic Audio accessory from its controls, while connection status reporting and the “Bluetooth & devices” page are more reliable.
The update also fixes an issue where the Bluetooth radio could be off while its settings toggle still appeared enabled, improves Bluetooth audio and microphone compatibility, and resolves a potential 0x139 crash while streaming audio. LE Audio accessories and shared audio also receive reliability and performance improvements.
Settings gets several small but useful refinements
In this release, Microsoft polishes several parts of the Settings app.
For instance, the “Printers & scanners” page gets reliability improvements, while “Installed apps” now shows version numbers at the top level for packaged apps.
The time picker also respects your preferred 12-hour or 24-hour format when setting active hours or scheduling Night light.
The company is also improving the reliability of the “Allow multiple apps to use the camera at the same time” option so the setting persists as expected.
Touchpad gets more useful gesture controls
In October, precision touchpads gain two new gesture options in Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad. You can now scroll vertically with one finger from either the left or right side of the touchpad, or keep scrolling by moving your finger toward the edge without lifting it.
The development team previously added controls for scroll and zoom speed and accelerated scrolling in the July 2026 update (KB5101684).
Copilot key remap option
Microsoft is giving users more control over the dedicated Copilot key on compatible keyboards. A new Windows 11 setting lets you remap the key to work as Right Ctrl or the Context Menu key, making it easier to keep familiar keyboard shortcuts and accessibility workflows.
Windows 11 adds Camera Roll Backup
This update adds Camera Roll Backup to Settings, giving eligible users a way to protect their photos with OneDrive.
You can enable the feature from the Settings Home or Accounts page, then complete the setup on your mobile phone by scanning a QR code.
Font support expansion
The Ebrima font now supports the Garay and Beria Erfe scripts, making it the first Microsoft font to support both.
Garay was added to Unicode 16.0, while Beria Erfe was added to Unicode 17.0. Microsoft is also refining Ebrima’s Adlam glyph designs to align with the current Unicode standard and provide greater consistency.
Windows 11 adds a new Tips widget
Microsoft is giving the Widgets experience a new “Tips” widget that offers short guidance about Windows features.
You can add it from “Add widgets” on the Widgets board or place it on the lock screen through Settings > Personalization > Lock screen.
Windows 11 gets new Emoji 17.0 characters
Windows 11 is expanding its emoji collection with support for Emoji 17.0, bringing several new characters to the built-in emoji picker. The additions include distorted face, fight cloud, and hairy creature, among others.
You can try the new emoji by pressing the “Windows key + Period (.)” keyboard shortcut to open the emoji panel and selecting them from the picker.
Microsoft is also making a handful of existing emoji look more consistent across platforms. The refreshed designs include the saluting face, face with peeking eye, goose, lotus, and kissing cat emoji, giving some familiar characters a subtle visual cleanup.
WinRE with Wi-Fi support
Getting a computer back up and running should not require fighting with Wi-Fi first. Microsoft is improving Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) with a new networking capability that can automatically reuse eligible Wi-Fi profiles already saved in Windows, including supported certificate-based Wi-Fi networks.
Previously, WinRE could automatically connect only to wired, unauthenticated Ethernet or separately preconfigured Wi-Fi networks. For other WPA2/WPA3 networks, users had to connect manually by entering the password.
The new capability, enabled by default, allows WinRE to use saved Wi-Fi profile information when recovery needs an internet connection. This can help devices connect automatically during scenarios such as Quick Machine Recovery or cloud rebuilds, without requiring users or network administrators to configure Wi-Fi credentials separately in WinRE.
Finally, the company is adding a recovery remote management plug-in to WinRE, extending its management capabilities for mobile device management (MDM) providers.
Kiosk mode blocks more keyboard shortcuts
Microsoft is tightening the restricted experience in Kiosk mode by disabling additional keyboard shortcuts.
For example, the “Windows key + Tab” shortcut is now blocked in restricted user experience kiosks, while the “Windows key + A” and “Windows key + C” shortcuts are disabled in single-app kiosk mode.
Windows Backup replaces discontinued PC-to-PC transfers
Microsoft is removing PC-to-PC Migration, a feature that let users transfer files and settings directly from an old computer when setting up a new device.
The company now points users to Windows Backup to back up and restore files, settings, and other supported items when moving to a new computer.
What’s new on Windows 11 23H2 update (TBD)
The company has also released security fixes and improvements for Windows 11 23H2:
- 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 October 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 in the Release Preview channel, 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 October 2026 update. If you’re unable to uninstall the update, follow these steps to recover your device.
Why the September preview becomes the October update
Microsoft develops system updates in stages, which can make the naming and release dates confusing. The changes for a specific month’s update typically begin appearing in the Release Preview channel during the previous month. The same update then moves to the Stable Channel as an optional non-security update, usually near the end of the month, before becoming the final security update on the following month’s Patch Tuesday.
For example, the changes previewed in September 2026 are part of the October 2026 update. Microsoft first tests them through the Release Preview Channel, then offers them as an optional update in the Stable Channel, and finally rolls them into the October 13 Patch Tuesday update. The final release includes the changes from those earlier stages, along with any additional fixes and security updates.
This means an update can appear in September without being the September update. In this case, the September Release Preview build is previewing what will become the October 2026 update.
Windows 11 October 2026 Patch Tuesday – Update history
- Initial Release – Release Preview Channel:
- Windows 11 25H2 build 26200.9539 release date: September 10, 2026. Official notes.
- Windows 11 24H2 build 26100.9539 release date: September 10, 2026. (same).
- Second Release – Optional Install (Stable Channel):
- Windows 11 25H2 build 26200.xxxx release date: TBD, 2026. Official notes.
- Windows 11 24H2 build 26100.xxxx release date: TBD, 2026. (same).
- Final Release – Patch Tuesday (Stable Channel):
- Windows 11 25H2 build 26200.xxxx release date: October 13, 2026. Official notes.
- Windows 11 24H2 build 26100.xxxx release date: October 13, 2026. (same).
- Windows 11 23H2 build 22631.xxxx release date: October 13, 2026. Official notes.
Pureinfotech’s Take
Microsoft continues refining the Windows 11 experience. File Explorer gets more useful preview and personalization options, touchpad controls are becoming more flexible, Bluetooth is getting a long list of fixes, and WinRE is gaining better support for recovery over Wi-Fi.
Which new Windows 11 feature in this update do you find most useful?
Voting closes: October 15, 2026 2:41 pm
The Copilot key change is worth noting because Microsoft is expanding the remapping options. Users can now assign the key to Right Ctrl or the Context Menu key, which gives the button a practical purpose beyond its original function.
I wouldn’t install a Release Preview build on a primary computer just to get these changes early. I’d wait for the stable release and let the software giant finish the rollout. However, this is a solid collection of refinements, and it shows Microsoft continuing to address the everyday annoyances that can make Windows 11 feel rough around the edges.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert and founder of Pureinfotech in 2010. With over 23 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].
