- Windows 11 features in 2026 are rolling out gradually, with Microsoft continuing to introduce visible changes through monthly updates.
- This guide tracks confirmed features as they become available, and it will be updated throughout the year as new rollouts are announced.
- In 2026, features will roll out for versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H2.
Windows 11 continues to evolve through regular monthly updates, and 2026 is expected to bring a steady flow of visible changes across the operating system. Beyond security fixes, Microsoft is using cumulative updates to introduce new features and changes that affect how the operating system looks, behaves, and is maintained.
This guide tracks the complete Windows 11 feature history for 2026, organized month by month. Each section highlights the most important new features and improvements introduced through monthly updates.
As updates ship throughout the year, this page will be continuously updated to reflect confirmed rollouts across supported Windows 11 versions. Whether you want a quick snapshot of what changed in a specific month or a full timeline of how Windows 11 evolved in 2026, this post serves as a comprehensive reference page.
March 2026 (KB5077241)
The March 2026 Security Update for Windows 11 24H2 and version 25H2 includes the following new features and improvements.
Quick Machine Recovery behavior
Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) now activates by default on the “Pro” edition of Windows 11 for non-domain-joined computers that are not enrolled in enterprise endpoint management. These systems receive the same automated recovery protections as Windows 11 Home.
For domain-joined or enterprise-managed devices, QMR remains disabled unless an organization chooses to enable it.
Speed test in the Taskbar
The Taskbar introduces a built-in network speed test. You can launch it from the Wi-Fi or Cellular Quick Settings panel, or by right-clicking the network icon in the system tray. The test opens in your default web browser and measures Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Cellular connections, making it easier to evaluate performance and diagnose connectivity issues.
Also, when the Taskbar is set to show uncombined buttons, apps with multiple open windows will no longer shift all instances to the overflow menu when space runs out.
Instead, only windows that exceed the available space overflow. This change prevents the overflow area from appearing underutilized and delivers a more accurate visual layout.
Start menu new account benefits option
A new entry in the account menu on the Start menu now links directly to the Microsoft account benefits page. This addition makes it easier to view, explore, and manage the benefits associated with your Microsoft account within the Windows experience.
Microsoft Entra ID new support
Starting with the March 2026 Security Update, the system now supports Microsoft Entra ID group and role SID resolution. In addition, the system can now translate Entra Cloud Group and Role security identifiers into readable names.
This enhancement allows Entra-only groups to appear and function correctly in file permissions, local group memberships, and other access-control scenarios without requiring on-premises or hybrid Active Directory identities.
Camera Pan and Tilt support
Microsoft is updating the “Cameras” settings to enable pan and tilt on supported cameras. The settings available under the “Basic settings” options are while on the camera’s page.
Sysmon native support
This is a significant shift in Windows 11 endpoint security. For over a decade, Sysmon (System Monitor) has been the gold standard for security professionals, but it required manual installation. However, the software giant is making Sysmon a native Windows 11 component rather than a standalone Sysinternals tool.
According to Microsoft, Sysmon lets you capture detailed system activity useful for threat detection, and its customizable configuration files allow you to filter exactly which events you want to track.
You can enable the feature from Settings > System > Optional features > More Windows features, checking the “Sysmon” item.
Once you complete the steps, from PowerShell or Command Prompt, run the Sysmon -i command.
Microsoft notes that if you have the web version of Sysmon, you’ll need to uninstall it before installing the new native version.
Widgets improvements
Widget settings now open as a full-page experience within the Widgets app instead of appearing in a dialog.
Desktop background
This update also adds support for the .webp file format for setting desktop background images.
Emoji 16
In this rollout, the development team is also including new emojis from version 16, including face with bags under eyes, fingerprint, leafless tree, root vegetable, harp, shovel, and splatter.
Backup restoration changes
The first sign-in restore experience is now integrated into Windows Backup for Organizations, extending this capability to a broader range of device scenarios. As a result of this enhancement, user settings and Microsoft Store apps are automatically restored the first time a user signs in on Microsoft Entra hybrid-joined devices, Cloud PCs, and multi-user environments.
This addition streamlines device refreshes, upgrades, and transfers by delivering a consistent and predictable setup experience across managed environments.
Windows Search improvements
The Task Manager icon for the search process has been updated to a magnifying glass for clearer identification.
Storage settings new dialogs
Several dialogs in the Storage settings area have been modernized to match the design language of Windows 11.
File Explorer tweaks
In the March 2026 Security Update, File Explorer adds “Extract All” to the command bar for non‑ZIP archive folders.
February 2026 (KB5077181)
The February 2026 Security Update for Windows 11 24H2 and version 25H2 includes the following new features and improvements.
Android app resume on Windows 11
Windows 11 is expanding the ability to resume Android apps on your computer from the Taskbar. You can, for example, resume Spotify playback, work in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, or continue a browsing session.
Microsoft also notes that Vivo phone users can continue browsing from Vivo Browser on their computer.
The feature works by turning on the “Allow this PC to access your mobile devices” option in the “Manage Devices” settings, under Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mobile devices to connect your PC with your Android phone.
Furthermore, if you use a phone from HONOR, OPPO, Samsung, Vivo, or Xiaomi, you can resume online files that you opened in the Microsoft Copilot app on your phone and continue working on them on your computer.
When the feature is turned on, you can start using an app on your Android phone, and then you’ll receive a “Resume alert” notification in the Taskbar that allows you to launch the Spotify app on your computer to resume the same track or anything else you were listening.
If the app isn’t available on your computer, you’ll see the option to install it from the Microsoft Store.
Of course, this feature works only if your Android phone is already set up on your computer in the “Mobile devices” settings.
Windows MIDI Services
This update rolls out improvements for MIDI with expanded support for MIDI 0 and MIDI 2.0, adding full WinMM and WinRT MIDI 1.0 compatibility with automatic translation, shared MIDI ports across apps, custom port naming, loopback, and app‑to‑app routing, along with performance boosts and reliability fixes to give musicians a smoother, more capable workflow.
The company also notes that the App SDK and Tools package is offered as a separate download that unlocks in‑box MIDI 0 capabilities and provides utilities such as the MIDI Console and the MIDI Settings app.
Windows Narrator changes
Windows Narrator provides better control over how it announces on‑screen controls, letting you choose which details are spoken and in what order so the flow matches how you move through apps.
Settings app
In the Home page, you’ll now find a new Device card that shows key technical specifications, and there’s even a link to open the About settings page.
Smart App Control improvements
The company is making changes to allow you to enable or disable Smart App Control (SAC) without requiring a clean install. This can be done from Windows Security > App & Browser Control > Smart App Control.
Voice Access changes
A simpler setup makes it easier to start using Voice Access. The new flow will walk you through downloading a speech model for your language, choosing the microphone you want to use, and learning how Voice Access can help you control your device.
Voice Typing update
The “Wait time before acting” setting is now available in Voice Typing, allowing you to choose how long the operating system pauses before executing a voice command. Adjusting this delay helps Voice Typing understand you more accurately, whether you speak slowly or quickly.
Windows Hello with external fingerprint sensors support
Until now, the Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS) experience has only supported built-in biometric sensors. However, you can now connect and configure any supported Windows Hello ESS fingerprint reader from the “Sign-in options” settings page.
Copilot+ PCs improvements
The AI Agent for the Settings app now supports more languages, with expanded support for German, Portuguese, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, Hindi, Italian, and Chinese (Simplified).
January 2026 (KB5074109)
The January 2026 Security Update for Windows 11 24H2 and version 25H2 didn’t include any new features or significant changes.
After releasing the 2026-01 Security Update (KB5074109) (26200.7623), the company has already made the Out-of-band (OOB) updates KB5077744 and KB5078127 available to address critical issues in the operating system.
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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