Updates for Windows 11 🔵Optional/Preview KB5120998 for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 adds fixes, stabilit

Updates for Windows 11

🔵Optional/Preview KB5120998 for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 adds fixes, stability improvements, and a range of new features. It updates the taskbar, Start menu, Search, File Explorer, graphics, Task Manager, Windows Update, and installation flow, while also improving touchpad reliability, Japanese IME input, Outlook search, and Narrator voices.

The update also introduces security and platform changes, including Admin Guard, support for app updates through Windows Update, Microsoft Store in-app purchases for certain packaged apps, and process isolation for Microsoft Execution Containers. Microsoft notes that WMIC will no longer be included in these Windows 11 versions starting August 2026. Support for Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro ends October 13, 2026, while Enterprise and Education continue until October 12, 2027.

🔄 Windows 11 26H1 Build 28000.2804, Release Preview Insiders, KB5120996. The update focuses on usability, reliability, and a few new features across the system. File Explorer now shows file sizes in proper units like KB, MB, and GB, supports middle-click opening of folders in new tabs from the address bar and Home page, and improves thumbnails and loading behavior. Search has also been refined so app and settings results are more accurate, even with typos or incomplete names.

Voice Access gets a major upgrade with Voice Isolation, which filters out background noise and other voices using on-device processing. It also adds Korean support and better launch reliability. Other changes include new touchpad gestures, better Start menu navigation, improved Windows Hello support for external fingerprint scanners, and updates to widgets, Magnifier, and taskbar behavior. Microsoft also improved power settings, Windows Update, printing speed, clipboard reliability, date and time handling, and overall system stability. There are also fixes for HDR displays on some Surface Arm64 devices and touchpad reliability on certain PCs.