Win Update KB5101681 Windows 11 Cumulative Update Preview build 28000.2608 (26H1) - July 28

UPDATE 8/11:



This cumulative update for Windows 11, version 26H1 (KB5101681), includes production-quality improvements.

Announcements and messages​

This section provides key notifications related to this release, including announcements, change logs, and end-of-support notices.

Change log

Highlights​

This update is available through two release phases: gradual rollout and normal rollout. A gradual rollout delivers an update in phases, so features reach devices over time instead of all at once, meaning availability varies by device. A normal rollout is the broad release to all eligible devices at the same time, usually when it reaches general availability (GA).



The following summary outlines features from AI-powered Windows 11 PC experiences, along with improvements and fixes. The bold text within the brackets indicates the item or area of the change.

Windows 11 PC experiences
This section highlights some new features and enhancements for Windows 11 PCs, including AI-powered capabilities, continuous innovation, and performance improvements.

Windows Update​

• New! A calendar experience in Windows Update Settings (Settings > Windows Update) lets you pause updates by choosing an end date, for up to 35 days. You can extend the pause by selecting a different end date and re‑pause updates as needed. For more information, see Pause updates in Windows.
  
  
  

  Pause and Resume Updates for Windows 11

  This tutorial will show you how to pause and resume updates for Windows 11. Windows Update keeps Windows 11 updated by automatically downloading and installing the latest updates, drivers, and hotfixes released by Microsoft. If you have a Windows Insider build of Windows 11 installed, you can...

  www.elevenforum.com

Widgets​

• New! A quieter, more focused Widgets experience helps reduce interruptions and improves default settings and notification controls:
  
  
  

  Enable or Disable Open Widgets Board on Hover in Windows 11

  This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off show widgets on hover for your account in Windows 11. Widgets in Windows are interactive elements that display dynamic content and provide quick access to various apps and features. You can view your location's current weather conditions...

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  • Reduce distractions: Widgets no longer open on hover. Notifications and taskbar badges are minimized by default.
  • Simpler: Open to the Widgets dashboard by default on first use.
    
    
    

    Change Default Dashboard on Widgets Board in Windows 11

    This tutorial will show you how to rearrange the order of dashboards to change the default dashboard on the Widgets board for your account in Windows 11. Widgets in Windows are interactive elements that display dynamic content and provide quick access to various apps and features. You can view...

    www.elevenforum.com
  • Customize: Configure Widgets how you want by selecting Settings in the navigation bar, then changing any of the default settings.
  • Stay informed: Dashboard icons show the number of alerts, and badges clear automatically when you leave a dashboard.
  • Adjusted defaults: Some default settings are preserved based on usage, while others adjust to reduce interruptions.
  • Performance improvements: This update provides improved reliability, responsiveness, and visual quality across the Widget experience.

Accessibility​

• New! This update makes your screen easier to see and customizes your zoom experience:
  • Screen tint: Apply a full-screen color overlay to help reduce eye strain and improve readability. Choose from preset tint options, adjust the intensity, or turn it on automatically. Find this feature in Settings > Accessibility.
    
    
    

    Enable or Disable Screen Tint in Windows 11

    This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off using Screen Tint for your account in Windows 11. Starting with Windows 11 build 26100.8737 (24H2), build 26200.8737 (25H2), and build 2800.2608 (26H1), Microsoft is introducing screen tint, a new accessibility setting that applies a color...

    www.elevenforum.com
    

    Change Screen Tint Color in Windows 11

    This tutorial will show you how to change the Screen Tint color for your account in Windows 11. Starting with Windows 11 build 26100.8737 (24H2), build 26200.8737 (25H2), and build 2800.2608 (26H1), Microsoft is introducing screen tint, a new accessibility setting that applies a color overlay...

    www.elevenforum.com
    

    Change Screen Tint Color Strength in Windows 11

    This tutorial will show you how to change the Screen Tint color strength for your account in Windows 11. Starting with Windows 11 build 26100.8737 (24H2), build 26200.8737 (25H2), and build 2800.2608 (26H1), Microsoft is introducing screen tint, a new accessibility setting that applies a color...

    www.elevenforum.com
  • Magnifier: Enter a zoom percentage directly and change it in increments in the Magnifier window for more precise, flexible control.
    
    
    

    Change Magnifier Zoom Level in Windows 11

    This tutorial will show you how to change the zoom level of Magnifier for your account in Windows 11. Magnifier makes part or all of your screen bigger so you can see words and images better. You can change the Magnifier zoom level to choose how much Magnifier enlarges the screen when turned...

    www.elevenforum.com
  • Magnifier settings menu: You can now also modify zoom increments directly from the magnifier bar instead of navigating to Windows Settings each time.
    
    
    

    Change Magnifier Zoom Increment in Windows 11

    This tutorial will show you how to change the zoom increment of Magnifier for your account in Windows 11. Magnifier makes part or all of your screen bigger so you can see words and images better. You can change the Magnifier zoom increment to choose how much the screen enlargement level...

    www.elevenforum.com

File Explorer​

• New! When you hover over a file in File Explorer Home, commands such as Open file location and Ask Copilot appear as quick actions. This experience is now supported for work and school accounts (Entra ID).1
  • Improves the speed and performance of File Explorer launch.2
  • This update improves File Explorer responsiveness when mounting disk images.
  • The address bar now supports paths containing double backslashes and quotation marks (for example, C:\Users\user or "C:\Users\user"), improving compatibility with a wider range of inputs.
  • The address bar suggestion dropdown is more reliable and now consistently closes after an item is selected.
  • This update addresses an issue on File Explorer Home where OneDrive files could appear duplicated in the Favorites section.
  • This update includes several refinements to the Rename experience:
    • Addresses an issue where text was repeatedly selected when renaming items in folder views.
    • Addresses an issue where case-only name changes were not immediately reflected in folder views for items stored locally or in the cloud.

Bluetooth​

• This update improves reliability and performance when connecting to and using Bluetooth devices:
  • New! Windows now keeps the microphone mute state in sync between the audio mixer and the Hands-Free Profile (HFP) for a more consistent experience with Bluetooth headphones with mute buttons or indicators.
    
    
    

    Mute and Unmute Microphone in Windows 11

    This tutorial will show you different ways on how to mute or unmute the microphone in Windows 11. A microphone is considered a sound input device in Windows 11. You can mute (off) or unmute (on) your microphone as needed without changing the microphone's volume level or having to enable or...

    www.elevenforum.com
  • Accessory compatibility workarounds: Improves compatibility with specific Bluetooth audio devices, helping AirPods appear faster in pairing mode and improving microphone reliability on Beats Studio Pro headphones.
• Bluetooth audio stability:
  • Improves overall Windows stability with certain PC manufacturer drivers (error code 0x9F).
  • Improves Bluetooth reliability for voice calls when using Classic Audio devices with the Hands-Free Profile (HFP).
  • Reduces time for LE Audio accessories to start playing audio while using the microphone.
• Device management: Windows will no longer show a “Remove failed” message when attempting to remove Bluetooth devices if the Bluetooth radio is unavailable or has changed since pairing.
• Settings experience: Improves stability when using the Bluetooth & devices settings page for a smoother, more consistent experience.
• Connection reliability and responsiveness:
  • Reduces the time it takes for classic Bluetooth audio devices to reconnect after Windows resumes from hibernation.
  • Improves reliability when LE Audio accessories disconnect, such as when another device (for example, a phone) connects.
  • Improves reliability of LE Audio streaming after a connection is lost and restored.

Bluetooth and Phone Link​

• This update improves audio routing for calls made through a connected phone:
  • When an outgoing call is dialed from a paired phone, audio remains on the phone while ringing and transfers to the PC only when the call is answered from the PC.
  • When Do Not Disturb is enabled on Windows, incoming call audio from a paired phone no longer rings on the PC.

Voice access and voice typing​

• New!⁠ You can now use voice access and voice typing in French, German, and Spanish. As you speak, your PC improves your text in real time. It corrects grammar, punctuation, and recognition errors, and helps improve clarity—even in the presence of background noise. This makes dictation smoother and reduces the need for manual edits.3

Audio​

• This update improves the reliability of the inbox HD Audio driver.

Taskbar​

• This update improves the reliability of opening the Start menu when selecting the left edge of the taskbar when the icons in the taskbar are left-aligned.

Networking​

• This update includes networking improvements for virtualized environments. Confidential Virtual Machines (CVMs) now use SR-IOV hardware acceleration by default for improved network throughput, and a configuration issue in nested Hyper-V virtualization network setup has been corrected to ensure reliable VM network provisioning.
• This update improves the reliability of the Windows networking stack. It reduces bug checks (blue screen errors) related to Wi-Fi power and improves cellular (WWAN) connectivity, including support for IPv6 VPNs. Compatibility with third-party VPN software and SR-IOV configurations on server hardware is also improved. Network adapter settings and bindings are now preserved across OS upgrades.

Printing​

• New! New printer installations use Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) by default when supported, simplifying setup and improving reliability. For details about third-party driver deprecation, see End of Servicing Plan for Third-Party Printer Drivers on Windows. To control this behavior, use the toggle in Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Default install printers using Windows Ready Print. For more information, see Introducing Windows Ready Print and modernized driver selection. For more information, see Introducing Windows Ready Print and Modernized Driver Selection.
  
  
  

  Enable or Disable Windows Ready Print in Windows 11

  This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable install printers using Windows Ready Print by default in Windows 11. In May 2026, Microsoft introduced a change where new printer installations use Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) by default when supported to simplify setup and improve...

  www.elevenforum.com

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)​

• The update improves usage of WSL in mirrored networking mode with VPNs.

Display and graphics​

• Improves the reliability of rendering content while scrolling for certain apps spanning across multiple monitors.
• Improves the reliability and persistence of applying color profiles.

Location services​

• This update changes how some location settings are displayed in Settings > Privacy & Security > Location to help with clarity. When location services are turned off, settings like Default location and Allow location override don't immediately apply, since location information is not given to apps or services. These settings will now be greyed out when location services are off to reduce confusion over when they take effect.

Search​

• This update improves the reliability of setting Search related group policies.

Input​

• New! You can now customize the size of the right-click zone in Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad. Choose from default, small, medium, or large to control how much of the bottom-right corner responds to a single-finger right-click. This setting is only available on touchpads with a pressable surface. If your device manufacturer provides customization through their own app, a Custom option will appear to reflect those settings.
  
  
  

  Change Touchpad Right Click Zone Size in Windows 11

  This tutorial will show you how to change the right click region/zone size on a Precision Haptic Touchpad for your account in Windows 11. Starting with Windows 11 build 26100.8737 (24H2), build 26200.8737 (25H2), and build 2800.2608 (26H1), Microsoft is adding a new setting in Settings >...

  www.elevenforum.com
• This update improves recognition of English characters when using Japanese handwriting.

General performance​

• Improves the time to shut down Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) when you turn off your PC.

General reliability​

• This update improves the reliability of explorer.exe. It addresses issues on the login and lock screens related to third-party credential providers, reduces the probability of taskbar icons appearing as blank gray placeholders, and improves navigation to Home in File Explorer during OneDrive sync. It also improves explorer.exe reliability when switching between desktops, enhances app launch with shell extensions, and using acrylic blur effects in the Start menu, Settings, and the lock screen.

Apps​

• Resolves an issue where some installers and applications could show unexpected elevation (UAC) prompts after installing KB5089549.

Remote Desktop​

• This update refreshes the dialog design when you enable Remote Desktop in Settings > System > Remote Desktop.

Graphics Kernel​

• Improves memory-management policy that allows PCs with more than 32GB of installed memory to run larger local AI models.

1 Feature availability varies by device and market.



This non-security update includes quality improvements. The following summary outlines key issues addressed by the KB update after you install it. Also, included are available new features. The bold text within the brackets indicates the item or area of the change.

Apps​

• This update improves reliability for some Win32 applications by preventing crashes that could occur when creating a new project.

File Explorer​

• This update addresses an issue where files stored on a DFS mapped drive could be incorrectly treated as originating from the Internet after the device started while disconnected from the network and later reconnected. This could cause File Explorer’s Preview Pane to display the message, “The file you are attempting to preview could harm your computer,” or cause files copied from the DFS drive to receive an unexpected Mark of the Web.
• This update enhances File Explorer to display all characters in search results and tooltips for files using GB18030 or UTF-8 (without byte order mark) encoding.

Mobile device management (MDM)​

• This update addresses an issue affecting newly provisioned or newly recovered Windows devices running versions of Windows released on or after July 14, 2026 (KB5101649). After enrollment in a mobile device management (MDM) service such as Microsoft Intune, affected devices could remain in an incorrect noncompliant state and be unable to access corporate resources.

Powershell​

• This updates the PowerShell application name to Windows PowerShell, restoring the previous naming to improve compatibility with applications and tools that rely on the original name.

Storage​

• This update fixes an issue that affects File History automatic backups to network shares using Server Message Block (SMB). Backups did not work because Windows showed a false “invalid credentials” error when connecting to SMB shares.

If you installed earlier updates, your device downloads and installs only the new updates contained in this package.

Components updates​

AI components
This release updates the following AI components to version 1.2608.856.0: Image Search, Content Extraction, Semantic Analysis, and Settings Model.
To learn more, see Release information for AI components.

Servicing stack update (SSU)
Includes KB5101747 (Build 28000.2602), which improves the reliability of the Windows update installation process. To learn more about SSUs, see Simplifying on-premises deployment of servicing stack updates.

Known issues in this update​

Microsoft is not currently aware of any issues with this update.

How to get this update​

Before you install this update

Microsoft combines the latest servicing stack update (SSU) for your operating system with the latest cumulative update (LCU). For general information about SSUs, see Servicing stack updates.

Deployment​

If you deploy dynamic updates such as this update to an existing Windows image, ensure the boot.stl file is included as part of the installation media. Failure to include the file might prevent devices from successfully starting from the installation media and can result in error code 0xc0430001.

Note
The boot.stl file is used during Secure Boot validation and must match the Windows version and architecture of the image you are updating.

To ensure the boot.stl file is included as part of the installation media, do one of the following:

• Use the Update WinPE script to update an existing Windows image. (Recommended)
• Manually copy the boot.stl file from the device Windows\Boot\EFI folder to the corresponding folder on your installation media before deploying the update.

For information about how to apply Dynamic Update packages to existing Windows images, see Update Windows installation media with Dynamic Update.

Install this update​

To install this update, use one of the following Windows and Microsoft release channels.

File information​

For a list of the files provided in this update, download the file information for cumulative update 5101681.

For a list of the files provided in the servicing stack update, download the file information for the SSU (KB5101747) - version 28000.2602.





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