Insider KB5124038 Windows 11 Insider Experimental (26H2) build 26340.9212 - Aug. 17


UPDATE 8/21:


 Windows Insider Blog:

Update 17 August 2026: Moving Windows Recovery enhancement originally announced for Beta build 26220.9202 into this Experimental build.

Changes and improvements gradually being rolled out

[File Explorer]​

  • Introducing the new, redesigned context menu in File Explorer
    • We're beginning to roll out an updated context menu experience in File Explorer, designed to feel faster, cleaner, and easier to tailor to the way you work. The new design reduces top-level clutter, keeps commonly used actions easy to access, and adds a new Settings experience that gives you more control over what appears in the menu. As we continue refining this experience with Insider feedback, our goal is to make right-click feel more responsive, predictable, and personal.


      Screenshot of new context menu.
      Screenshot of new context menu
  • Previewing images in File Explorer
    • Fixed an issue from the previous flight where previews in File Explorer showed an unexpected thick band across the middle.
Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Files, Folders, and Online Storage > File Explorer.

[Camera Roll Backup]​

  • New entry points on the Settings > Home and Accounts pages help you set up Camera Roll Backup and automatically back up photos and videos from your mobile device to OneDrive.

    Screenshot of a UI showing the Phone photo back-up setting in Cloud storage with the status Not backed up.

    UI showing the Phone photo back-up setting in Cloud storage with the status "Not backed up" and link to begin backup process

[Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) removal]​

  • Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) has been removed in this release. This change is part of the ongoing deprecation and removal of WMIC from Windows.
  • For more information about this change, see Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) removal from Windows.

[Emoji]​

  • We're adding support for Emoji 17.0. This includes new emoji such as distorted face, fight cloud, and hairy creature. To try the new emoji, press the Windows key plus Period (.) to open the emoji panel and insert them from there.


    Screenshot of new emoji added.
  • As part of this effort, we've also made some slight adjustments to the design of some of our current emoji to improve consistency across platforms. This includes the saluting face, face with peeking eye, goose, lotus, and kissing cat emoji.

    Screenshot of emoji adjusted.

[Get Started app]​

  • The Get Started app is updated with new pages. The pages help personalize your device and discover new features. Pages might depend on your device. Close the flow at any time, or revisit it by opening Get Started. The new pages include the app install page, the site pinning page, and the personalized theme page.

    Screenshot of App install page in Get Started.
    App install page in Get Started

    Screenshot of Site pinning page in Get Started.
    Site pinning page in Get Started

    Screenshot of Theme page in Get Started.
    Theme page in Get Started

[Magnifier]​

  • We're giving Magnifier's toolbar a modernized visual refresh.
  • Updated icons. We've updated Magnifier's toolbar icons to align with Windows 11 visual design, giving the tool a cleaner, more modernized feel.
  • Refined spacing and padding. We've adjusted the padding and spacing across the toolbar for a more polished, consistent layout.
  • What's not changing: The way Magnifier works. Your views, zoom controls, keyboard shortcuts, and Read Aloud all behave exactly as they did in earlier versions.

    Screenshot of UI showing updated icons and more polished, consistent layout.
    UI showing updated icons and more polished, consistent layout.

[Drag Tray]​

  • Thank you to Insiders who have provided feedback about the Drag Tray experience. Based on feedback, we're removing the experience in this build. We're continuing to explore improvements in this area and look forward to sharing more about a future replacement experience in a later update.

[Input]​

  • Fixed an issue where some third-party keyboard input methods, including certain Chinese IMEs, might not display their status window correctly when typing in File Explorer and other parts of Windows.
  • Improved reliability of typing with the Japanese IME by reducing potential hangs and deadlocks.

[Start menu]​

  • We're adjusting the rollout population for the personalized Start menu, so some Insiders might see the features temporarily disappear. If you don't see the feature in this build, you can re-enable it through feature flags.

[Run]​

  • For Insiders using the modern Run dialog:
    • Improved first launch reliability.
    • Adjusted verbosity for screen reader users.

[Personalization]​

  • We're starting to roll out a variety of improvements to desktop background experiences. These improvements include:
    • Improved reliability of the Personalization > Background page in Settings.
    • Added support for using DIB image files as desktop backgrounds.
    • Improved reliability of desktop slideshow transitions on newly created accounts.
    • Improved the resolution of previews when selecting a desktop background in Personalization > Background.
    • Improved the desktop background preview display in Settings for users with portrait mode monitors.
    • Improved reliability of processing desktop wallpaper changes when they happen in quick succession.
    • Added support for using slideshow wallpapers with multiple desktops so that it won't automatically switch you back to Picture.

[Windows Recovery]​

  • New enhancements to networking in WinRE
    • We're adding a new WinRE networking capability that allows the Windows Recovery Environment to automatically reuse eligible Wi-Fi profiles already saved in the main Windows OS, including supported certificate-based Wi-Fi networks. Previously, WinRE could automatically connect only to wired unauthenticated Ethernet or Wi-Fi networks that were separately preconfigured for WinRE, while users had to manually connect to other WPA2/3 networks by entering a password. With this update, WinRE can use saved Wi-Fi profile information when a recovery workflow requires connectivity, helping devices get online automatically during scenarios such as quick machine recovery or cloud rebuild without requiring users or IT admins to separately preconfigure Wi-Fi credentials in WinRE. By default, this capability is enabled. However, IT admins can disable this functionality if desired.
    • To test this feature in your environment, see Test networking in WinRE.

[Settings]​

  • Fixed an issue causing Settings to crash in the previous flight when interacting with items on the Date & Time page.

[Other]​

  • Fixed an xtajit64.dll crash, which was leading to issues with certain apps for Insiders on Arm64 PCs in the latest flights.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel

  • Updates are based on Windows 11, version 26H2 via an enablement package (Build 26340.9212).
  • Many features are rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time. We monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.
  • The desktop watermark shown at the lower right corner of the desktop is normal for Windows Insider pre-release builds.
  • Features and experiences included in these builds might never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features might change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they're ready.
  • Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders might not be fully localized, and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.
  • Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.

 Source:



Check Windows Updates


ISO from Microsoft:



UUP Dump:

64-bit ISO download:

ARM64 ISO download:

 
Last edited:
I thought MS had stopped using CFR for experimental builds?
If that's the case why do the new features need Vivetool to enable them?

The features are either there or not!
Yes, all the new features were present without Vivetool for me, as well. I think people forget these are rollouts and not everyone gets them, but if you didn't then you can use the Vivetool to turn them on, is the way I read this...;)
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win11 Experimental Channel for 26H2 buildsAMD R7 7800X3DGSkill 2x16GB @ 6400MT/sXFX 9070 XT SWIFT tri-fan (PCIe5.0)
OS
Win11 Experimental Channel for 26H2 builds
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
a cherry-picked assembly
CPU
AMD R7 7800X3D
Motherboard
MSI x870 Tomahawk Wi-Fi, 8-layer, 2 oz copper, server PCB
Memory
GSkill 2x16GB @ 6400MT/s
Graphics Card(s)
XFX 9070 XT SWIFT tri-fan (PCIe5.0)
Sound Card
Creative Labs G8 USB External Sound device, Gaming DAC, Sound Card & Earphone AMP.. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, btw. Totally changed my opinion of external USB sound. I like!...;)
Monitor(s) Displays
Philips 42" OLED @ 4k
Screen Resolution
3840x2160
Hard Drives
*Boot: Samsung 980 Pro 2 TB NVMe (PCIe4x4)
*Samsung 980 EVO NVMe 500GB (PCIe 4x4)
*Kingston SNV3S2000G 2TB NVMe (PCIe4x4)
*Samsung 960 EVO 250GB NVMe(PCIe3x2)
*8TB Toshiba x300 HDD
*ST4000DM004 S3 4TB HDD
PSU
Gigabyte 850W Gold, Rev 2
Case
Lian Li Lancool 217, white, with wood trim, very nice looking--tired of black, 5-fans standard
Cooling
Air coutesy Lian Li
Keyboard
Cherry MX 2.0S RGB
Mouse
Razer Basilisk V3 24k DPI
Internet Speed
~950Mbps down and up!
Browser
Firefox x64 DE
Antivirus
Defender
Other Info
Great New system. Exceeds my expectations by quite a bit, btw. I love the USB G8 SoundBlaster, it's quite an improvement over the G6!
Yes, all the new features were present without Vivetool for me, as well. I think people forget these are rollouts and not everyone gets them, but if you didn't then you can use the Vivetool to turn them on, is the way I read this...;)
It was my understanding that CFR was not being used on Experimental so all new features should be there for everyone
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (RP channel)AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 8-core64GB Corsair Titanium 6000/CL30MSI Suprim 5080 SOC
OS
Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (RP channel)
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
MSI
CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 8-core
Motherboard
MEG X870E Godlike
Memory
64GB Corsair Titanium 6000/CL30
Graphics Card(s)
MSI Suprim 5080 SOC
Sound Card
Soundblaster AE-9
Monitor(s) Displays
ASUS TUF Gaming VG289Q
Screen Resolution
3840x2160
Hard Drives
Samsung 9100 Pro 4TB (gen 5 x4, system drive/games)
Samsung 990 Pro 2TB
Samsung 980 Pro 2TB
Samsung 870 Evo 4TB
Samsung 870 Evo 2TB
Samsung T9 4TB
PSU
Seasonic PX-2200
Case
Bequiet! Dark Base Pro 901
Cooling
Noctua NH-D15S Chromax black
Keyboard
Logitech G915 X (wired)
Mouse
Logitech G903 with PowerPlay charger
Internet Speed
900Mb/sec
Browser
Microsoft Edge
Antivirus
Windows Defender
ISO from Microsoft:

 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro for WorkstationsIntel i7-8700K 5 GHz64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600...ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GD...
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Amazon Basics Wired Full Keyboard MD005
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 4
    Internet Speed
    2 Gbps Download and 100 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProSnapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
It was my understanding that CFR was not being used on Experimental so all new features should be there for everyone
Heh..;) I really don't have a horse in this race, but it seemed to me that Brink wouldn't have mentioned the vivetools if nobody needed them...;)
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win11 Experimental Channel for 26H2 buildsAMD R7 7800X3DGSkill 2x16GB @ 6400MT/sXFX 9070 XT SWIFT tri-fan (PCIe5.0)
OS
Win11 Experimental Channel for 26H2 builds
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
a cherry-picked assembly
CPU
AMD R7 7800X3D
Motherboard
MSI x870 Tomahawk Wi-Fi, 8-layer, 2 oz copper, server PCB
Memory
GSkill 2x16GB @ 6400MT/s
Graphics Card(s)
XFX 9070 XT SWIFT tri-fan (PCIe5.0)
Sound Card
Creative Labs G8 USB External Sound device, Gaming DAC, Sound Card & Earphone AMP.. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, btw. Totally changed my opinion of external USB sound. I like!...;)
Monitor(s) Displays
Philips 42" OLED @ 4k
Screen Resolution
3840x2160
Hard Drives
*Boot: Samsung 980 Pro 2 TB NVMe (PCIe4x4)
*Samsung 980 EVO NVMe 500GB (PCIe 4x4)
*Kingston SNV3S2000G 2TB NVMe (PCIe4x4)
*Samsung 960 EVO 250GB NVMe(PCIe3x2)
*8TB Toshiba x300 HDD
*ST4000DM004 S3 4TB HDD
PSU
Gigabyte 850W Gold, Rev 2
Case
Lian Li Lancool 217, white, with wood trim, very nice looking--tired of black, 5-fans standard
Cooling
Air coutesy Lian Li
Keyboard
Cherry MX 2.0S RGB
Mouse
Razer Basilisk V3 24k DPI
Internet Speed
~950Mbps down and up!
Browser
Firefox x64 DE
Antivirus
Defender
Other Info
Great New system. Exceeds my expectations by quite a bit, btw. I love the USB G8 SoundBlaster, it's quite an improvement over the G6!
Just moved to 26H2 from 25H2 preview - figured this couldn't be much buggier. Update went without a hitch. sfc /scannow no errors. dism bug still present.
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProIntel Core i9 14900K 5800/4500 P/E96GB (2x48) G.skill Ripjaws 6800Asus ROG Strix 4070 Ti OC
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Photoshop/Audio/Game/tinker
    CPU
    Intel Core i9 14900K 5800/4500 P/E
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero
    Memory
    96GB (2x48) G.skill Ripjaws 6800
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus ROG Strix 4070 Ti OC
    Sound Card
    B&W 606 S3 speakers; Audiolabs 7000a integrated amp; RSL 10S Mk2 sub
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Eizo CG2730 ColorEdge, ViewSonic VP2768
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440 x 2
    Hard Drives
    nvme: WDC SN850X 4TB, SN850 1TB, SK-Hynix 2 TB P41
    Spinners: Sabrent USB-C DS-SC5B 5-bay docking station, 6TB WDC Black, 6TB Ironwolf Pro 2x 2TB WDC Black
    PSU
    850W Seasonic Vertex PX-850
    Case
    FD North XL Mesh, Black Walnut
    Cooling
    EK Nucleus black 360 AIO w/Phanteks T30 fans; 2 Noctua NF-A14 Chromax ; T30 for memory
    Keyboard
    Keychron Q3 Max TKL w/GMK Redsuns Red Samuri keycaps
    Mouse
    Logitech G305 wireless gaming
    Internet Speed
    575 Mb/s down | 25 Mb/s up
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender, Macrium Reflect X
    Other Info
    Phangkey Amaterasu V2 Desk Mat
  • At a glance

    Apple M1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    💻 Apple 13" Macbook Pro 2020 (m1)
    CPU
    Apple M1
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1600
    Browser
    Firefox
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro for WorkstationsIntel i7-8700K 5 GHz64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600...ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GD...
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Amazon Basics Wired Full Keyboard MD005
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 4
    Internet Speed
    2 Gbps Download and 100 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProSnapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
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