Windows 11’s Release Preview channel just picked up a new update, and it’s the kind of milestone build that typically signals Microsoft is working toward a wider rollout to the general public.
KB5124010 has now landed on the Release Preview ring, updating build 26100.9539 for version 24H2 and build 26200.9539 for version 25H2. According to Neowin, this update adds Emoji 17.0 support alongside a set of File Explorer changes, along with the usual stack of quality fixes that keep the OS running smoothly.
If you’re enrolled in the Windows Insider program and riding the Release Preview ring, this is the build you’ll want to check for. Here’s what changed and what it means for you.
Windows 11 Release Preview: Emoji 17.0 and File Explorer changes
Two features carry the spotlight in KB5124010. The most visible is the arrival of Emoji 17.0, the latest emoji standard from the Unicode Consortium, which expands the characters you can type and share across Windows apps. The second is a batch of File Explorer tweaks that Microsoft has been quietly iterating on across recent builds.
Microsoft hasn’t released an exhaustive changelog for these specific items, so the details below are drawn from what’s reported rather than an official feature list. Release Preview builds are close to gold, so these changes are generally stable and low-risk.
For context on where this sits in the Insider journey: Release Preview is the most conservative of the rings, aimed at users who want near-final builds. It sits well below the Canary and Dev channels, which ship far more experimental changes and frequent breaks. That’s why an update here tends to feel polished rather than rough around the edges.
#1 Emoji 17.0
Emoji 17.0 is the newest version of the Unicode emoji standard, which governs how emoji are encoded and displayed across platforms. When Windows adopts a new emoji release, it means the operating system gains access to the full set of characters approved in that version, rather than just a handful of new additions.
For everyday users, the practical effect is simple: more up-to-date emoji showing up in the emoji picker, in messaging apps, and across the Fluent design system. Newer emoji that were previously missing or rendered as placeholders should now display correctly, assuming the apps you use support the standard.
It’s worth noting that emoji rendering depends on both the OS and the individual application. Even once Windows ships Emoji 17.0, some third-party apps may continue using their own emoji sets until they update, so you might see slight variations between apps.
#2 File Explorer changes
The File Explorer portion of KB5124010 is described more broadly, with Microsoft bundling a set of refinements to the shell app rather than a single headline feature. File Explorer has been the subject of ongoing tweaks across Windows 11’s 24H2 and 25H2 builds as Microsoft works to polish the experience.
In practice, these kinds of updates often touch things like toolbar layout, icon rendering, context-menu behavior, or performance under the hood. Without a detailed changelog, the exact nature of the changes isn’t fully specified, but the intent is to smooth out day-to-day file management.
If you haven’t noticed anything different yet, that’s expected—these are usually incremental refinements rather than overhauls. Power users may want to keep an eye on the Windows Insider Blog for a more granular breakdown as Microsoft shares more.
How to get the update
To receive KB5124010, you’ll need to be on the Windows Insider Release Preview ring. The Release Preview channel is where Microsoft shares builds that are expected to reach the general public soon, making it the closest you can get to the stable experience without being on the release channel itself.
To check for it, open Settings and head to Windows Update. From there, select Check for updates. If your build is eligible and you’re on the correct ring, the update should appear and install automatically. You can also navigate to the Windows Insider Program settings to confirm you’re enrolled on Release Preview.
What this means for you
For the vast majority of Windows users, this update is a low-priority one. If you’re not part of the Insider program, you’ll reach these same changes eventually when Microsoft pushes them to the stable release channel—just on your normal update schedule rather than today.
For Insiders on Release Preview, the Emoji 17.0 addition is the most tangible benefit, giving you access to the latest emoji without waiting for the general public release. The File Explorer tweaks are a nice-to-have but unlikely to change how you work unless you specifically notice a behavior you were waiting to see fixed.
As always, if you’re testing builds, keep a restore point or backup handy before installing, and report any regressions through the Feedback Hub. That’s how Microsoft prioritizes fixes before the build ships to everyone.
Source: Neowin
Over to you: Will you jump to the Release Preview ring for Emoji 17.0, or stay put on the stable build?
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