Microsoft Releases Windows 11 KB5101684 Preview Update With 42 Fixes

Microsoft has published the July 28, 2026, optional preview cumulative update for Windows 11, designated as KB5101684. According to the release notes, this update targets both Windows 11 version 24H2 and version 25H2, pushing them to build 26100.8973 and 26200.8973 respectively. The package contains 42 documented fixes and introduces several new capabilities that will roll out gradually to users.

As an optional, non-security preview update, KB5101684 does not install automatically unless you have toggled on the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” setting in Windows Update. It serves as a preview of the changes that will land in the August Patch Tuesday release, giving IT administrators and power users a window to test compatibility before the broader deployment.

New Features and Accessibility Improvements

The most notable addition in this preview is a major upgrade to Voice Access. Microsoft is introducing Voice Isolation, a feature designed to filter out background noise and other speakers during dictation. Users can configure this under Voice Access settings by navigating to Improve speech recognition. Three distinct modes are available: Voice Isolation (requires a one-time voice setup), Remove background noise only (filters non-speech sounds without setup), and No filtering for default microphone input. The update also expands Voice Access support to the Korean language and improves the overall reliability of launching the feature.

Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security is now extending its reach beyond built-in sensors. If you use a desktop or a Copilot+ PC equipped with a supported external fingerprint reader, you can now enroll through Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. This feature, first disclosed in January 2026 under KB5074105, finally begins its staged rollout, allowing peripheral ESS fingerprint readers to unlock the enhanced security tier.

For users managing Copilot+ PCs, Microsoft has added an opt-out mechanism for the Image Generation AI component. If the feature was pre-installed and you prefer not to use it, you can now remove it directly from supported devices, freeing up local resources and addressing privacy preferences.

File Explorer and Interface Tweaks

File Explorer receives several quality-of-life adjustments in this build. The Details view now formats file sizes using appropriate units (KB, MB, GB) instead of displaying everything in raw kilobytes. Middle-clicking a folder in the address bar or Home page will now open it in a new tab, streamlining navigation for users who rely on multi-tab workflows. Additionally, Microsoft has patched a visual glitch that caused a gray flash on load and eliminated unexpected scrolling to the top of the Home page. Thumbnail quality in the Recommended section has also been refined.

Windows Search is getting smarter about typos and partial application names, while Settings results are surfaced higher in search rankings. Under Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad, new precision touchpad controls allow you to adjust scroll and zoom speed, and enable accelerated scrolling for faster navigation.

File Explorer now formats file sizes dynamically and supports middle-click navigation in the address bar.

Other interface adjustments include Taskbar notification badges switching from red to your Windows accent color, Weather becoming the default Lock screen widget for new accounts, and a redesigned Start menu Account Control that displays subscription status badges. Fluid Dictation in Voice Typing is now disabled by default, and a parental controls notice has been added to the Windows Setup flow.

Security, MDM, and Reliability Fixes

Enterprise and power users will notice targeted fixes for storage and device management. A File History update resolves an issue where automatic backups to network shares over SMB would fail with a false “invalid credentials” error. On the security front, additional Secure Boot device targeting data has been added, and Office application stability in virtualized environments has been improved.

A critical fix addresses a DFS mapped drive issue where files could be incorrectly flagged as originating from the internet after a device reconnected to the network. This previously triggered false Mark of the Web flags and Preview Pane security warnings. Another MDM-focused fix resolves a compliance state bug for devices enrolled in Microsoft Intune after July 14, 2026, preventing them from getting stuck in a noncompliant state that blocked corporate resource access.

General reliability improvements cover DHCP renewal stability, IPPS print performance, clipboard reliability in Remote Desktop and Azure Virtual Desktop sessions, and overall explorer.exe stability. The update also corrects daylight saving time accuracy for Beirut, Casablanca, Jerusalem, and Nuuk time zones, and restores the Energy Saver threshold setting under System > Power & Battery.

What This Means for You

If you are running Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2, KB5101684 is a low-risk update worth installing, particularly if you rely on Voice Access, external fingerprint readers, or network-backed File History. The staged rollout means some features may not appear immediately after a restart, but the core fixes for DFS drives and MDM compliance are applied right away. Since this is a preview, you can safely test it now and wait for the August Patch Tuesday release if you prefer a more conservative update cadence.

How to Install KB5101684

Because this is an optional preview update, you will need to manually trigger the installation unless automatic updates are enabled:

Open Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates.
Locate KB5101684 in the list and select Download and install.
If you prefer not to use Windows Update, you can download the standalone package directly from the Microsoft Update Catalog.
Restart your PC when prompted to finalize the upgrade to build 26100.8973 (24H2) or 26200.8973 (25H2).

Microsoft has confirmed there are currently no known issues with KB5101684. All changes included in this preview will eventually land in the standard August cumulative update for all supported devices.

Source: Windows News: Updates, Security Patches, Microsoft OS Changes – gHacks

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