Microsoft has rolled out the optional July 2026 preview update, KB5101684, for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2. This monthly patch focuses on quality-of-life improvements and performance tuning, with the most notable change being a measurable speed boost for the Start menu and taskbar. While the update is currently available only to users who opt in, it will eventually reach all compatible devices during the August Patch Tuesday cycle.
If you are running a slightly older machine or have noticed occasional stutters when opening the Start menu, this preview build addresses those pain points directly. The improvements are part of Microsoft’s ongoing effort to refine the core shell experience, ensuring that frequently used interfaces feel snappier across a wider range of hardware configurations.
What’s New in KB5101684
The headline change in this update is the performance optimization for the Windows 11 shell. According to the details released alongside the patch, Microsoft has refined how the Start menu and taskbar render and respond to user input. In practice, this means fewer moments of hesitation when pinning or unpinning apps, and faster loading times for recently added items. The underlying changes likely involve optimized rendering pipelines and reduced overhead when querying the app database, which translates to smoother animations and quicker response times.
However, the extent to which you will notice this difference depends heavily on your system’s age and specifications. Users with newer hardware may find the change subtle, while those managing older PCs or devices with limited RAM might experience a more tangible improvement in daily responsiveness. The optimization targets background processes that previously competed for CPU cycles during shell interactions.
File Explorer and Search Improvements
Beyond the shell tweaks, KB5101684 introduces practical usability changes to File Explorer. The update adjusts how file sizes are displayed in the details view. Instead of defaulting to kilobytes (KB) for all files, the system now automatically formats sizes in megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB) where appropriate. This adjustment provides a clearer, at-a-glance understanding of storage usage without requiring you to hover over each item. It also reduces visual clutter in the details pane, making it easier to scan through large directories.
Windows Search also receives a performance lift in this build. The indexing engine has been tuned to deliver results faster, and the query parser now handles typos more gracefully. If you have ever struggled to find a document because of a minor spelling error, this update should reduce those friction points significantly. The improved fuzzy matching logic allows the search to suggest correct results even when search terms contain typos, which is particularly useful for users who frequently search by file name or content snippets.
Updated Secure Boot Certificates
The rollout of updated Secure Boot certificates has been a long-standing topic of discussion among Windows users, particularly those who encountered compatibility issues during previous OS upgrades. This optional update finally extends the certificate refresh to additional devices, addressing a known friction point for IT administrators and power users alike. Secure Boot certificates ensure that your PC only boots using trusted software signed by Microsoft, and when these certificates expire or are not properly updated, systems can fail to boot or trigger recovery modes unnecessarily.
By pushing these updates through the standard Windows Update pipeline, Microsoft is proactively preventing boot failures for a broader range of hardware. The certificate update aligns with UEFI firmware standards and ensures that newer security protocols remain compatible with older motherboard implementations. This is especially relevant for enterprise environments where device lifecycles often exceed the original hardware warranty period.
What This Means for You
For the average Windows 11 user, this update represents a straightforward quality-of-life improvement. The Start menu speed boost, combined with better file size formatting and typo-tolerant search, makes the operating system feel more polished. Since the update is currently optional, you have the flexibility to test it on a secondary device or wait for the broader August rollout if you prefer a more conservative update schedule.
IT professionals managing enterprise fleets should take note of the Secure Boot certificate changes. Deploying this preview update via Windows Update for Business or Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager can help preemptively resolve boot-related issues across older hardware models. The optional nature of the update also allows administrators to validate compatibility with internal software before enforcing a wider deployment.
How to Get It
Because KB5101684 is a preview update, it will not appear in your Windows Update history by default. To install it manually, open Settings and navigate to Windows Update. Toggle the switch for Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available to the On position. Click Check for updates and wait for the scan to complete.
Once the check finishes, select Advanced options and then Optional updates. You should now see KB5101684 listed there. Select it and click Download and install. Alternatively, you can download the update package directly from the Microsoft Update Catalog if you prefer a manual installation process. After installation, a system restart is required to finalize the changes.
Build Numbers and Changelog
After successfully installing KB5101684, your system will be updated to a new build number. Windows 11 25H2 will be updated to build 26200.8973, while Windows 11 24H2 will receive build 26100.8973. You can verify your current build by visiting Settings > System > About.
For a complete breakdown of all changes, including known issues and detailed technical notes, Microsoft has published the full changelog on its official support page. Reviewing this document is recommended before deploying the update across multiple devices, as it provides additional context on the performance optimizations and certificate updates included in this release. The August Patch Tuesday rollout will likely include these same changes as part of the standard cumulative update cycle.
Source: Windows News, Reviews, Advice & Deals | PCWorld
Build details:
- kb5101684
Over to you: Are you planning to install the optional July 2026 preview update now, or will you wait for the August Patch Tuesday rollout?
