New Windows 11 26H2 Build 26300.8497 – New Features in Settings, Taskbar and Fixes (Experimental)

In this article, we will talk about the latest Preview Build for Windows 11 26H2 in the Dev Channel, which is the Build 26300.8497.

These 26300 series builds will contain many of the same features and improvements as the 26220 series builds that will continue to be released in the Beta Channel. Over time, Microsoft will be making behind-the-scenes platform changes in each build so they may have different known issues because of those changes. These Builds are previewing Features that will be part of Windows 11 26H2, the Big Annual Release for 2026.

New Feature Flags Page

The Feature Flags Page is getting a new animation whenever you enter the section, which makes all the flags fly in with a smooth transition.

New Narrator Changes

• Microsoft is making refreshable braille displays easier to use in Windows. Narrator now supports displays that use the HID standard — an open industry standard for braille displays. If your display supports HID, simply connect it via USB and start reading — true plug-and-play with no additional setup required. For Bluetooth, pair your HID braille display in Settings > Bluetooth & devices just like any other accessory, and you can work wirelessly without being tethered to your PC.
• Compatible HID displays include models like the Orbit Reader 20, Orbit Slate 340, Freedom Scientific Focus 40, and APH Mantis Q40.
• HID braille displays now work during the initial Windows setup experience (OOBE) over USB — meaning users who are deaf-blind can set up their PC independently, right from the first screen. You can customize braille input and output options anytime in Settings > Accessibility > Narrator > Braille.

New Screen Tint Feature

• Microsoft is introducing screen tint, a new accessibility setting that applies a color overlay across your entire display, softening its intensity so it’s easier on your eyes throughout the day. If bright, saturated screens leave you with tired or sensitive eyes by the end of a long session, screen tint can help.  
• To get started, open Settings > Accessibility (or press Win + U) and look for screen tint under the Vision section. From there you can:
  • Pick from six preset colors or choose a custom color of your own.
  • Adjust the tint strength slider from a subtle wash to full intensity.
• Night light warms your display to reduce blue light that can interfere with sleep. Screen tint reduces overall screen intensity to ease eye fatigue and light sensitivity during the day. They tackle different problems and you can use both at the same time, one working on warmth and the other on intensity.
• Note that turning on screen tint will disable color filters, and vice versa. If you currently rely on color filters, you may need to keep screen tint turned off.

New Magnifier Changes

• Touch bars for panning in Magnifier are now off by default. Hiding them gives you a cleaner, less distracting magnified view on touchscreen devices.
• If you use a touch screen device and prefer on-screen bars for navigating your magnified view, you can turn them back on anytime in Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier. 

New Windows Ready Print

• Last month, Microsoft introduced a change where new printer installations use IPP by default when supported to simplify setup and improve reliability (see our third-party driver deprecation timeline: End of Servicing Plan for Third-Party Printer Drivers on Windows). This month, we’re adding a new toggle in Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Default install printers using Windows Ready Print to give you control over this behavior.  
• When enabled, Windows installs supported printers using IPP by default. When turned off, Windows may use other available installation methods.
• This experience is part of our modern print platform, now called Windows Ready Print, designed to deliver a more consistent, reliable, and simplified printing experience.

New Voice Access

• Microsoft is introducing Voice Isolation, a new option in Voice Access that helps it focus on your voice, even when others are speaking nearby. Whether you’re in a shared office, an open floor plan, or at home with family around, Voice Isolation filters out other voices and background noise so Voice Access can better understand you. All processing happens privately on your device.
• Getting started
  Voice Access now offers three speech recognition modes under Voice Access settings > Improve speech recognition:
  • Voice Isolation — Filters out other speakers and background noise (one-time voice setup required).
  • Remove background noise only — Filters out non-speech sounds like typing or door slams. No additional setup needed.
  • No filtering — Default microphone input with no additional processing.
• To set up Voice Isolation, select it from the menu and follow the short, guided setup where you’ll read a brief paragraph aloud so Voice Access can learn your voice. It only takes a minute, and your voice data never leaves your device.

Input Fix

Fixed an issue in the previous flight causing the IME candidate window not to display for some Insiders when typing in Japanese or Chinese.

Explorer.exe Crash Fix

If you were experiencing a cyclical explorer.exe crash after the previous flight (which may have looked like the screen or taskbar blinking and repeatedly refreshing), that should be resolved after updating to this build.

Energy Saver Fix

Fixed issue causing the Energy Saver quick setting to show twice for some Insiders in recent flights.

Taskbar Fix

Fixed issue causing Win + X / right-click on Start in Taskbar to not work for some Insiders in the previous flight.

Audio Volume Fix

Fixed an issue resulting in the audio volume being unexpectedly muted on certain devices in recent flights.

Simple Service Discovery Protocol Fix

This update improves the reliability of Simple Service Discovery Protocol (SSDP) notifications to help prevent the service from becoming unresponsive.

DISM Command Fix

Improved reliability of running dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth command.

Known Issue

Resetting your PC may get stuck when using “Reset this PC.” To complete the reset successfully, choose the cloud download option (Cloud PBR) instead of local.

How to Enable New Features

To Enable All the New Features, make sure you navigate to Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program > Feature Flags.

From here make sure you set the Features to Enabled and then Apply the Changes.

For more information about this Build, you can check this article from the Microsoft Blog.

For a more in-depth presentation of the New Build, you can watch the video below from the youtube channel.