In this article, we will talk about the latest Preview Build for Windows 11 26H2 in the Dev Channel, which is the Build 26300.8772.
Windows 11, version 26H2 represents Microsoft’s yearly second half major update as part of their standard annual Windows 11 update cadence. As Windows 11, version 26H2 shares the same servicing branch as Windows 11, version 25H2, the update is implemented through an enablement package (eKB). This means your device will be updated to the next version through a single restart – providing a familiar, fast, and reliable update experience.
Devices already enrolled in the Experimental channel will begin seeing their versioning updated to version 26H2 under Settings > System > About (and winver). If you are in the Beta channel and would like to switch to the Experimental, you can easily do so under Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program. Remember, you can easily switch back to Beta at any time, without having to do a full Windows reinstall.
Not currently enrolled in the Windows Insider Program and wanting to preview version 26H2? Register for WIP selecting the Dev channel, while it’s transitioning to Experimental. Once the transition is complete, the new channel name to preview version 26H2 will appear as Experimental.
New Lock Screen Design
New Screen Tint Quick Settings Option
New Taskbar Animations
Microsoft is also adding New Animations for the Taskbar Thumbnails.
New Cloud Rebuild Recovery
- Microsoft is introducing Cloud rebuild, a new recovery option that restores a Windows 11 PC to a clean, known-good state by performing a full OS reinstall, even when Windows won’t boot. Unlike Reset this PC, Cloud rebuild downloads both the target Windows image and the device’s drivers from Windows Update, so the device comes back fully functional without USB media, without a custom image, and without depending on the health of the currently installed OS.
- In this preview, you can try Cloud rebuild today:
- Start it directly from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) by selecting Troubleshoot > Recovery and uninstall > Cloud rebuild.
- Connect over wired Ethernet or a Wi-Fi network from within WinRE.
- Review the target Windows build, edition, and language, then confirm the data-loss warning before the rebuild begins.
New Backup and Restore
- Starting in Windows 11, version 26H2, the backup policy of Windows settings backup and restore will be enabled by default on eligible Microsoft Entra joined or Microsoft Entra hybrid joined devices. Windows settings backup is no longer something admins must configure first. It becomes a resilience baseline that automatically captures user settings and the Microsoft Store app list. So, when a device is reimaged or reset, users can return to a familiar setup without relying on prior configuration, improving recovery consistency, and reducing time to productivity.
- Admins remain in full control: existing policies still apply, explicit configurations override the default, and restore remains opt-in and admin-managed. By making settings backup the default, this change establishes a more resilient, recoverable device experience, minimizing disruption and reducing setup friction.
New Account Control Flyout
The Windows 11 Account Control flyout has a refreshed, modern design and a clear subscription badge to make the user’s account status instantly visible. This helps users easily identify their plan, discover benefits, and explore upgrades.
New Search Box Design
They are also increasing the height of the search box by 4 pixels.
New Bluetooth Quick Settings Page
The Bluetooth quick settings page is now navigable using gamepad input.
Taskbar Fix
Fixed issue where the search icon might be invisible when using the taskbar in a vertical position.
Run Box Improvement
Improved how keyboard focus is announced for screen readers when using the new Run design.
Fonts Improvements
Improved Mongolian Baiti shaping and rendering behavior to ensure accurate and consistent text output, increasing text fidelity for Mongolian script.
Other Improvements
- If you were having issues with Outlook not responding to the close button last week, that should be addressed now.
- Improved resource usage over time of title bar tooltips.
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.
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