New Windows 11 26H1 March 2026 Update – New Features and Changes (Build 28000.1719 or KB5079466)

In this article, we will talk about the New Windows 11 26H1 March 2026 Update, Build 28000.1719 or KB5079466.

Microsoft has Released Windows 11 26H1, which is a New Version that Microsoft is using to test the New Platform for the upcoming Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Devices and Nvidia N1X Processors.

Windows 11, version 26H1 will only be available on new devices that will be released to the market in early 2026 and it is not offered as an in-place update from Windows 11, version 24H2 or 25H2 on existing devices.

Devices running Windows 11, version 26H1 will continue receiving monthly updates for security, quality, and new features, the same as devices running Windows 11, versions 24H2 and 25H2.

Devices running Windows 11, version 26H1 will not be able to update to the next annual feature update in the second half of 2026. This is because Windows 11, version 26H1 is based on a different Windows core than Windows 11, versions 24H2 and 25H2, and the upcoming feature update. These devices will have a path to update in a future Windows release.

For more information about Windows 11 26H1, you can check this article from the Microsoft Website.

New Improvements in this Update

• [Secure Boot] With this update, Windows quality updates include additional high confidence device targeting data, increasing coverage of devices eligible to automatically receive new Secure Boot certificates. Devices receive the new certificates only after demonstrating sufficient successful update signals, maintaining a controlled and phased rollout.
• [Windows Defender Application Control] Improved: This update improves how Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) handles COM objects allowlisting policies. COM objects were blocked when the endpoint security policy was set higher than the allowlisting policy. With this update, COM objects are allowed as expected.​
• [Windows System Image Manager​​​​​​​] Improved: This update improves the reliability of choosing trusted catalog files. It adds a warning dialog that helps you confirm that the file you select comes from a trusted source. ​​​​​​​

For an in-depth list of other features and fixes that are rolling out, you can check this article.

Windows 11 Servicing Stack Update – 28000.1638

This update makes quality improvements to the servicing stack, which is the component that installs Windows updates. Servicing stack updates (SSU) ensure that you have a robust and reliable servicing stack so that your devices can receive and install Microsoft updates. 

For more info about this Update, you can check this article from the Microsoft Blog.

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