KB5083806 - Windows 11 Version 26H1 Preview Update (OS Build 28000.1896)

Summary

This optional non-security preview update for Windows 11, version 26H1 - released April 30, 2026 as OS Build 28000.1896 - delivers production-quality improvements across AI-powered features, display handling, File Explorer, printing, and system reliability. It is available through Windows Update as an optional update and through the Microsoft Update Catalog. Source: Microsoft Support

Highlights

• This update rolls out in two phases: a gradual rollout (staged delivery so features reach devices over time) and a normal rollout (broad release to all eligible devices, typically at general availability).
• New Narrator enhancements let users get rich image descriptions on Copilot+ PCs and, on all Windows 11 devices, open Copilot with a captured image ready for a custom description prompt.
• Smart App Control can now be toggled on or off without requiring a clean Windows install, accessible from Settings - Windows Security - App and Browser Control.
• Microsoft 365 Family subscribers can now upgrade their plan directly from Settings - Accounts.
• The Settings About page and Home page device information card have been redesigned for clearer device specifications and easier navigation.

Improvements and fixes

• Narrator: Copilot integration now works on all Windows 11 devices, not just Copilot+ PCs, letting users share a focused image or full-screen capture to Copilot for a customized description. Copilot+ PCs continue to receive instant on-device descriptions.
• Smart App Control: Users can now enable or disable Smart App Control from within Settings without performing a clean install. This feature was first disclosed in January 2026 (KB5074105) and begins rolling out with this update.
• Account Settings: Microsoft 365 Family subscribers see a new plan upgrade option in Settings - Accounts; this can be suppressed by turning off Suggested content. Dialog boxes under Settings - Accounts - Other users have been redesigned to match the modern Windows look and support dark mode.
• Input: The Pen settings page adds a "Same as Copilot key" option for the pen tail button, aligning pen behavior with the Copilot key.
• Settings reliability: Opening the Settings Home page is more reliable and performant. Downloading required updates when prompted under Settings - System - Advanced is also more reliable.
• File Explorer: Unblocking files downloaded from the internet for preview is more reliable. Voice Typing (Windows logo key + H) now works when renaming files. Permissions entries in the Advanced Security Settings window for a folder can now be sorted by Principal.
• Display: Monitors can now report refresh rates above 1000 Hz. USB4 monitor connections allow the USB controller to reach its lowest power state during PC sleep, improving battery life. Auto-rotation reliability after resuming from sleep has improved. HDR reliability has improved for displays with non-compliant DisplayID 2.0 blocks. Monitors with DisplayID now report more accurate sizes through WMI monitor APIs.
• Printing: Downlevel baseline support for printer connections has been updated to Windows 10, version 1607 and Windows Server 2016 (Build 14393).
• Safe mode: Taskbar component loading in safe mode is more reliable.
• Voice Access: Number detection and transcription accuracy in English has improved.
• Start menu: Applying Start menu layouts via Group Policy when a desktopAppLink entry is present in the JSON is now more reliable.
• Remote Desktop: The Set-RDSessionCollectionConfiguration PowerShell command now recognizes the DisableSeamlessLanguageBar parameter.
• Audio: Short MIDI message handling is improved when an application is initialized without long message buffers.
• System File Checker: An extraneous error message that could appear unexpectedly when running sfc /scannow has been removed.
• Windows Hello: Fingerprint recognition reliability has improved for certain devices.
• Active Directory: A scenario where using ntdsutil.exe with 8 KB database pages upgrades the NTDS.dit database and makes it unmountable has been addressed.
• Remote Desktop (known issue fix): The Remote Desktop Connection security warning dialog could render incorrectly in multi-monitor setups with different scaling values, a regression introduced by the April 2026 security update (KB5083768). This update resolves that rendering problem.
• AI components updated: Image Search, Content Extraction, Semantic Analysis, and Settings Model are all updated to version 1.2603.377.0. Note that AI components apply only to Copilot+ PCs and will not install on standard Windows PCs or Windows Server.

Known issues

Microsoft lists no known issues for this update at the time of writing.

How to get this update

Microsoft bundles the latest servicing stack update (SSU) for this OS with the cumulative update. The included SSU is KB5088834, version 28000.1837.

• Windows Update: Go to Start - Settings - Update and Security - Windows Update. The update appears under "Optional updates available." Select the link to download and install it.
• Windows Update for Business: Changes from this preview will be incorporated into the next security update released to Windows Update for Business.
• Microsoft Update Catalog: Download the standalone MSU package(s) for KB5083806 directly. Installation can be done using DISM (Method 1: place all MSU files in a single folder and point DISM at that folder; or Method 2: install each MSU file individually in the order listed on the catalog page) or via the Windows Update Standalone Installer. Note that running wusa.exe with /uninstall on the combined package will not work because the SSU is embedded and cannot be removed after installation.
• WSUS: The update can be imported manually into Windows Server Update Services from the Microsoft Update Catalog.

Frequently asked questions

Is this update mandatory, and does it include security fixes?

No. KB5083806 is an optional non-security preview update. It does not contain security patches. Security fixes for this Windows 11 version 26H1 release are delivered separately through monthly security updates. Installing this update is voluntary and intended for organizations that want to validate upcoming quality improvements before they reach the broader monthly rollout.

Do I need to install the servicing stack update separately before applying this update?

No. Microsoft has combined the latest servicing stack update (KB5088834, version 28000.1837) with this cumulative update package. DISM will automatically discover and install the SSU from the same folder when using the catalog package. No separate SSU installation step is required.

Will the AI component updates in this package install on all devices?

No. Although the AI component updates (Image Search, Content Extraction, Semantic Analysis, and Settings Model, all version 1.2603.377.0) are bundled in the package, they will only install on Windows Copilot+ PCs. They will not install on standard Windows PCs or on Windows Server.

How do I remove this update if problems arise?

Use the DISM /Remove-Package command with the LCU package name as the argument. You can find the exact package name by running DISM /online /get-packages. Do not attempt to uninstall via wusa.exe with the /uninstall switch - because the SSU is embedded in the combined package, that method will not work. Also note that the SSU portion cannot be removed from the system after installation.