Released by Microsoft Windows 11‘s optional non-security preview update for April 2026, it includes a number of new improvements and changes designed to make the OS more reliable and easier to use. Update noted KB5083631is now available and includes a new An Xbox mode that was announced as generally available earlier todayAlong with reliability improvements to explorer.exe, a new touch feedback engine, updated download tray sharing menu, AI Taskbar agents etc.
This is a major quality of life update that includes many changes that many users will appreciate. File Explorer gets a number of improvements related to explorer.exe reliability updates, including fixing the annoying white flash bug in dark mode and support for more archive formats such as uu, cpio, xar and NuGet Packages (nupkg).
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Faster and more secure Windows Hello authentication, more intuitive voice typing, and more. There are many other improvements worth noting, including The entire changelog is available below, and all the features mentioned are rolling out in waves once the update is installed. To get features faster, make sure the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” switch is turned on in Windows Update.
Windows 11 KB5083631: What’s new?
- (game) New! Xbox mode is available on Windows 11 computers, including laptops, desktops, and tablets. Inspired by the Xbox console experience, Xbox mode offers a streamlined, full-screen interface that puts your games front and center while minimizing background distractions. Xbox mode is for those moments when you want to kick back, pick up a controller and focus on the game. Access Xbox mode from the Xbox app, Game Bar settings, or by pressing the button Windows logo key + F11. See for more information Xbox Mode Starts Rolling Out to Gamers on Windows 11 PCs Today.
- (File Explorer) .
- New! This update expands the list of archive formats that can be used in File Explorer to include uu, cpio, xar, and NuGet Packages (nupkg).
- With this update, View and Sort options are stored in folders like Downloads and Documents when apps launch File Explorer directly to those locations.
- This update removes the white flash that may appear when opening This PC or when resizing the Details panel in dark mode
- This update improves the reliability of the corresponding explorer.exe processes so that they stop after closing File Explorer windows.
- (Introduction)
- New! You can experience haptic feedback effects on compatible input devices when you perform certain actions in PowerPoint, such as aligning objects, cropping, or resizing windows. These haptic signals can be turned on or off Parameters > Bluetooth and devices > Mouse, touchpad or pen > Haptic signals. This practice is supported Surface Slim Pen 2ASUS Pen 3.0 and The MSI Pen 2 communicates with feedback. Support for additional compatible devices, including select mice such as the Logitech MX Master 4, may become available as hardware partners release updates.
- New! Voice typing on the touch keyboard now looks simpler and more intuitive. The updated design eliminates the full-screen overlay and displays voice typing animations directly on the dictation button, helping you focus without additional visual distractions.
- New! Arabic 101 Legacy keyboard layout is now available. You can add it when choosing a keyboard for Arabic language Time and Language > Language and Region. This option is for those who prefer the previously used keyboard design Recent changes with AltGr.
- This update improves the reliability of building custom tools Parameters > Bluetooth and Devices > Wheel.
- This update improves the consistency of the Fluid Dictation setting in voice recording.
- This update improves keyboard navigation reliability for emoji panels (Windows logo key + Period).
- This update improves typing reliability when using the ADLaM keyboard.
- (Share) New! Drag Tray is now called Drop Tray. Its settings are now below Parameters > System > Multitasking (formerly Nearby sharing). Drop Tray uses a smaller viewport. This improvement helps prevent the Drop tray from accidentally opening and makes it easier to disable when you’re working near the top of the screen.
- (Presenting agents in the taskbar) New! Windows adds a new way to monitor your agents from the taskbar. This experience supports agents in first and third party applications Researcher at Microsoft 365 Copilot as the first adopter. As the researcher works on the report, it displays progress in the Windows taskbar so you can check for updates at a glance. Hover over the Microsoft 365 Copilot icon to see real-time progress. Windows notifies you when the report is ready. Select the notification or icon to return to the application and view and use the results.
Developers can learn how to use this API Windows.UI.Shell.Tasks API.
- (Enterprise State Roaming (ESR)) New! ESR can now be managed through Windows Backup policies for organizations. This makes setup easy for IT administrators. Watch to learn more Enterprise State Roaming.
- (Policy-Based Removal of Pre-Installed Microsoft Programs) New! This update adds support for a dynamic software removal list to the “Remove default Microsoft Store packages” policy for Windows Enterprise and Education. Administrators can remove additional MSIX/APPX packaged applications by specifying the application package family names using Group Policy. The dynamic list is currently not available in the Intune Settings Directory. Authentication must be performed using Group Policy or a custom OMA-URI. See for more information Policy-based in-box app removal.
- (Print) New! This update adds a new icon to show where the printer is supported Windows Protected Printing Mode in the print settings.
- (Update Windows Driver Policy) New! This update improves Windows security by changing the Windows kernel’s reliance on third-party drivers. The default trust for cross-signed drivers is removed, allowing drivers from the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program (WHCP) and the whitelist of trusted legacy drivers. Windows checks driver compatibility and restarts three times for at least 100 hours before activating the application. Once applied, a small number of cross-signed drivers may be blocked. See for more information Windows driver policy and Windows driver security development blog.
- (Enhanced security and performance for batch files) New! Administrators and Application Control for Business policy authors now have additional control over how the system processes batch files and Command Prompt (CMD) scripts. Starting with this release, administrators can enable a more secure processing mode for batch files. This mode prevents batch files from being modified at runtime.
To enable this setting, add the following value to the registry:
Registration key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor
Value name: LockBatchFilesWhenInUse
Type: DWORD
Information to be installed: 0 (disabled) or 1 (enabled)
Policy authors can also enable this mode using the LockBatchFilesWhenInUse application manifest control as documented in the Application Control for Business manifest schema.
- (Microsoft Store) This update reduces unexpected errors when downloading and installing apps from the Microsoft Store, including errors 0x80070057, 0x80240008, and 0x80073d28.
- (fonts) This update includes improvements to the Leelawadee UI font family for Thai, Lao, Khmer, and Lontara scripts to improve glyph sequence, placement, and rendering.
- (Audio) This update improves third-party driver compatibility with midisrv.exe.
- (Taskbar) This update improves the reliability of loading the system tray area of the taskbar.
- (Windows Hello) This update improves:
- Reliability of Windows Hello Face.
- Windows Hello Fingerprint persistence during upgrades.
- (Memory) This update improves:
- Performance when viewing memory data for large volumes Parameters > System > Storage > Advanced Memory Settings > Disks and Volumes.
- Size limit for formatting FAT32 volumes from the command line from 32 GB to 2 TB.
- (Delivery Optimization) This update improves memory usage, reducing the possibility of unexpectedly high memory usage.
- (Screen and graphics) This update improves stability and availability of color profile options for supported monitors.
- (Kiosk Mode) This update simplifies configuration for bundled apps to be allowed in kiosks when Microsoft Edge is one of the allowed apps.
- (Overall Performance) This update improves the performance of launching startup apps after you turn on your device (apps listed below).Parameters>Programs >The beginning).
- (Overall Reliability)This update applies when logging in, when interacting with taskbar menus and Task View, when removing items from File Explorer’s Quick Access, and more. including brings key changes to help improve explorer.exe reliability.
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