The October 2026 non-security preview update is now available for Windows 11, versions 26H2, 26H1, and 25H2. Information about the contents of this update is available in the release notes, which are accessible from the
Windows 11 update history page. To learn more about the different types of monthly quality updates, see
Understanding Windows monthly updates.
Highlights for the Windows 11, version 26H2 update:
- File Explorer’s context menu is faster and easier to customize, with options to choose which commands and app extensions appear and how they’re organized.
- XBOX mode now has a refreshed Gaming Task View with quick access to Exit to Desktop and Power Options, making key system actions easier to access while gaming.
- Magnifier now supports per-monitor zoom, a contrast theme to reduce glare, and viewport locking to keep a display’s magnified view in place.
- Phone Link now lets you preview recent messages and notifications in Start by hovering over them, without opening the item.
- Cloud rebuild can reinstall Windows using an image and drivers downloaded from Windows Update, including when Windows can’t start; no USB media or custom image is required.
For instructions on how to install this update, see the KB article for your operating system listed below:
Note: With recent and upcoming Windows updates over the next few months, a limited number of consumer and business devices might experience one additional restart during installation. This one‑time restart occurs after a Secure Boot certificate update is applied as part of the
Secure Boot update process.