Microsoft has released KB5120998, the August 2026 preview cumulative update for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, bringing 35 changes ahead of next month’s Patch Tuesday. As an optional preview build, it contains no security fixes, only quality and feature improvements that Microsoft lets IT administrators test before wider rollout.
Installing the update moves devices to builds 26200.9278 (25H2) and 26100.9278 (24H2).
Interface and productivity changes
The update lets users reposition the taskbar to any edge of the screen via Settings, with most customization options, such as disabling icon combining, working regardless of position. A new compact taskbar option shrinks its height and icon size for smaller screens, and the Start menu gains small and large size settings along with independent toggles for the Pinned, Recommended, and All sections. Users can also hide their account name and profile picture from the Start menu.
Windows Search now automatically indexes frequently used folders so their contents surface in results, a behavior that can be controlled under Settings > Privacy & Security > Search.
Security and reliability updates
KB5120998 begins rolling out administrator protection, a feature that grants just-in-time privileges for admin tasks. Microsoft describes it as not a formal security boundary but a hardening measure against elevation-of-privilege attacks through profile separation. The feature is off by default and can be enabled via Intune OMA-URI or Group Policy.
The update also improves resiliency for VPN-related background processes that could previously stop responding, fixes restart behavior so manually slept PCs resume sleep after update installation even when automatic sleep is disabled, and adds support for participating apps to coordinate updates with Windows Update through the Update Orchestration Platform.
As of this release, the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) utility is fully removed from 24H2 and 25H2 and will no longer be offered as a Feature on Demand. WMIC has already been absent from new installations.
Additional restart notice
Microsoft warned that a limited number of devices may experience one extra restart during installation of this and upcoming updates over the next several months, tied to a Secure Boot certificate update process.
Separately, Microsoft reiterated that Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro editions will stop receiving updates in two months, while Enterprise and Education editions remain supported until October 2027. Users are encouraged to move to Windows 11 25H2.
KB5120998 can be installed via Settings > Windows Update > Check for Updates, or downloaded manually from the Microsoft Update Catalog.