Microsoft has already confirmed that Windows 11 version 26H2 is the next annual feature update, and it’s expected to roll out during the second half of 2026. Unlike those feature drop upgrades we used to get, requiring a full installation, this release will follow the same servicing model as version 25H2, arriving as a small enablement package that simply switches the version number from 25H2 to 26H2.
Whenever the company takes this approach, I see the same reaction: “It’s not a real update because it doesn’t include anything new,” and I don’t think that’s accurate.
The enablement package is just the way the software giant delivers the update. It doesn’t determine what’s actually included in the release.
If you’re already running Windows 11 version 25H2, you’ll likely receive most of these features before upgrading to 26H2. The actual installation will simply enable the new version while extending support for another two years. If you’re upgrading from an older release, however, all of these improvements will arrive together, making the update feel much more substantial.
That alone is reason enough not to dismiss Windows 11 version 26H2.
In this guide, I’ll highlight seven features and improvements I’m personally looking forward to the most.
Windows 11 2026 Update (version 26H2) top features
This list is not organized in any specific order. Also, at the time of this writing, the improvements are part of the Windows Insider Program, more specifically in the Experimental channel.
As a result, Microsoft can choose to discard any of them at any time, and remember that the company uses a gradual rollout approach, meaning it could take time for the new improvements to reach every compatible device, even after version 26H2 has been released.
1. Ask Copilot finally feels useful
Microsoft has been adding AI features across Windows 11 over the past couple of years, but not all of them have improved everyday tasks.
Ask Copilot aims to be something different. It introduces a new search box that brings Copilot directly into the search experience, allowing you to interact with AI while also using it as a traditional search tool.
It’s not just for chat-style answers. You can use it to quickly find files, open apps, or locate system settings, similar to Windows Search but with AI-assisted results layered in.
What makes this feature more interesting is that it’s optional. You’re not forced to replace Windows Search. You can choose when to use Copilot instead.
While I’m not fully convinced of Microsoft’s AI integration, I like this feature because it’s surprisingly fast for surfacing settings and files, and it’s optional.
This feature can be managed from Settings > Personalization > Taskbar.
This feature is expected to be available on Copilot+ PCs as well as on regular PCs.
2. A more customizable Taskbar
The Taskbar is probably the part of the desktop I interact with more than anything else, so even small improvements can make a noticeable difference.
This new version is expected to bring long-requested customization options, including the ability to position the Taskbar anywhere on the desktop, and you’ll also be able to make the Taskbar smaller.
These Taskbar improvements have specific settings that can be managed from Settings > Personalization > Taskbar, and then by accessing the “Taskbar behaviors” settings to change the position and size.
Giving users more control has always been one of the platform’s strengths, and I’d like to see Microsoft continue moving in that direction.
The redesigned Start menu is probably the feature I’m most excited about.
Microsoft is finally making better use of the available space while giving users more flexibility over how the menu looks and behaves.
First, the company is adding a menu setting to choose between smaller and larger sizes, rather than relying on the system to automatically determine size based on screen scaling and resolution.
Then there’s an updated layout that makes it easier to organize pinned apps, browse installed applications, and reduce some of the clutter that has frustrated many Windows 11 users since launch.
For example, you can now independently show or hide Pinned, Recent, and All.
Also, note that “Recommended” has now been renamed to “Recent,” and it’s much clearer to hide it. Also, you can customize what type of content appears in this section.
Furthermore, disabling recent and suggested files will no longer turn off File Explorer’s recent history.
Finally, to improve privacy while doing a presentation, you’ll find a new option to hide your name and profile picture from the Start menu.
These settings will appear under Settings > Personalization > Start.
Instead of insisting there’s only one correct way to use the Start menu, the company is giving users more choices. That’s exactly what I expect from the operating system.
4. Windows Search without web results
This may be one of the smallest additions in version 26H2, but it’s also one I’ve wanted for a long time.
Microsoft is finally adding an option to turn off web results in the Windows Search feature.
When I open the Start menu and type something, I’m usually looking for a file, a setting, or an app on my computer, not Bing search results. So, having a built-in setting to turn off web results should make Windows Search feel faster, cleaner, and far less distracting.
This implementation is expected to appear on Settings > Privacy & security > Search, under the “Show suggested search results” setting, where you’ll also find an option to prevent search from showing Microsoft Store apps.
Sometimes the best new features are the ones that remove unnecessary clutter.
Currently, this feature is still a work in progress, but it can already be surfaced in the latest preview build of the operating system in the Experimental channel from version 26H2.
5. Better control over Windows Update
Windows Update has improved significantly over the past few years, but I still think users deserve more control over when updates happen.
As part of the new improvements, the company is expanding the Windows Update controls, making it easier to schedule updates and pause installations when needed without (significantly) compromising security.
For example, you can now use a calendar-based setting to pause updates for up to 35 days, and you can pause as many times as you want.
The new setting is available through Settings > Windows Update.
In addition, the company is reducing monthly reboots to only one by aligning the install schedule for drivers, products, and firmware updates with the quality update.
Also, the settings page for updates now groups downloads under a single “Available updates” section, and drivers include clearer labels.
Furthermore, the power options in the Start menu now show independent commands to restart and shut down without installing updates.
While the calendar-based setting to pause updates is gradually rolling out through the July 2026 Security Update, this improvement will also be considered part of version 26H2.
6. Administrator Protection security feature
Security features rarely generate much excitement, but Administrator Protection is an exception.
The feature changes how the operating system handles administrator privileges by adding another layer of protection around elevated processes, making it more difficult for malicious software to gain unrestricted access to the system.
Administrator Protection works by creating a temporary account to execute the task and then deleting the account when the task is complete. This approach ensures that the administrator privileges are not persistent, making the system more secure.
This feature is expected to become available through the “Account protection” page in the Windows Security app.
One thing to note is that this feature will replace User Account Control and will use Windows Hello for authentication.
7. Run dialog with modern design
Microsoft is finally giving the Run dialog box a visual refresh.
The new interface adopts the design language of Windows 11, bringing rounded corners, improved spacing, and a cleaner overall layout that better matches the rest of the operating system.
It’s also noticeably larger than the classic version. The expanded layout provides a wider input field for commands and introduces a “recent commands” section positioned above the text box, making it easier to reuse previously entered entries.
Another practical improvement is the ability to surface matching apps as you type, complete with their icons. It’s a small but useful upgrade that helps bridge the gap between a simple command launcher and a more modern search-style experience.
What makes this change particularly interesting is that the company isn’t forcing it on everyone, at least initially. The redesigned Run dialog will be optional, with a toggle available in Settings > System > Advanced under the “Run dialog” option, allowing users to switch between the classic and modern versions.
Windows 11 doesn’t need another major redesign
I understand why some people look at Windows 11 version 26H2 and think it isn’t a major release, especially since it installs as a small enablement package.
However, that view places too much emphasis on how the update is delivered rather than on what it actually includes.
Microsoft no longer waits for one big annual release to add new features. Instead, Windows 11 is updated continuously throughout the year. The annual update simply packages all of those changes into a new, supported version of the operating system.
That’s why I’m looking forward to the Windows 11 2026 Update.
It will take only a few minutes to install. However, by the time it arrives, it will already include months of improvements across the system, from a redesigned Start menu and a more customizable Taskbar to better search, stronger security, improved Windows Update controls, and a more practical approach to AI.
Windows Central’s Take
I think Windows 11 version 26H2 shows that Microsoft has finally settled into a better update strategy. (At least for the foreseeable future.) Instead of holding features back for one big annual release, the company is delivering improvements when they’re ready and using the feature update to reset the support lifecycle. That may not be as exciting as the old days of massive releases, but it’s a much better experience for people who actually use the operating system every day.
More importantly, I like the direction that the company is taking with many of these changes. The common theme isn’t flashy AI features or another visual overhaul. It’s giving users more control over how Windows 11 works, whether that’s customizing the Start menu, moving the Taskbar, cleaning up Windows Search, or making Windows Update less intrusive.
Of course, not every feature will matter to everyone, and some may still change before the final release. However, if Microsoft follows through on what it’s testing today, I think 26H2 could end up being one of the most practical Windows 11 updates yet, even if it arrives as nothing more than a small enablement package.
What are your thoughts on some of the expected features coming as part of the 2026 Update for Windows 11? Let me know in the comments.
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