Microsoft has started rolling out the optional Windows 11 KB5101684 preview update for versions 24H2 and 25H2, giving users an early look at dozens of fixes and new features that are expected to become part of next month’s Patch Tuesday release.
Unlike the regular monthly security updates, KB5101684 is an optional preview update that focuses on improving reliability, performance, and the overall Windows experience. Once installed, it upgrades Windows 11 24H2 systems to build 26100.8973 and Windows 11 25H2 devices to build 26200.8973.
The update includes 42 bug fixes covering several long-standing issues across Windows. Microsoft has resolved a problem that caused File History backups to network shares to fail with false “invalid credentials” errors. It also fixes an issue where newly enrolled devices could remain incorrectly marked as noncompliant after joining mobile device management services such as Microsoft Intune. Another fix prevents files stored on DFS mapped drives from being mistakenly treated as if they were downloaded from the internet after reconnecting to a network.
Microsoft is also introducing several new features through a gradual rollout. File Explorer now displays file sizes using proper units such as KB, MB, and GB instead of showing everything in kilobytes. Users can also middle-click folders in the Address Bar or Home page to open them in new tabs, making navigation more convenient. File thumbnails in the Recommended section have also been improved, while several visual glitches and unexpected scrolling issues have been addressed.
Windows Search has become smarter as well. The updated search experience can now better recognize misspelled or partially typed application names, helping users find installed apps more quickly. Search results in the Settings app have also been refined to surface more relevant options.
One of the biggest additions is Voice Isolation for Voice Access. The feature filters out background conversations and unwanted noise so Windows can recognize spoken commands more accurately. Users can choose between full voice isolation, background noise removal, or no filtering depending on their environment. Microsoft has also expanded Voice Access by adding Korean language support and improving startup reliability.
Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security is now expanding to supported external fingerprint readers, allowing desktop PCs and other Windows 11 devices to use compatible fingerprint sensors for more secure authentication instead of relying only on built-in hardware.
The update also introduces improvements across many other areas of Windows, including touchpad gesture controls, Start menu reliability, taskbar behavior, clipboard performance, power settings, printing, networking, accessibility features, widgets, dark mode sounds, daylight saving time data, Windows Update progress reporting, and overall system stability.
Microsoft says there are currently no known issues with KB5101684. Users who want to try the update before next month’s mandatory release can install it by opening Settings > Windows Update > Check for Updates, then selecting Download and install if the optional update appears. It is also available through the Microsoft Update Catalog for manual installation.
Although KB5101684 does not include new security patches, it provides a comprehensive collection of quality improvements and new features, making it one of the more feature-rich preview updates released for Windows 11 in recent months.
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Windows 11 KB5101684 Update Released With 42 Fixes, Voice Isolation, and File Explorer Improvements
