Microsoft has released Windows 11 KB5101684, an optional Preview update for PCs running Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2. Unlike the monthly Patch Tuesday release, this update doesn’t include security fixes. Instead, it gives users early access to upcoming features, quality improvements, and bug fixes that Microsoft plans to include in the next cumulative update.
KB5101684 brings several noticeable improvements across Windows 11, including a better File Explorer experience, more accurate file size indicators, improved Windows Search results, Voice Isolation for Voice Access, and expanded Windows Hello support for compatible external fingerprint readers. The update also fixes a variety of issues affecting File History, DFS mapped drives, device management, and overall system reliability. Here’s a closer look at the most important features and changes included in Windows 11 KB5101684.
Windows 11 KB5101684 Update Details
Before installing the update, here are the basic details about Windows 11 KB5101684:
| Update | Details |
|---|---|
| Update name | 2026-07 Cumulative Update Preview |
| KB number | KB5101684 |
| Available for | Windows 11 version 24H2 and 25H2 |
| Update type | Optional Preview update |
| Security fixes | No |
| Installation method | Windows Update or Microsoft Update Catalog |
KB5101684 is a C-release Preview update, which means Microsoft releases it before the regular monthly security update to allow users and organizations to test upcoming fixes and improvements. The changes included in this update are expected to become part of a future mandatory cumulative update.
Some features in KB5101684 are also being rolled out gradually. This means not every Windows 11 PC will receive all new features immediately after installing the update, even if the device is running a supported version of Windows 11.
What’s New in Windows 11 KB5101684
Windows 11 KB5101684 doesn’t introduce a major redesign, but it includes several improvements that make everyday tasks more reliable and convenient. Microsoft has updated File Explorer, Windows Search, Voice Access, Windows Hello, and precision touchpad settings, and fixed several bugs reported by users and IT administrators. Some of the new features are being rolled out gradually, so they may not appear on every eligible PC immediately after installing the update.
Here are the biggest changes included in KB5101684:
- File Explorer receives several usability improvements. You can now open folders in a new tab using the middle mouse button, file sizes are displayed more accurately using KB, MB, or GB where appropriate, and file thumbnails on the Home page are easier to recognize. Microsoft has also resolved several issues that could affect scrolling, navigation, and File Explorer stability.
- Windows Search is now more forgiving. It can better recognize misspelled or partially typed app names, making it easier to find installed apps and Windows settings without entering the exact name.
- Voice Access becomes more accurate with Voice Isolation. The new feature helps reduce background noise and filters out nearby conversations so Windows can better understand your voice. Microsoft has also expanded Voice Access by adding support for the Korean language.
- Windows Hello security continues to expand. Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS) now works with supported external fingerprint readers, allowing more desktop PCs and compatible devices to use biometric sign-in with additional hardware-based protection.
- Precision touchpad users get more control. The update introduces new options to adjust scrolling and zoom sensitivity, along with accelerated scrolling to move through long documents and webpages more quickly.
- System reliability has also been improved. KB5101684 fixes a wide range of issues affecting File History backups, DFS-mapped drives, printing, networking, Remote Desktop, device management, and other Windows components, resulting in a more stable overall experience.
File Explorer Gets Several Useful Improvements
File Explorer receives the largest set of improvements in Windows 11 KB5101684. While there aren’t any major visual changes, Microsoft has refined several everyday features to make browsing files and folders feel smoother.
One of the most useful additions is the ability to open a folder in a new tab using the middle mouse button. If you regularly work with multiple folders, this small change makes it quicker to open locations without creating another File Explorer window.
Microsoft has also improved how file sizes are displayed. Instead of showing large files only in kilobytes, File Explorer now uses more appropriate units such as KB, MB, and GB, making it easier to understand a file’s size at a glance.
The Home page has also been refined. File thumbnails are clearer and easier to identify, helping you quickly find recently opened documents, photos, and other files. In addition, Microsoft fixed several issues that could affect scrolling, navigation, Jump Lists, recent files, and overall File Explorer reliability.
Although these changes may seem minor individually, they improve one of the most frequently used parts of Windows 11 and make everyday file management more consistent.
Windows Search, Voice Access, and Windows Hello Improve Everyday Use
Microsoft has also updated several built-in Windows 11 features that many people use every day.
Windows Search now delivers better results when searching for apps and settings. If you accidentally misspell an app name or type only part of it, Search is more likely to find what you’re looking for. This makes it quicker to launch apps or locate Windows settings without remembering the exact name.
For accessibility, KB5101684 introduces Voice Isolation for Voice Access. This feature reduces background noise and filters out nearby conversations, allowing Windows to focus on the person’s voice using the PC. The result is more accurate voice recognition, especially when working in a busy home or office. Microsoft has also expanded Voice Access by adding support for the Korean language.
The update also expands Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS) to supported external fingerprint readers. Previously, this additional layer of biometric protection was limited to devices with compatible built-in hardware. With KB5101684, desktop PCs and other Windows 11 devices can take advantage of ESS by using compatible external fingerprint readers, providing a more secure way to sign in without a password.
More Control for Precision Touchpads and Better System Reliability
If your laptop uses a precision touchpad, KB5101684 adds a few welcome customization options. You can now adjust scrolling and zoom sensitivity to better match your preferences, and Microsoft has introduced an accelerated scrolling option that lets you move through long webpages and documents more quickly. While these aren’t major new features, they provide more flexibility for users who rely on touchpad gestures every day.
Beyond the visible changes, Microsoft has addressed a wide range of bugs that improve Windows 11’s overall reliability. The update fixes an issue that could cause File History backups to fail with an incorrect “invalid credential” error and resolves a problem where files stored on DFS-mapped network drives were mistakenly marked as originating from the Internet.
KB5101684 also includes fixes for printing, networking, Remote Desktop, device management, and power-related issues. These improvements are designed to reduce unexpected errors and make Windows 11 more stable for both home users and organizations, even if many of the fixes work quietly in the background.
How to Download Windows 11 KB5101684
Windows 11 KB5101684 is an optional preview update, which means it will not install automatically on most devices. Users who want to try the new features and improvements can manually install the update through Windows Update.
To download KB5101684:
- Press Windows + I to Open Settings.
- Select Windows Update.
- Enable Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available (if disabled).
- Click Check for updates.
- Locate 2026-07 Preview Update (KB5101684)
- Click Download and install.
Once the installation is complete, restart your PC to apply the changes.
Users who prefer manual deployment can also download the standalone update package from the Microsoft Update Catalog. Since KB5101684 is a preview release, it is generally recommended for enthusiasts, testers, and users who want early access to new features before they are included in a future mandatory security update.
Source: Microsoft
