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Let's look it: astir monthly Windows 11 patches are ho-hum. They usually absorption connected bug fixes and information updates, with the occasional caller diagnostic sprinkled in. The February 2026 update, however, looks significant, introducing respective caller features that volition alteration however users interact with the operating system.
Also: 5 Windows apps I ever instal archetypal connected a caller PC - and they're escaped to download
While the update won't officially rotation retired until February 10, Microsoft has already released Preview Update KB5074105 to Windows Insiders. This aboriginal spot includes the aforesaid features and fixes that'll get adjacent Tuesday. Below is simply a breakdown of the large caller features and fixes coming with the update, disposable for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2.
If you're funny successful trying retired the preview build, ZDNET Contributing Writer Lance Whitney has a elaborate usher explaining how to articulation Microsoft's Windows Insider Program.
1. Cross Device Resume expansion
Lenovo ThinkPad P1 (Gen 8)
Cross Device Resume was archetypal introduced backmost successful May 2025, allowing users to commencement a task connected an Android phone, and seamlessly prime it up connected their PC -- akin to Apple's Handoff tool. With this update, Microsoft is expanding the feature.
Cross Device Resume present works with Spotify playback, Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, and browsing sessions from the Vivo Browser app. Additionally, users with Honor, Oppo, Samsung, Vivo, oregon Xiaomi phones tin enactment connected online files opened via the Copilot app.
2. Windows Midi improvements
The February spot besides updates the Windows MIDI work with enhanced enactment for some MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0. New capabilities see shared MIDI ports crossed apps, customized larboard names, show improvements, and aggregate bug fixes.
It's worthy noting that the App SDK and Tools packages that alteration entree to these MIDI changes are portion of a abstracted download. You tin find them connected Microsoft's Windows MIDI Services landing page.
3. New Narrator controls
Narrator is getting much granular customization options. Users tin present set however on-screen controls are announced, take which details are spoken, and acceptable the bid successful which accusation is work aloud.
4. A amended determination for the Device paper successful Settings
Microsoft has made a tiny but invited quality-of-life alteration by moving the Device accusation paper from the bottommost of the System leafage to the Home tab successful the Settings menu. This makes it overmuch easier to rapidly cheque cardinal strategy details, similar the processor.
5. Activate and deactivate Smart App Control
Smart App Control (SAC) is simply a information diagnostic that blocks untrusted oregon malicious apps earlier they run. While effective, the instrumentality tin beryllium overly assertive and emblem harmless software. With the February update, users volition yet beryllium capable to deactivate Smart App Control astatine immoderate time. No request to reinstall Windows 11; thereby making SAC managment acold much convenient than before.
6. A redesigned Voice Access
Voice Access lets users power their PC and navigate Windows 11 utilizing speech. The instrumentality present includes a redesigned setup wizard that walks users done downloading a code exemplary for their chosen language, connecting a microphone, and explaining however the diagnostic works.
7. New Voice Typing control
In the aforesaid vein, Voice Typing is getting immoderate improvements. For example, it's gaining a caller "Wait Time Before Acting" setting. This enactment lets users set the hold earlier a spoken bid is executed, helping amended accuracy and amended enactment radical with antithetic code patterns.
8. Increased Windows Hello support
Preview Update KB5074105 besides updates Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS) to enactment peripheral fingerprint sensors. Previously, ESS lone worked with built-in fingerprint sensors. To acceptable it up, Microsoft says users simply request to link a supported biometric device, past caput to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and travel the on-screen instructions.
9. New connection support
Finally, Microsoft is expanding connection enactment for the AI-powered cause successful the Windows 11 Settings menu. This on-device adjunct helps users find and alteration strategy settings via earthy language. It present supports German, Portuguese, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, Hindi, Italian, and Simplified Chinese.
10. Windows 11 fixes
Alongside the caller features, the February spot delivers abstracted bug fixes crossed a assortment of apps. File Explorer received tweaks to its navigation responsiveness, Microsoft addressed a Lock Screen contented that caused it to go unresponsive, and lastly, a bug has been fixed wherever desktop icons would unexpectedly determination astir erstwhile opening oregon renaming definite files.
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