Microsoft has released cumulative update KB5074169 for Windows 11, version 25H2 for insiders on the Beta channel – Windows 11 Insider Preview Quality Update (26220.7670). Users in this channel will now start receiving updates for Windows 11 version 25H2, delivered via the enablement package KB5066383 (build 26220.xxx).
- File Explorer. Fixed an issue where the Extract All option was not displayed on the command bar when viewing archives other than ZIP.
- Start Menu. Addressed an issue where for some insiders, selecting the Hide this panel button on the mobile devices side panel did not apply the setting.
- Search. Fixed a bug where an X icon was shown during search instead of the standard magnifying glass icon.
- Settings. Made internal changes to address scenarios where the Settings app home page could load slowly.
- Display and Graphics. Fixed an issue causing incorrect rendering of secondary monitors or a black screen for a small number of insiders after recent updates.
- Other fixes. Fixed an internal bug from a previous build that could cause unexpected sign-in failures when using Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365. Also resolved an issue causing a blue screen of death (BSOD) with error SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION for some insiders after installing recent builds.
Known issues in this build: In the Start Menu when using category view, clicking to show more apps in a category may not work. In File Explorer, all open windows and tabs may unexpectedly switch to the desktop or home page. Some applications may behave unpredictably when using PC Game Pass full-screen mode (FSE), especially apps designed for a fixed window size or that launch additional windows. Microsoft continues to work on fixing an issue where some insiders do not see app icons in the system tray. Work also continues on a fix where the Microsoft 365 Copilot query field for selected images does not work if the Microsoft 365 Copilot app is not running.
Installing KB5074169 via Windows Update: Go to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates. A device restart is required to complete installation. Insiders in the Dev channel on build 26200 will be automatically moved to build 26220 via the enablement package KB5066383.
| Feature / Change | Performance Impact | Optimization | PC Speed | Gaming Optimization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| File Explorer: Extract All option restored for non-ZIP archives | ⚪ No impact | 🟢 High (restores missing functionality) | ⚪ No impact | ⚪ No impact |
| Start Menu: Hide this panel button now correctly applies setting | ⚪ No impact | 🟡 Medium (UI state fix) | ⚪ No impact | ⚪ No impact |
| Search: Replaced X icon with standard magnifying glass | ⚪ No impact | 🟡 Low (cosmetic consistency) | ⚪ No impact | ⚪ No impact |
| Settings: Internal changes to address slow home page loading | 🟢 +5–15% faster Settings launch | 🟢 High (startup responsiveness) | 🟢 Slight improvement (UI responsiveness) | ⚪ No impact |
| Display/Graphics: Fixed secondary monitor rendering and black screen | 🟢 Medium (prevents severe visual failure) | 🟢 High (multi-monitor stability) | 🟡 Low (stability during display changes) | 🟢 Medium (prevents black screen during gameplay on secondary monitors) |
| Other: Fixed Azure Virtual Desktop / Windows 365 sign-in failures | 🟢 Medium (remote session reliability) | 🟢 High (enterprise stability) | 🟡 Low (prevents sign-in stalls) | ⚪ No impact |
| Other: Fixed BSOD with SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION | 🟢 High (prevents system crash) | 🟢 Critical (kernel stability) | 🟢 Medium (prevents fatal slowdowns/reboots) | 🟢 Medium (reduces crash risk during gaming) |
Find and Change Settings
| Setting | Where to find | How to change |
|---|---|---|
| Extract All option in File Explorer | File Explorer > Command bar | Open File Explorer and navigate to any archive file (ZIP, RAR, 7z, etc.). Select the archive. The "Extract All" option should now appear on the command bar automatically after the fix is installed. No manual setting change is required. |
| Hide this panel button on mobile devices side panel (Start Menu) | Start Menu > Mobile devices side panel | Open the Start Menu and locate the mobile devices side panel. Click the "Hide this panel" button. After the fix, the setting will now persist correctly. To show the panel again, use the same side panel toggle or button if available. |
| Search icon (magnifying glass vs X icon) | Search box on the taskbar or Start Menu | No manual change is needed. After installing the update, the search box will display the standard magnifying glass icon instead of an X icon during search. If the issue persists, restart File Explorer or sign out and back in. |
| Settings app home page load performance | Settings app > Home | This is an internal performance improvement. No user action is required. If the Settings home page loads slowly, close and reopen Settings, or restart the device to ensure the changes take effect. |
| Secondary monitor rendering and black screen | Settings > System > Display | After installing the update, reconnect your secondary monitor or restart the device. If a black screen or incorrect rendering persists, go to Settings > System > Display, check the multiple display configuration, and reselect the display mode (Extend, Duplicate, etc.). |
| Sign-in failures with Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365 | Azure Virtual Desktop or Windows 365 sign-in screen | No manual setting change is required. The internal bug is fixed. Try signing in again after installing the update. If sign-in still fails, contact your administrator or check network connectivity. |
| Blue screen of death (BSOD) with SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION | System startup and normal use | This fix is applied automatically with the update. No user action is required. If a BSOD occurs again, restart the device and ensure all drivers are up to date via Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates. |
Official announcement on the Microsoft website.
The last 10 Windows updates:
| Update | Build | Version | Windows | Channel | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KB5121132 | 28120.2760 | 26H1 | Windows 11 | Experimental | 2026-08-21 |
| KB5124040 | 26220.9223 | 25H2 | Windows 11 | Beta | 2026-08-21 |
| KB5124042 | 26340.9233 | 26H2 | Windows 11 | Experimental | 2026-08-21 |
| KB5121106 | 28020.2731 | 26H1 | Windows 11 | Beta | 2026-08-17 |
| KB5121109 | 28120.2738 | 26H1 | Windows 11 | Experimental | 2026-08-17 |
| KB5124036 | 26220.9202 | 25H2 | Windows 11 | Beta | 2026-08-17 |
| KB5124038 | 26340.9212 | 26H2 | Windows 11 | Experimental | 2026-08-17 |
| KB5120996 | 28000.2796 | 26H1 | Windows 11 | Preview | 2026-08-14 |
| KB5120998 | 26200.9267 | 25H2 | Windows 11 | Preview | 2026-08-14 |
| KB5120240 | 22631.7517 | 23H2 | Windows 11 | Stable | 2026-08-11 |