Windows 11 Insider Preview build 28020.1673 is a build belonging to the br_release development branch, now available to Windows Insider program participants on the Canary channel. Users on this channel will begin receiving updates for Windows 11 version 26H1 (build 28020), which is activated based on Windows 11 version 26H1 (build 28000) using the feature enablement package KB5073122.
- Emoji. Added support for Emoji 16.0. This release includes a small, curated set of new emojis — one from each major category. The new characters are now available on the emoji panel (Win + .).
- Backup and Restore. The first-run restore feature is now part of Windows Backup for organizations. User settings and Microsoft Store apps will be automatically restored during first sign-in on Microsoft Entra hybrid joined devices, Cloud PCs, and multi-user environments. This simplifies device upgrade, migration, and replacement processes.
- Quick Machine Recovery. Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) is now automatically enabled on managed enterprise Windows Pro devices, as well as on non-domain-joined Windows Pro devices. These devices now receive the same recovery capabilities as Windows Home. For domain-joined devices, QMR remains disabled unless the organization manually activates it.
- Taskbar and System Tray. Added a built-in network speed test accessible from the taskbar. It can be launched via Quick Settings for Wi‑Fi or cellular networks, as well as through the context menu of the network icon in the system tray. The test opens in the default browser and checks Ethernet, Wi‑Fi, and cellular connections.
- User Accounts. In the Start menu account manager, a new item has been added that leads to the Microsoft account benefits page for simplified management of subscriptions and rewards.
- Camera Settings. New pan and tilt controls for supported cameras have been added under Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Cameras.
- Widgets. Widgets settings now open in full‑screen mode inside the Widgets app itself, rather than in a pop‑up window.
- Taskbar Search. Group result headers now show the number of items found. Also added the ability to preview a result via the “Preview” button without opening the file or application.
- Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT). Added RSAT support on Windows 11 Arm64 devices. Administrators can now install tools such as Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, Group Policy, Server Manager, and others via Settings > System > Optional features or through “Turn Windows features on or off”.
- File Explorer. Dark mode improvements continue: the Folder Options dialog now appears with a more consistent dark theme. Fixed an issue where all open File Explorer windows and tabs could unexpectedly switch to “Desktop” or “Home”.
- Settings. Improved reliability of setting parameters under Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Wheel.
- Nearby Sharing. Improved reliability when sending large files using Nearby Sharing.
Installation is done through Windows Update: go to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates. A computer restart is required to complete the installation.
| Feature / Change | Performance Increase or Decrease | Optimization | PC Speed | Gaming Optimization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emoji 16.0 support | ⚪ No impact | 🟢 Minor (updated emoji panel assets) | ⚪ No impact | ⚪ No impact |
| Windows Backup first-run restore for organizations | 🟡 Slight decrease during first sign-in (background restore) | 🟢 High (automates setup and app restore) | 🟡 Temporary slowdown during restore, then normal | ⚪ No impact |
| Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) auto-enabled on Pro | 🟡 Negligible (background service) | 🟢 High (faster recovery from failures) | 🟡 Minimal background usage | ⚪ No impact |
| Built-in network speed test in taskbar | ⚪ No impact | 🟢 Medium (quick diagnostics) | ⚪ No impact | 🟢 Low (helps check ping/latency indirectly) |
| Microsoft account benefits item in Start menu | ⚪ No impact | 🟢 Low (faster access to subscriptions) | ⚪ No impact | ⚪ No impact |
| Camera pan and tilt controls | ⚪ No impact | 🟢 Low (usability for supported cameras) | ⚪ No impact | ⚪ No impact |
| Widgets settings in full-screen mode | 🟡 Slight increase in memory usage (full-screen app) | 🟢 Medium (better settings UX) | 🟡 Minimal impact | ⚪ No impact |
| Taskbar search group headers + preview | ⚪ No impact | 🟢 Medium (faster result scanning) | ⚪ No impact | ⚪ No impact |
| RSAT support on Windows 11 Arm64 | ⚪ No impact for end users | 🟢 High (admin tool availability) | ⚪ No impact | ⚪ No impact |
| File Explorer dark mode fixes | 🟢 Minor (less UI redraw glitches) | 🟢 Low (visual consistency) | 🟢 Negligible (fewer unexpected window switches) | ⚪ No impact |
| Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Wheel reliability | ⚪ No impact | 🟢 Low (less crashes/failures) | ⚪ No impact | 🟢 Low (wheel accessories more stable) |
| Nearby Sharing large file reliability | 🟡 Slight increase in CPU/network during transfer | 🟢 Medium (fewer failed transfers) | 🟡 Temporary usage during file sharing | ⚪ No impact |
Official announcement on the Microsoft website.
The last 10 Windows updates:
| Update | Build | Version | Windows | Channel | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KB5127757 | 28120.3181 | 26H1 | Windows 11 | Experimental | 2026-10-07 |
| KB5127758 | 26220.9606 | 25H2 | Windows 11 | Beta | 2026-10-07 |
| KB5127754 | 28020.3172 | 26H1 | Windows 11 | Beta | 2026-10-07 |
| KB5127753 | 26340.9616 | 26H2 | Windows 11 | Experimental | 2026-10-07 |
| KB5124192 | 28120.3151 | 26H1 | Windows 11 | Experimental | 2026-10-02 |
| KB5124196 | 28020.3142 | 26H1 | Windows 11 | Beta | 2026-10-02 |
| KB5124197 | 26220.9587 | 25H2 | Windows 11 | Beta | 2026-10-02 |
| KB5124193 | 26340.9596 | 26H2 | Windows 11 | Experimental | 2026-10-02 |
| KB5124166 | 26220.9568 | 25H2 | Windows 11 | Beta | 2026-09-25 |
| KB5124163 | 28020.3112 | 26H1 | Windows 11 | Beta | 2026-09-25 |