Microsoft has released cumulative update KB5095094 (build 26220.8754) for Windows 11 version 25H2 insiders on the Beta channel. This build includes a number of improvements, fixes, and a new security policy for enterprise users working with remote sessions and smart cards.
- Smart card removal policy. Administrators can now configure Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365 sessions with Microsoft Entra ID authentication to automatically disconnect when a redirected smart card is removed. This extends the existing smart card removal policy to remote sessions with Microsoft Entra authentication, helping organizations meet security requirements and regulatory compliance.
- File Explorer. Fixed an issue where the OneDrive shortcut would stop working when File Explorer was launched with administrator privileges.
- Taskbar. Improved the loading reliability of the system tray area to prevent icon display failures.
- System sounds. Improved the playback quality of system sounds when using the dark theme.
To install the update, go to Settings > Windows Update and click the Check for updates button. If your computer is compatible and you are enrolled in the Windows Insider Program on the Beta channel, build KB5095094 will be downloaded automatically. A mandatory system restart is required to complete the installation process.
| Feature / Change | Performance Increase | Performance Decrease | Optimization | PC Speed | Gaming Optimization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smart card removal policy for remote sessions | ⚪ None | ⚪ None | 🟢 High — Automates session disconnect on card removal, reducing idle resource consumption on remote hosts | ⚪ No direct impact | ⚪ Not applicable |
| File Explorer: OneDrive shortcut fix with admin privileges | ⚪ None | ⚪ None | 🟡 Medium — Eliminates UI hang/timeout when accessing OneDrive via elevated Explorer, saving seconds per interaction | 🟡 Negligible — Prevents minor UI thread blocking | ⚪ Not applicable |
| Taskbar: system tray loading reliability | 🟢 Low — Faster tray population at login by avoiding icon load failures and retries | ⚪ None | 🟡 Medium — Reduces startup resource contention from failed icon reload attempts | 🟢 Low — Marginally faster shell readiness after boot | ⚪ Not applicable |
| System sounds: improved dark theme playback quality | ⚪ None | ⚪ None | 🟢 Low — Cleaner audio processing pipeline avoids clipping artifacts in dark mode | ⚪ No direct impact | 🟢 Very Low — Slightly cleaner audio cues in dark-themed games relying on system sounds |
Find and Change Settings
| Setting | Where to find | How to change |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Card Removal Policy | Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Environment | Open the policy in Group Policy Editor or Intune. Set it to Enabled to automatically disconnect Azure Virtual Desktop or Windows 365 sessions with Microsoft Entra ID authentication when a redirected smart card is removed. Set it to Disabled or Not Configured to keep the default behavior. |
| File Explorer OneDrive Shortcut | File Explorer > OneDrive shortcut | The issue where the OneDrive shortcut stopped working when File Explorer was launched with administrator privileges has been fixed. No user action is required; the fix is applied automatically with the update. |
| Taskbar System Tray Icons | Taskbar > System tray area | The loading reliability of the system tray area has been improved to prevent icon display failures. No user action is required; the improvement is applied automatically with the update. |
| System Sounds in Dark Theme | Settings > Personalization > Themes > Sounds | The playback quality of system sounds when using the dark theme has been improved. No user action is required; the improvement is applied automatically with the update. To change sound settings, go to Settings > Personalization > Themes > Sounds. |
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 |