KB5101594

Microsoft has released cumulative update KB5101594 (Build 26220.8925) for Windows 11 version 25H2, available to insiders on the Beta channel. The build contains a number of improvements for touchpads, the Start menu, File Explorer, Narrator, and account management, and also fixes a critical installation error.

• Gestures for precision touchpads. New gesture functionality for precision touchpads has been added in the Settings app. These features should work in most applications. WinUI 3-based interfaces require new versions of WinAppSDK for full support — the necessary changes are currently being ported to versions 1.8 and 2.0. Control over the base scrolling and zoom speed has been introduced. Accelerated scrolling has been added: repeating the gesture increases speed, allowing quick navigation through long documents.
• Updated Start menu. The Recommended section has been renamed to Recent in the Start menu and on the Settings page. Separate toggles have been added, allowing you to independently show or hide the Pinned, Recent, and All sections. The ability to choose between Small and Large Start menu options has been added in addition to the already available Automatic (default) option. The ability to hide the profile name and picture in the Start menu has been added. The Start menu settings page in Settings has been redesigned. You can leave feedback in the Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Settings > Start Menu.
• File Explorer improvements. File sizes in the Details view are now displayed in appropriate units (KB, MB, and GB), rather than only in KB, making it easier to perceive at a glance. Middle-click now opens a folder in a new tab also in the address bar and on the Home page — for a more consistent and convenient tab navigation in File Explorer. Screen reader announcements have been improved when resolving file conflicts during move and copy operations.
• Narrator and braille displays. Braille displays now connect to Narrator instantly. Narrator now supports displays using the HID standard. If the display supports HID, just plug it in via USB and start reading — no additional setup is required. For Bluetooth connection, you need to pair the HID braille display in Settings > Bluetooth & devices, just like any other accessory. Compatible HID displays include Orbit Reader 20, Orbit Slate 340, Freedom Scientific Focus 40, and APH Mantis Q40. HID braille displays now work via USB even during the Windows out-of-box experience (OOBE) — deafblind users can set up the computer independently from the very first screen. Braille input and output settings can be configured in Settings > Accessibility > Narrator > Braille.
• Account management. The account management flyout in Windows 11 has received an updated modern design and a clear subscription icon, so your account status is visible immediately. This helps you quickly identify your plan, learn about available benefits, and consider upgrade options.
• Windows Update. Fixed an issue where recent insider builds could fail to install with error 0xc0000409.
• Input. Improved preservation of the selected mouse pointer size.

To install the update, go to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates. A restart will be required to complete the installation.

How the new features work:

Gestures for Precision Touchpads. New gesture functionality for precision touchpads has been added in the Settings app, and it should work in most applications. WinUI 3-based interfaces require new versions of WinAppSDK for full support — the necessary changes are currently being ported to versions 1.8 and 2.0. Control over the base scrolling and zoom speed has been introduced, and accelerated scrolling has been added: repeating the gesture increases speed, allowing quick navigation through long documents.

Updated Start Menu. The Recommended section has been renamed to Recent in the Start menu and on the Settings page. Separate toggles have been added, allowing you to independently show or hide the Pinned, Recent, and All sections. The ability to choose between Small and Large Start menu options has been added in addition to the already available Automatic (default) option. The ability to hide the profile name and picture in the Start menu has been added, and the Start menu settings page in Settings has been redesigned.

File Explorer Improvements. File sizes in the Details view are now displayed in appropriate units (KB, MB, and GB), rather than only in KB, making it easier to perceive at a glance. Middle-click now opens a folder in a new tab also in the address bar and on the Home page, ensuring more consistent and convenient tab navigation in File Explorer. Screen reader announcements have been improved when resolving file conflicts during move and copy operations.

Narrator and Braille Displays. Braille displays now connect to Narrator instantly, with Narrator supporting devices that use the HID standard. If the display supports HID, simply plug it in via USB and start reading — no additional setup is required. For Bluetooth connection, you need to pair the HID braille display in Settings > Bluetooth & devices, just like any other accessory. HID braille displays now work via USB even during the Windows out-of-box experience (OOBE), allowing deafblind users to set up the computer independently from the very first screen.

Account Management. The account management flyout in Windows 11 has received an updated modern design and a clear subscription icon, so your account status is visible immediately. This helps you quickly identify your plan, learn about available benefits, and consider upgrade options.

Windows Update. Fixed an issue where recent insider builds could fail to install with error 0xc0000409. This fix restores the normal installation process for cumulative updates, eliminating the failure caused by servicing stack corruption or component conflicts during the finalization phase of installation.

Input. Improved preservation of the selected mouse pointer size. The system now correctly retains the set value in the registry path HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Cursors, preventing it from spontaneously resetting to the default size after a reboot or reconnection of peripheral devices.

The last 10 Windows updates: