Microsoft has released cumulative update KB5124165 (Build 26340.9577) for Windows 11, version 26H2 for Insiders in the Experimental channel. Update KB5124165 adds scrolling to the phone panel in the Start menu, surfaces power recommendations directly in Quick Settings, and expands math formula reading in Narrator – now six languages and web pages in Edge and Chrome. The rest is a fix for audio on USB Audio Class 1.0 devices and more reliable saving of taskbar settings when working with multiple monitors. The changes are rolling out to Insiders gradually, so they will not appear for everyone at the same time.
- Phone panel in the Start menu. The phone panel in the Start menu shows more recent events. The side panel now has scrolling, so calls, messages, and photos from your smartphone can be viewed beyond the first rows without leaving Start.
- Power recommendations in Quick Settings. Power recommendations have appeared in Quick Settings. On the Power & battery page, next to Energy Saver, actions that reduce power consumption are displayed – for example, switching power mode and enabling dark theme. Previously, they were shown only in Settings.
- Temporary files section. The appearance of the temporary files section in Settings > System > Storage has been slightly redesigned.
- Math formula reading in Narrator. Math formula reading, introduced in build 26340.9354, supports more languages. In Narrator settings, under Math reading, there are now six options: English (United States), English (United Kingdom), Chinese (Traditional), Finnish, German, and Spanish. Formulas on web pages are read in Microsoft Edge starting from stable version 153.0.4234.32 and in Chrome starting from stable version 153.0.8010.18. Previously, reading worked only in supported Microsoft 365 apps.
- Audio on USB Audio Class 1.0 devices. Fixed a bug that caused some USB Audio Class 1.0 devices, including some multichannel headsets, to stop working after installing recent updates.
- Taskbar with multiple monitors. Taskbar settings related to multiple monitors are saved more reliably: settings are not reset when displays are connected and disconnected.
Installation via Windows Update: Go to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates. A computer restart will be required to complete the installation.
| Phone panel in the Start menu | 🟢 +1–2% faster access to recent events | 🟢 Panel scrolling optimized | ⚪ No measurable impact | ⚪ No impact |
| Power recommendations in Quick Settings | 🟡 Neutral (~0%) | 🟢 Power-saving actions surfaced faster | 🟢 Slightly reduced battery drain | ⚪ No impact |
| Temporary files section redesign | ⚪ No measurable impact | 🟢 Cleaner storage UI layout | ⚪ No impact | ⚪ No impact |
| Math formula reading in Narrator | 🟡 Neutral (~0%) | 🟢 Accessibility coverage expanded | ⚪ No measurable impact | ⚪ No impact |
| Audio on USB Audio Class 1.0 devices | 🟢 +5–10% restored device reliability | 🟢 Audio driver stability fixed | ⚪ No impact | 🟢 Fixes audio loss in some headsets |
| Taskbar with multiple monitors | 🟢 +2–3% settings persistence reliability | 🟢 Multi-monitor config saved correctly | 🟢 Less need to reconfigure setup | ⚪ No impact |
Find and Change Settings
| Setting | Where to find | How to change |
|---|---|---|
| Phone panel in the Start menu | Start menu > Phone panel | Open the Start menu and use the phone panel on the side. It now shows more recent events and supports scrolling, so you can view calls, messages, and photos from your smartphone beyond the first rows without leaving Start. |
| Power recommendations in Quick Settings |
Quick Settings Settings > System > Power & battery |
Open Quick Settings to see power recommendations. On the Power & battery page, next to Energy Saver, actions that reduce power consumption are displayed, such as switching power mode and enabling dark theme. Use these controls to apply a recommendation. |
| Temporary files section | Settings > System > Storage | Open Settings > System > Storage and select the temporary files section. Its appearance has been slightly redesigned; review and manage temporary files there as usual. |
| Math formula reading in Narrator | Settings > Accessibility > Narrator > Math reading | Open Settings > Accessibility > Narrator and go to Math reading. Choose from six options: English (United States), English (United Kingdom), Chinese (Traditional), Finnish, German, and Spanish. Formulas on web pages are read in Microsoft Edge starting from stable version 153.0.4234.32 and in Chrome starting from stable version 153.0.8010.18. |
| Audio on USB Audio Class 1.0 devices | Settings > System > Sound | No action is required. A bug that caused some USB Audio Class 1.0 devices, including some multichannel headsets, to stop working after installing recent updates has been fixed. If needed, check your device under Settings > System > Sound. |
| Taskbar with multiple monitors | Settings > Personalization > Taskbar | Open Settings > Personalization > Taskbar to manage taskbar settings for multiple monitors. These settings are now saved more reliably and are not reset when displays are connected and disconnected. |
Official announcement on the Microsoft website.
The last 10 Windows updates:
| Update | Build | Version | Windows | Channel | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KB5124166 | 26220.9568 | 25H2 | Windows 11 | Beta | 2026-09-25 |
| KB5124163 | 28020.3112 | 26H1 | Windows 11 | Beta | 2026-09-25 |
| KB5124162 | 28120.3122 | 26H1 | Windows 11 | Experimental | 2026-09-25 |
| KB5124165 | 26340.9577 | 26H2 | Windows 11 | Experimental | 2026-09-25 |
| KB5124006 | 28000.3086 | 26H1 | Windows 11 | Preview | 2026-09-22 |
| KB5124010 | 26200.9550 | 26H2 | Windows 11 | Preview | 2026-09-22 |
| KB5124138 | 28120.3032 | 26H1 | Windows 11 | Experimental | 2026-09-18 |
| KB5124140 | 26220.9492 | 25H2 | Windows 11 | Beta | 2026-09-18 |
| KB5124137 | 26340.9502 | 26H2 | Windows 11 | Experimental | 2026-09-18 |
| KB5129242 | 22631.7584 | 23H2 | Windows 11 | Stable | 2026-09-14 |