KB5124193

Microsoft has released cumulative update KB5124193 (Build 26340.9596) for Windows 11 version 26H2 for Insiders in the Experimental channel. In this build, the File Explorer address bar has learned to understand the ~ symbol – it replaces the path to the user profile folder, so nested directories can be opened with an entry like ~\AppData. We tested the feature on a test bench: the Run dialog also understands the tilde, but in the command prompt it still does not work. Microsoft is rolling out the change gradually, so it is not available to everyone immediately after installing the build – the feature can be forcibly enabled with the ViVeTool utility, ID 61815311. Update KB5124193 updates text support to the Unicode 17.0 standard, teaches the File Explorer address bar to understand the ~ symbol, speeds up the Settings home page, and adds a new way to launch system recovery from the cloud. The changes are being rolled out to Insiders gradually, so they will not appear for everyone at the same time.

• Unicode. Text display support in Windows has been updated to the Unicode 17.0 standard. The system correctly displays and renders new characters and writing systems. Unicode 17.0 adds 4,803 characters, including four new writing systems: Beria Erfe, Sidetic, Tai Yo, and Tolong Siki.
• File Explorer. The address bar understands the ~ symbol. With its help, you can quickly navigate to the user profile folder and its subfolders, for example ~\\AppData.
• Settings. The Settings home page opens faster: in some cases, loading time has been reduced.
• Recovery. In Settings > System > Recovery, a new entry point for Cloud rebuild has appeared – reinstalling the system with the image downloaded from the cloud. Previously, it could only be launched from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). The item has not yet been translated into Russian: it is called Rebuild this PC, the button is Rebuild PC, and the caption under the heading is also in English. The item is last in the Recovery options block, immediately after Restore to a point in time, while the neighboring items on this page are translated.

Known issues. Microsoft is investigating error 0x80073712, due to which some Insiders cannot install the latest updates. According to preliminary data, it is related to the installed Windows Sandbox component: as a temporary solution, it is suggested to disable the sandbox.

Installation via Windows Update: go to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates. A restart of the computer will be required to complete the installation.

The last 10 Windows updates: