KB5124196

Microsoft has released cumulative update KB5124196 (Build 28020.3142) for Windows 11, version 26H1, for Insiders in the Beta channel. Windows 11 Insider Preview build 28020.3142 belongs to the br_release development branch and is available to Windows Insider program members in the Beta channel (26H1). Users of this channel will now receive updates for Windows 11, version 26H1 (Build 28020), which is activated on top of Windows 11, version 26H1 (Build 28000) using the feature enablement package KB5073122 (Feature Enablement).

Update KB5124196 adds fine-grained zoom control to Magnifier, introduces a new Cloud rebuild recovery option that fully reinstalls Windows from the cloud, and fixes File Explorer behavior when renaming files and working with the address bar. The changes are rolling out to Insiders gradually, so they will not appear for everyone at the same time.

• Magnifier: precise zoom control. The zoom level can be set precisely: enter the exact magnification percentage directly in the Magnifier toolbar.
• Magnifier: preset zoom steps. In the Magnifier settings, the Zoom increment list now offers preset steps: 5%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 100% (default), 150%, 200%, and 400%, so you can jump to familiar values with a single click.
• Windows recovery: Cloud rebuild. A new Cloud rebuild recovery option has appeared. It is a full reinstall of Windows 11 that brings the PC back to a clean working state and runs even when the system does not boot. Unlike resetting the PC, Cloud rebuild downloads both the system image and the device drivers from Windows Update, so the PC is restored to a fully working state: without a USB drive, without your own image, and regardless of the state of the installed system.
• Windows recovery: launching from WinRE. You can start the recovery directly from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). Microsoft gives the path Troubleshoot > Recovery and uninstall > Cloud rebuild. The network connection is also set up there: via an Ethernet cable or over Wi-Fi.
• Windows recovery: warnings before starting. Before starting, the system shows the target build, edition, and language of Windows, as well as a data loss warning that you must confirm.
• File Explorer: consistent folder view settings. Folder view settings, namely the sort order and icon size, are now saved consistently regardless of how a folder is opened and across different apps.
• File Explorer: paths in the address bar. The address bar understands paths with double backslashes and quotation marks, for example C:\Users\user or C:\Users\user enclosed in quotation marks.
• File Explorer: closing the suggestions list. The address bar suggestions drop-down list now closes more reliably after an item is selected.
• File Explorer: renaming items. Fixed an issue where the text was selected again when renaming items in a folder.
• File Explorer: changing letter case in a name. Fixed an issue where changing a name only by letter case was not immediately shown in the file list, both in local and cloud storage.

Known issues: the Cloud rebuild feature is rolling out in stages, and on our PC with build 28020.3142 it is not yet available in the recovery environment. The Troubleshoot tile on the Choose an option screen opens a Troubleshoot section that offers Point-in-time restore, Reset this PC, and Advanced options; there was no Recovery and uninstall section in it. The Cloud rebuild item is also missing from Settings in this build: in Settings > System > Recovery, the Related support block comes immediately after Point-in-time restore. On 28020.3142 the feature can only be launched from the recovery environment.

Microsoft asks you to leave feedback about how Cloud rebuild works in the Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Recovery and uninstall > Cloud rebuild.

How to install the update via Windows Update: go to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates. A restart of the computer is required to complete the installation.

The last 10 Windows updates: