Microsoft Promises A Big February Patch - But Will It Fix What's Broken With Windows 11 Today?

1 day ago

Microsoft gives Windows 10 its penultimate update but saves nan champion for Windows 11

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Let's look it: astir monthly Windows 11 patches are ho-hum. They usually attraction connected bug fixes and information updates, pinch nan occasional caller characteristic radiated in. The February 2026 update, however, looks significant, introducing respective caller features that will alteration really users interact pinch nan operating system.

Also: 5 Windows apps I ever instal first connected a caller PC - and they're free to download

While nan update won't officially rotation retired until February 10, Microsoft has already released Preview Update KB5074105 to Windows Insiders. This early spot includes nan aforesaid features and fixes that'll get adjacent Tuesday. Below is simply a breakdown of nan awesome caller features and fixes coming pinch nan update, disposable for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2.

If you're willing successful trying retired nan preview build, ZDNET Contributing Writer Lance Whitney has a elaborate guideline explaining how to subordinate Microsoft's Windows Insider Program.

1. Cross Device Resume description

Cross Device Resume was first introduced backmost successful May 2025, allowing users to commencement a task connected an Android phone, and seamlessly prime it up connected their PC -- akin to Apple's Handoff tool. With this update, Microsoft is expanding nan feature.

Cross Device Resume now useful pinch Spotify playback, Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, and browsing sessions from nan Vivo Browser app. Additionally, users pinch Honor, Oppo, Samsung, Vivo, aliases Xiaomi phones tin activity connected online files opened via nan Copilot app.

2. Windows Midi improvements

The February spot besides updates nan Windows MIDI work pinch enhanced support for some MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0. New capabilities see shared MIDI ports crossed apps, civilization larboard names, capacity improvements, and aggregate bug fixes.

It's worthy noting that nan App SDK and Tools packages that alteration entree to these MIDI changes are portion of a abstracted download. You tin find them connected Microsoft's Windows MIDI Services landing page.

3. New Narrator controls

Narrator is getting much granular customization options. Users tin now set really on-screen controls are announced, take which specifications are spoken, and group nan bid successful which accusation is publication aloud.

4. A amended location for nan Device paper successful Settings

Microsoft has made a mini but invited quality-of-life alteration by moving nan Device accusation paper from nan bottommost of nan System page to nan Home tab successful nan Settings menu. This makes it overmuch easier to quickly cheque cardinal strategy details, for illustration nan processor.

5. Activate and deactivate Smart App Control

Smart App Control (SAC) is simply a information characteristic that blocks untrusted aliases malicious apps earlier they run. While effective, nan instrumentality tin beryllium overly fierce and emblem safe software. With nan February update, users will yet beryllium capable to deactivate Smart App Control astatine immoderate time. No request to reinstall Windows 11; thereby making SAC managment acold much convenient than before.

6. A redesigned Voice Access

Voice Access lets users power their PC and navigate Windows 11 utilizing speech. The instrumentality now includes a redesigned setup wizard that walks users done downloading a reside exemplary for their chosen language, connecting a microphone, and explaining really nan characteristic works.

7. New Voice Typing control

In nan aforesaid vein, Voice Typing is getting immoderate improvements. For example, it's gaining a caller "Wait Time Before Acting" setting. This action lets users set nan hold earlier a spoken bid is executed, helping amended accuracy and amended support group pinch different reside patterns.

8. Increased Windows Hello support

The Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro 360's fingerprint reader.

Preview Update KB5074105 besides updates Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS) to support peripheral fingerprint sensors. Previously, ESS only worked pinch built-in fingerprint sensors. To group it up, Microsoft says users simply request to link a supported biometric device, past caput to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and travel nan on-screen instructions.

9. New connection support

Finally, Microsoft is expanding connection support for nan AI-powered supplier successful nan Windows 11 Settings menu. This on-device adjunct helps users find and alteration strategy settings via earthy language. It now supports German, Portuguese, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, Hindi, Italian, and Simplified Chinese.

10. Windows 11 fixes

Alongside nan caller features, nan February spot delivers abstracted bug fixes crossed a assortment of apps. File Explorer received tweaks to its navigation responsiveness, Microsoft addressed a Lock Screen rumor that caused it to go unresponsive, and lastly, a bug has been fixed wherever desktop icons would unexpectedly move astir erstwhile opening aliases renaming definite files.