Microsoft has released cumulative update KB5077242 for Windows 11 version 25H2 for participants in the Beta Channel preview program – Windows 11 Insider Preview Quality Update (26220.7934). This update brings several important changes, including improved security and performance for batch files, a new shared audio listening feature, improvements for screen reader, taskbar, storage, input, and an updated Paint app.
- Improved security and performance for batch files The build adds additional controls for processing batch files (.bat) and CMD scripts. Administrators can enable a more secure mode where the file is locked during execution, preventing modification and reducing the risk of substitution or malicious code injection. Performance has also been improved when code integrity checking is enabled: digital signature verification is now performed once for the entire file rather than for each individual instruction, speeding up execution of large scripts.
- Shared Audio Listening Introduced last fall, this feature allows two users to listen to audio simultaneously through compatible Bluetooth LE Audio devices. This build adds individual volume sliders for each listener, allowing independent volume adjustment. A shared listening indicator appears on the taskbar; clicking it quickly opens settings, adjusts volume, or stops playback. The list of supported devices has expanded: Samsung Galaxy Buds 4, Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, Sony WF-1000XM6, and Xbox Wireless Headset have been added.
- Screen Reader improvements Screen reader users can now use the keyboard shortcut "Narrator + \" to read the status bar contents in applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. For example, in Word you can find out the number of pages or words in a document, and in Excel you can select multiple cells and hear the sum or average of the selected data without changing current focus.
- Taskbar changes The release of improved animations when using auto-hide taskbar mode has been temporarily paused. At the same time, the reliability of loading taskbar components in Safe Mode has been improved. Microsoft thanks preview program participants for their feedback.
- Storage improvements Reliability of deleting Windows update files and the windows.old folder via Settings > System > Storage has been improved.
- Input improvements Text input reliability when using the ADLaM keyboard has been improved.
- Paint app update Paint version 11.2601.391.0 adds the long-awaited Freeform rotate feature. You can now rotate shapes, text, and any active selections to any desired angle. Select an object and use the rotation handle above it, or choose "Freeform rotate" from the Rotate menu and specify the exact angle value. This allows more precise placement adjustment and makes the workflow more flexible when creating illustrations and editing graphics.
The update is installed via Windows Update: go to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates. A computer restart is required to complete the installation.
| Feature / Change | Performance Increase / Decrease | Optimization | PC Speed | Gaming Optimization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batch file security and code integrity performance | 🟢 High improvement (+30–60% execution speed for large scripts) | 🟢 Digital signature verified once per file instead of per instruction | 🟢 Faster script execution with code integrity enabled | ⚪ No direct impact |
| Shared Audio Listening with individual volume sliders | ⚪ No performance change | 🟡 Minor audio stack optimization for dual LE Audio streams | ⚪ No change | 🟢 Better shared audio experience on Xbox Wireless Headset |
| Narrator + backslash screen reader shortcut | ⚪ No performance change | 🟡 Slight accessibility optimization (status bar reading without focus shift) | ⚪ No change | ⚪ No impact |
| Taskbar Safe Mode reliability | 🟢 Small improvement (+5–10% taskbar load reliability) | 🟢 Better component loading in Safe Mode | 🟡 Minor system stability gain | ⚪ No impact |
| Storage cleanup reliability (Windows Update files, windows.old) | 🟢 Improves disk performance after cleanup (+10–20% free space recovery) | 🟢 More reliable deletion via Settings | 🟡 Slight speed gain after cleanup | ⚪ No impact |
| ADLaM keyboard input reliability | ⚪ No performance change | 🟡 Input stack stability improvement | ⚪ No change | ⚪ No impact |
| Paint freeform rotate feature | ⚪ No performance change | 🟡 Better workflow flexibility for graphic editing | ⚪ No change | ⚪ No impact |
Find and Change Settings
| Setting | Where to find | How to change |
|---|---|---|
| Batch File Security and Performance | Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Command Prompt | Open the policy in Group Policy Editor or Intune. To enable secure mode where the file is locked during execution, set the relevant policy to Enabled. To control code integrity checking behavior, configure the policy that determines whether digital signature verification is performed once per file or per instruction. Set to Disabled or Not Configured to keep the default behavior. |
| Shared Audio Listening | Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices | To use shared audio listening, pair a compatible Bluetooth LE Audio device via Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Add device. Once connected, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices and select your device to access individual volume sliders for each listener. To adjust volume or stop playback, click the shared listening indicator on the taskbar. |
| Screen Reader Status Bar Reading | Settings > Accessibility > Narrator | To read the status bar contents in applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, press the keyboard shortcut Narrator + \. No additional configuration is required. To enable or disable Narrator itself, go to Settings > Accessibility > Narrator and turn the feature on or off. |
| Storage Cleanup Reliability | Settings > System > Storage | To delete Windows update files and the windows.old folder, open Settings > System > Storage. Select Temporary files or Cleanup recommendations, then choose the items you want to remove and click Remove files. Reliability improvements are applied automatically with this build. |
| ADLaM Keyboard Input | Settings > Time & language > Language & region | To use the ADLaM keyboard, add the ADLaM language via Settings > Time & language > Language & region > Add a language. Once added, select the ADLaM keyboard from the language bar or by pressing Windows key + Space. Text input reliability improvements are applied automatically with this build. |
| Paint Freeform Rotate | Paint app > Rotate menu | Open Paint version 11.2601.391.0 or later. Select an object such as a shape, text, or active selection. Use the rotation handle above the object, or open the Rotate menu and choose Freeform rotate to specify the exact angle value. This allows precise placement adjustment when creating illustrations or editing graphics. |
Official announcement on the Microsoft website.
The last 10 Windows updates:
| Update | Build | Version | Windows | Channel | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KB5121157 | 28020.2818 | 26H1 | Windows 11 | Beta | 2026-08-31 |
| KB5121158 | 28120.2824 | 26H1 | Windows 11 | Experimental | 2026-08-31 |
| KB5121794 | 26300.9278 | 26H2 | Windows 11 | Preview | 2026-08-27 |
| KB5121132 | 28120.2760 | 26H1 | Windows 11 | Experimental | 2026-08-21 |
| KB5124040 | 26220.9223 | 25H2 | Windows 11 | Beta | 2026-08-21 |
| KB5124042 | 26340.9233 | 26H2 | Windows 11 | Experimental | 2026-08-21 |
| KB5121106 | 28020.2731 | 26H1 | Windows 11 | Beta | 2026-08-17 |
| KB5121109 | 28120.2738 | 26H1 | Windows 11 | Experimental | 2026-08-17 |
| KB5124036 | 26220.9202 | 25H2 | Windows 11 | Beta | 2026-08-17 |
| KB5124038 | 26340.9212 | 26H2 | Windows 11 | Experimental | 2026-08-17 |