KB5079489

Microsoft released preview (optional) update KB5079489 (Build 28000.1764) for Windows 11 version 26H1. This non-security update includes quality improvements, new features, and stability fixes. It is available for PCs with ARM64 architecture processors (Snapdragon), as well as for devices with x64 processors (Intel and AMD) that have been updated to version 26H1 using official ISO images. Deployment happens in two phases: gradual rollout (new features appear in stages) and broad distribution (simultaneous release of fixes for all supported devices).

• Emoji 16.0 support. Added a new set of emojis, including a small carefully curated set of characters — one from each major category. New emojis are now available in the Windows emoji panel.
• First-time sign-in restoration for organizations. The restoration feature is now part of Windows Backup for organizations. It automatically restores user settings and Microsoft Store apps upon first sign-in on Microsoft Entra hybrid joined devices, Cloud PCs, and multi-user environments.
• Quick Machine Recovery (QMR). The feature now automatically enables on Windows Pro devices that are not domain-joined and not registered in corporate systems. Such devices receive the same recovery capabilities as Windows Home. QMR performs a one-time scan on PCs with recovery options enabled and offers suitable options if necessary.
• Built-in network speed test. Launched from Wi-Fi or cellular quick settings, as well as through the context menu of the network icon in the system tray. The test opens in the default browser and checks Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and mobile connections.
• Improvement to taskbar without combining buttons. If an app has multiple windows open, they will no longer be entirely moved to the overflow area — only those windows for which there is truly no space left will go there.
• New item in the account menu. The account menu in Start now has an item leading to the benefits page of a Microsoft account.
• Camera pan and tilt control. In the Settings app (Bluetooth and devices > Cameras), you can now control these functions for supported cameras.
• Built-in Sysmon. Windows gets built-in support for System Monitor to log system events. Disabled by default — enabled manually via Settings > System > Optional features or using the Dism command. If Sysmon was already installed from Sysinternals, you need to remove it before enabling the built-in version.
• Widgets settings. Now open as a full-screen page inside the Widgets app, not as a separate dialog window.
• .webp background support. .webp format images can now be used as desktop backgrounds via Settings > Personalization > Background or through the file context menu in File Explorer.
• Taskbar search improvements. Group result headers show the number of items found. Hovering over a result now provides a preview. The Search process icon in Task Manager has been updated to a magnifying glass.
• Storage settings improvements. Some dialogs now have a more modern design, and temporary file scanning performance has been improved.
• RSAT for Arm64 support. Administrators can install Active Directory, Group Policy Management, DNS, and DHCP Server Tools on Windows 11 Arm64 devices via Settings > System > Optional features.
• Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT). Added RSAT support for Windows 11 Arm64 devices. Administrators can install and use Active Directory Domain Services, Lightweight Directory Services, Active Directory Certificate Services, Server Manager, Group Policy Management, DNS Server Tools, and DHCP Server Tools.

No known issues are officially listed for this update. Among the broad distribution improvements: increased accuracy of app labeling in Application Control for Business, improved Natural Voices in Narrator, increased reliability of the login screen, sending large files via Nearby Sharing, displaying the projection menu (Win+P), and print spooler service (spoolsv.exe) performance.

In File Explorer: holding Shift and clicking on an icon or middle-clicking opens a new instance; when viewing non-ZIP archives, an Extract All button appears; improved reliability of device display on the Network page.

Also improved wake-from-sleep and optimized wake time on systems under high load, improved visual consistency of the interface (taskbar in auto-hide mode, input fields in Windows Security dialogs, print window).

Cumulative update KB5079489 is installed manually via Windows Update. Go to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates.

When 2026-03 Preview Update (KB5079489) (28000.1764) appears, click Download and install.

A system restart is required to complete installation. After the update, the Windows 11 version 26H1 build number will change to 28000.1764. If previous updates are already installed on the device, the system will download and install only the new fixes included in the KB5079489 package.

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