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A Major Windows 11 Preview Update Arrives
Microsoft has released KB5120998, a new preview cumulative update for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, bringing a surprisingly broad collection of improvements to the operating system. Rather than focusing on a single headline feature, the update touches several parts of Windows that users interact with every day, including Start, the taskbar, Windows Search, File Explorer, virtual desktops, Windows Share, Settings, and system administration.
Microsoft lists the update as a preview release for OS Builds 26100.9278 and 26200.9278. The company describes it as containing production-quality improvements, while the feature rollout itself is being handled in phases, meaning not every compatible PC will necessarily receive every new experience immediately.
The update is particularly interesting because Microsoft is combining ordinary usability improvements with deeper security and administration changes. Among the most important additions is the beginning of the broader rollout of Administrator protection, a feature designed to reduce the exposure created by unrestricted administrator privileges.
For Windows 11 users, KB5120998 is therefore more than another routine preview patch. It represents another step in Microsoft’s attempt to make Windows more customizable, less cluttered, easier to search, and harder to abuse when elevated privileges are involved.
What Is Windows 11 KB5120998?
KB5120998 is an optional preview cumulative update for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2. Unlike Microsoft’s regular monthly security releases, preview updates are primarily intended to introduce and validate non-security improvements before they become part of a broader future release.
Microsoft’s documentation identifies KB5120998 with OS Builds 26100.9278 for Windows 11 24H2 and 26200.9278 for Windows 11 25H2. The release includes a mixture of new features, interface changes, reliability improvements, and quality fixes.
The update was published on August 27, 2026, making it one of Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 preview releases. Microsoft is using a gradual rollout for several features, so the experience can vary depending on the device and rollout stage.
Start Menu Finally Gets More Control
One of the most visible changes in KB5120998 is the redesigned approach to Start menu customization.
Microsoft is introducing additional controls that allow users to choose between a small or large Start menu, alongside the existing Automatic option. This gives users more control over how much space Start occupies on the desktop.
The Recommended area is also being renamed Recent, a small terminology change that could make the section easier to understand. Instead of Microsoft’s more ambiguous “Recommended” wording, “Recent” communicates more directly what users should expect to find there.
Microsoft is also adding options to hide the user’s name and profile picture from Start. For people who prefer a cleaner interface or want to reduce the amount of personal information displayed on the desktop, this is a welcome change.
The Start settings page is also being redesigned with separate controls for Pinned, Recent, and All sections. That means users gain more granular control over the structure of the Start menu instead of being forced to accept Microsoft’s default arrangement.
The Taskbar Becomes Far More Flexible
The taskbar is receiving one of the biggest customization upgrades in the update.
For the first time in this release, Microsoft is allowing users to position the taskbar at the top, left, or right side of the screen, in addition to the traditional bottom position. Microsoft says tooltips, flyouts, and animations continue to work when the taskbar is moved.
This is significant because Windows 11 has historically offered less taskbar flexibility than earlier Windows versions. Users who preferred a vertical taskbar or a top-mounted taskbar often had to rely on third-party modifications.
KB5120998 also introduces a smaller taskbar option designed to maximize screen space. The smaller configuration reduces both icon size and taskbar height while retaining access to Start, Search, and the system tray.
For laptops and smaller displays, that could make a meaningful difference.
Windows Search Gets Cleaner and Smarter
Windows Search is another major focus of KB5120998.
Microsoft says the Search home experience is being simplified to reduce visual clutter and make it easier for users to return to recent searches. The update also improves how search results identify their source.
Instead of simply presenting a collection of results, Windows can more clearly indicate whether a result comes from an application, a setting, a local file, a web result, or a Microsoft Store suggestion.
That distinction matters because Windows Search increasingly combines local and online information. Users need to know where a result will take them before clicking it.
Microsoft is also introducing a setting that allows users to decide whether web and Microsoft Store suggestions should appear alongside local search results.
Another interesting addition is automatic indexing of frequently used folders. Windows can identify commonly accessed locations and index them so files in those folders can appear more quickly in future searches.
File Explorer Gets a Performance Boost
File Explorer is receiving a smaller but potentially useful improvement.
Microsoft says File Explorer Home now launches faster and is more responsive. The Recommended section on Home also gains touch scrolling, making it easier to navigate file suggestions on compatible touchscreen devices.
These changes may not generate the same attention as a redesigned Start menu, but responsiveness improvements are often more valuable in everyday use than visual redesigns.
A faster File Explorer can save small amounts of time repeatedly throughout the day, particularly for users who work heavily with documents, downloads, folders, and shared files.
Administrator Protection Is One of the Most Important Changes
The most technically significant change may be
The feature is designed to reduce the risks associated with administrators operating with elevated privileges. Microsoft says Administrator protection uses just-in-time privileges and profile separation to harden Windows against elevation-of-privilege attacks.
Importantly, Microsoft states that Administrator protection is not classified as a formal security boundary. That distinction is important for security professionals because the feature should not be treated as an absolute barrier between an attacker and privileged operations.
Administrator protection is disabled by default and can be enabled through Microsoft Intune using OMA-URI or through Group Policy. Microsoft had previously disclosed the feature in October 2025, but KB5120998 marks another step toward its wider availability.
For organizations managing large Windows fleets, this could eventually become one of the more consequential changes in the update.
Why Administrator Protection Matters
Administrator accounts are powerful because they can make system-level changes. That power is necessary for IT administration, but it also creates an attractive target for attackers.
If malware manages to obtain administrator-level privileges, it can potentially gain greater control over the operating system, modify security settings, install persistent components, and interfere with defensive tools.
The idea behind Administrator protection is to reduce the amount of time users spend operating with unrestricted administrative privileges.
That approach fits into a broader cybersecurity principle: minimize privilege whenever possible.
Instead of giving elevated access continuously, the system can provide administrative capability when required and restrict it when it is not.
Windows Share Also Becomes More Intelligent
KB5120998 adds another subtle change to Windows Share.
Users signed in with work or school accounts can discover and install relevant applications directly from the share interface. Microsoft also provides a setting under System > Share that allows organizations or users to manage suggested apps within share surfaces.
This illustrates
The downside is that some users may see such recommendations as unnecessary interface clutter. Microsoft’s decision to provide controls over the experience is therefore important.
Virtual Desktops Become More Responsive
Microsoft is also improving virtual desktop switching.
The company says switching between virtual desktops should become smoother and more responsive.
For power users who separate work, personal applications, communication tools, and development environments across multiple desktops, this could improve the overall feel of Windows.
It is not a dramatic feature, but responsiveness is one of those qualities users notice immediately when it is missing.
Display and Graphics Improvements
KB5120998 contains several smaller improvements to Windows display behavior.
Microsoft says it improves reliability when navigating and interacting with Settings > System > Display. The update also improves persistence of brightness settings after Energy Saver turns off.
These changes demonstrate that the update is not simply a feature package. Microsoft is also using the preview cycle to address the smaller problems that can make Windows feel inconsistent.
Task Manager Receives Reliability Improvements
Task Manager is also getting a reliability-focused change.
Microsoft says the update improves reliability when displaying application history information in Task Manager.
This is another example of Microsoft focusing on stability rather than introducing a flashy interface change.
For administrators and advanced users, Task Manager remains an important diagnostic tool, so improvements to its reliability can be valuable.
Windows Setup Gets a More Streamlined Experience
The Windows installation experience is also being refined.
Microsoft says the update makes it easier to skip the secondary keyboard selection during setup when it is unnecessary. The Get Started application is also being expanded with pages covering app installation, site pinning, themes, personalization, and feature discovery.
These changes are relatively small, but they contribute to Microsoft’s larger goal of making Windows configuration less cumbersome for new and existing users.
Windows Update Gets Better Sleep Behavior
KB5120998 also changes how Windows behaves after completing certain updates.
Microsoft says that PCs manually placed into sleep mode can return to sleep after an update completes, even if automatic sleep is configured as Never.
This is particularly useful for laptops and desktops that users intentionally leave in a specific power state.
Networking and VPN Reliability Improvements
The update includes improvements to networking behavior, including better resilience and recovery from potential VPN-related background issues that can cause processes to become unresponsive.
For remote workers and enterprise users, VPN stability is increasingly important because many corporate workflows depend on persistent secure connections.
Microsoft also reports improvements to the output of the netsh wlan show wlanreport command for Japanese users.
Input and Voice Typing Improvements
KB5120998 addresses several input-related areas.
Microsoft says the update improves Japanese IME reliability by reducing potential hangs. It also improves the persistence of voice typing settings related to automatic punctuation and the launcher.
These improvements may appear minor, but input reliability is critical because even short interruptions can become frustrating when they occur repeatedly.
Post-Quantum Cryptography Makes Another Appearance
One of the most technically interesting additions is related to post-quantum cryptography.
Microsoft says the ML-KEM algorithm can now be used as a standalone algorithm for TLS key exchange, in addition to the hybrid groups that had previously been introduced.
This matters because the cybersecurity industry is preparing for a future in which sufficiently powerful quantum computers could threaten some existing cryptographic systems.
Windows integrating modern post-quantum cryptography mechanisms is therefore part of a much larger transition in the security industry.
WMIC Is Now Gone
KB5120998 also highlights an important Windows administration change: the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line utility, known as WMIC, is no longer included in Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 beginning in August 2026.
Microsoft makes an important distinction here: the WMIC utility is being removed, but Windows Management Instrumentation itself remains supported.
This means administrators who still depend on WMIC commands should consider migrating scripts and workflows to newer supported approaches.
For enterprise environments, this could be more disruptive than some of the visual changes introduced by the update.
KB5120998 Is Not a Traditional Security Patch
One of the most important details users should understand is that KB5120998 is a preview update, not Microsoft’s regular monthly security update.
Microsoft’s documentation describes the package as a production-quality preview update containing improvements and fixes. Users who install it are essentially choosing to receive upcoming changes earlier than the broader release cycle.
That distinction matters for organizations.
A preview update may be useful for testing compatibility and validating upcoming changes, but businesses that prioritize maximum stability may prefer to wait until the corresponding improvements arrive through the standard release cycle.
Windows 11 24H2 Users Face Another Important Deadline
There is another reason this update deserves attention.
Microsoft says Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro editions are scheduled to reach end of updates on October 13, 2026. Enterprise and Education editions remain supported until October 12, 2027.
That means consumers still running Windows 11 24H2 Home or Pro have a relatively short window before they need to move forward.
KB5120998 therefore arrives at an interesting moment: Microsoft is improving 24H2 while simultaneously approaching the end of support for some 24H2 editions.
Should You Install KB5120998?
For enthusiasts and IT professionals who want to test upcoming Windows functionality, KB5120998 is an interesting release.
The taskbar customization alone could make the update appealing to users who have been frustrated by Windows 11’s more restrictive interface.
The Start menu and Search improvements are also meaningful, particularly for people who use Windows heavily every day.
However, ordinary users who prioritize stability should remember that this is a preview update. There is generally little reason to rush into an optional preview installation unless a particular fix or feature is important to you.
How to Get KB5120998
Eligible Windows 11 users can check for the update through Windows Update.
Go to Settings > Windows Update, check for available updates, and look for the optional preview update associated with KB5120998.
Because Microsoft is using phased feature delivery, installing the package does not necessarily guarantee that every new feature will appear immediately. Some experiences are being rolled out gradually, and availability can vary by device.
Why This Update Matters Beyond 35 Changes
At first glance, KB5120998 may look like another long Windows changelog.
But the bigger story is
The company is simultaneously giving users more interface control, improving search, reducing administrative privilege exposure, preparing Windows for post-quantum cryptography, removing legacy management tooling, and refining the operating system’s everyday reliability.
That combination makes KB5120998 considerably more interesting than a simple collection of cosmetic fixes.
Deep Analysis: What KB5120998 Reveals About the Future of Windows 11
What Undercode Say:
KB5120998 shows that Microsoft is trying to address one of Windows 11’s biggest weaknesses: the feeling that the operating system sometimes dictates how users should work rather than allowing them to decide.
The new Start menu controls are a direct response to that criticism. Giving users the ability to resize Start and independently control Pinned, Recent, and All sections moves Windows toward a more customizable desktop experience.
The taskbar changes are even more significant. Allowing it to move to the top, left, or right restores flexibility that many longtime Windows users missed after the Windows 11 redesign.
The smaller taskbar option is also a smart addition because screen real estate has become increasingly valuable as laptops and smaller displays become more common.
Windows Search is another area where Microsoft appears to recognize that more information does not necessarily mean a better experience.
By making the source of results clearer and allowing users to control web and Store suggestions, Microsoft is giving people more visibility into what Search is actually doing.
The automatic indexing of frequently used folders could also improve the practical usefulness of Search without requiring users to manually configure every location.
Administrator protection, however, is the feature security professionals should watch most closely.
The modern threat landscape increasingly involves attackers attempting to escalate privileges after obtaining an initial foothold.
Reducing the amount of time users operate with elevated privileges can make that escalation path more difficult.
Microsoft’s warning that Administrator protection is not itself a formal security boundary should nevertheless be taken seriously.
Organizations should treat it as one layer of a broader defense strategy rather than assuming it can independently prevent privilege escalation.
The post-quantum cryptography changes reveal another long-term strategy.
Most users will never notice ML-KEM operating underneath Windows, but cryptographic modernization is becoming increasingly important as governments, companies, and technology vendors prepare for future quantum threats.
Microsoft is also quietly cleaning up
The removal of WMIC is a clear signal that older command-line management methods are gradually being pushed aside.
Organizations that have accumulated scripts over many years may eventually face significant migration work if those scripts still depend on deprecated tooling.
The
A faster Home page and better responsiveness can improve the experience without forcing users to learn anything new.
The same argument applies to virtual desktop improvements.
Microsoft does not need to redesign every feature to make Windows better; sometimes simply reducing friction is enough.
The Windows Share changes demonstrate
That could be useful when the suggestions are genuinely relevant, but Microsoft needs to avoid turning every Windows surface into another place for recommendations and promotional content.
The availability of controls over suggested apps is therefore important.
The phased rollout strategy is also becoming increasingly central to Windows development.
Instead of treating an update as a single switch that changes everything at once, Microsoft can release features gradually and monitor how they behave across different hardware and configurations.
That approach reduces the risk of a single problematic feature immediately affecting every Windows installation.
It also means two users with the same Windows version may not necessarily see exactly the same interface at the same time.
That can create confusion, but it gives Microsoft more flexibility to manage large-scale deployments.
For consumers, the most exciting part of KB5120998 is probably customization.
For enterprise administrators, Administrator protection and the removal of WMIC may matter much more.
For security professionals, ML-KEM and privilege protection are the deeper story.
For ordinary users, however, the real value will be measured by whether Windows feels faster, cleaner, and less frustrating.
That is ultimately the test Microsoft needs to pass.
A long changelog means very little if the operating system still feels inconsistent.
KB5120998 appears to be moving in the right direction because several of its changes target exactly those everyday pain points.
The update also arrives at a critical transition period for Windows 11.
With 24H2 Home and Pro approaching end of updates in October 2026, users and organizations need to pay closer attention to which Windows version they are running.
The combination of feature changes, security modernization, and lifecycle pressure makes the second half of 2026 an important period for Windows administrators.
KB5120998 is therefore not just about 35 fixes and features.
It is another signal that
The biggest question is whether Microsoft can maintain that balance without making Windows more complicated.
If it can, updates like KB5120998 could help repair some of the trust lost during Windows 11’s early design changes.
If it cannot, additional features may simply create another layer of complexity over an already complicated operating system.
✅ KB5120998 is real: Microsoft officially released the August 27, 2026 preview cumulative update for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 under KB5120998, with builds 26100.9278 and 26200.9278.
✅ The customization claims are supported: Microsoft confirms new Start menu controls, expanded taskbar customization, improved Windows Search, File Explorer changes, and other feature updates.
❌ It should not be described as a normal security Patch Tuesday update: KB5120998 is a preview cumulative update focused primarily on quality and feature improvements, although it contains security-related modernization such as Administrator protection and post-quantum cryptography capabilities.
Prediction
(+1) Windows 11 customization will continue expanding: Microsoft’s decision to restore taskbar positioning options suggests that the company is becoming more willing to give users control over interface behavior.
(+1) Administrator protection could become increasingly important: As privilege escalation remains a major component of modern attacks, Microsoft is likely to expand just-in-time privilege concepts throughout managed Windows environments.
(+1) Post-quantum security will become less visible but more important: Features such as ML-KEM are likely to become increasingly integrated into Windows networking and enterprise security without most users ever interacting with them directly.
(+1) Legacy Windows administration tools will continue disappearing: WMIC’s removal is unlikely to be the final step in Microsoft’s effort to modernize decades-old Windows management technologies.
(-1) Preview updates will continue to carry compatibility risks: Because Microsoft is introducing features through staged deployment, some users may encounter inconsistent availability or unexpected behavior before changes become broadly established.
(+1) The Windows 11 experience is likely to become more personalized: The combination of Start customization, taskbar positioning, search controls, and context-aware recommendations suggests Microsoft is moving toward a Windows environment that adapts more closely to individual workflows.
The Bigger Picture
KB5120998 may not be the most dramatic Windows update Microsoft has ever released, but it is one of the more revealing.
The update shows Microsoft trying to make Windows 11 more flexible without abandoning its push toward stronger security and modern system architecture.
For consumers, that means more control over Start, Search, and the taskbar.
For businesses, it means new administrative security mechanisms and continued migration away from legacy tooling.
For security professionals, it signals continued movement toward least privilege and post-quantum cryptography.
And for Microsoft itself, it represents another opportunity to prove that Windows 11 can evolve without becoming increasingly difficult to manage.
The real measure of KB5120998 will not be the number of items listed in its changelog. It will be whether users actually feel that Windows 11 is becoming more responsive, more customizable, more secure, and more respectful of the way they choose to work.
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