Microsoft has unveiled its September 2026 Patch Tuesday updates for Windows 11, specifically targeting versions 26H1 and 25H2/24H2. Among the most noteworthy enhancements is the reinstatement of taskbar customization, allowing users of versions 25H2 and 24H2 to select both the location and size of their taskbar—a feature that had been notably absent following the comprehensive redesign of Windows 11’s taskbar.
Key Features of the KB5124008 Update
This update introduces a series of personalization options aimed at enhancing user experience:
- Select Taskbar Location and Size: Users can now position the taskbar at the bottom, top, left, or right of their screens. Additionally, a smaller taskbar option has been introduced to optimize screen space on compact devices.
- Faster Windows Search: Enhancements have been made to streamline the search experience, minimizing visual clutter and simplifying access to recent searches. A new setting allows users to hide web and Microsoft Store suggestions, focusing solely on local results.
- File Explorer Touch Improvements: The “Recommended” section within File Explorer now supports touch scrolling, facilitating easier navigation through files.
- Start Menu Customization: Users can now choose between small and large Start menu sizes, alongside options to independently display or hide “Pinned,” “Recommended,” and “All” sections. The ability to conceal names and profile pictures has also been integrated.
- Teams and Outlook on Arm64 PCs: This update addresses stability issues that previously caused Microsoft Teams and Outlook to close unexpectedly on Arm64-based devices.
For Windows 11 version 26H1, which is exclusive to new Qualcomm-powered PCs, the update KB5124012 includes features that were previously rolled out to versions 25H2 and 24H2. Highlights from this update are as follows:
- Windows Search Improvements: Enhancements have been made to app search and Settings relevance, improving the handling of typos and partial names when locating installed applications and settings.
- Voice Access Enhancements: The Voice Access feature now incorporates Voice Isolation technology, which minimizes background noise and interference from other speakers.
- Widgets Improvements: Taskbar notification badges have been updated to reflect the Windows accent color instead of the previous red. Additionally, the Weather widget will now be the sole default display on the Lock Screen to reduce distractions.
- New Gesture Controls for Precision Touchpads: New controls have been introduced for adjusting scroll and zoom gesture speeds, as well as enabling accelerated scrolling for efficient navigation through lengthy documents.
- Windows Hello Improvements: Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS) now supports peripheral fingerprint sensors, bolstering security measures.
- Windows Update Enhancements: Improvements have been made to the update progression calculations in Windows Update Settings, along with optimized clean-up logic to enhance system performance post-update installation.
- Power Improvements: Users can now set a threshold for when the energy saver feature should activate, accessible through Settings > System > Power & Battery.
On the security front, Microsoft has begun leveraging AI to identify a broader range of vulnerabilities. The Zero Day Initiative has reported an impressive total of 997 Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs), with 114 classified as Critical. Notably, there is currently one Windows Update stack elevation of privilege vulnerability (CVE-2026-81963) that is actively being exploited by malicious actors.
In addition, Microsoft has made Windows 11 version 26H2 available to Insiders on the Release Preview Channel as of August 27. An optional update is anticipated in the coming weeks, with a public rollout likely to commence next month.
