WinRE Archives

Winsage

October 14, 2026

It’s Patch Tuesday and There Are Some Changes

Microsoft has released its monthly quality updates for all supported versions of Windows 11 on the second Tuesday of October. This update marks the first Patch Tuesday update for Windows 11 version 26H2 and the end of support for version 24H2. Cumulative update KB5127648 is available for Windows 11 versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H2, upgrading them to builds 26100.9711, 26200.9711, or 26300.9711. Key features include enhancements to File Explorer, support for Emoji 17.0, a new Tips widget, personalization improvements, an Accessibility setting for maximizing apps, precision touchpad functionality improvements, enhanced configuration options for the Copilot key, upgrades to the Windows Recovery Environment, and changes to Windows Backup. Windows 11 version 26H1 will receive cumulative update KB5127646, advancing it to build 28000.3231. This update features a redesigned Taskbar, a revamped Start menu, a new Windows Search experience, performance improvements in File Explorer, modernized progress indicators, Administrator Protection, and enhancements to the Get Started app.

Winsage

October 6, 2026

Prepare for Microsoft’s Windows and Surface event with these cutting-edge features for Insiders

Microsoft is testing five new builds of Windows 11 as part of the Windows K2 initiative, which includes several updates: - Support for Unicode 17.0 has been added, allowing Windows to display over 4,800 new characters and scripts. - Performance improvements have been made to the Settings home page, reducing loading times. - The Settings > Apps > Installed apps section now shows version numbers for packaged apps. - A new entry point for Cloud Rebuild has been introduced under Settings > System > Recovery. - The Cloud rebuild feature can restore a Windows 11 PC to a clean state without USB media. - The Address Bar in File Explorer now supports the '~' character for quicker navigation. - Adjustments to the preview pane in File Explorer include a new button for HTML files and automatic previews for non-HTML files. - Folder view customizations in File Explorer are now consistently maintained. - The Windows Magnifier now allows input of exact zoom percentages and includes preset step increments. - Cloud rebuild options have been enhanced to include drive sanitization. - The Windows share window now allows users to pin favorite apps. - Messaging related to age-restricted parental controls in Family Safety has been improved. - Minor visual issues in the taskbar have been addressed. - Fixes have been implemented for certain USB Audio Class 1.0 devices. - Corrections have been made for Remote Desktop window sizing. - Issues causing lag for some Insiders after updates have been resolved.

Winsage

September 25, 2026

Windows 11 KB5124010 update released with 46 changes and fixes

Microsoft has released the KB5124010 September 2026 non-security preview update for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, introducing 46 enhancements, including improvements to Bluetooth functionality and the ability to remap the Copilot key. This update is optional and focuses on quality improvements without security fixes. Key features include support for Emoji 17.0, a new accessibility setting for maximizing app windows, and a recovery remote management plug-in. Bluetooth issues have been addressed, including crashes related to audio streaming and microphone compatibility. Users can remap the Copilot key to function as the Right Ctrl or Context Menu key. The update elevates Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2 devices to builds 26200.9550 and 26100.9550, respectively. Other highlights include the ability to use slideshow wallpapers across multiple desktops, enhanced gesture controls for precision touchpads, and a Camera roll backup feature for OneDrive. Microsoft has fixed a known issue with the File History backup feature and removed the PC-to-PC Migration tool, recommending Windows Backup instead. KB5124010 is the last preview update for Windows 11 24H2, which will reach end of support in October 2026.

Winsage

September 19, 2026

Microsoft fixes bug behind ‘Defender Antivirus is turned off’ alerts

Microsoft resolved an issue that caused misleading alerts indicating that Defender Antivirus was disabled after recent updates. This fix was confirmed in an update to the Windows release health dashboard and was implemented in the Microsoft Defender Antivirus update (version 4.18.26080.4) rolled out on September 17. The bug, acknowledged by Microsoft in late August, affected users in the Release Preview Channel of the Windows Insider program since at least June and impacted all supported versions of Windows clients and servers. Users received erroneous notifications in the Windows Security app prompting them to activate Microsoft Defender Antivirus, despite it functioning correctly. Misleading alerts could appear upon Windows startup and intermittently thereafter, even when notification settings were disabled.

Winsage

September 12, 2026

Your Windows 11 PC Can Now Reinstall Windows From the Cloud

Microsoft introduced a feature called Cloud Rebuild with the release of Build 26220.9343 to the Beta channel on September 8, 2026. This tool allows users to download a fresh installation of Windows 11 from the internet, restoring the operating system and its drivers without needing removable media. The recovery process is conducted through the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), and users can access it by booting into WinRE or through Settings. For Cloud Rebuild to work, a healthy WinRE, internet access, a compatible networking driver, and local administrator credentials are required. The feature also enables the storage of Wi-Fi profiles in WinRE, allowing wireless-only setups to utilize cloud recovery. Cloud Rebuild is compatible with enterprise management tools like Intune and Windows Autopilot, but it is currently only available to Beta channel Insider participants for non-production evaluation.

Winsage

September 11, 2026

Windows 11 can now reinstall itself from the cloud — Cloud Rebuild revives dead systems without secondary boot media, wipes broken installation and downloads a fresh copy of the OS

Microsoft has introduced Cloud Rebuild, a new recovery feature for Windows 11 users, available in beta through the Windows 11 Insider Beta Preview Build 26220.9343. Cloud Rebuild simplifies the reinstallation process by downloading a fresh image of Windows and necessary drivers via Windows Update, independent of the current installation's health. Users can access it through the Windows Recovery Environment by selecting Troubleshoot > Recovery and uninstall > Cloud rebuild. The feature also includes enhanced networking support, allowing PCs to connect to the internet using saved Wi-Fi profiles during recovery. Once connected, Cloud Rebuild checks for the appropriate Windows build and prompts users to confirm details before proceeding with reinstallation.

Winsage

September 10, 2026

Microsoft says September updates fix mouse settings reset issues

Microsoft acknowledged an issue with the KB5120998 August 2026 preview update for Windows 11, where mouse settings related to cursor personalization were altered or reset. This problem affected non-English Windows installations, causing personalized settings to fail to load and revert to standard configurations. The issue was resolved in the subsequent KB5124008 September 2026 cumulative update, which users were encouraged to install. KB5120998 was an optional update, potentially limiting the number of affected users. Additionally, Microsoft has been addressing various mouse-related issues in recent months, including problems with the Windows Recovery Environment and disappearing mouse pointers in Outlook.

Winsage

August 20, 2026

I spent time with the August Windows 11 Insider builds, and these 8 changes reveal Microsoft’s next phase for the OS

In early August, there were no new Windows 11 builds released for over 15 days in the Windows Insider Program. On August 17, Microsoft released five new preview builds, introducing several features and enhancements. Key updates include a fully customizable context menu, allowing users to tailor options directly from Settings under Personalization, and improvements to the desktop background experience with higher resolution previews and better slideshow transitions. The Camera Roll backup feature now automatically backs up photos and videos to OneDrive. The Magnifier tool received a visual refresh, and the Windows Recovery Environment was upgraded to reuse eligible Wi-Fi profiles automatically. Microsoft also removed the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) tool and the Drag Tray feature while maintaining access to WMI through PowerShell. File Explorer improvements include a faster launch for the "Home" page and touch scrolling support in the "Recommended" section. Minor visual adjustments were made to the Windows Security app, enhancing its alignment with the Windows 11 design language.

Winsage

August 18, 2026

Microsoft is working on a major WinRE enhancement for IT admins in Windows 11

Microsoft has introduced updates in Windows 11 Insider Preview builds, including the removal of the Drag Tray experience and the discontinuation of the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) tool. The Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) has been upgraded to improve connectivity options, allowing users to automatically utilize eligible saved Wi-Fi profiles, including those with certificate-based authentication. Previously, WinRE's networking capabilities were limited, requiring manual connections for certain networks. This enhancement is currently being rolled out to Windows 11 Beta Insiders and is expected to be available to broader Windows 11 version 26H2 users later this year.

Winsage

August 2, 2026

Microsoft released Windows 11 KB5102117 update for OS recovery

Microsoft released a Windows 11 preview update, KB5101684, which improves RAM consumption and addresses performance issues on minimum-spec PCs. Alongside this, a dynamic update was introduced to enhance the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) and improve the installation experience. The dynamic update packages are meant for existing Windows images before deployment, preserving essential components during upgrades. The specific recovery update, KB5102117, enhances WinRE for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, with the WinRE version post-installation being 10.0.26100.8971. Both updates will be automatically downloaded and installed via the Windows Update channel.