Microsoft has rolled out cumulative updates KB5083769 and KB5082052 for Windows 11 versions 25H2, 24H2, and 23H2. These updates are essential, as they incorporate the April 2026 Patch Tuesday security patches aimed at addressing vulnerabilities identified in prior months.
To install the latest updates, users can navigate to Start >> Settings > Windows Update and click on ‘Check for Updates’. Alternatively, the updates can also be manually downloaded from the Microsoft Update Catalog.
This marks the fourth ‘Patch Tuesday’ release of 2026, with the updates primarily based on version 24H2. Consequently, version 25H2 will receive the same enhancements, ensuring uniformity across these two Windows 11 iterations.
What’s new in the April 2026 Patch Tuesday update
Upon installation, the build numbers for Windows 11 will be updated as follows: 25H2 (KB5083769) to 26200.8246, 24H2 to 26100.8246, and 23H2 (KB5082052) to 22631.6936. Notably, users will now have the ability to modify Smart App Control without needing to reinstall Windows 11. Additionally, Microsoft has resolved issues with the sfc /scannow command, which previously failed to accurately report error messages.
The update introduces a range of fixes and improvements:
- [Narrator] New! Narrator now offers detailed image descriptions on Copilot+ PCs and is compatible with all Windows 11 devices. Users can activate it with Narrator key + Ctrl + D for focused images or Narrator key + Ctrl + S for full-screen descriptions.
- [Smart App Control] New! Users can toggle Smart App Control on or off without a clean installation. This feature, aimed at blocking untrusted applications, can be accessed through Settings >> Windows Security >> App & Browser Control.
- [Account Settings]
- New! Microsoft 365 Family subscribers can now upgrade their plans directly from Settings > Accounts.
- New! The design of dialog boxes in Settings > Accounts has been modernized to enhance user experience.
- [Input] New! The Pen settings page has been refined, allowing users to set the pen tail button to function like the Copilot key.
- [Settings]
- New! The About page has been redesigned for better navigation and clarity regarding device specifications.
- New! The device information card on the Settings Home page has been simplified for easier scanning.
- This update enhances the reliability of opening the Home in Settings and improves update download reliability.
- [File Explorer] Enhancements include improved reliability for unblocking internet-downloaded files and the ability to use Voice Typing when renaming files.
- [Display] Improvements to display reliability have been made, including support for refresh rates exceeding 1000 Hz and enhanced HDR reliability.
- [Printing] Updated support for printer connections to align with Windows 10, version 1607, and Windows Server 2016.
- [Safe mode] Reliability improvements for loading taskbar components in safe mode.
- [Voice Access] Enhanced detection and writing of numbers in English.
- [Start menu] Improved reliability for applying Start menu layouts through Group Policy.
- [Remote Desktop] The
Set-RDSessionCollectionConfigurationPowerShell command now recognizesDisableSeamlessLanguageBar. - [Audio] Improvements in handling short MIDI messages during application initialization.
- [System File Checker] Removal of an extraneous error message during
sfc /scannowexecution.
Microsoft has reported no new issues arising from this month’s Patch Tuesday, likely due to the update’s manageable scale compared to previous releases. The company remains committed to delivering a stable and reliable Windows experience.
Looking ahead, Microsoft is preparing a significant quality update for Windows 11 in 2026, which will restore movable taskbars and enhance the performance of modern interfaces, including the right-click menu. Plans are also underway to limit Copilot integration, reduce advertising, and streamline the out-of-the-box experience with skippable Windows Updates.
