Windows 11 adds File Explorer improvements, unified Windows Update, and core app updates

Windows is rolling out a new batch of Windows 11 updates in build 26300.8687 for Insiders with improvements across File Explorer, Search, the taskbar, Windows Update, input, setup, reliability, and several built in apps. The build also introduces a unified Windows Update experience that coordinates driver, .NET, and firmware updates with the monthly quality update to reduce restarts.

File Explorer now supports middle click to open folders in a new tab from the Address Bar and Home, making tabbed navigation more consistent. It also improves screen reader announcements in file conflict dialogs and better handles increased text scaling. Search is now more forgiving with typos, missing letters, extra letters, and partial words when looking for apps, while Settings search ranking has been adjusted to show more relevant results. Microsoft also improved taskbar reliability, fixed visual issues with small icons and alternate taskbar positions, moved the emoji panel’s GIF provider to GIPHY, and added better dark mode support to Task Manager’s “Run new task” dialog.

Microsoft is also adding dedicated release notes for inbox apps, with Paint, Camera, Calculator, Clock, Media Player, Photos, and Sound Recorder receiving new fixes and features. Highlights include optional Copilot watermarks in Photos, improved timer controls in Clock, accessibility fixes in Calculator, better camera zoom support, custom caption styling in Media Player, adjustable eraser transparency in Paint, and Bluetooth microphone waveform fixes in Sound Recorder.