Windows 11 Version 26H2 Release Preview: Features and Setup

Update, September 29, 2026: Windows 11 26H2 has now left preview and is rolling out to everyone on Windows 11, version 24H2 and 25H2 through Windows Update. Read our full Windows 11 26H2 guide for what is new and how to get it. The article below covers the Release Preview build from August 2026.

Key Takeaways

Windows 11, version 26H2 reached the Release Preview Channel on August 27, 2026 as build 26300.9278.
It installs through an enablement package (a small switch file that turns on features already present on PCs running 24H2 and 25H2).
On managed business PCs, Windows settings backup, taskbar app actions and File Explorer improvements are turned on by default.

Table of Contents

Overview of Windows 11 Version 26H2

Microsoft made Windows 11 version 26H2 available for preview testing in late August 2026. Because it uses an enablement package rather than a full operating system upgrade, it installs in minutes and needs only one restart. Versions 24H2, 25H2 and 26H2 all share the same core system files.

Release Preview at a Glance

Windows 11, version 26H2, August 27, 2026

Detail	Status
Official version	Windows 11, version 26H2
Build number	26300.9278
Release channel	Release Preview Channel (Windows Insider Program)
Delivery type	Enablement package (eKB)
Target audience	IT administrators, business fleets and Windows Insiders

What Changes in This Release

Many of the changes in 26H2 had already shipped in monthly updates in a switched-off state. This build turns them on, with a focus on business and managed PCs.

Features Turned On by Default

For commercial and managed devices

Feature area	What it does
Windows settings backup	Saves supported Windows settings and the Microsoft Store app list, so a replacement PC can be set up faster.
Taskbar app actions	Lets people reach common actions for an app straight from the taskbar.
File Explorer improvements	Navigation and usability changes that were held back on managed PCs until now.
Enterprise policies	Existing administrator policies are still honored, so IT keeps control.

Why This Update Matters

The preview build was mainly for IT teams. It gave organizations time to test their apps, roll out policies with tools like Microsoft Intune and Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), and confirm hardware works before the wider release.

For home users in the Insider Program, it offered an early look without a long install or much downtime.