Microsoft has already confirmed that Windows 11 version 26H2 is the next annual feature update, and it's expected to roll out during the second half of 2026. Unlike those feature drop upgrades we used to get, requiring a full installation, this release will follow the same servicing model as version 25H2, arriving as a small enablement package that simply switches the version number from 25H2 to 26H2.

Whenever the company takes this approach, I see the same reaction: "It's not a real update because it doesn't include anything new," and I don't think that's accurate.

The enablement package is just the way the software giant delivers the update. It doesn't determine what's actually included in the release.

Today, Windows 11 evolves through monthly cumulative updates rather than one massive annual upgrade. Throughout the lifecycle of version 25H2, Microsoft continues to roll out new features, interface improvements, and security enhancements. When version 26H2 arrives, all of those additions officially become part of the next supported release.

If you're already running Windows 11 version 25H2, you'll likely receive most of these features before upgrading to 26H2. The actual installation will simply enable the new version while extending support for another two years. If you're upgrading from an older release, however, all of these improvements will arrive together, making the update feel much more substantial.

That alone is reason enough not to dismiss Windows 11 version 26H2.

In this guide, I'll highlight seven features and improvements I'm personally looking forward to the most.

Windows 11 2026 Update (version 26H2) top features

This list is not organized in any specific order. Also, at the time of this writing, the improvements are part of the Windows Insider Program, more specifically in the Experimental channel.

As a result, Microsoft can choose to discard any of them at any time, and remember that the company uses a gradual rollout approach, meaning it could take time for the new improvements to reach every compatible device, even after version 26H2 has been released.

1. Ask Copilot finally feels useful

Microsoft has been adding AI features across Windows 11 over the past couple of years, but not all of them have improved everyday tasks.

Ask Copilot aims to be something different. It introduces a new search box that brings Copilot directly into the search experience, allowing you to interact with AI while also using it as a traditional search tool.

It's not just for chat-style answers. You can use it to quickly find files, open apps, or locate system settings, similar to Windows Search but with AI-assisted results layered in.

What makes this feature more interesting is that it's optional. You're not forced to replace Windows Search. You can choose when to use Copilot instead.

While I'm not fully convinced of Microsoft's AI integration, I like this feature because it's surprisingly fast for surfacing settings and files, and it's optional.

This feature can be managed from Settings > Personalization > Taskbar.

This feature is expected to be available on Copilot+ PCs as well as on regular PCs.

2. A more customizable Taskbar

The Taskbar is probably the part of the desktop I interact with more than anything else, so even small improvements can make a noticeable difference.

This new version is expected to bring long-requested customization options, including the ability to position the Taskbar anywhere on the desktop, and you'll also be able to make the Taskbar smaller.

These Taskbar improvements have specific settings that can be managed from Settings > Personalization > Taskbar, and then by accessing the "Taskbar behaviors" settings to change the position and size.

Giving users more control has always been one of the platform's strengths, and I'd like to see Microsoft continue moving in that direction.

3. The redesigned Start menu

The redesigned Start menu is probably the feature I'm most excited about.

Microsoft is finally making better use of the available space while giving users more flexibility over how the menu looks and behaves.

First, the company is adding a menu setting to choose between smaller and larger sizes, rather than relying on the system to automatically determine size based on screen scaling and resolution.

Then there's an updated layout that makes it easier to organize pinned apps, browse installed applications, and reduce some of the clutter that has frustrated many Windows 11 users since launch.

For example, you can now independently show or hide Pinned, Recent, and All.

Also, note that "Recommended" has now been renamed to "Recent," and it's much clearer to hide it. Also, you can customize what type of content appears in this section.

Furthermore, disabling recent and suggested files will no longer turn off File Explorer's recent history.

Finally, to improve privacy while doing a presentation, you'll find a new option to hide your name and profile picture from the Start menu.

These settings will appear under Settings > Personalization > Start.

Instead of insisting there's only one correct way to use the Start menu, the company is giving users more choices. That's exactly what I expect from the operating system.

4. Windows Search without web results

This may be one of the smallest additions in version 26H2, but it's also one I've wanted for a long time.

Microsoft is finally adding an option to turn off web results in the Windows Search feature.

When I open the Start menu and type something, I'm usually looking for a file, a setting, or an app on my computer, not Bing search results. So, having a built-in setting to turn off web results should make Windows Search feel faster, cleaner, and far less distracting.

This implementation is expected to appear on Settings > Privacy & security > Search, under the "Show suggested search results" setting, where you'll also find an option to prevent search from showing Microsoft Store apps.

Sometimes the best new features are the ones that remove unnecessary clutter.

Currently, this feature is still a work in progress, but it can already be surfaced in the latest preview build of the operating system in the Experimental channel from version 26H2.

5. Better control over Windows Update

Windows Update has improved significantly over the past few years, but I still think users deserve more control over when updates happen.

As part of the new improvements, the company is expanding the Windows Update controls, making it easier to schedule updates and pause installations when needed without (significantly) compromising security.

For example, you can now use a calendar-based setting to pause updates for up to 35 days, and you can pause as many times as you want.

The new setting is available through Settings > Windows Update.

In addition, the company is reducing monthly reboots to only one by aligning the install schedule for drivers, products, and firmware updates with the quality update.

Also, the settings page for updates now groups downloads under a single "Available updates" section, and drivers include clearer labels.

Furthermore, the power options in the Start menu now show independent commands to restart and shut down without installing updates.

While the calendar-based setting to pause updates is gradually rolling out through the July 2026 Security Update, this improvement will also be considered part of version 26H2.

6. Administrator Protection security feature

Security features rarely generate much excitement, but Administrator Protection is an exception.

The feature changes how the operating system handles administrator privileges by adding another layer of protection around elevated processes, making it more difficult for malicious software to gain unrestricted access to the system.

Administrator Protection works by creating a temporary account to execute the task and then deleting the account when the task is complete. This approach ensures that the administrator privileges are not persistent, making the system more secure.

This feature is expected to become available through the "Account protection" page in the Windows Security app.

One thing to note is that this feature will replace User Account Control and will use Windows Hello for authentication.

7. Run dialog with modern design

Microsoft is finally giving the Run dialog box a visual refresh.

The new interface adopts the design language of Windows 11, bringing rounded corners, improved spacing, and a cleaner overall layout that better matches the rest of the operating system.

It's also noticeably larger than the classic version. The expanded layout provides a wider input field for commands and introduces a "recent commands" section positioned above the text box, making it easier to reuse previously entered entries.

Another practical improvement is the ability to surface matching apps as you type, complete with their icons. It's a small but useful upgrade that helps bridge the gap between a simple command launcher and a more modern search-style experience.

What makes this change particularly interesting is that the company isn't forcing it on everyone, at least initially. The redesigned Run dialog will be optional, with a toggle available in Settings > System > Advanced under the "Run dialog" option, allowing users to switch between the classic and modern versions.

Windows 11 doesn't need another major redesign

I understand why some people look at Windows 11 version 26H2 and think it isn't a major release, especially since it installs as a small enablement package.

However, that view places too much emphasis on how the update is delivered rather than on what it actually includes.

Microsoft no longer waits for one big annual release to add new features. Instead, Windows 11 is updated continuously throughout the year. The annual update simply packages all of those changes into a new, supported version of the operating system.

That's why I'm looking forward to the Windows 11 2026 Update.

It will take only a few minutes to install. However, by the time it arrives, it will already include months of improvements across the system, from a redesigned Start menu and a more customizable Taskbar to better search, stronger security, improved Windows Update controls, and a more practical approach to AI.

Windows Central's Take

I think Windows 11 version 26H2 shows that Microsoft has finally settled into a better update strategy. (At least for the foreseeable future.) Instead of holding features back for one big annual release, the company is delivering improvements when they're ready and using the feature update to reset the support lifecycle. That may not be as exciting as the old days of massive releases, but it's a much better experience for people who actually use the operating system every day.

More importantly, I like the direction that the company is taking with many of these changes. The common theme isn't flashy AI features or another visual overhaul. It's giving users more control over how Windows 11 works, whether that's customizing the Start menu, moving the Taskbar, cleaning up Windows Search, or making Windows Update less intrusive.

Of course, not every feature will matter to everyone, and some may still change before the final release. However, if Microsoft follows through on what it's testing today, I think 26H2 could end up being one of the most practical Windows 11 updates yet, even if it arrives as nothing more than a small enablement package.

What are your thoughts on some of the expected features coming as part of the 2026 Update for Windows 11? Let me know in the comments.

More resources

Explore more in-depth how-to guides, troubleshooting advice, and essential tips to get the most out of Windows 11 and 10. Start browsing here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

On Windows 11, even though the operating system is designed to use all the memory installed on your computer, you can limit how much RAM the operating system uses if you need to test software, troubleshoot issues, or simulate a lower-memory system.

However, the system doesn't include a simple setting to tell it to "only use 4GB of RAM." Instead, you have to use the legacy System Configuration tool (msconfig), which is intended primarily for testing and debugging.

In this how-to guide, I'll outline the steps to restrict the amount of memory that Windows 11 can use.

⚠️Important: This setting limits the amount of memory available to the entire operating system. It's not meant for everyday use because it can significantly reduce performance and cause some apps to run slowly or stop responding. You have been warned.

How to limit the system RAM on Windows 11

To restrict the amount of memory available to Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for System Configuration (or msconfig) and click the top result to open the app.
3. Click the Boot tab.
4. Select the current Windows installation (if applicable).
5. Click the Advanced options button.

6. Check the Maximum memory option.
7. Confirm the amount of memory you want Windows 11 to use (in megabytes).

• Quick tip: Since you have to enter a value in megabytes, use 4096 (4GB), 8192 (8GB), 16384 (16GB), or 32768 (32GB).

8. Click the OK button.
9. Click the Apply button.
10. Click the OK button.
11. Restart the computer.

After you complete the steps, Windows 11 will only use the amount of memory you specified. Any remaining installed RAM will be ignored until you remove the restriction.

While I was testing this configuration, I noticed that Task Manager reported 3GB when I set the memory to 4GB, because the operating system doesn't get the full 4GB, as part of the physical address space is reserved for other components.

If your goal is to test the operating system with exactly 4 GB available, you may want to reserve an extra 1GB. For example, 5120 (5GB) to see 4GB in Task Manager. However, depending on how much memory you want to allocate, you may want to try different sizes.

How to restore full RAM access on Windows 11

To restore the amount of memory available to Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for System Configuration (or msconfig) and click the top result to open the app.
3. Click the Boot tab.
4. Select the current Windows installation (if applicable).
5. Click the Advanced options button.

6. Clear the Maximum memory option.

7. Click the OK button.
8. Click the Apply button.
9. Click the OK button.
10. Restart the computer.

Once you complete the steps, the operating system will once again detect and use all available RAM.

Why would you limit RAM?

This feature is primarily intended for testing rather than everyday use. Some common scenarios include testing how an app performs with limited memory, troubleshooting memory-related software issues, simulating older or lower-end hardware, and software development.

For instance, we recently tested out how using 8GB of RAM on Windows 11 in 2026 works for performance.

If your goal is to reduce overall memory usage or free up RAM, it's better to turn off unnecessary startup apps, close background applications, or upgrade your system instead of limiting the operating system's available memory.

Why can't you set the maximum memory?

On some modern computers, particularly those using UEFI firmware with Secure Boot enabled, the "Maximum memory" setting may be unavailable or ignored.

If this happens, you may need to temporarily disable Secure Boot before applying the memory limit.

⚠️Warning: Disabling Secure Boot lowers your computer's protection against boot-level malware and may prevent some security features from working as expected. Only disable Secure Boot temporarily if you're testing, and re-enable it afterward.

Disable Secure Boot

To disable Secure Boot, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click the Recovery page.
4. Click the Restart now button under the "Advanced startup" section.

5. Click the Restart now button one more time.
6. Click on Troubleshoot.
7. Click on Advanced options.
8. Click the "UEFI Firmware settings" option.

9. Click the Restart button.
10. Open the advanced settings page for your motherboard.
11. Select the "Secure Boot" option, then choose the "Disabled" option.

After you complete the steps, restart the device, then configure the "Maximum memory" setting in System Configuration (msconfig).

Enable Secure Boot

Before proceeding, make sure to restore the memory settings from the System Configuration settings, and then to enable Secure Boot, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click the Recovery page.
4. Click the Restart now button under the "Advanced startup" section.

5. Click the Restart now button one more time.
6. Click on Troubleshoot.
7. Click on Advanced options.
8. Click the "UEFI Firmware settings" option.

9. Click the Restart button.
10. Open the advanced settings page for your motherboard.
11. Select the "Secure Boot" option, then choose the "Enabled" option.

Once you complete the steps, Secure Boot will be enabled on your computer.

FAQs for limiting RAM usage on Windows 11

These are common questions about the process for limiting memory usage in Windows 11.

Windows Central's Take

I've used the Maximum memory option in MSConfig before, but it's one of those features that is easy to overlook because it's not intended as a consumer setting. For developers, network administrators, and anyone who writes about this operating system, though, it's a surprisingly useful way to test how a device behaves on lower-end hardware without physically removing memory or creating a separate virtual machine.

That said, I wouldn't recommend using this to "save RAM" or improve performance. Windows 11 is designed to manage memory efficiently, and artificially limiting it can only slow the system.

It's also another reminder that many of the most useful troubleshooting tools are still buried inside decades-old utilities like msconfig. Microsoft continues to modernize the operating system, but some of the diagnostic features remain hidden in legacy tools.

What are your thoughts about using MSConfig to limit RAM on Windows 11? Let me know in the comments.

More resources

Explore more in-depth how-to guides, troubleshooting advice, and essential tips to get the most out of Windows 11 and 10. Start browsing here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

Leaked materials from 2024 have revealed that Microsoft has built a working prototype Copilot OS that is platform agnostic, derived from the Microsoft Edge web browser and runs on top of Windows or Android, focused on the web and agentic experiences.

This project is codenamed Aion, and while its status is currently unknown, the leaked materials confirm that such a project was in active development and reached a stage in which the code was functional. With all the material leaked, we have a pretty good idea about how this OS experience looked and functioned.

According to the leaked materials, Aion is a UI shell built entirely with web tech, using a modified version of the Edge web browser. The interface is Edge, but altered to include desktop-like interfaces and functionality such as a Start menu, Taskbar, and cascading windows.

The documents confirm that Aion was capable of running on top of Windows 11 as a desktop shell replacement, or on AOSP Android. There's also a third compatible OS mentioned called Win3, which sources say was a special modified version of the Windows codebase with less legacy cruft, resulting in a lighter OS experience with faster boot times, longer battery life, and better security at the expense of legacy app support.

Aion seemingly wasn't compatible with legacy Windows apps, with the leaked video mentioning it only running web apps and websites, with tight Windows 365 integration for when users need access to a legacy Windows experience.

The Aion interface was built around Copilot and agentic AI experiences. It features a familiar looking Taskbar along the bottom of the interface, where the system tray and running apps appear. It also features a Start menu, except this time it's powered by Copilot and features a Copilot icon instead of a Windows one.

The Copilot Start menu is where users go to begin tasks, browse the web, or open web apps. The entire interface is built around Copilot, with users interacting with the OS via a multi-modal omnibox that can jumpstart tasks or workflows, find files, browse the web, initiate AI chat, and open web apps.

The new Start menu provides quick access to recent websites and files, and also groups recent activites into Spaces that let you launch multiple activities at once via a single click, curated by Copilot. Web apps will run in their own floating windows like real apps do on Windows, letting users cascade, minimize, and snap them.

The Spaces that Copilot curates also appear in the Taskbar when open. These appear as buckets, highlighted in a different color to let you know that these items are all being grouped together by the AI for picking up where you left off at a later point.

Because Aion only runs web apps, it's capable of understanding the context of everything you have open using Copilot. That means Copilot as an agent is capable of completing tasks on your behalf if asked by the user, and can answer any questions about the things that are open or were recently viewed at any time.

Aion also includes a feature that lets users complete tasks while staying in the flow of chat. For example, if the user wanted to send a summary of a web page to a friend or colleague via email, users could simply ask Copilot to do that, and the agent would pull in an email draft and let the user check it over and send it without ever leaving the Copilot chat interface.

It's unclear if Project Aion is ever intended to ship, or if it'll remain an internal experiment never to see the light of day. So far, we've not seen any official confirmation that a Copilot OS is going ahead. Microsoft recently announced Project Solara, an agentic OS that runs on Windows and Android codebases that utilizes a just-in-time UI approach to generate experiences on the fly.

While not the same, perhaps Microsoft has opted to go in a different direction for its agentic OS vision.

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

A leaked video has revealed that Microsoft has explored building a dedicated AI OS powered by Microsoft Edge and a new lightweight Windows codebase called Win3. This exploration was codenamed Aion, and was built around web tech, placing Copilot at the heart of the experience.

The 3 minute video, which my sources say is real, was first leaked on Discord server BetaWiki and provides a handy walkthrough of what looks to be real (but early) working code, showcasing a new desktop UI that features a similar Taskbar along the bottom, Start menu-like interface powered by Copilot, and more.

"Aion is an example of a web-based agent OS that natively builds Copilot into the core of the shell," says the video's narrator. The entire experience is built around Copilot and a multi-modal input box, which is where users go find files, open apps, and browse the web.

The Taskbar includes a unique feature called "Spaces" that automatically groups your apps and sites into a bucket on the Taskbar that you can quickly return to at a later point. These spaces appear in the Start menu too, providing a one-click method of opening multiple things at once.

The video explains that Aion is built around the web, meaning it doesn't run native Windows apps. It only runs web apps and websites, leaning on Windows 365 to remote into a Cloud PC and stream desktop apps if the user needs access to one.

The video does mention that there's a version of Aion that also runs on top of Windows 11, which would presumably support running Windows apps natively. But the version in the video appears to be based on the Win3 version, which sources tell me is a stripped back version of the Windows codebase that does not include support for legacy Win32 apps in exchange for faster updates, longer battery life, and better security.

My sources also say this video is quite old, recorded sometime in 2024, and it's unclear if this was just a Hackathon project or something more. I understand that Aion was experimental in nature, designed to explore what a desktop UX is capable of if built from scratch around an agentic AI. That means it's unclear if Aion is something that Microsoft ever intends to ship.

With that said, it would be surprising if some of the lessons Microsoft has learned from the Aion project aren't already shaping the version of Windows shipping today. While I don't expect Aion to ship as depicted in the video above, agentic OS capabilities are already finding their way into Windows 11.

Microsoft has also recently announced Project Solara, an agentic OS experience that utilizes just-in-time UI to generate experiences as the user asks for it. It runs on both AOSP and Windows, similar to Aion. Perhaps Aion evolved into Solara?

Either way, this is a fascinating look at what what at least one team thought the future of desktop computing could be like with Copilot at the heart of the experience. Given the sheer backlash around Copilot in the last year or two, I wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft is already rethinking much of this.

Windows Central reached out to Microsoft for comment, but the company declined to provide one.

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

On Windows 11, if GIFs suddenly disappeared from the emoji panel, the problem wasn't caused by a broken update. It was caused by a service the operating system depended on quietly going away.

Starting June 30, 2026, users on versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H1 began seeing a "GIF service is not available" message after pressing the Windows key + . (period) keyboard shortcut to open the emoji panel. Microsoft has now confirmed the issue affects devices that haven't installed its latest optional update, which replaces Google's Tenor service with GIPHY.

Why this happened

This wasn't a traditional bug with the operating system. The emoji panel relied on the Tenor API to search and display animated GIFs, but Google retired that service on June 30. Once the API was switched off, Windows 11 had nowhere to retrieve GIFs, leaving the feature effectively offline.

"Starting June 30, 2026, install the latest Windows update to continue using GIFs in the Emoji panel. If you don't update, you will see a 'GIF service is not available' error in the panel," Microsoft explains.

Instead of restoring Tenor, the company moved to GIPHY before the shutdown. Microsoft included the change in the June 23 preview update for versions 25H2 and 24H2 (KB5095093) and for version 26H1 (KB5095091), allowing updated systems to continue displaying GIFs without interruption.

Why GIFs may look different

The fix also changes the experience. Since Windows 11 now pulls results from GIPHY instead of Tenor, searches may return different animations, rankings, and content for the same keywords. The feature works the same way, but the library behind it has changed.

How to restore GIFs

If you're seeing this error, you can restore the functionality by installing the latest quality update from Settings > Windows Update. If you're doing this before the Patch Tuesday update release, then turn on the "Get the latest updates as soon as they're available" toggle switch.

Once the update is installed, the emoji panel automatically switches to GIPHY, and no additional configuration is required.

This is a reminder that even built-in features increasingly depend on online services outside Microsoft's control. When one of those services disappears, a feature that looks native to the operating system can stop working overnight until Microsoft rewires it to something else.

Windows Central's Take

On Windows 11, when a core feature suddenly stops working, the default reaction is usually to assume Microsoft broke something in the latest update. However, after tracking updates for years, I've learned that the operating system is often (not always) just caught in the crossfire of third-party service changes.

In this case, the company handled the transition as smoothly as it could. Instead of leaving users stranded, they already had a replacement lined up, and installing the latest update fixes the issue immediately. Just keep in mind that since GIPHY is taking over for Tenor, your typical reaction GIFs might look a bit different from now on.

Have you noticed any changes to the GIFs in the Windows 11 emoji panel, or are you still seeing Tenor? Let me know in the comments.

More resources

Explore more in-depth how-to guides, troubleshooting advice, and essential tips to get the most out of Windows 11 and 10. Start browsing here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.