August 2026 Patch Tuesday lands on August 11, and it's a bigger update than the usual security-only drop. Alongside the regular fixes, Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2 (the two share the same code, so the changes are identical on both) pick up a handful of features that touch File Explorer, Windows Search, Windows Hello, and — for the first time — the ability to remove an AI model straight from Settings. Here's the full list of what's changing and whether it's worth installing right away.
Quick answer: the update rolls out gradually through Microsoft's Controlled Feature Rollout system, so not every PC gets every feature the moment it installs. Security fixes land immediately; the feature changes below can take a few days to weeks to show up on your device.
What's new at a glance
| Area | What changed |
|---|---|
| File Explorer | Details view now shows proper units (KB/MB/GB), middle-click opens folders in a new tab, smoother scrolling on the Home page |
| Windows Search | Better typo tolerance, two-character searches now work, more relevant results in Settings search |
| Windows Hello | Enhanced Sign-in Security now supports external fingerprint readers, not just built-in ones |
| AI components | You can now uninstall the Image Generation model from Settings |
| Widgets & Lock screen | Lock screen defaults to just the Weather widget; taskbar badges match your accent color |
| Touchpad | Adjustable scroll/zoom speed plus a new accelerated scrolling option |
| Voice Typing & Access | Fluid Dictation now off by default; Voice Access gets a noise-isolation mode |
| Account Control | Redesigned flyout in the Start menu with plan status and storage info |
| Power & battery | Sleep, hibernate, and lid-action settings now apply to every power plan at once |
| Windows Update | More accurate progress estimates, faster post-update cleanup |
File Explorer gets a few overdue fixes
The Details view finally stops showing every file size in kilobytes — a 4GB video will now actually read "4 GB" instead of a six-digit KB number. Microsoft also added middle-click support to open folders in a new tab from the address bar or Home page, and cleaned up a visual glitch where the Home page would flash gray while loading or scrolling. None of this is exciting on its own, but if you live in File Explorer all day, it adds up.
Windows Search finally understands typos
Search has been the most complained-about part of Windows 11 for years, and this update chips away at that. You can now get results from a two-character query, and the algorithm handles typos and partial app names better than before. Settings search also got a ranking update so the option you actually want shows up closer to the top instead of buried under three unrelated toggles.
Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security for external sensors
Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS) isolates your fingerprint or face data into a protected memory area, separate from the rest of the OS. Until now, that protection was limited to devices with a built-in sensor — mostly Copilot+ laptops. With this update, external fingerprint readers get the same treatment. You'll find the toggle under Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
You can finally uninstall an AI model
This is the change getting the most attention. Head to Settings > System > AI Components and you'll be able to remove the Image Generation model entirely. It's not a master switch for every AI feature in Windows 11 — Copilot and the rest stay put — but it's the first time Microsoft has let people strip out a specific model rather than just disable its shortcut. If storage space or background resource use is a concern on your machine, this is worth checking once the update lands.
Smaller changes: widgets, touchpad, and voice features
The lock screen now shows only the Weather widget by default instead of a stack of cards, and taskbar notification badges switch from red to your chosen accent color. Touchpad users get sliders for scroll and zoom speed plus a new "accelerated scrolling" option that speeds up as you keep swiping. On the accessibility side, Fluid Dictation in Voice Typing is now off by default with added tooltips, and Voice Access introduces a Voice Isolation mode that filters out background noise and other people talking — useful if you dictate in a shared space.
Account Control, power settings, and Windows Update
The Account Control flyout — the panel that opens when you click your profile picture in the Start menu — has a cleaner layout with a visible plan badge and quick access to OneDrive storage info. Power management also got a practical fix: display timeout, sleep, hibernate, and lid-action settings now apply across every power plan instead of just the one you're currently using, and you can once again set a specific battery percentage for Energy Saver. Windows Update itself now shows more accurate progress during installation and clears leftover update files faster afterward.
Should you install it right away?
If you need the security fixes, don't wait — those install regardless of the feature rollout. For everything else, there's no rush. Because Microsoft ships these features gradually through Controlled Feature Rollout, two people on the same Windows 11 build can see different things for a while. A short delay of a few days also gives Microsoft time to patch any early bugs that show up after a Patch Tuesday release, which is generally the safer approach on a primary or work PC.
If you're still deciding whether to jump to the newer feature branch instead of staying on a monthly update, our Windows 11 26H2 system requirements check and official 26H2 ISO download guide cover what you need before upgrading.
How to check if the update has reached your PC
- Open Settings > Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates.
- If it's available, select Download and install.
- Restart when prompted — most of the new toggles won't appear until after the reboot.
- If nothing shows up yet, that's the Controlled Feature Rollout at work; check back in a few days rather than repeatedly forcing a scan.
FAQ
When exactly does the Windows 11 August 2026 update release?
Microsoft is rolling it out on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, as part of the regular monthly Patch Tuesday cycle.
Does this update apply to Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 both?
Yes. 24H2 and 25H2 share the same underlying files, so this update is identical across both versions.
Will I get every new feature the moment I install it?
Not necessarily. Microsoft uses a gradual rollout system for feature changes, so some toggles may appear days or weeks after the update itself installs.
Can I remove all AI features from Windows 11 with this update?
No. You can uninstall the Image Generation AI model specifically from Settings > System > AI Components, but there's still no single switch to disable every AI feature in Windows 11.
Is it safe to install right after release?
The security portion is safe and worth installing promptly. For the feature changes, waiting a few days is a reasonable precaution in case early reports flag any bugs.
Sources: Windows 11 release health — Microsoft Learn, Windows 11 25H2 update history — Microsoft Support, Windows Update FAQ — Microsoft Support.
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