Microsoft is expected to release the Windows 11 August 2026 Security Update on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. In this eighth month of the year, the software giant is rolling out several new features, improvements for existing features, and fixes.
In this quality update, Microsoft will introduce new features, including Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS) support, the ability to uninstall AI models from Copilot+ PCs, touchpad gestures, voice isolation for Voice Access, Fluid Dictation for Voice Typing, and more.
There are also improvements to File Explorer, Windows Search, Widgets, Windows Update, power and battery, sounds, and more.
Furthermore, Microsoft is updating the interface for the Account Control flyout in the Start menu, the Windows Setup experience now includes a parental controls notice, and the list continues.
In this guide, I'll highlight the most significant changes in the August 2026 Security Update for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2, since both are identical.
Windows 11's new features arriving in August
As usual, the company uses Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR) to roll out new improvements gradually, so it may take some time before you see them.
File Explorer changes
Although the updated version of File Explorer doesn't introduce flashy features, the development team is making some worthy improvements.
First, when using the "Details" view, the file sizes now show appropriate units (such as KB, MB, and GB), instead of displaying every value in kilobytes.
It's now possible to use the middle-click to open a folder in a new tab from the address bar and Home page.
Other improvements on the Home page include a gray flash bug on loading and scrolling, and thumbnails in the Recommended section now appear with better quality.
Windows Search tweaks
Starting with the August update, Windows Search now includes improvements to better handle typos, and you can start searches with two-character queries.
When searching for apps, Windows Search improves recognition of partial names and typos. Also, in the Settings app, the search rank has been updated to show more relevant options higher.
Windows Hello support
In this update, Microsoft is bringing Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS) support for external fingerprint sensors.
In short, standard Windows Hello encrypts the sign-in data. However, enhanced security support takes it a step further by isolating the biometric process into a secure memory space, away from the operating system.
The option is available through Settings > Accounts > Sign in options.
In the past, this feature was only available for devices with built-in sensors, such as Copilot+ PCs, but now, it'll be available for external peripherals.
AI model uninstall option
Although adding the ability to uninstall something from the operating system doesn't scream new feature, Microsoft is now allowing users to uninstall the Image Generation AI model from Settings > System > AI Components.
And this is a big deal, because one of the biggest complaints about Windows 11 has been the integration of AI features. While supported devices still don't have a master switch to completely disable AI on Windows 11, this is a small step in the right direction.
Widgets improvements
In the Lock screen, the experience should now be less distracting, as now, by default, users will only see the Weather widget.
Also, notification badges in the Taskbar will now take the current accent color instead of the previous red indicator.
Touchpad new gestures
After installing the August update, on Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad, users will be able to customize the speed for scroll and zoom gestures.
In addition, there's a new option to enable accelerated scrolling, which is a feature that increases the scrolling speed as gestures are repeated.
Voice Typing and Access
In Voice Typing, Microsoft is now deactivating Fluid Dictation by default and integrating tooltips to help users understand how the feature works.
Voice Access now comes with Voice Isolation that improves speech recognition by filtering out background noise and other speakers.
In addition, the company is making available three speech recognition settings from Settings > Voice Access > Improve speech recognition.
The "Voice Isolation" option requires a one-time voice setup and filters both background noise and nearby conversations.
Users will also find the "Remove background noise only" mode suppresses sounds such as typing or doors closing without additional setup.
Finally, the "No filtering" mode uses the microphone input without any processing.
Account Control redesign
The flyout that appears when clicking the profile button in the Start menu is known as the Account Control interface, and in this release, Microsoft is adding some design changes.
The changes aim to make it more modern and clearer. For instance, the new design adds a new badge to quickly understand the current plan and state. In addition, it gives users access to their plan benefits as well as other information, such as storage usage from OneDrive.
Power and battery
In this release, the company is making changes to how power settings are applied in the system.
According to Microsoft, customizations made to the display timeouts, sleep and hibernate timers, and laptop lid actions are now automatically applied to every power plan instead of only the active one.
Finally, the ability to configure the battery percentage for "Energy Saver" is coming back to the "Power & battery" settings.
Windows Update improvements
Microsoft continues improving the update system, and this time around, Windows Update will provide more accurate progress estimates during updates.
Furthermore, the company is updating the cleanup process after installing updates to improve system performance.
System sound in dark mode
After installing this Patch Tuesday update, users should also notice improvements to system sounds in dark mode.
Windows Central's Take
From my perspective, this is the kind of Windows 11 update I like to see. It's not built around a flashy headline feature, but instead focuses on polishing the experience in dozens of small ways. Improvements to File Explorer, Windows Search, Windows Update, touchpad gestures, and power management won't generate a lot of excitement, but they're the kinds of changes that make the operating system feel more refined day after day.
I also think Microsoft's decision to let users uninstall the Image Generation AI model is an important step, even if it's a modest one. People have been asking for more control over AI features, and while this isn't a universal switch to remove AI, it shows Microsoft is at least acknowledging those concerns. I'd like to see the company continue in that direction by giving users even more choice over what AI components are installed.
As with every Patch Tuesday release, I'd still recommend waiting a few days before installing the update on your primary computer unless you need the latest security fixes immediately. Monthly updates occasionally introduce unexpected issues, and giving Microsoft a little time to address early reports has rarely been a bad strategy.
What are your thoughts about the Windows 11 August 2026 update? Which new feature or improvement are you looking forward to the most? 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
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