The Home windows 11 February patch is a giant one – here is what PC customers are getting

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Let’s face it: most month-to-month Home windows 11 patches are ho-hum. They often deal with bug fixes and safety updates, with the occasional new function sprinkled in. The February 2026 replace, nevertheless, seems to be vital, introducing a number of new options that may change how customers work together with the working system.

Additionally: 5 Home windows apps I all the time set up first on a brand new PC – they usually’re free to obtain

Whereas the replace will not formally roll out till February 10, Microsoft has already launched Preview Replace KB5074105 to Home windows Insiders. This early patch contains the identical options and fixes that’ll arrive subsequent Tuesday. Beneath is a breakdown of the foremost new options and fixes coming with the replace, accessible for Home windows 11 variations 25H2 and 24H2. 

If you happen to’re focused on making an attempt out the preview construct, ZDNET Contributing Author Lance Whitney has an in depth information explaining tips on how to be part of Microsoft’s Home windows Insider Program.

1. Cross System Resume growth

Cross System Resume was first launched again in Might 2025, permitting customers to begin a job on an Android cellphone, and seamlessly choose it up on their PC — just like Apple’s Handoff device. With this replace, Microsoft is increasing the function. 

Cross System Resume now works with Spotify playback, Phrase paperwork, Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint shows, and shopping classes from the Vivo Browser app. Moreover, customers with Honor, Oppo, Samsung, Vivo, or Xiaomi telephones can work on on-line information opened through the Copilot app.

2. Home windows Midi enhancements

The February patch additionally updates the Home windows MIDI service with enhanced assist for each MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0. New capabilities embrace shared MIDI ports throughout apps, customized port names, efficiency enhancements, and a number of bug fixes. 

It is value noting that the App SDK and Instruments packages that allow entry to those MIDI adjustments are a part of a separate obtain. Yow will discover them on Microsoft’s Home windows MIDI Companies touchdown web page.

3. New Narrator controls

Narrator is getting extra granular customization choices. Customers can now alter how on-screen controls are introduced, select which particulars are spoken, and set the order through which data is learn aloud.

4. A greater location for the System card in Settings

Microsoft has made a small however welcome quality-of-life change by transferring the System data card from the underside of the System web page to the Residence tab within the Settings menu. This makes it a lot simpler to rapidly verify key system particulars, just like the processor.

5. Activate and deactivate Good App Management

Good App Management (SAC) is a safety function that blocks untrusted or malicious apps earlier than they run. Whereas efficient, the device might be overly aggressive and flag protected software program. With the February replace, customers will lastly be capable of deactivate Good App Management at any time. No have to reinstall Home windows 11; thereby making SAC managment way more handy than earlier than.

6. A redesigned Voice Entry

Voice Entry lets customers management their PC and navigate Home windows 11 utilizing speech. The device now features a redesigned setup wizard that walks customers via downloading a speech mannequin for his or her chosen language, connecting a microphone, and explaining how the function works. 

7. New Voice Typing management

In the identical vein, Voice Typing is getting some enhancements. For instance, it is gaining a brand new “Wait Time Earlier than Appearing” setting. This feature lets customers alter the delay earlier than a spoken command is executed, serving to enhance accuracy and higher assist individuals with totally different speech patterns.  

8. Elevated Home windows Good day assist

Preview Replace KB5074105 additionally updates Home windows Good day Enhanced Signal-in Safety (ESS) to assist peripheral fingerprint sensors. Beforehand, ESS solely labored with built-in fingerprint sensors. To set it up, Microsoft says customers merely want to attach a supported biometric gadget, then head to Settings > Accounts > Signal-in choices and comply with the on-screen directions.

9. New language assist

Lastly, Microsoft is increasing language assist for the AI-powered agent within the Home windows 11 Settings menu. This on-device assistant helps customers discover and alter system settings through pure language. It now helps German, Portuguese, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, Hindi, Italian, and Simplified Chinese language.

10. Home windows 11 fixes

Alongside the brand new options, the February patch delivers separate bug fixes throughout quite a lot of apps. File Explorer obtained tweaks to its navigation responsiveness, Microsoft addressed a Lock Display screen challenge that triggered it to grow to be unresponsive, and lastly, a bug has been mounted the place desktop icons would unexpectedly transfer round when opening or renaming sure information.