Microsoft has released two new Windows 11 26H1 Insider Preview builds, giving Beta and Experimental testers another round of fixes to try.
The Beta Channel receives Build 28020.2904, while the Experimental 26H1 channel gets Build 28120.2912. Both updates were released on September 8, 2026, and primarily focus on fixing input-related problems rather than introducing major new features.
While the Beta update is relatively small, the Experimental release addresses an additional mouse problem and comes with an important warning for PC gamers.
Windows 11 Beta 26H1 Build 28020.2904
The latest Windows 11 Beta 26H1 build is a minor update, with Microsoft describing it as a small set of general improvements and fixes.
The most notable change is aimed at touchpad users.
Touchpad zoom issue fixed
Microsoft has fixed a problem that caused zoom gestures to stop working in certain applications when using a touchpad.
The issue appeared after previous Insider flights, meaning users who rely on pinch-to-zoom gestures in supported applications should have a more reliable experience after installing the latest Beta build.
There aren’t any major new user-facing features in this release. Instead, Microsoft is using the Beta channel to polish the experience and address problems discovered through Insider testing.
That makes Build 28020.2904 more of a quality and reliability update than a feature-packed release.
Windows 11 Experimental 26H1 Build 28120.2912
The Experimental 26H1 channel is also receiving an update, but Build 28120.2912 comes with a couple of additional input fixes.
Just like the Beta build, Microsoft has fixed the touchpad zoom problem that affected certain applications after recent flights.
But there’s another fix that could be particularly useful for people who use Windows with multiple displays.
Mouse cursor issue fixed on portrait monitors
Microsoft has addressed a bug that could cause the mouse cursor to move in the wrong direction when using portrait-oriented monitors.
The problem affected some Insiders after recent builds and could make navigating Windows particularly frustrating on vertically positioned displays.
For users running a multi-monitor setup, especially those with one display rotated vertically, this should be a welcome improvement.
There’s a Gaming Problem in the Experimental Build
While Build 28120.2912 fixes some input problems, Microsoft is also warning gamers about a known issue.
Some games that use Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) may currently fail to launch after installing the Experimental 26H1 build.
Affected users may see the following error:
“The application was unable to start correctly (0xc000007b).”
Microsoft says it is investigating the reports and working on a fix. The company expects the issue to be resolved in the next build.
This is an important reason for gamers to think twice before installing the Experimental build on a primary gaming PC.
If you depend on EAC-protected games, staying on a more stable Windows Insider channel may be the safer option until Microsoft ships the fix.
Beta vs Experimental: What’s the Difference?
Although both builds are based on Windows 11 26H1, they’re aimed at different groups of Windows Insiders.
| Feature | Beta 26H1 | Experimental 26H1 |
|---|---|---|
| Build | 28020.2904 | 28120.2912 |
| Release date | September 8, 2026 | September 8, 2026 |
| Touchpad zoom fix | Yes | Yes |
| Portrait monitor cursor fix | No | Yes |
| Known EAC gaming issue | Not listed | Yes |
| Stability | More conservative | Can be unstable |
| Target audience | Beta testers | Enthusiasts and early testers |
Microsoft explicitly warns that Experimental 26H1 builds can be unstable and may sometimes be released with limited documentation. Features are also being rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology, meaning not every Insider will necessarily receive every experiment at the same time.
No Major New Features This Time
If you’re expecting a major Windows 11 feature drop, these two builds probably won’t be particularly exciting.
Microsoft is instead concentrating on polishing Windows 11 26H1 and fixing bugs discovered during Insider testing.
The touchpad zoom fix is shared between both releases, while the Experimental build goes a little further with the portrait-monitor mouse correction.
These seemingly small fixes can still make a noticeable difference in everyday use, particularly for people affected by the underlying bugs.
Should You Install the New Windows 11 26H1 Builds?
For Beta Channel Insiders, Build 28020.2904 looks like a relatively low-risk update focused on general improvements and a specific touchpad fix.
The situation is different for Experimental 26H1 users.
If you regularly play games that rely on Easy Anti-Cheat, the current launch issue is worth considering before installing Build 28120.2912. Microsoft is already working on the problem, but the fix isn’t available in this release.
Microsoft also reminds Insiders that preview features can change, be removed or never make it into a public Windows release.
The Bottom Line
The latest Windows 11 26H1 releases are all about refinement rather than big new features.
Build 28020.2904 brings the Beta channel a fix for touchpad zoom problems, while Build 28120.2912 adds the same fix plus a correction for incorrectly moving mouse cursors on portrait monitors.
However, Experimental users should be aware of the current Easy Anti-Cheat compatibility issue, particularly if the PC is primarily used for gaming.
For now, these builds show Microsoft continuing to iron out Windows 11 26H1 ahead of future releases, with more changes likely to arrive in upcoming Insider flights.
For the latest rollout updates and troubleshooting guides, follow our Windows 11 coverage as more details emerge.
