Microsoft has released a new optional, non-security preview update for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, bringing a bunch of useful improvements and quality-of-life features to PCs.

🆕 What’s Included in this Update

This update (KB5077241) moves eligible Windows 11 installations to OS Build 26200.7922 (25H2) or 26100.7922 (24H2) and focuses on functionality, performance, and reliability — without affecting security settings.

Here’s what’s new and improved:

⭐ New Features & Useful Add-Ons

  • 🎉 Emoji 16.0 support — a small curated set of updated emojis now appears in the Windows emoji panel.

  • 🛠️ Built-in Sysmon — Microsoft has added System Monitor (Sysmon) directly into Windows as an optional threat-detection tool (off by default).

  • 💾 First-sign-in Restore for organizations — improves setup and restores apps/settings automatically on supported logged-in devices.

  • 📶 Network Speed Test — a new network speed test tool built into the taskbar lets you check connection speed easily.

  • 👤 Microsoft account perks in Start Menu — the account menu now links to your benefits page.

  • 📸 Camera pan and tilt control — supported cameras can now be controlled from Settings.

🔧 Improvements You’ll Notice

  • 📁 File Explorer updates — more reliable opening of new windows and an Extract all option for archive folders appears in the toolbar.

  • 📱 Taskbar behavior fixes — better handling of multiple app windows so unused space doesn’t show up in overflow.

  • 🖥️ Better sleep/wake reliability — improvements help reduce delays when waking your PC from sleep mode.

  • 📠 Printing and sharing upgrades — printing is smoother under heavy use, and Nearby Sharing works more reliably with larger files.

  • 🔒 BitLocker reliability fix — devices won’t hang after entering a BitLocker recovery key.

⚠️ Important Notice: Secure Boot Certificates

Microsoft warns that Secure Boot certificates used by most Windows PCs will begin expiring in June 2026, which could affect secure startup unless updated in time. Users are advised to check guidance and update certificates ahead of time.

📦 How to Install

Because this is an optional preview update, it won’t automatically install unless you check for updates and choose it manually:

  1. Go to Start → Settings → Windows Update

  2. Look under Optional updates available

  3. Select the February 2026 Preview update (KB5077241)

  4. Download and install

You can also download offline installers if needed.

Download link:

You can download and manually install  Windows 11 update KB5077241 by clicking here. If you need help in understanding how to install these updates manually on your PC, you can refer to our step-by-step noob-friendly tutorial. 

📌 Summary:
KB5077241 is a quality and feature preview update for Windows 11. It adds fun improvements (like new emojis and network speed tests), productivity enhancements (better File Explorer and camera controls), and backend fixes that make your system smoother and more reliable — all before the regular security update arrives.

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