Windows 11 KB5124010 Preview: Major File Explorer Upgrades, Key Remapping, Touchpad Gestures, and Much More

Microsoft has officially released the optional cumulative preview update KB5124010 for Windows 11 (OS Builds 26200.9550 for version 25H2 and 26100.9550 for version 24H2). As reported in WinCentral’s Windows 11 update coverage, Microsoft is utilizing a dual-phase deployment model. Features within this build are distributed through a gradual rollout—reaching devices over time—alongside a normal rollout for broader quality and security fixes.

Whether you want to repurpose your keyboard layout, customize gesture navigation, or preview web downloads safely, this update delivers several workflow refinements. Here is a comprehensive overview of everything new in KB5124010, along with critical technical advisories for IT administrators.

1. Customization Power Moves: Copilot Key Remapping & Touchpad Gestures

For users working on modern Windows 11 laptops equipped with a dedicated Copilot key, KB5124010 introduces a long-awaited flexibility upgrade.

• Copilot Key Remapping: You can now rebind the physical Copilot key to trigger either the Right Ctrl key or the Context Menu key. This restores familiar legacy shortcuts for power users, developers, and accessibility workflows without requiring third-party key remapping utilities.

• New Precision Touchpad Gestures: Navigating long documents and web pages gets smoother with two additional gesture toggles in Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad:

  • Single-finger edge scrolling: Scroll vertically using a single finger along the far left or right border of your touchpad.

  • Automatic continuous scrolling: Keep scrolling effortlessly without lifting your fingers by resting them near the touchpad edge while scrolling.

This emphasis on personalizing input controls aligns with broader OS customization trends detailed in WinCentral’s deep dive into recent Windows 11 Start menu and Taskbar experimental upgrades.

2. File Explorer & Personalization Polish

File Explorer receives intuitive visual and behavioral improvements aimed at keeping your workspace clutter-free and persistent.

File Explorer Improvements in KB5124010
├── Web Preview Pane   ──► "Preview anyway" for HTML | Auto-preview for PDFs
├── Section Persistence ──► Preserves expanded/collapsed states on Home
└── Details Pane       ──► Reorganized properties & cloud file thumbnail fixes

• Smarter Web File Previews: When previewing files downloaded from the web, HTML files now feature a Preview anyway button so you can manually bypass safety warnings. Non-HTML files, such as PDFs, are now rendered automatically in the preview pane.

• Persistent Section States: File Explorer Home now remembers whether you collapsed or expanded sections (like Recent or Favorites) across sessions.

• Desktop Slideshows Across Multiple Desktops: If you use multiple Virtual Desktops with a desktop background slideshow, switching between virtual spaces no longer forces your wallpaper setting back to “Picture”.

• DIB Image Support: Windows 11 now natively supports Device-Independent Bitmap (DIB) image files for desktop wallpapers.

These refinements build on ongoing efforts to refine core system utilities, such as resolving long-standing dark mode bugs in File Explorer.

3. Emoji 17.0 & Modernized Magnifier

Expression and accessibility tools receive visual modernizations across the system, mirroring early testing highlighted in WinCentral’s report on the Windows 11 Insider Beta build.

                       ┌── New Characters: Distorted Face, Fight Cloud, Hairy Creature
  Emoji 17.0 Support ──┼── Redesigned Assets: Saluting Face, Goose, Lotus, Kissing Cat
                       └── Quick Access: Press Windows Key + Period (.)

• Emoji 17.0 Collection: Press Windows Key + . to access brand-new Unicode emojis, including the distorted face, fight cloud, and hairy creature. Existing emojis such as the saluting face, face with peeking eye, goose, lotus, and kissing cat have been visually refined for cross-platform consistency.

• “Open Apps Maximized”: A new accessibility feature under Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects forces application windows to automatically open in maximized state, reducing window-management friction for screen reader users, tablet owners, or high-magnification workflows.

• Refreshed Magnifier Taskbar: The Magnifier toolbar features redesigned Fluent icons and balanced spacing to align with Windows 11 visual design standards.

4. Bluetooth, Battery & System Reliability

This update bundles several stability fixes for hardware peripherals and background system modules:

Issue 2: USB Audio Class 1.0 Device Errors

Certain legacy USB Audio Class 1.0 sound cards or microphones may fail to start or produce sound, displaying Error Code 10 ("This device cannot start") in Device Manager. Microsoft is actively working on a resolution.

Manual Download link

You can download and manually install Windows 11 update KB5124010 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.

How to update to KB5124010

Because KB5124010 is an optional non-security preview release, Windows 11 will not install it automatically unless you have opted into early updates.

As covered in WinCentral’s preview rollout guide, you can manually install the preview build by following these steps:

1. Open Settings (Win + I) and navigate to Windows Update.

2. Select Advanced options > Optional updates.

3. Locate 2026-09 Preview Update (KB5124010), select Download & install, and restart your PC when prompted.

If you prefer to wait, all cumulative fixes and features within this package will roll out automatically during the upcoming October Patch Tuesday update cycle. For continuous updates on future software builds and technical breakdowns, keep an eye on the latest stories at WinCentral’s Windows 11 News.