Windows 11 version 26H2: what changed for everyday users and how to get it
The Windows 11 2026 Update brings a redesigned Start menu, a taskbar you can move to any edge of the screen and smarter search. Here is how to install it and which features to try first.
The tip
Windows 11 version 26H2, also called the Windows 11 2026 Update, is now available for all eligible PCs. For most people it is a quick install with a single restart. To get it, open Settings, select Windows Update, then Check for Windows updates, and select Download & install if 26H2 is offered.
The changes you will notice first are a redesigned Start menu, a taskbar you can move to any edge of the screen, and smarter search.
How to get the update
- Save your work and make sure your PC is plugged in.
- Open Settings and select Windows Update.
- Select Check for Windows updates.
- If Windows 11, version 26H2 appears, select Download & install, then restart when asked.
If you want new updates as soon as they are ready, turn on Get the latest updates as soon as they're available on the same page.
If it is not offered yet: Microsoft rolls updates out gradually and may hold back PCs with a known compatibility problem, called a safeguard hold. Microsoft lists known issues on its release health page. One that Microsoft lists as mitigated but not yet fully fixed affects some older USB audio devices, which may fail to start or produce no sound after the update. If you rely on a USB headset, speaker or audio interface, check that page before updating.
Why it installs quickly: PCs on Windows 11 version 24H2 or 25H2 already contain most of 26H2 from monthly updates. The update is a small "enablement package" that switches the new features on.
Why it is worth installing: Microsoft says installing 26H2 resets the support lifecycle, to 24 months for Home and Pro editions. That keeps security updates flowing.
1. A Start menu you can arrange your way
The redesigned Start menu has a scrollable All section with category and grid views, so finding an installed app takes fewer clicks. Its layout adapts to your screen size, and you can choose a Start menu size and show or hide the Pinned, Recent and All sections separately.
To try it, open Start and scroll down. To change which sections appear, open Settings and search for Start.
2. Put the taskbar where you want it
For the first time in Windows 11, you can place the taskbar at the bottom, top, left or right of the screen. A new smaller taskbar option shrinks the icons and height, which is useful on small laptop screens.
Open Settings and search for taskbar to find the options. Side placement suits wide monitors, where vertical space is precious.
3. Search that forgives typos
Windows Search now:
- Shows a preview of a result without opening it.
- Copes better with typos and partial app names.
- Labels each result clearly as an app, setting, file, web result or Microsoft Store suggestion.
- Can automatically index folders you use often. You manage this in Settings > Privacy & security > Search.
The clearer labels help you avoid clicking a web or Store result when you meant to open something on your PC.
4. Fewer restarts and safer recovery
- Fewer update restarts. Windows now installs eligible updates together with the monthly security update when it can.
- Back to sleep after updates. If you put your PC to sleep, it returns to sleep after finishing an update.
- Point in time restore. A new recovery option can roll a PC back to a recent automatic restore point, including apps, settings and files.
- Quick machine recovery. Can scan for a fix automatically when a PC fails to start properly.
These are safety nets, not a replacement for your own copies of important files. See our guide to backing up your phone and computer.
5. Security changes worth knowing
- Smart App Control can now be turned on or off without reinstalling Windows. When on, it helps block untrusted or potentially harmful apps.
- Passkeys in your password manager. Windows supports plugin credential managers, so you can use and save passkeys stored in a compatible password manager. Read how to switch to passkeys.
- Fingerprint readers on desktops. Windows Hello's Enhanced Sign-in Security now works with compatible external fingerprint sensors.
6. Small things you may like
- File Explorer opens its Home page faster, keeps your View and Sort choices in Downloads and Documents, opens more archive formats, and lets you use voice typing to rename a file.
- Magnifier lets you type an exact zoom level and apply a screen tint to reduce eye strain.
- Narrator adds a Braille Viewer, and Voice access understands more natural commands on Copilot+ PCs.
Some features, such as AI summaries in File Explorer, need a Microsoft 365 subscription and Copilot license, so do not worry if you do not see them.
Common mistakes
- Ignoring the update because the PC seems fine. The support reset is reason enough to install it.
- Updating mid task on battery. Plug in and save your work first.
- Assuming a missing option means something is broken. Rollouts are gradual. Search Settings for the feature name, and check again in a few days.
Still on Windows 10? Version 26H2 is for Windows 11 only. Read our news on Windows 10 security updates running until October 2027, and if your PC is slow, our guide to speeding up an old laptop.
Frequently asked questions
Is Windows 11 version 26H2 available for everyone?
Yes, for eligible PCs. Microsoft released it on September 29, 2026, and its release health page says that as of October 28, 2026 it is available for all eligible devices. Microsoft can still hold it back on PCs with a known compatibility issue.
How big is the 26H2 update?
For PCs already on Windows 11 version 24H2 or 25H2, it arrives as a small enablement package. Microsoft says installation is similar to a monthly update and usually needs a single restart.
Can I move the taskbar to the top or side of the screen?
Yes. Microsoft says version 26H2 lets you place the taskbar at the bottom, top, left or right of the screen, and adds a smaller taskbar option.
Do I have to install 26H2?
Microsoft recommends it. Installing 26H2 resets the support clock, giving Home and Pro editions 24 months of support, so staying current keeps security updates coming.
Can a Windows 10 PC get version 26H2?
No. Version 26H2 is a Windows 11 update. A Windows 10 PC first needs to upgrade to Windows 11, if its hardware qualifies.