Windows 11 version 26H2 is now available for testing in the latest preview build

Today's Experimental build officially moves to version 26H2 branding. It also includes new fixes and improvements.

Friday Windows 11 preview builds are here. Insiders in the Experimental (formerly Dev) and Beta Channel can download builds 26300.8697 and 26220.8690. There are no new features, but Microsoft is officially moving the Experimental Channel to version 26H2. In addition, Microsoft is improving the copy dialog in File Explorer, the Start menu reliability, and fixing virtualization issues.

Here is the changelog:

[General]

• With today’s build, Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel will see the versioning updated under Settings > System > About (and winver) to version 26H2. For more information, see the Windows Insiders blog.

[File Explorer]

• We’ve improved the visual consistency and reliability of the Copy dialog in Dark mode, including its launch experience and the expanded progress view.

[Start menu] - Also available in Beta

• Improved reliability of Start menu reflecting newly installed or removed apps without requiring sign-out or restart.

[Taskbar]

• Fixed an issue for Insiders using the new smaller taskbar option, where the system tray might get cut off or pushed off screen.

[Settings] - Also available in Beta

• Improved reliability of Settings > Apps > Startup.

[Virtualization] - Also available in Beta

• This update addresses an issue that could result in bugchecks citing HYPERVISOR_ERROR (0x20001) and KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED (0x1E) errors after installing the latest flights on some devices during system restarts, virtual machine operations, or while running some gaming applications.

You can find the official changelog for the Experimental build here and for the Beta build here.

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Posted Saturday 20 June 2026 at 8:56 am AEST (my time).

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