Microsoft has released KB5095091 (OS Build 28000.2340) as a preview for Windows 11, version 26H1. It's labeled a production-quality update, which usually means the code is stable enough for your daily driver without turning your PC into a science experiment. The update is hitting devices across two waves: a gradual rollout that feeds to select devices over time, and a normal rollout for general availability.
If you're on the preview channels, this one's worth a look. The changelog is dense, featuring some long-requested utility features alongside the usual stability fixes.
NPU tracking and recovery tools
The headline for AI enthusiasts is Task Manager finally waking up to neural engines. New optional columns now let you monitor NPU usage, NPU Engine status, and memory allocation on the Processes, Users, and Details pages. GPU neural engines also appear on the Performance page. You can add these by right-clicking a column header. It's a welcome addition if you're tracking background AI workloads.
Point-in-time restore is also new in this build. Microsoft describes it as a flexible recovery feature that rolls back your PC to a recent automatic restore point, bringing apps, settings, and personal files with it. The goal is to reduce downtime and simplify troubleshooting. It sounds solid, though it's unclear how much disk space this reserves on smaller drives.
Windows Hello is getting behavioral tweaks. Face or fingerprint recognition is now the default sign-in method every time you sign in, even if you used a different method previously. If you keep hitting PIN three times in a row, Windows will stick with PIN until you switch methods again. The update also addresses missing secure enrollment metadata that was blocking sign-ins for some users.
Emoji switch and daily tweaks
The emoji panel is making a switch. Windows now uses GIPHY for GIF content, following the deprecation of Google's Tenor API. The ball is in your court here: Microsoft wants you on the latest update by June 30, 2026, or you'll start seeing "GIF service is not available" errors. That's a hard deadline. It gives you plenty of time, but the cutoff is the kind of thing that forces IT departments to update older machines eventually.
For those who set up Windows manually, there's a new option to name your user folder on the Device Name page during setup. You can skip it, and Windows will use the default, but having the choice at the start saves you the hassle of renaming C:\Users\JohnDoe later.
Search is also getting faster. Windows Search will now find and prioritize files with as few as two characters. It's a small change, but one you'll notice the moment you start typing.
Other notable fixes include improved reliability for displays attached to USB4 docks, better wallpaper persistence across restarts, and a fix for the OneDrive shortcut breaking in File Explorer when run in administrative mode. The Microsoft Store also sees improvements to download performance and error reporting.
It's a rather robust update for 26H1, packing in features that span accessibility, AI tooling, and general usability. The NPU columns in Task Manager are particularly useful for power users who want real-time visibility into neural engine usage.
If you're ready to pull the update, check Windows Update. Devices will only download the new updates contained in the package if you've installed previous ones. Keep in mind that the gradual rollout means availability varies by device, so you might not see it immediately.
June 23, 2026—KB5095091 (OS Build 28000.2340) Preview - Microsoft Support
June 23, 2026—KB5095091 (OS Build 28000.2340) Preview - Microsoft Support
