Windows 11 KB5077241 Preview: What’s New and How It Affects You
The latest preview, KB5077241, rolls out a non-security update for Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2. If you’re still stuck on an older version or simply want to know what this update brings, read on.
Why the Two Rollout Phases Matter
Microsoft is splitting the release into gradual and normal rollouts. The gradual rollout delivers the package in stages, so some devices get it a day before others; the normal rollout pushes it to everyone eligible at once when the update reaches general availability. For most home users this means you’ll see “This PC needs to restart” pop up on a different date than your neighbor’s machine.
New Features
- Emoji 16.0 adds one fresh face from each major category, now visible right in the emoji panel. It feels like Windows is finally listening when you’ve been complaining about missing emojis in chats.
- Backup & Restore – First‑Sign‑In Experience comes built into Windows Backup for Organizations. When a device joins Microsoft Entra or becomes a Cloud PC, user settings and Store apps rehydrate automatically on the first logon—no more “set this up again” headaches after a wipe.
- Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) is now enabled by default for Windows Professional devices that aren’t domain‑joined or managed by an enterprise system. If you own a fresh Pro laptop, QMR will be ready to roll back if something goes wrong, just like in Home editions.
- Network Speed Test lives under the Wi‑Fi/Cellular Quick Settings and in the system‑tray icon’s context menu. Clicking it opens your default browser and runs a quick test for Ethernet, Wi‑Fi, and cellular—useful when you’re wondering whether that “fast” cable is really that fast.
- Taskbar Overflow Fix – When the taskbar is set to uncombined, only windows that don’t fit slide into the overflow menu. The rest stay on the bar, preventing a giant empty slot from showing up after you open a second instance of an app.
- Camera Pan/Tilt in Settings lets you tweak supported cameras under Bluetooth & Devices Cameras. If your webcam can swivel, the controls appear in “Basic settings.”
- Built‑in Sysmon now writes system‑event logs natively to the Windows Event Log so security tools can hook into them without installing extra software.
Key Quality Improvements You’ll Notice
Microsoft also packed a few non‑security fixes that make everyday life smoother.
Secure Boot now includes more device‑targeting data, so your machine will receive updated certificates only after it successfully applies previous updates—no sudden surprises in the middle of the night.
BitLocker reliability has been tightened; users who previously saw a freeze after entering a recovery key should notice the operation completes without hanging.
How to Check If Your PC Got the Update
Open Settings Windows Update, then click View update history. Look for “KB5077241” in the list. If it’s missing but you’re on 24H2, you’ll get the preview through the gradual rollout a few days later—just keep an eye out for that “Restart required” notification.
What If It Causes Problems?
One frequent complaint surfaced from a user who had just installed the update: the network speed test would launch and then freeze in the browser. The culprit turned out to be an outdated network driver that wasn’t updated until the next cumulative roll‑up. Updating the Wi‑Fi adapter’s firmware (or rolling back if you’re stuck) resolved the issue.
If the update stops your PC from responding after a restart, try booting into Safe Mode and uninstalling KB5077241 via Control Panel Programs Programs and Features View installed updates. Once the problematic bits are cleared, reinstall the update as normal.
Bottom Line
KB5077241 is more than a patch; it’s a mini‑feature sprint that brings AI helpers, better backup flow, and some handy UI tweaks to your Windows 11 box. Most users will get it through the gradual rollout without fuss, but if you’re managing multiple machines or depend on BitLocker for security, give the update a once‑over before hitting Restart. It’s all about keeping the system smooth while sprinkling a few useful bells and whistles along the way.
February 24, 2026—KB5077241 (OS Builds 26200.7922 and 26100.7922) Preview
