Microsoft has pushed Windows 11 build 26100.5061 to the Release Preview channel, packed with a curated set of feature enhancements that will reach general users in the weeks ahead. The update, identified as KB5064081, represents the first broad staging of the fall feature drop—including new AI capabilities gated to Copilot+ PCs, expansive quality-of-life tweaks, and a deeper integration of on-device intelligence. Crucially, it signals the long-awaited expansion of the Settings agent from Snapdragon-exclusive to AMD- and Intel-powered Copilot+ machines, a move that underscores Microsoft's commitment to cross-platform AI for its premium hardware tier.

Microsoft's delivery model for Windows 11 has shifted radically since the 24H2 release. Large feature updates are no longer monolithic; they come as dormant code switched on by server-side enablement packages and cumulative updates. This staging strategy lets the company roll out features gradually, monitor telemetry, and widen availability over time. The approach means that two identical PCs might display different feature sets, and it explains why hands-on reports can vary. For the current cycle, build 26100.5061 is the baseline—features listed in its changelog are now being activated for a subset of Insiders before general rollout.

What's Inside the Release Preview Build

The changelog is lengthy, but Microsoft has divided the improvements into two clear tiers: features available to all Windows 11 users and those exclusive to Copilot+ devices with dedicated neural processing units (NPUs).

Broad Enhancements for Every Windows 11 PC

Search gets a photo grid and indexing transparency. Taskbar Search now displays image results in a new grid view, making it easier to scan through visuals. Additionally, the search flyout will surface indexing status—so you know if results are incomplete while Windows processes files in the background. This small fix addresses a long-standing user frustration around local photo searches.

Lock screen widgets become customizable. What started as a Europe-only test (“Weather and more”) is expanding globally. Users can add, remove, and rearrange lock screen widgets via Settings > Personalization > Lock screen. First-party widgets and a growing set of third-party options are supported, though the rollout will be gradual.

Windows Hello gets a modern UI refresh. Biometric authentication flows—sign-in, store purchases, passkey management—now sport clearer visuals and improved passkey/passport interactions. The redesigned prompt is cleaner and more consistent with the overall Windows 11 aesthetic.

Polished details across the OS. The notification center clock optionally shows seconds again. Task Manager now standardizes CPU metrics across all views, fixing long-standing inconsistencies. Settings dialogs and permission prompts have been modernized. These aren't headline-grabbing changes, but they collectively raise the fit-and-finish of the daily Windows experience.

Copilot+ Exclusives: AI That Leans on Local NPUs

For devices that meet the Copilot+ specification—which includes an NPU capable of at least 40 TOPS—build 26100.5061 introduces a series of AI-driven features that Microsoft has been testing in Dev and Canary channels.

Recall gains a landing page. On compatible PCs, the Recall app now opens to a personalized home view showing recent snapshots, top apps and sites, and quick entry points into ongoing workflows. The traditional timeline is still accessible but has been moved to a secondary page. Recall remains opt-in, encrypted locally, and requires Windows Hello for every snapshot review.

Click To Do interactive tutorial and File Explorer AI actions. Click To Do gets a guided tutorial. More significantly, File Explorer now surfaces contextual AI actions for images and documents. Right-click an image, and you can trigger visual search, blur background, remove objects, or remove the background entirely. Documents can be summarized directly from File Explorer—but this requires a Microsoft 365 Copilot license, while image operations are free. All actions are processed on-device when possible.

Settings agent expands beyond Snapdragon. Perhaps the most technically significant change: the on-device AI model known as “Settings Mu” is now enabled on AMD- and Intel-based Copilot+ PCs, up from a previous Snapdragon-only limitation. This lightweight language model runs locally and interprets plain-English queries to suggest relevant Settings pages or even automate changes with user consent. The feature was introduced in build 24H2 with KB5062660, but this release preview build marks its first appearance on x86 Copilot+ hardware.

Inside the Settings Agent: How It Works and Why It Matters

The Settings agent represents one of the most practical applications of on-device AI. According to Microsoft's official documentation, it uses a fine-tuned model called Settings Mu—trained on Settings data to map natural language queries to the correct configuration page. The model is small enough to run entirely on the NPU, so no data leaves the device.

When a user types a question into the Settings search box, the model attempts to classify the intent. If confidence is high, it returns a specific recommendation. For example, “make my screen less bright at night” might directly open the Night Light settings. If the query is ambiguous, standard search results are displayed instead. Users must explicitly approve any automated changes, and every action can be easily undone.

Administrators can disable the agent via policy, which prevents the AI search experience and falls back to static and semantic searches. The feature is currently restricted to Copilot+ PCs, and language support includes English, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese. Geography matters: the agent is available everywhere except China.

Microsoft has been careful to emphasize Responsible AI principles. The Settings Mu model underwent fairness evaluations and extensive security and privacy reviews. The company states that no user data is sent to the cloud, and the model operates entirely locally. This architecture addresses many privacy concerns head-on while still delivering a smarter, more responsive settings experience.

The Bigger Roadmap: What's Still Coming

Build 26100.5061 is just the beginning. Microsoft has been testing larger changes that are expected to roll out before the end of 2025.

Start menu redesign. Early preview builds show a taller, scrollable Start menu with room for more pinned apps and an option to hide the “Recommended” feed entirely. Toggling this off does not affect the Recent files list in File Explorer, though that behavior may still be refined. The timeline points to an October–November launch, but as with all Microsoft rollouts, these dates are provisional.

Dark mode conquers legacy dialogs. Community sleuths and media reports confirm that Microsoft is theming ancient file operation windows—copy/move progress, delete confirmations, and access denied dialogs—to match Windows 11's dark mode. Some buttons and contrast mismatches remain, but the inclusion in preview builds strongly suggests a broader dark-mode finish is inbound, possibly aligning with the 25H2 enablement package.

Windows 11 version 25H2. Microsoft has confirmed that the next major update will be delivered as an enablement package for devices already on 24H2. This means the bulk of the code already lives on those PCs in a dormant state; the “upgrade” will be little more than a small patch and a reboot. For enterprises, this drastically simplifies deployment and reduces compatibility risks. IT teams should note the lifecycle reset and begin compatibility testing now.

Risks and Tradeoffs

These changes, while exciting, introduce several challenges.

Hardware and licensing fragmentation. The Copilot+ program bifurcates the Windows experience. Features like Recall and the expanded Settings agent require an NPU; some File Explorer AI actions additionally require a Microsoft 365 Copilot subscription. This creates a three-tiered feature set: standard PCs, Copilot+ PCs without licenses, and fully licensed Copilot+ machines. For consumers, it's a product-choice question; for IT managers, it's a procurement and support puzzle.

Privacy concerns around Recall. Although snapshots remain local and encrypted, the idea of a searchable database of screen activity still alarms many users. Enterprises will need to define clear policies on snapshot retention, filtering, and behavior during device migration or resets. Microsoft's documentation provides controls, but the onus is on organizations to audit them.

Incomplete rollouts and visual inconsistency. Because features are enabled server-side, a PC on build 26100.5061 might not show the new lock screen widgets while another does. Dark mode fixes appear and disappear. This staged approach can confuse both users and support staff. Expect a period of uneven polish as Microsoft gathers telemetry.

English-first and region gating. Several AI features—including the Settings agent's initial languages and Copilot Vision—remain English-only or region-locked. Global enterprises will need to manage user expectations and plan for staggered localization.

Subscription creep. Document summarization and certain Copilot actions require a paid Microsoft 365 license. While understandable as a business model, this increases subscription dependency for what might otherwise be considered OS-level productivity tools.

Practical Guidance for Users and IT

  • Pilot the preview. Turn on “Get the latest updates as soon as they're available” in Windows Update on a small set of devices to evaluate new features before broad deployment.
  • Test Copilot+ features on mixed hardware. Pilot groups should include Snapdragon, AMD, and Intel Copilot+ PCs to validate the Settings agent, Recall, and AI actions under different processor architectures.
  • Audit privacy settings. Before enabling Recall, document snapshot retention and filtering policies. Confirm how snapshots survive device resets and backups.
  • Map licensing needs. Identify which teams will benefit from AI document summarization and budget for Microsoft 365 Copilot licenses accordingly. Start with creative teams and power users.
  • Delay mass rollouts. Don't push critical fleets to enable every new feature immediately. Let staged rollouts mature and bugs get ironed out before broadly flipping the switch.
  • Monitor official channels. Firm GA dates remain fluid. Watch the Windows Insider Blog and Windows Experience Blog for concrete release announcements.

The Bottom Line

The September 2025 feature drop for Windows 11 is a measured, pragmatic release that prioritizes incremental polish and targeted AI infusion. For everyday users, the non-Copilot+ improvements—better search, customizable lock screen, Windows Hello refresh—will subtly but meaningfully improve the OS. For those invested in Copilot+ hardware, the expansion of the Settings agent to x86 platforms and the addition of File Explorer AI actions endow the platform with capabilities that finally justify the NPU requirement.

Yet this rollout is not without friction. Fragmentation, privacy tradeoffs, and subscription gating are real hurdles. Microsoft is navigating a delicate balance: push AI forward aggressively while keeping Windows cohesive for its billion-strong user base. The staged enablement model is the company's chosen tool, and it will lead to uneven feature availability for months. Savvy users and IT pros will use this window to test, plan, and communicate—turning a staggered rollout into a strategic advantage.