{"id":40580,"date":"2026-08-21T20:09:56","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T14:39:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.systweak.com\/blogs\/?p=40580"},"modified":"2026-08-21T20:15:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T14:45:10","slug":"windows-11-august-update-new-features","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.systweak.com\/blogs\/windows-11-august-update-new-features\/","title":{"rendered":"Windows 11 August 2026 Update: 10 New Features and Known Problems"},"content":{"rendered":"

The new update of Windows 11 by Microsoft for the month of August 2026 is finally here. This update, called the August Patch Tuesday update, KB5121003, is for Windows 11 version 24H2 and 25H2. As usual, it comes with several security fixes as well as usability upgrades for your benefit.<\/p>\n

If you were waiting for the grand Windows 12 upgrade, put away the confetti for now. For this August update, Microsoft has concentrated its efforts on features that could make activities like file searching, sign-ins, folder navigation, voice commands, and controlling the power of your laptop easy for you.<\/p>\n

Here are 10 important changes and updates in Windows 11 for August 2026, along with issues to be aware of before you download the update.<\/p>\n

10 New Features and Known Problems<\/h2>\n

1. Voice Access Gets Voice Isolation<\/h3>\n

Voice Access gets an interesting feature called Voice Isolation. It helps to exclude background speech and unwanted noise in order for Windows to be able to understand your commands better.<\/p>\n

Alongside this feature, Microsoft gives some additional noise-filtering possibilities, which include the option to exclude non-speech noises (e.g., typing, environmental noises. Voice Access starts supporting Korean language and improved reliability. The thing is especially useful for those who use voice commands in a noisy room with typing, conversation, fans, etc.<\/p>\n

2. File Explorer Displays More Readable File Sizes<\/h3>\n

File Explorer<\/a> is about to get a minor but handy quality-of-life upgrade. Rather than showing the size of files in KB in places where bigger units should have been used, Windows can show the size in KB, MB, or GB.<\/p>\n

For instance, a big video file would look much more understandable if it was shown not in an unnecessarily huge number of KB but rather in GB. It is just a tiny feature, but it gives you an impression that File Explorer is no longer stuck in 2009.<\/p>\n

3. Middle-click Opens Folders in New Tabs<\/h3>\n

Another feature of the tabbed Windows 11 File Explorer that is enhanced through the August update is navigational ease. The ability to middle-click folders will open them in a new File Explorer tab at certain points, including the address bar and Home page.<\/p>\n

If you need to switch frequently between folders, this feature could help you lower the number of File Explorer windows displayed on your desktop.<\/p>\n

4. External Fingerprint Readers Are Compatible with Enhanced Sign-In Security<\/h3>\n

Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS) from Windows Hello is being extended with this August update. External fingerprint readers are now compatible with ESS, which is especially beneficial for computers without a built-in fingerprint sensor.<\/p>\n

This feature makes it possible to use an external fingerprint device without losing any security benefits of ESS.<\/p>\n

5. Customization of Touchpad Gestures Gains Traction<\/h3>\n

Windows 11 allows for increased control of precision touchpad<\/a> gestures. One can now customize their scrolling and zoom speed, and accelerated scrolling will ensure that navigating through lengthy pages and documents is quicker than ever before.<\/p>\n

This is a relatively small update; however, customizing touchpad behavior is one of those features that you immediately start noticing when something doesn\u2019t feel right. This customization should help make Windows 11 laptops more personalized.<\/p>\n

6. Windows Search Learns to Understand You<\/h3>\n

The Windows Search gets an update aimed at making it better. The new August update includes improved typo tolerance and partial name recognition, which makes searching for files or changing settings easier by allowing Windows to understand even slightly incorrect input.<\/p>\n

In other words, one does not have to search for the solution to their problem using Settings.<\/p>\n

7. Removal of AI Components in Copilot+ PCs<\/h3>\n

There are options for removing certain AI components from Microsoft devices. In some compatible Copilot+ PCs, users can remove the Image Generation AI model. This is part of the strategy that provides users with more control over certain AI components and the space taken by them.<\/p>\n

This may come in handy, especially if you do not require such an option and want to save up some storage space.<\/p>\n

8. Energy Saver Settings<\/h3>\n

Windows 11 gives users back some control over Energy Saver settings. You will be able to configure Energy Saver settings manually so that it can kick in whenever you need it to.<\/p>\n

It may prove useful for those who often forget about switching on power-saving mode on their laptops until they have run out of battery.<\/p>\n

9. Lock Screen Widgets Are Becoming Less Distracting<\/h3>\n

The Lock screen gets some changes as well. In order to make the widget experience less distracting, Windows 11 removes some elements from the Lock screen but still keeps the useful information there.<\/p>\n

Windows 11’s developers are improving the Widgets, rather than declaring them finished, so expect to see further development in this field.<\/p>\n

10. Better Application Performance and Stability<\/h3>\n

Improvements in performance and reliability were also introduced by Microsoft. One interesting improvement was the wider distribution of the Low Latency Profile (LLP), which will improve CPU performance to make application launching faster for a limited period of time. This feature will be introduced gradually, and therefore it may not be available at once on all compatible PCs.<\/p>\n

Besides performance and reliability improvements, the update features lots of security and quality improvements. The August cumulative updates were released as part of the Patch Tuesday program.<\/p>\n

Windows 11 August 2026 Update: Potential Issues<\/h3>\n

It’s useful to be aware of the possibility of encountering problems that might come with Windows updates.<\/p>\n

The following is one such problem that emerged in Windows updates released from June 2026 onward and concerns third-party applications using OLE Automation for interaction with the Microsoft Office suite, in which case the Office application or the document fails to open from the third-party software, in some cases without error. This problem was reported by Microsoft in its release notes for Windows 11.<\/p>\n

There have been documented incompatibility issues between Microsoft Windows updates and third-party network software. An example is the requirement on third-party TDI transports made by the July update.<\/p>\n

Because this particular August update is based on prior fixes and enhancements, users should test application compatibility before deployment.<\/p>\n

How to Verify if You Already Installed the August Update<\/h3>\n

Here’s how to check which Windows 11 version and installed updates you have:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings. \"open<\/li>\n
  2. Click Windows Update. \"Windows<\/li>\n
  3. Go to Update history. \"Update<\/li>\n
  4. Find KB5121003 on Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2 machines. \"Find<\/li>\n
  5. You can alternatively go to Settings > System > About to see your Windows version.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Make sure to make backups of all essential files before installing the update. It is particularly reasonable if your computer is used for working or storing data that is hard to recover.<\/p>\n

    Should You Install the Windows 11 August 2026 Update?<\/h3>\n

    Most likely, yes. It is a security, feature, and quality update at the same time. Thus, not installing it for an indefinite period does not seem like the best idea.<\/p>\n

    Sure, the new features are mostly incremental. But some of them are quite useful indeed. External fingerprint support, Search improvements, better Voice Access, File Explorer changes, and enhanced touchpad controls will make life easier and do not add one more useless decoration nobody wanted.<\/p>\n

    Still, if your computer uses specialized third-party software or hardware drivers or business applications, it might be a good idea to delay the update for a while and see how others handle it.<\/p>\n

    Tip: Backup Before Upgrading<\/h4>\n

    While it is intended to protect your files from deletion, a backup is always the best safety measure to adopt prior to upgrading. Before installing any major cumulative update, consider:<\/p>\n