Windows 11 gets a 42-fix preview update with quieter alerts and better voice control
Microsoft's optional KB5101684 preview for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 clears up File History backup errors, a DFS drive quirk that scared File Explorer, and a compliance bug that locked new work laptops out of company resources.
Key points
- Microsoft released the optional KB5101684 preview update for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 with 42 fixes and feature tweaks.
- The update takes 24H2 systems to build 26100.8973 and 25H2 systems to build 26200.8973.
- It fixes File History backups failing over network shares with a false "invalid credentials" error, and files on DFS drives being wrongly flagged as coming from the internet.
- New work laptops stuck showing as "noncompliant" after enrolling in Microsoft Intune can now access corporate resources.
- Voice Access gains a Voice Isolation mode that filters out other speakers and background noise, and Windows Hello's Enhanced Sign-in Security now works with plug-in fingerprint readers.
Microsoft has pushed out KB5101684, an optional preview update for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, bundling 42 fixes and feature changes that'll trickle out to users over the coming weeks.
This isn't a security patch. Microsoft ships these end-of-month previews to test what will land in the following month's Patch Tuesday. You only get it if you go looking, or if you've already ticked the box to receive updates as soon as they arrive. After installing, 24H2 machines move to build 26100.8973 and 25H2 machines to 26200.8973.
What actually gets fixed?
Three bugs stand out because they were quietly breaking real work. File History, the built-in tool that copies your files to a backup drive, was refusing to save to network shares and throwing a false "invalid credentials" error. Fixed.
On corporate networks that use DFS, a system letting one drive letter point at files stored across many servers, Windows was tagging those files as if they'd been downloaded from the internet. That triggered warnings in File Explorer's Preview Pane and blocked file opens. Also fixed.
New work laptops enrolled in Microsoft Intune, the tool IT teams use to manage company devices, were getting stuck in a "noncompliant" state. Staff couldn't reach corporate email or files on day one. Fixed. The bug only affected devices running builds released on or after 14 July 2026.
That date matters: our report on 20 July found WSUS sync failures had already been blocking enterprise Windows updates since 13 July. Teams hit by both problems faced a compounding mess.
What is new for everyday users?
File Explorer finally shows file sizes in sensible units. Instead of everything listed in kilobytes, you'll now see KB, MB or GB where appropriate. Middle-clicking a folder opens it in a new tab. The Home page no longer flashes grey on load.
Voice Access, the feature that lets you control the PC by speaking, gains a Voice Isolation mode. It filters out other people talking and background noise like typing. Korean language support is added too.
| Area | Change |
|---|---|
| File History | Fixes false "invalid credentials" error on SMB network backups |
| DFS drives | Files no longer wrongly marked as internet-sourced |
| Intune enrolment | New devices no longer stuck as noncompliant |
| Voice Access | Adds Voice Isolation and Korean support |
| Windows Hello | Enhanced Sign-in Security now works with plug-in fingerprint readers |
| Widgets | Taskbar notification badges use your accent colour, not red |
Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security, which keeps your fingerprint data locked away from the rest of the operating system, now works with supported external fingerprint readers. Before, it was limited to laptops with the sensor built in. Desktop users can plug in a compatible reader and set it up under Settings, Accounts, Sign-in options.
Smaller touches: taskbar notification badges now match your Windows accent colour instead of glaring red. New precision touchpad gestures let you tune scroll and zoom speed. Fluid dictation is off by default for new users.
Should you worry?
Probably not in a hurry. Preview updates carry no security fixes and can introduce bugs of their own. These bundled fixes will land for everyone in next month's Patch Tuesday, alongside that month's security patches.
If you're hitting the File History or Intune bugs specifically, it's a reasonable install. Otherwise, waiting costs you nothing. One thing worth keeping in mind: 24H2 Home and Pro reach end of monthly patches on 13 October 2026, so the window for catching up on optional previews before that deadline is shorter than it looks.
