Windows 11 September 2025 Update Preview: Build 26100.5061 (KB5064081) Released

New Features and Fixes in Windows 11 Build 26100.5061 (KB5064081)

Microsoft has recently unveiled Windows 11 build 26100.5061 (KB5064081) as the inaugural preview of the September 2025 update for its 24H2 version. This significant update introduces a multitude of enhancements, including a revamped Recall homepage, advanced AI features in File Explorer, a new grid view for image search results, a seconds display for the Taskbar clock, customizable Lock Screen widgets, and a variety of bug fixes.

Update Rollout Details

This update is currently available for users in the Release Preview Channel, with broader deployment anticipated during the Patch Tuesday rollout on September 9, 2025.

New Features Overview

According to official announcements, the KB5064081 update enhances various aspects of the Windows interface and functionality:

A redesigned homepage for Windows Recall.
An interactive tutorial for the Click to Do feature.
New AI actions integrated into File Explorer.
Image search results will now appear in a user-friendly grid view.
The Notification Center will display a clock with seconds.
A modernized user experience for accessing location, camera, and microphone settings.

It’s important to note that the upcoming cumulative update will also phase out PowerShell 2.0 from Windows 11 while making the Windows Backup for Organizations feature broadly available.

Gradual Rollout of Features

Detailed Insights on Windows 11 Build 26100.5061 (KB5064081)

The September 2025 update comprises several new functionalities and enhancements:

Revamped Windows Recall Homepage

The updated “Recall” app introduces a new homepage that aggregates your most recent snapshots and frequently accessed content for an easier navigation experience. The interface also features a greeting with the current date and a search box for quick activity access.

Recall app homepage / Image: Mauro Huculak

Interactive Tutorial for Click to Do

To enhance user experience, Microsoft has integrated a new interactive tutorial that guides users through the features of Click to Do on Windows 11.

Click to Do interactive tutorial / Image: Microsoft

Seconds Display in the Notification Center

The Notification Center has received an upgrade with the addition of a clock that now shows seconds. This enhancement provides users with more precise time visibility at a glance.

Notification Center with clock with seconds / Image: Mauro Huculak

To activate this feature, navigate to Settings > Time & Language > Date & time and toggle on the “Show time in the Notification Center” option.

Grid View for Windows Search

Image searches in Windows will now display results in a visually appealing grid format, enhancing user experience while browsing photos. Users will also receive notifications regarding file organization progress during this feature.

Windows Search image result in grid view / Image: Microsoft

Customizable Lock Screen Widgets

With this update, users can personalize their Lock Screen by selecting which widgets to display, a feature that was previously designated for European users only.

Enhanced File Explorer with AI Actions

The integration of AI into File Explorer continues with the introduction of AI actions, allowing users to perform tasks without opening files. Right-clicking on a file now presents options like:

Bing Visual Search: Identify objects and landmarks using images.
Blur Background: Detect and blur image backgrounds.
Erase Objects: Remove unwanted elements from photos.
Remove Background: Seamlessly cut out subjects from images.

This functionality is currently supported for JPG, JPEG, and PNG formats. Users will also gain insights into Microsoft 365 documents and can generate Q&A lists from files.

Modernizing Windows Hello Features

The update improves the Windows Hello sign-in experience with visual enhancements and animations, making it more user-friendly and intuitive.

Windows Hello new animation / Image: Mauro Huculak

New Advanced Settings Page

The Settings app is upgraded with a newly designed Advanced settings page that categorizes features and settings more intuitively. Key additions include:

Enable Long Paths: Remove limitations on file path lengths.
Virtual Workspaces: Easily toggle features like Hyper-V.
Git integration: View version control details directly in File Explorer.

Windows 11 Advanced Settings / Image: Mauro Huculak

Introducing an AI Agent for Settings

The update incorporates a new AI agent in the Settings app, designed to assist users in locating and adjusting settings quickly through natural language requests.

Settings app with AI agent / Image: Mauro Huculak

Other Enhancements in the Settings App

The Settings app also features various interface improvements, matching the design language of Windows throughout the prompts and dialogs.

Changes in Privacy and Security Settings

A new Recent activity option in Privacy settings allows users to view recent requests related to text and image generation by third-party applications.

Recent Activity for AI text and image generation / Image: Microsoft

Home Page Features in the Settings App

A new Device Card on the Settings Home page displays essential specifications and usage information for users in the U. S.using a Microsoft account.

Control Panel to Settings Transition Updates

In the Time & language section, notable changes include:

The ability to add additional clocks from the system tray settings.
A new option to change the time server.
Immediate access to date and time formatting changes.

Date & time page with more Control Panel settings / Image: Mauro Huculak

Accessibility Improvements

Users can now adjust character repeat delay and rate settings directly in the Accessibility menu. Additionally, cursor blink rate settings are now easier to find.

Task Manager Enhancements

The Task Manager is updated to provide consistent CPU usage metrics, matching industry standards across all pages.

Task Manager Processes tab / Image: Mauro Huculak

Additional Fixes and Improvements

Several other fixes are included with this release:

Live captions: Addressed issues with caption opacity adjustments.
Input methods: Fixed bugs and improved reliability with IME inputs.
Kerberos authentication: Resolved crashes during cloud file access.
Login reliability: Enhanced response times for user sign-ins.
Audio playback: Improved sound consistency across various scenarios.

Manual Installation Process for September 2025 Patch Tuesday

To download Windows 11 build 26100.5061, users should opt into the Release Preview Channel via the Windows Insider Program settings found under “Update & Security.” After enrollment, install updates through the Windows Update section by enabling the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” option and clicking on “Check for Updates.”

Update History for September 2025 Patch Tuesday

Initial Release – Release Preview Channel:
- Windows 11 build 26100.4762 was released on August 14, 2025.Official notes.
Second Release – Optional Install (Stable Channel):
Final Release – Patch Tuesday (Stable Channel):

Update September 12, 2025: This content has received updates and refinements to ensure accuracy.

Source & Images