Windows news you can use: April 2026

This month, the Windows Accessibility team delivered its first interactive deep dive on the Tech Community featuring demos of the latest improvements in Narrator and live Q&A. Watch it on demand to help ensure your organization is taking advantage of the latest Windows 11 accessibility features. Create a digital environment where everyone is empowered to achieve more.

We also continue to host Ask Microsoft Anything (AMA) here on the Tech Community to help you plan for older Secure Boot certificates starting to expire in June. Watch this month’s AMA on demand—and save the date for the next Secure Boot AMA on May 18 if you have any outstanding questions.

Now on to more highlights from April with this month’s edition of Windows news you can use.

New in Windows update and device management

• [APPS] [STORE] – You can now use policy to remove select pre-installed Microsoft Store apps on devices running Windows 11, version 25H2 or version 24H2. In addition, a new dynamic app removal list lets you remove any preinstalled MSIX/APPX app by referencing its Package Family Name (PFN).
• [APPS] [INTUNE] – App inventory in Microsoft Intune now updates Windows apps on a more frequent schedule. It only uploads changes since the last sync, which can help limit additional network usage. To take advantage of this capability, you’ll need to set a new device configuration policy and assign that policy to desired corporate-owned Windows 11 devices enrolled in Microsoft Entra ID.
• [W365] – A new Windows 365 monitoring and reporting platform, now in public preview, consolidates Cloud PC health, performance, and configuration data into integrated dashboards in Intune.
• [W365] – User-initiated provisioning for Windows 365 Reserve is now in public preview. This IT-enabled setting allows users to initiate provisioning themselves, within existing policy and security controls, from Windows App.

New in Windows security

• [AUTOPATCH] – A new Windows Autopatch report reflects updated recommendations on patch compliance. It also highlights risk exposure based on configured policies and update rollout status across your estate.
• [HARDENING] [ADMIN] – Administrative actions are undergoing hardening changes that reduce the risk of privilege escalation and unauthorized access on Windows devices. Specifically, Windows now detects and blocks authentication attempts between machines that share duplicate SIDs.
• [HOTPATCH] – Need to explain the security architecture advantage behind hotpatch updates? Explore a concise explanation of how they support continuous protection, accelerate patch compliance, and reduce operational disruption.

New in AI

The following AI-powered capabilities are gradually rolling out beginning with the April 2026 security update:

• [NARRATOR] – Narrator now works with Copilot on all Windows 11 devices. Get instant, on‑device descriptions and the ability to select Ask Copilot for more detail.
• [INPUT] – With updates to the Pen settings page, users can now enable the pen tail button to open the same app as the Copilot key.
• [COPILOT] - A new RemoveMicrosoftCopilotApp policy setting allows you to uninstall Copilot from devices in your organization in a non-disruptive way.

To learn about latest capabilities for Copilot+ PCs, visit the Windows Roadmap and filter Platform by “Copilot+ PC Exclusives.”

New in Windows Server

For the latest features and improvements for Windows Server, see the Windows Server 2025 release notes and Windows Server, version 23H2 release notes.

• [FEATURE UPDATES] – Running Windows Server 2022 or Windows Server 2019? You can now opt in to the Windows Server 2025 feature update from the Settings dialog.
• [EVENT] – The Windows Server Summit starts next Monday and runs May 11-13, 2026 from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. PDT. If you haven’t already, make sure to add sessions of interest to your calendar and register for the VIP experience. As a VIP, you’ll receive access to the presentation decks and a chance to participate in a private virtual roundtable with the Windows Server product team.

New in productivity and collaboration

Install the April 2026 security update for Windows 11, versions 25H2 and 24H2 to get these and other capabilities, which will be rolling out gradually:

• [FILE EXPLORER] – You can use Voice Typing (Windows logo key + H) when renaming a file in File Explorer.
• [SETTINGS] – The device information card on the Settings Home page simplifies key device specifications. Experience the improved consistency across the end-to-end flow from the Home Card to the Settings > System > About page. It should now be easier to scan and understand information.
• [DISPLAY] – When you use a native USB4 monitor connection, the USB controller can now enter its lowest power level while the PC is sleeping, which helps save battery life.

New features and improvements are coming in the May 2026 security update. You can preview them by installing the April 2026 optional non-security update for Windows 11, versions 25H2 and 24H2. This update includes the gradual rollout of: 

• [FILE EXPLORER] – View and Sort preferences are preserved in folders such as Downloads and Documents when apps launch File Explorer directly to those locations. Archive formats now include uu, cpio, xar, and NuGet Packages (nupkg).
• [INPUT] – Voice typing animations on the touch keyboard now appear directly on the dictation key, helping you stay focused without extra visual distractions.

Also, take note that the Windows Insider Program team is simplifying the Insider experience by moving to two primary channels: Experimental and Beta. Other changes to the program include making changes behind-the-scenes to enable Insiders to use an in-place upgrade to hop between versions.

Lifecycle reminders

Check out our lifecycle documentation for the latest updates on Deprecated features in the Windows client and Features removed or no longer developed starting with Windows Server 2025.

Additional resources

Looking for the latest news and previews for Windows, Copilot, Copilot+ PCs, the Windows and Windows Server Insider Programs, and more? Check out these resources:

• Windows Roadmapfor new Copilot+ PCs and Windows features – filter by platform, version, status, and channel or search by feature name
• Microsoft 365 Copilot release notesfor latest features and improvements
• Windows Insider Blogfor what’s available in the Canary, Dev, Beta, or Release Preview Channels
• Windows Server Insiderfor feature preview opportunities
• Understanding update history for Windows Insider preview features, fixes, and changesto learn about the types of updates for Windows Insiders

Join the conversation

If you’re an IT admin with questions about managing and updating Windows, add our monthly Windows Office Hours to your calendar. We assemble a crew of Windows, Windows 365, security, and Intune experts to help answer your questions and provide tips on tools, best practices, and troubleshooting. 

Finally, we’re always looking to improve this monthly summary. Drop us a note in the Comments and let us know what we can do to make this more useful for you! 

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