Windows 11 26H2: AI Actions in File Explorer and a New Enablement Package

⚡ The Gist in 5 Seconds - The gist: Microsoft has begun rolling out Windows 11 version 26H2 (Windows 11 2026 Update) to eligible PCs. The release started on September 29, 2026. - Where available: the update is rolling out in stages via Windows Update as a small enablement package for devices on versions 24H2 or 25H2. - Limitation: PCs with version 26H1 installed cannot move to 26H2 — this release uses a different Windows kernel. ### 🔍 What Was Found The key new feature is AI actions in File Explorer. Users can edit supported images or get document summaries. The "Summary" feature works with files in OneDrive and SharePoint and requires a Microsoft 365 subscription and a Copilot license. When signed in with a work or school account, on the File Explorer home page, hovering over files shows "Open file location" and "Ask Copilot" options. File Explorer now also supports uu, cpio, xar, and nupkg archives, and files can be renamed via voice input. The taskbar can be placed at the bottom, top, left, or right, with a smaller-size option available. On commercial devices, taskbar actions for individual apps are enabled by default. On the security front, Sysmon is now built into Windows and writes events to the Windows event log, but is disabled by default. Administrator protection (time-limited privileges and separate profiles) is also off by default — it can be enabled via Intune or Group Policy. Support has been added for APIs for the post-quantum algorithms ML-KEM and ML-DSA. Microsoft is dropping trust for cross-signed kernel-mode drivers by default after an audit of at least 100 hours and three reboots. The Restore on first sign-in feature in Windows Backup settings now supports devices in a Microsoft Entra hybrid environment and cloud PCs, and point-in-time restore returns a PC to a recent point with apps, settings, and personal files. ### 💡 Why It Matters AI is ceasing to be a separate app and is being embedded into basic Windows operations. The ability to edit images and summarize documents right from File Explorer reduces manual steps but is tied to a Microsoft 365 subscription and Copilot. For IT departments, built-in Sysmon and administrator protection matter — they change the approach to monitoring and privilege management without installing third-party agents. Post-quantum cryptography adds future-proofing, and dropping cross-signed driver trust improves kernel security. ### 🧩 Context Versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H2 share the same servicing branch, so most new features have already been arriving on PCs via monthly updates. The enablement package simply turns them on — in most cases a single reboot is enough. Installing the update extends the support term: 24 months for Home and Pro (until October 2028), and 36 months for Enterprise and Education (until October 2029). Microsoft bu

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