Windows 11 build 26100.1297 brings more features to version 24H2 (KB5040529)

• Windows 11 build 26100.1297 brings already-known new features and changes for version 24H2.
• This update pushes a new account manager and drag-to-pin apps to the Taskbar for the Start menu.
• The File Explorer, Lock screen, Share, and Backup are also gaining some interesting changes. 
• The Settings app adds several new features, including more advertisements and more.

Microsoft is in the process of rolling out the build 26100.1297 for Windows 11 24H2 as the update KB5040529 through the Release Preview Channel with various changes for the existing features, new settings, and more.

According to the official notes published on July 25, 2024, Windows 11 build 26100.1297 brings more widgets to the Lock screen alongside the weather. The Start menu gets the new account manager menu, and you can now drag apps to pin in the Taskbar. File Explorer adds the ability to drag and drop files between breadcrumbs.

Windows Share gains several changes, including a new “Close” action to prevent accidental dismissals. Windows Backup can now back up sound settings, and the Settings app brings some visual changes and new settings.

The update KB5040529 also introduces an updated version of the Task Manager that changes the units for DDR speed from MHz to MT/s, version 15.1 for emojis, and fixes various problems.

Windows 11 build 26100.1297 (KB5040529) changes

Here are the new features, settings, and visual changes rolling out with the KB5040529 of Windows 11.

Start menu

As we have seen in other channels, the update KB5040529 brings the new account manager to the Start menu. The account manager replaces the profile menu with a new design that previews your Microsoft 365 benefits and alerts you of any missing information and other actions you have to take to maintain your account security.

In addition, you will be able to see at a glance your cloud storage usage and which services are active and expiring soon.

As a result of these changes, you now have to click the three dots menu at the top right of the account manager menu to access the “Sign out” and “Switch user” options. Also, this menu no longer lists the other users configured on the computer.

If you want to lock your account, the option is available through the “Power” menu on the right side of the Start menu.

Also, you can now drag apps from the Start menu and pin them in the Taskbar.

File Explorer

The updated version of File Explorer allows you to drag a file between the breadcrumbs in the address bar to move the file to any location within the path.

Lock screen

Windows 11 24H2 is finally getting the sports, traffic, and finance widgets alongside the weather in the Lock screen.

If you want to turn off the feature, choose the “None” option for the “Lock screen status” on the Lock screen settings page.

Windows Backup

If you turn on the “Remember my preferences” settings and choose the “Personalization” and “Other Windows settings” preferences from the “Windows Backup” settings page, then the system will also back up your sound settings.

Windows Share

The File Explorer interface for sharing files and other contents is getting some new features that are already available on the operating system channels. For example, the Share interface no longer closes automatically when you click outside it. Instead, you have to click the “Close” button.

You can create QR Codes to share links and cloud files. You will find the option to send emails to yourself using the connected Microsoft account. It’s now possible to copy files from the Share window, and you can share files to specific Microsoft Teams changes and channels using a Microsoft Entra ID.

Settings app

As part of the changes to the Settings app, Windows 11 build 26100.1297 adds a new “Game Pass” card on the “Home” page to advertise the gaming platform to users who use their system for gaming.

The “Accounts” section adds a new “Linked devices” page for viewing and managing your computers and consoles connected to your Microsoft account.

Also, if your account is missing a recovery email, the “Accounts” section will now show an “Add now” button to finish setting up your profile with the missing information.

Finally, this update updates the “Rename your PC” and “Change date and time” dialog designs to match the visual style of Windows 11.

Task Manager

This release includes an update that noticeably changes the Task Manager. It now measures DDR speed in MT/s instead of MHz. While seemingly small, this change can significantly impact how users monitor their system’s performance.

For some context, MHz (Megahertz) and MT/s (Megatransfers Per Second) are two ways to measure the speed of DDR memory, but they represent slightly different things. MHz refers to the memory’s clock speed, essentially how many times it can change voltage per second. On the other hand, MT/s reflects the actual data transfer rate of the memory, indicating how much data it can move per second.

In the past, MHz and MT/s were identical for SDR (Single Data Rate) memory. One data transfer happened per clock cycle. However, things changed with DDR (Double Data Rate) since this type of memory can transfer data on both the rising and falling edges of the clock cycle, effectively doubling the data transfer rate compared to SDRAM at the same MHz.

So this means that the “Performance” tab for Task Manager will now show the correct speed in MT/s instead of MHz. For example, a 3200 MHz DDR4 memory module will now appear as 3200 MT/s because in MHz, technically, the memory is running at 1600 MHz.

The Task Manager fixes issues ejecting USB devices, releases processes faster, and makes the app more reliable. It improves its accessibility by making changes to the keyboard focus, tab key navigation, text scaling, the readout of item names by screen readers, high-contrast heatmaps, and more.

Other improvements

Microsoft also continues to push its PC Manager app for users in China and rolls out fixes issues with the Share button, Widgets, Windows Server vNext, Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS), and NetAdapterCx module.

It’s now possible to use OneDrive as a RemoveApp in Azure Virtual Desktops. The Virtual Filtering Platform (VFP) has more support for packet drop collection, and this release updates the list of drivers at risk of Bringing their vulnerable driver (BYOVD) attacks.

You will also find changes to the Group Policy Preferences Item Level Targeting (ILT) and Local Users and Groups, and more.

Install this preview build

To download and install the Windows 11 build 26100.1297 (KB5040529), enroll your device in the Release Preview Channel through the “Windows Insider Program” settings from the “Update & Security” section. Once you enroll the computer in the program, you can download the build from the “Windows Update” settings by turning on the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” option and clicking the “Check for Updates” button.