KB5101684 Update Improves Windows Hello and Power Settings on Windows 11

Windows 11 preview update KB5101684 is now available for versions 25H2 and 24H2. The update improves File Explorer and Search, while also introducing Windows Hello, accessibility, power, printing, and reliability changes.

Microsoft is rolling out the features gradually, so some users may not receive every improvement immediately.

Windows Hello now supports external fingerprint readers

Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security now works with compatible external fingerprint readers. Microsoft previously tested the feature in Release Preview Build 26100.8942 and 26200.8942.

The feature no longer requires a built-in fingerprint sensor, allowing desktop and Copilot+ PC users to connect a supported reader and enroll it through Sign-in options in Settings.

Supported Copilot+ PCs can also remove the installed Image Generation AI component.

Accessibility and account changes

Magnifier touch bars now remain disabled by default on touch-enabled devices. This change prevents the horizontal and vertical controls from covering magnified content. Users can restore the controls through Magnifier settings.

Microsoft also updated the Start menu account control with a design similar to Preview Build 28000.2597. A new badge can display Microsoft subscription information for users signed in with a Microsoft account.

Windows Setup now shows a parental controls notice highlighting Microsoft family safety features.

Power, battery, and Windows Update improvements

Power changes made through Settings should now apply consistently across all power plans. This includes display, sleep, hibernation, lid, power button, and sleep button settings.

Microsoft also restored the option that lets users choose when Energy Saver activates.

Windows Update should calculate installation progress more accurately. Updated cleanup behavior should also improve device performance immediately after an update.

Taskbar, network, printing, and clipboard fixes

Microsoft improved system tray reliability on touch devices running in tablet posture. System sounds should also work better when Windows uses dark mode.

DHCP renewals should work more reliably when a server returns a NACK or the device uses Modern Standby. IPPS printers should process pages faster, while Clipboard reliability has improved in some Remote Desktop and Azure Virtual Desktop sessions.

Windows should detect time zone changes more reliably. The update also revises daylight saving time information for Beirut, Casablanca, Jerusalem, and Nuuk.

General Windows 11 reliability improvements

KB5101684 improves explorer.exe reliability when users open Jump Lists or recent files, share content, use Task View, or switch between desktops.

Microsoft also addressed reliability problems affecting the Start menu, taskbar, sign-in screen, and lock screen during startup or when system memory runs low.

The update restores Unicode variation sequence support in the Myanmar Text font and improves character rendering in the Mongolian Baiti font.

Windows 11 26H1 users can instead install KB5101681 with an update Pause Calendar and improved Widgets. That update also introduces Voice Typing and Touchpad controls.