Windows 11 KB5120998 Adds New Progress UI, Windows Share Apps, Admin Protection, Microsoft Store WinUI 3 Changes & More

Microsoft has released an optional preview update for Windows 11 under KB5120998, which brings bunch of improvements related to Start Menu, Taskbar, and more. The update has released alongside Windows 11 version 26H2, which is also out in the Release Preview Channel. Besides other improvements, Microsoft is making changes related to progress screens, Windows Share, virtual desktops, setup, updates, and more.

Windows 11 gets a broader design refresh

Microsoft has introduced redesigned set of progress indicators. They now appear more consistently during startup, sign-in, restarts, shutdowns, and update installation. In addition, Windows Share is also getting a useful change for work and school accounts. Users can discover and install relevant apps directly from the Share window.

Microsoft is also rolling out Administrator Protection. It uses just-in-time privileges and profile separation to harden protection against elevation-of-privilege attacks. The feature is disabled by default. Organizations can enable it through Microsoft Intune using OMA-URI or Group Policy.

More changes are landing across Windows

Switching between virtual desktops should now feel smoother and more responsive. Display settings navigation also gets reliability improvements. Windows 11 should better preserve brightness settings after Energy Saver switches off. Task Manager is also getting more reliable app-history information.

Windows Setup is receiving smaller usability changes. Selecting a secondary keyboard should be easier to skip when unnecessary. The Get Started app is also expanding with pages covering app installation, site pinning, and themes.

Meanwhile, Windows Update is changing sleep behavior after updates. PCs manually put to sleep should return to sleep after installation finishes. Last but not least, participating apps can now coordinate updates through Windows Update. Microsoft Store is also adding support for elevated packaged WinUI 3 apps using in-app purchases.