Windows 11 KB5132265 Insider Preview (26H1) Adds Cloud Rebuild, Customizable Right-Click Menu, Major Accessibility Changes & More

In addition to KB5132057 preview for Windows 11 25H2 and 26H2, Microsoft has also rolled out KB5132265. This is an Insider Release Preview update for those running Windows 11 version 26H1. It bumps the system to build 28000.3612 and brings several changes across File Explorer, Task Manager, Xbox Mode, and Settings. The update also introduces Cloud Rebuild, expanded Magnifier controls, improved recovery options, and additional security and networking changes. Here’s everything included in this preview release.

File Explorer gets a customizable right-click menu

Microsoft is updating the File Explorer context menu with a faster, cleaner, and more customizable design. Users can now select Customize menu at the bottom of the right-click menu to control which commands and app extensions appear.

You can enable or disable built-in commands such as Send to and Create shortcut. Microsoft also lets users add commands like Print, choose which app extensions appear in the main menu or a submenu, and hide the extensions submenu entirely.

There is another layout option, too. Cut, Copy, Paste, Rename, Delete, and Share can appear directly in the menu instead of sitting in the icon row. Properties can also be moved to the bottom.

File Explorer search results are getting a more consistent layout for file names, locations, and dates. The address bar now supports the tilde symbol, letting users navigate directly to their profile folders. For example, entering ~\AppData opens the AppData folder.

Microsoft is also bringing dark mode support to the Folder Options dialog. Meanwhile, Task Manager’s Memory page now accounts for all installed system memory, making its statistics add up to the PC’s total RAM.

Xbox Mode, Taskbar, and Settings receive useful changes

Xbox Mode is getting a new Gaming Task View experience. Its new navigation bar provides quick access to Exit to Desktop and Power Options. This should make essential system controls easier to reach without leaving the gaming experience.

Microsoft is also improving taskbar animations when users hover over app icons. The update further improves how taskbar settings are preserved when multiple monitors are connected or disconnected.

The Privacy & Security page in Settings is receiving a cleaner arrangement. Camera, Microphone, and Location controls are now grouped together, with usage information displayed directly on the main page.

The Device Info card on the Settings Home page is also expanding to additional markets. Microsoft account users can view key PC specifications and usage details. Microsoft has also made small visual refinements to the temporary files section under Settings, System, and Storage.

Phone Link and Magnifier get handy updates

Phone Link is receiving a small but useful Start menu improvement. Users can now hover over recent messages or notifications in the Recent section to preview their content. This removes the need to open each item just to check its contents.

The feature can be managed through Phone Link Settings under Start menu personalization. Magnifier is receiving several changes for users working with multiple displays. A new contrast theme toggle can reduce screen glare while preserving original colors in photos, videos, and charts. The default option uses a dark contrast theme, while additional themes are available through Accessibility settings.

Per-monitor zoom is another addition. Each connected display can now use its own magnification level when the desktop is set to Extend. Users can adjust zoom using Windows + Plus or Windows + Minus, Ctrl + Alt with the mouse wheel, or the Magnifier toolbar.

Microsoft is also introducing viewport locking. This keeps the magnified view fixed on one display while the pointer moves to another. Press Ctrl + Windows + K to lock or unlock a display. Windows + Esc releases all locked displays.

Narrator and Live Captions get accessibility improvements

Live Captions now includes an option called Include screen reader audio. It is disabled by default, preventing captions from transcribing audio from Narrator, JAWS, and NVDA. Users can enable it under Settings, Accessibility, and Captions.

Narrator is also getting improved math navigation. It can read and help users explore equations in supported Microsoft 365 apps, including Word and PowerPoint. The feature also works with supported web content in Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome.

Pressing the Narrator key + Alt + N enables math navigation. Users can then explore different parts of an equation using the arrow keys and press Esc to exit. Math reading supports English, Traditional Chinese, Finnish, German, and Spanish. Microsoft says this should make formulas and scientific notation easier to understand for users who are blind or have low vision. That’s not all; Family Safety messaging is also improving when applications are blocked because of age-based parental controls.

Cloud Rebuild brings a new way to reinstall Windows 11

Aming the highlights of the KB5132265 Ibsider Preview is Cloud Rebuild. This recovery option reinstalls Windows 11 using an operating system image and device drivers downloaded directly from Windows Update. Users no longer need USB installation media or a custom recovery image. The feature can also help when Windows fails to start and the device enters Windows Recovery Environment after repeated boot failures.

To start the process, open Settings, System, and Recovery, then select Rebuild PC. If Windows cannot start, open Troubleshoot, Recovery and uninstall, and select Cloud Rebuild inside the recovery environment.

After connecting to Ethernet or Wi-Fi, users can review the target Windows build, edition, and language. They can also choose whether to remove their files or securely erase data using the storage hardware’s erase capability.

That final option is irreversible, so users should check their selection carefully. IT administrators can also configure and start Cloud Rebuild remotely through the Recovery CSP.

Windows Recovery, battery life, and security get attention

Microsoft is also improving Windows Recovery Environment networking. WinRE can now reuse eligible Wi-Fi profiles already saved in Windows, including supported certificate-based networks. This means devices can connect automatically during recovery tasks such as Quick Machine Recovery or Cloud Rebuild.

The update also improves Adaptive Hibernate. Windows will now reduce hibernation when battery levels remain above 80%, helping devices resume faster from Modern Standby. When battery levels fall below 10%, the system will hibernate sooner to preserve power.

On the security front, Microsoft is expanding memory integrity protection across eligible devices. Supported PCs may now have Hypervisor-protected Code Integrity enabled during updates. The change aims to improve security while respecting existing user and administrator settings.

IPv6, Unicode, and Windows Spotlight receive improvements

Windows 11 is adding IPv6 CLAT support for Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections. This introduces client-side 464XLAT translation, allowing IPv4-only applications to access IPv4 services on IPv6-only networks.

The feature uses PREF64 discovery through router advertisements by default, with DNS as a fallback. It requires SLAAC-based IPv6 addressing. DHCPv6 Prefix Delegation and Windows Subsystem for Linux are not currently supported.

Microsoft is also updating Windows text shaping to support Unicode 17.0. The standard adds 4,803 characters, including four new scripts called Beria Erfe, Sidetic, Tai Yo, and Tolong Siki. Windows Spotlight is also receiving underlying platform improvements aimed at making lock screen backgrounds more reliable.

KB5132265 also fixes several Windows 11 issues

The normal rollout includes a handful of fixes. Microsoft has addressed Miracast connections that could default to lower resolutions with certain wireless display receivers. The update also fixes a Microsoft 365 subscription upgrade option that could remain visible after a successful upgrade. Selecting it again could trigger an error.

Sage 50 Accounting users should also see improvements. Windows 11 could previously cause the application to close unexpectedly when selecting certain options. Microsoft has addressed that issue. Finally, the update fixes an incorrect “Someone else is using this PC” warning during shutdown or restart, even when nobody else is signed in.

KB5132265 is available through the Release Preview channel for all editions of Windows 11 version 26H1. Microsoft is rolling this preview update gradual and normal rollout phases. In other words, some features may take time to reach eligible devices.