Windows 11 KB5089570 Release Preview Adds Xbox Mode, File Explorer Upgrades & More

Microsoft has just released Release Preview Build 28000.2173 under KB5089570 for Windows 11 Insiders on version 26H1. This update focuses on improving File Explorer, while also adding AI agents on the taskbar and bringing gaming upgrades to Windows PCs with Xbox mode. Notably, this comes alongside KB5089573 Release Preview, which brings Shared Audio, Multi-App Camera support, and more. As for KB5089570, here’s everything you need to know.

KB5089570 brings Xbox Mode to give a console-like gaming feel on Windows PCs

One of the standout additions in this update is Xbox mode, which brings a full-screen, console-like interface to Windows 11 devices. It is designed for users who prefer a controller-first experience with fewer background distractions. Users can launch it via the Xbox app, Game Bar settings, or by pressing Windows key + F11, making it easier to jump straight into gaming sessions.

File Explorer also sees meaningful upgrades with this update. Microsoft is expanding supported archive formats to include uu, cpio, xar, and NuGet packages. It also improves reliability in explorer.exe behavior, removes visual glitches in dark mode, and ensures better consistency in view and sort settings when opening folders like Downloads or Documents.

Input, sharing, and taskbar improvements

Input systems are getting more improved, with haptic feedback now supported on compatible devices like Surface Slim Pen 2 and select styluses. Voice typing is redesigned with a simpler interface, while new keyboard layouts and improved emoji navigation aim to make typing more stable and flexible.

Microsoft is also updating sharing features by renaming Drag Tray to Drop Tray, along with a cleaner interface and improved control through Settings. Meanwhile, a new taskbar feature introduces agent tracking, starting with Microsoft 365 Copilot, allowing users to monitor background tasks directly from the taskbar.

Security, storage, and system stability

Enterprise-focused updates include policy-based app removal, improved Windows Driver Policy enforcement, and stronger batch file security controls. These changes aim to reduce vulnerabilities while tightening kernel-level trust for third-party drivers.

Moving on, storage management becomes more flexible with improved performance for large volumes and expanded FAT32 formatting limits up to 2TB. Microsoft Store reliability also improves, reducing download and installation errors.

Across the system, Windows Hello authentication becomes more stable, Delivery Optimization uses memory more efficiently, and general performance improvements target startup apps, File Explorer reliability, and taskbar responsiveness. Last but not least, Secure Boot rollout improvements continue to strengthen device targeting for security updates, ensuring a more controlled deployment process across eligible systems.