GoKawiilMicrosoft released the KB5120998 preview cumulative update for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2, which comes with 35 changes, including improvements to the Start menu, taskbar, and Windows search.
KB5120998 is a preview update that lets IT administrators test Windows bug fixes, improvements, and new features before they roll out to all users during next month's Patch Tuesday release.
However, unlike cumulative updates, monthly optional updates do not include security fixes and provide only quality improvements.
After installing the August 2026 preview update, users can move the taskbar to the bottom, top, left, or right side of their screen in Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors > Taskbar position, with most customization settings, like never combining taskbar icons, working in every position.
The KB5120998 also adds a new smaller taskbar option that reduces the taskbar height and the size of taskbar icons to maximize screen space on smaller devices, and small or large size options for the Start menu (in Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors > Taskbar size dialog), as well as the ability to independently show or hide the Pinned, Recommended, and All sections, and to hide the account name and profile picture.
With KB5120998, Microsoft has also started rolling out the administrator protection security feature that allows users to perform admin tasks using just-in-time privileges.
"Administrator protection is not classified as a formal security boundary; it hardens the security against elevation-of-privilege attacks with the introduction of profile separation," Microsoft said. "This feature is turned off by default and can be enabled using OMA-URI in Microsoft Intune or through Group Policy."
You can install KB5120998 by opening Windows Settings, clicking on Windows Update, and then clicking 'Check for Updates.'
Since this is an optional update, you will need to click the "Download and install" link unless you already have the "Get the latest updates as soon as they're they're available" option enabled, which prompts the OS to install it automatically.
You can also manually download and install the KB5120998 preview update from the Microsoft Update Catalog.
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