What is new in Windows 11 25H2 Build 26220.8925 and what changes were made to the Start Menu and File Explorer.
Build 26220.8925 is a Windows Insider Preview Quality Update for Windows 11, version 25H2, released to the Beta Channel. It installs as an enablement package on top of Windows 11 version 25H2, since Microsoft is moving to two primary channels — Experimental and Beta — where Beta previews what Microsoft plans to release in the next few weeks. Unlike older Beta releases that used gradual rollout, when Microsoft announces a feature in this build and you install it, you will have that feature on your device — with only minor variations as they test alternatives.

This is one of the most feature-dense Beta flights in months, focused almost entirely on the Start menu redesign, File Explorer polish, and touchpad/accessibility improvements.

Common Causes / Why This Update Matters

Understanding why Microsoft shipped this build helps you decide whether to install it and troubleshoot it correctly:

  • User demand for Start menu control: Windows 11’s Start menu has conspicuously lacked straightforward control over what appears, how much space it occupies, and how much personal information it exposes since the OS debuted. This build directly answers that criticism.
  • Part of a broader personalization initiative: The build builds on changes previously outlined in Microsoft’s “Making Taskbar and Start More Personal” initiative, introducing a redesigned Start menu experience with new layout options, independent section controls, and additional personalization features.
  • Incremental File Explorer usability fixes: File Explorer’s Details view now displays file sizes using appropriate units (KB, MB, GB) instead of showing everything in kilobytes, and folders can now be opened in a new tab with a middle-click from both the address bar and Home page.
  • Insider-only status: The desktop watermark shown at the lower-right corner is normal for Windows Insider pre-release builds, and features previewed here might never get released as Microsoft tests different concepts and gathers feedback.

New Features in Build 26220.8925

1. Resizable, Customizable Start Menu

The Start menu is the centerpiece of this build. The revised settings provide three Start menu sizing options, with “Automatic” allowing Windows to choose a layout based on the display and available space. You can now choose between Small, Large, and Automatic layouts, hide unused sections, and remove your account name and profile picture for a cleaner interface.

2. “Recommended” Renamed to “Recent”

The Recommended section has been renamed to Recent, making it clearer that this area displays recently opened files, apps, and content rather than personalized recommendations.

3. File Explorer Improvements

File Explorer adds smarter file size units, middle-click tab support, and accessibility improvements, including better screen reader announcements during file move and copy conflict dialogs.

4. Precision Touchpad Gesture Controls

This build introduces gesture-related settings for precision touchpads within the Settings app, including a control that adjusts the baseline scroll and zoom speed, and a second control that enables accelerated scrolling which increases speed the longer you scroll. Microsoft is also expanding Precision Touchpad functionality with new gesture controls, and includes optional support for single-finger scrolling.

5. Narrator & Accessibility

Narrator now supports HID braille displays with easier USB and Bluetooth setup, plus OOBE (Out-of-Box Experience) support.

6. Account Control & Security Changes

The build includes design changes to the Account Control menu and introduces a new policy for smart cards as part of the Windows K2 initiative.

Bug Fixes in This Build

Microsoft fixed an issue that could result in recent Insider flights failing to install with error 0xc0000409, and improved the persistence of mouse cursor size settings.

Step-by-Step: How to Get Build 26220.8925

Step 1: Enroll in the Windows Insider Program (Beta Channel)

  1. Open Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program.
  2. Click Get started, sign in with a Microsoft account linked to the Insider Program.
  3. Select Beta Channel (not Dev or Release Preview).
  4. Restart your PC when prompted.

[Insert screenshot of Windows Insider Program channel selection here]

Step 2: Force the Update to Appear (CFR Trick)

Because this build uses Controlled Feature Rollout, not every enrolled device gets it instantly.

  1. Go to Settings > Windows Update.
  2. Toggle on Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available.
  3. Click Check for updates.
  4. If nothing appears, restart and repeat — CFR staggers rollout across devices.
Windows update
Windows update

Step 3: Install via Command Line (Optional, Advanced Users)

Copy & Paste the following into an elevated PowerShell window to force a Windows Update scan:

powershell

# Run as Administrator
UsoClient StartScan

If that command doesn’t respond (deprecated on some builds), use this instead:

powershell

# Run as Administrator - triggers update detection
Start-Process -FilePath "ms-settings:windowsupdate" 
(New-Object -ComObject Microsoft.Update.AutoUpdate).DetectNow()

Step 4: Verify Your Build Number

Confirm installation succeeded:

cmd

winver

Or via Command Prompt for a text output:

cmd

systeminfo | findstr /B /C:"OS Version"

You should see 10.0.26220.8925 listed.

[Insert screenshot of winver dialog showing build 26220.8925 here]

Troubleshooting: Fixing Common Issues With This Build

Issue 1: Update Fails With Error 0xc0000409

This was a known issue Microsoft patched in this exact build. If you’re still on an older flight and hit it:

  1. Open Settings > Windows Update > Windows Update history > Uninstall updates.
  2. Remove the most recent cumulative/Insider update.
  3. Restart, then re-check for updates — Build 26220.8925 includes the fix already, so reinstalling should succeed.

Issue 2: New Start Menu Features Not Appearing After Update

Because of Controlled Feature Rollout, two devices on the identical build can show different features.

  1. Confirm your build number with winver (see Step 4 above).
  2. Go to Settings > Personalization > Start and check for the new sizing/section toggle options.
  3. If missing, run:

powershell

# Run as Administrator - restarts Start menu/Explorer process
Stop-Process -Name explorer -Force
Start-Process explorer.exe
  1. If still missing, the feature simply hasn’t rolled out to your device yet — wait for the next CFR wave or check Feedback Hub for status.

Issue 3: Mouse Cursor Size Keeps Resetting

This build specifically targets this bug. If it persists after updating:

  1. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Mouse pointer and touch.
  2. Manually reset the cursor size slider once.
  3. Restart your PC — the persistence fix applies after the first manual save post-update.

Issue 4: File Explorer Not Showing New KB/MB/GB Sizing

  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. Switch to Details view (View > Details).
  3. Right-click any column header, ensure Size column is enabled.
  4. Restart File Explorer using the PowerShell commands from Issue 2 above.

Issue 5: Precision Touchpad Settings Missing

WinUI3-based interfaces depend on newer versions of the WinAppSDK for full functionality — Microsoft is updating the WinAppSDK to versions 1.8 and 2.0 to support these features. If your touchpad settings look unchanged:

  1. Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad.
  2. Confirm you’re on a Precision Touchpad-certified device (check under Advanced gestures).
  3. Ensure Windows Update has finished installing all pending framework updates:

powershell

Get-WindowsUpdateLog

FAQ

Is Build 26220.8925 a stable release or a preview build?
It’s a Beta Channel Insider Preview build for Windows 11 25H2 — not a public stable release. Expect it to reach general availability in a future 25H2 cumulative update once testing completes.

Will I lose these features if I leave the Insider Program?
Yes. Features and experiences included in Insider builds might never get released, and features might change over time, be removed, or replaced. Leaving Beta Channel typically rolls your device back to the current public release. Microsoft Learn

Why don’t I see the new Start menu even though I’m on this build?
Microsoft is using Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR), meaning the feature is enabled gradually and unevenly across enrolled devices, even on identical builds.

Is it safe to install this on my main gaming PC?
It’s generally low-risk since it targets quality-of-life features, but as with any Insider Beta build, install on a secondary/test device first if you rely on your PC for critical work or competitive gaming.