The reduction in update size is also evident in that the installation of the new "major" Windows 11 update might almost go unnoticed, as the installation process differs little from typical security updates - even in duration. The reason, of course, is that most of the functionalities included in the update have already been distributed to computers with previous monthly updates, meaning that if Windows updates have been kept up to date, 26H2 merely packages everything together in the form of the KB5121794 update - and raises the Windows version number.
Although a large part of the new features has already been distributed to Windows users, they have not been enabled for most users before, meaning that despite its small physical size, the update significantly changes Windows' operation.
Perhaps the most visible innovation is the deeper integration of AI functionalities into the operating system's core components. An AI assistant has been added to the Windows Settings view, capable of searching for and modifying system settings using natural language commands. This means that in the future, you no longer need to know exactly where a specific setting is located; instead, you can describe the desired item to the AI assistant, which can automatically find the correct location.
Also, Task Manager has received new views, specifically designed for monitoring AI workloads and the NPU (Neural Processing Unit) chip. These allow the user or administrator to see more precisely how many resources locally run language models consume and how the NPU is utilized compared to the computer's traditional processor and graphics card.
Windows' Start Menu has also been revamped to be more flexible. Now, the size of the Start Menu can be adjusted more freely, and default visible sections can be chosen - additionally, one's profile picture and user account information can be hidden from the Start Menu if desired. Microsoft also promises that Windows' internal search, which has been the subject of jokes and ridicule for years, has significantly improved from before.
Among the hardware-level innovations, Shared Audio allows audio to be played simultaneously on multiple compatible Bluetooth devices. This enables, for example, listening to music with multiple headphones or Bluetooth speakers from the same computer. Multi-App Camera, in turn, allows multiple applications to use the computer's camera simultaneously, which facilitates, for example, the parallel use of video conferencing and recording software. Windows' Xbox integration has also been deepened, which is reflected, among other things, in better interplay between game management and performance profiles with Windows.
The update began distribution on 29th of September, 2026, and its availability for your computer can be checked via Windows Update in Windows settings.
Written by: Petteri Pyyny @ 30 Sep 2026 12:48
