Build 26300.7939: Windows Insider Experimental Channel, February 2026. Safer batch files and individual shared-audio controls

Adds a more secure way to process batch files and expands shared-audio controls, alongside Narrator, taskbar, storage, and keyboard changes.

Does it affect you? Applies to: Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel.

Review notes Additional details from the official release notes (1) Read note

What changes You can also adjust both listeners’ volume at the same time using the main volume controls, including Quick Settings and on-device or keyboard controls.

The official sources are linked at the end of the page.

This is a test build for people in the Windows Insider Program. Features in it can change, be removed, or never reach regular Windows releases.

What changes

Gradual rollout 3 items

Each listener can adjust their own volume without changing the other listener’s volume.¹
A taskbar indicator appears while audio is being shared. Clicking it opens sharing settings, where you can change volume or stop sharing.²
Shared audio support now includes Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro, Sony WF‑1000XM6, and Xbox Wireless Headset.³
The listed accessories support shared audio.

Gradual rollout 2 items

The rollout of improved animations when the taskbar is set to autohide is temporarily paused.⁴
Taskbar components load more reliably in safe mode.⁴

Gradual rollout

For: Insiders using Storage settings

Removing Windows Update files and windows.old files through Settings > System > Storage is more reliable.⁵

Gradual rollout

For: Insiders using the ADLaM keyboard

Gradual rollout

For: Administrators and Application Control for Business policy authors

Administrators can enable a mode that prevents batch files from changing while they run. This can also reduce repeated signature checks.⁷
Set LockBatchFilesWhenInUse (DWORD, 0 or 1) under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor, or use the LockBatchFilesWhenInUse application manifest control.

Gradual rollout

For: Narrator users

A new keyboard command reads the status bar in apps. For example, it can read page or word counts in Word and the sum or average of selected cells in Excel.⁸
Use Narrator key + \ to read the status bar.

Data sheet · Security · Downloads · Components Click to collapse or expand

Version	Build	Channel
26H2	26300.7939	Experimental Channel

No vulnerabilities are listed for this update.

Updated Oct 26, 2026

Cited passages from Microsoft's official notes (8)

1. With this update Windows now provides individual sliders for each listener which adjusts their volume without affecting the other. blogs.windows.com
2. You’ll also see a new taskbar indicator while you’re sharing, giving a quick reminder that audio is still being shared. blogs.windows.com
3. the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro*,* Sony WF‑1000XM6*,* and Xbox Wireless Headset all have support for shared audio! blogs.windows.com
4. We temporarily paused the rollout of the improved animations when your taskbar is set to autohide, and improved reliability of loading taskbar components in safe mode. blogs.windows.com
5. Improved reliability of removing Windows Update files / windows.old files via Settings > System > Storage. blogs.windows.com
6. Improved reliability of typing when using the ADLaM keyboard. blogs.windows.com
7. administrators may enable a more secure mode for processing batch files that ensures they do not change during execution by adding a value to the registry key blogs.windows.com
8. Narrator users can now use a new command Narrator key + \ to read contents of status bar in Apps such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc. blogs.windows.com

Checked automatically: 8 of 8 checks passed, 8 quoted passages

A second AI read the text against the sources: correctness 4/5, clarity 4/5, completeness 4/5. How we work

Published by The Update Bureau. Written with AI from Microsoft's own documents, checked by rules and a second AI. How we work · Report a mistake