Microsoft has released the optional cumulative update KB5083631 for Windows 11, which includes 34 changes, such as a new Xbox mode for Windows PCs, improved security and performance of batch files, and improvements to the performance of startup applications.
KB5083631 is a preview update that allows administrators to test Windows bug fixes, improvements, and new features, before they become generally available during next month’s Patch Tuesday release. However, unlike cumulative updates, monthly optional updates do not include security fixes and only issue quality improvements.
With the optional April 2026 update, Microsoft has improved the functionality of launching apps listed under Settings > Apps > Startup when the device starts.
It also adds a new Xbox mode for Windows 11 PCs (eg, laptops, desktops, and tablets), which provides a full-screen experience that puts games front and center while minimizing background distractions. Users can enter Xbox mode using the Xbox app, Game Bar settings, or by using the Windows logo key + F11 keyboard shortcut.
Additionally, this month’s preview update introduces improved security and functionality for batch files and CMD scripts, a change that was first rolled out in February to Windows 11 Insiders in the Beta and Dev channels.
“Starting with this release, administrators can enable a more secure processing mode for batch files. This mode prevents batch files from changing during release,” Microsoft explained.
You can install KB5083631 by unlocking Windows settingsby clicking Windows Update, and so on ‘Check Updates.’ However, since this is an optional update, you’ll need to click the ‘Download and install’ link if you don’t want to install it manually from the Microsoft Update Catalog.
KB5083631 update highlights
Once installed, this non-secure optional update will update Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 devices to builds 26100.8328 and 26200.8328, respectively.
The April 2026 preview update comes with many other changes, some of the most important of which are highlighted below:
- You can now get haptic feedback from supported input devices when you perform certain actions, such as aligning objects in PowerPoint, taking pictures, or resizing windows. Haptic feedback can be managed to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mouse, Touchpad, or Pen > Haptic gestures.
- [Secure Boot] With this update, Windows quality updates include more reliable device-specific data, which increases the coverage of devices that automatically qualify for new Secure Boot certificates. Devices receive new certificates only after showing sufficient signals of successful renewal, thus maintaining a controlled, phased rollout. For more information, see Windows Secure Boot certificate expiration and CA updates.
- [Authentication (Kerberos)] This update improves Kerberos authentication for remote desktop sessions using Remote Credential Guard, addressing error 0xc000009a.
- [Windows Security] This update improves event logging related to CVE‑2024-30098 by including the name of the affected application. This change makes it easier to identify applications that rely on smart card certificates and may need to be updated after recent security changes.
- This update removes the white light that can appear when it is turned on This PC or while resizing the Details pane in dark mode.
- This update improves the reliability of the appropriate explorer.exe processes to stop after closing the File Explorer windows.
Microsoft also noted that updated Secure Boot certificates are coming out to replace the original 2011 certificates that will expire at the end of June 2026. In January, Microsoft first revealed plans to renew expiring Secure Boot certificates for Windows 11 systems, after warning administrators in November to update security certificates before they expire.
It also added that some Windows Server 2025 devices with “non-recommended BitLocker Group Policy settings” will start detecting BitLocker and require users to enter the BitLocker recovery key on the first reboot after installing the KB5083631 update.
Earlier this month, Microsoft also released an out-of-band update to fix the March 2026 preview update KB5079391, which was pulled due to errors 0x80073712 during installation.
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