Windows 11 February 2026 Update Rolls Out Cross-Device Resume and AI Tweaks

On January 27, 2026, Microsoft pushed Windows 11 builds 26100.7701 and 26200.7701 (KB5074105) to the Release Preview Channel for Insiders, signaling the imminent rollout of the February 2026 Update, also known as version 25H2. This update packs targeted enhancements for cross-device workflows, accessibility, security, and creative tools, addressing user feedback while paving the way for broader 2026 innovations.

The standout addition is the upgraded Cross-Device Resume feature, now deeply integrated with the Windows taskbar. Users with Android phones from brands like Samsung, OPPO, HONOR, Vivo, and Xiaomi can seamlessly continue tasks started on their mobile devices directly on their PC. For instance, icons and alerts appear in the taskbar, allowing quick resumption of apps or files from your phone. If you're using a Vivo Android phone, you can pick up browsing sessions from the Vivo Browser on your Windows 11 desktop. Online files opened in the Microsoft Copilot app on your phone launch in the corresponding Microsoft 365 app on PCor your default browser if not installed. This does not support offline phone-stored files, ensuring focus on cloud-synced productivity.

Previously limited, Cross-Device Resume now displays taskbar notifications for pending actions, making device handoffs intuitive. Enable it via Settings, but it requires compatible hardware and a Microsoft account linked across devices. This bridges the gap between mobile and desktop ecosystems, rivaling Apple's Continuity features while leveraging Microsoft's Phone Link foundation.

Musicians and audio professionals will rejoice with the upgraded Windows MIDI Services. This update expands support for advanced MIDI 2.0 protocols, including higher resolution for velocity, pressure, and position dataup to 32-bit precision versus MIDI 1.0's 7-bit limits. It enables finer control over instruments, better latency reduction, and compatibility with modern USB MIDI devices. Developers gain new APIs for building apps that harness these capabilities, potentially sparking a wave of Windows-native music production tools.

Voice Access sees tweaks for more reliable dictation in noisy environments, while Voice Typing improves shared mode for multi-app use. These accessibility boosts stem from ongoing Insider feedback, making Windows 11 a stronger platform for creators.

Smart App Control, Microsoft's AI-driven security layer that blocks untrusted apps, now allows disabling without a full OS reinstalla highly requested change. Users can toggle it off via Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security, balancing protection with flexibility.

Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS) extends to peripheral fingerprint sensors, not just built-in ones, broadening biometric login options. A new Settings Device Info card provides at-a-glance hardware details, and taskbar autohide gains smoother animations. WebP image support arrives for backgrounds, enabling lighter, higher-quality wallpapers.

This update aligns with Microsoft's 2026 vision for an "agentic-ready" Windows 11, where AI developers build autonomous tools. Copilot Actions will handle tasks in a mini-desktop view, while File Explorer integrates Copilot chat for file queries without opening docs. Agenda View returns to the taskbar calendar flyout, Widgets shift to Copilot Discover feeds, and native video wallpapers are in testingreviving DreamScene-like functionality.

PowerToys continues evolving with modules like Light Switch for auto dark mode, FancyZones for window snapping, and PowerRename for batch file opsessential free apps every Windows 11 user should install.

For everyday users, these changes streamline hybrid work: resume a Copilot session from your Samsung Galaxy on a Surface Laptop without missing a beat. Creatives benefit from MIDI upgrades, potentially drawing more DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) apps to Windows. Security tweaks empower advanced users, while AI groundwork positions Windows against macOS in agentic computing.

IT admins note the Release Preview status means broad rollout sooncheck Windows Update for KB5074105. With over 500,000 Microsoft Store apps, pair this with essentials like PowerToys or Microsoft To-Do for peak productivity.

Microsoft's iterative approach, fueled by Insiders, ensures Windows 11 stays relevant into 2026, blending reliability with cutting-edge AI and cross-platform magic. Expect more in coming months as agentic features mature.