Microsoft is releasing the April 2026 security update for Windows 11 on April 14, 2026. Applies to updated versions 24H2 and 25H2. This includes performance improvements like enhancements to Smart App Controls, expanded support for Narrator image descriptions, refinements to the Settings app, improvements to the File Explorer, and support for refresh rates above 1,000 Hz.
Some features will be rolled out gradually using controlled feature rollouts, so not all users will see every change immediately after installing the update.
Smart app control changes in April 2026 update
(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
Smart App Control, which limits the system to running only trusted applications, previously required a clean Windows installation to be enabled and could only be turned off by reinstalling Windows. The April update removes that requirement. The setting can now be accessed directly from Windows Security under App & Browser Control without any reinstallation.
Narrator image description for non-CoPilot+ devices
(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
Narrator’s AI-powered image description feature was previously only available on CoPilot+ PCs with native AI models. The April update expands reach by routing image analysis through Copilot, making the feature accessible on standard Windows 11 devices.
To activate the feature, users can use two keyboard shortcuts: pressing the Narrator key plus Ctrl plus D will describe the focused image, while pressing the Narrator key plus Ctrl plus S will describe the entire screen.
Settings app changes in Windows 11 April 2026 Update
(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
The home page in Settings has been updated to improve loading performance and fix reliability issues related to downloading updates through Settings, System, and Advanced. The About page is reverting the previous change and will now restore the hardware specifications card at the top of the page. Additionally, graphics and storage details are being added to the device information section.
In the Account section, users with a Microsoft 365 Family plan linked to the device will now see an upgrade prompt. This prompt can be disabled by turning off Suggested content in Settings. The Other Users page has received an update to the account type change dialog, aligning it more closely with the Windows 11 design language.
The Pen Settings page now includes a new option called “Same as CoPilot key”, which lets users set the pen button to open the same application assigned to the CoPilot key.
File Explorer improvements and fixes
(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
File Explorer now supports voice typing to rename files. The update also addresses a white flash that occurs when opening a new tab or window with This PC set as the default startup page. Additionally, it addresses a flash when resizing elements within the app and improves reliability when unlocking files downloaded from the Internet for preview.
Performance and monitor improvements
The update introduces support for displays reporting refresh rates of 1,000Hz or higher, mirroring the new gaming monitors shown at CES 2026. It also includes changes to display behavior, such as a lower power state for native USB4 monitor connections during sleep, more reliable auto-rotation after waking, improved HDR performance for displays with non-compliant DisplayID 2.0 blocks, and more accurate physical size reporting for DisplayID monitors via the WMI Monitor API. The April 2026 security update will be released on April 14, 2026.
