Microsoft is releasing the April 2026 security update for Windows 11 on April 14, 2026. The update applies to versions 24H2 and 25H2. It includes enhancements to Smart App Control, expanded support for Narrator image descriptions, refinements to the Settings app, fixes for File Explorer, and display improvements such as support for refresh rates above 1,000Hz.
Some features will be rolled out gradually using Controlled Feature Rollout, so not all users will see every change immediately after installing the update.
Smart App Control Changes in the April 2026 Update
(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
Smart App Control, which restricts the system to running only trusted applications, previously needed a clean Windows installation to enable 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 and Browser Control without any reinstallation needed.
Narrator Image Descriptions for Non-Copilot+ Devices
(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
The Narrator’s AI-powered image description feature was previously available only on Copilot+ PCs with a local AI model. The April update expands access 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 a previous change and will now restore the hardware specification cards at the top of the page. Additionally, graphics and storage details are being added to the Device info section.
In the Accounts section, users with a Microsoft 365 Family plan connected 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 Fixes and Improvements
(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
File Explorer now supports Voice Typing for renaming files. The update also resolves 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.
Display and Monitor Improvements
The update introduces support for displays reporting refresh rates of 1,000Hz or higher, reflecting new gaming monitors showcased at CES 2026. It also includes changes to display behavior, such as lower power states 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 WMI monitor APIs. The April 2026 Security Update is set to be released on April 14, 2026.
