Microsoft will release the April 2026 security update for Windows 11 on April 14, 2026. The update will apply to 24H2 and 25H2 versions. It includes improvements in Smart App Control, expanded support for Narrator image descriptions, tweaks in the Settings app, fixes for File Explorer, and screen enhancements supporting refresh rates above 1,000Hz.

Some features will be gradually rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout, so not all users may see every change immediately after installing the update.

Changes to Smart App Control in the April 2026 Update

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

Smart App Control was a feature that restricted the system to run only trusted applications and required a clean Windows installation to enable. The April update removes this requirement. The setting can now be accessed directly from App and Browser Control under Windows Security and does not require reinstallation.

Narrator Image Descriptions for Non-Copilot+ Devices

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

The AI-powered image description feature of Narrator was previously only available on Copilot+ PCs, which have a local AI model. The April update makes this feature accessible on standard Windows 11 devices by routing image analysis through Copilot.

To enable this feature, users can use two keyboard shortcuts: by pressing the Narrator key and Ctrl and D keys, they can describe the focused image, while pressing the Narrator key and Ctrl and S keys allows them to describe the entire screen.

Changes to the Settings App in the Windows 11 April 2026 Update

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The homepage in the Settings app has been updated to enhance loading performance and fix reliability issues encountered when downloading updates through Settings, System, and Advanced. The About page will restore hardware specification cards at the top of the page by reverting a previous change. Additionally, graphics and storage details will be added to the Device information section.

In the Accounts 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 recommended content in Settings. The Other Users page has been updated to align the account type change dialog with the Windows 11 design language.

The Pen settings page now includes a new option called "Same as Copilot key," allowing users to set the pen button to open the same app assigned to the Copilot key.

File Explorer Fixes and Improvements

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

File Explorer now offers Voice Typing support for renaming files. The update also resolves a white flash issue that occurs when a new tab or window is opened with This PC set as the default start page. Additionally, it fixes a flash that occurs when resizing items within the app and enhances reliability when opening files for previewing downloaded items from the internet.

Screen and Monitor Improvements

The update provides support for screens reporting refresh rates of 1,000Hz or higher, reflecting the new gaming monitors introduced at CES 2026. It also includes changes to screen behavior; improvements such as lower power states for local USB4 monitor connections during sleep, more reliable auto-rotation after waking, enhanced HDR performance on screens with incompatible DisplayID 2.0 blocks, and more accurate physical size reporting for DisplayID monitors via WMI monitor APIs. The April 2026 Security Update is scheduled to be released on April 14, 2026.