Should You Install Windows 11 KB5064081 Update? Simple Guide to New Features and How to Get Them

What’s New in Windows 11 24H2? Exploring the KB5064081 Update and Its AI-Powered Enhancements

Microsoft has released a new update for Windows 11, known as KB5064081. This update is specifically for version 24H2 of the operating system and brings a host of new features and improvements. If you’re using Windows 11, you might be wondering what this update is all about, what changes it brings, and whether you should install it. This article will walk you through everything you need to know about the KB5064081 update in simple, clear language. We’ll explore the new features in detail, show you how to download and install the update, and discuss any known issues you should be aware of.

What is the KB5064081 Update?

KB5064081 is an optional preview update for Windows 11 version 24H2, which brings the operating system to build 26100.5074. Being an optional update means it won’t download and install on your computer automatically. You have to choose to install it. Microsoft releases these preview updates towards the end of the month to allow users to test new features and fixes before they are rolled out to everyone in the following month’s security update, also known as ‘Patch Tuesday’. So, if you like to try out the latest features before anyone else, this update is for you. However, if you prefer to wait for a more stable release, you can simply ignore it.

To check for the update, you can go to Settings > Windows Update and click on “Check for updates”. If you have the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” toggle turned on, the update will start downloading automatically. If you don’t want the update, make sure this toggle is off.

How to Download and Install Windows 11 KB5064081

There are two main ways to get the KB5064081 update: through Windows Update or by using a direct download link for an offline installer.

Using Windows Update

This is the easiest way to install the update.

1. Open the Settings app on your Windows 11 computer.
2. Go to the Windows Update section.
3. Click the Check for updates button.
4. The update, titled “2025-08 Cumulative Update Preview for Windows 11 Version 24H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5064081) (26100.5074),” should appear.
5. Click on Download and install to begin the process.

Using the Offline Installer

If you prefer, you can download the update as a standalone file and install it manually. This is useful if you have multiple computers to update or a slow internet connection. Microsoft provides direct download links for the KB5064081 offline installers (.msu files) on its Update Catalog website.

The update files are quite large because they include AI models, even for computers that don’t support AI features. Here’s a breakdown of the file sizes:

Build Number	Size	OS Version	Architecture
26100.5074	3806.7 MB	Windows 11 Version 24H2	x64-based
26100.5074	3682.1 MB	Windows 11 Version 24H2	arm64-based

Once you’ve downloaded the correct installer file for your computer, simply run it to start the installation. Be patient, as this process can take some time, often longer than installing through Windows Update.

A Deep Dive into the New Features and Improvements

The KB5064081 update is packed with new features and enhancements for various parts of Windows 11. Let’s take a closer look at what’s new.

AI-Powered Upgrades

Microsoft is continuing to integrate artificial intelligence into Windows 11, and this update brings some notable improvements to its AI features.

• A New Home for Recall AI: The Recall feature, which helps you find things you’ve seen on your PC, now has a new, personalized homepage. This homepage makes it easier to pick up where you left off by showing your recent snapshots and top content. It also has a new navigation bar to switch between Home, Timeline, Feedback, and Settings.
• Interactive Tutorials for “Click to do”: To help users get started with the “Click to do” feature, Microsoft has added interactive tutorials with text and images. If you miss the tutorial on the first launch, you can access it again from the “More options” menu in the app.

Enhanced Lock Screen Customization

The lock screen in Windows 11 is becoming more personal and useful. With this update, you can now:

• Customize widgets: You can now change the size and position of widgets on your lock screen, and even remove the ones you don’t want. Previously, this level of customization was limited to users in the European Economic Area (EEA). You can find these new options in the Personalization settings page.

A Modern Look for Windows Hello

Windows Hello, the feature that lets you sign in with your face, fingerprint, or a PIN, has received a visual refresh.

• Streamlined Interface: The new design is more modern and aims to provide a simpler and more consistent login experience across different parts of Windows, such as the sign-in screen, passkeys, Recall, and the Microsoft Store. The new interface also shows other available sign-in methods, like passkeys.

Taskbar Improvements

The taskbar, a central part of the Windows experience, gets some welcome additions in this update.

• Clock with Seconds in the Notification Center: A much-requested feature is back! You can now display seconds on the clock in the Notification Center, just like in Windows 10. You can enable this option in the Date & time settings page by turning on “Show time in the Notification Center”.
• Grid View for Search: When you search for something using the taskbar search icon, you’ll now see a new grid view layout for image searches. This new view also includes a status component that tells you the file or folder type and its availability.

Settings App Modernization

Microsoft is continuing its effort to move settings from the old Control Panel to the modern Settings app.

• Modern Prompts: Windows activation and expiration prompts now have a modern look that matches the overall design of Windows 11.
• AI Settings: For PCs with a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), the Privacy & Security settings page now includes a “Text and Image Generation” option. This lets you see which apps have used generative AI models and control their access.
• Settings Search Agent: An agent has been added to the Settings search bar to help you find settings more quickly. This agent can also make setting changes on your behalf, but it currently only works when the system language is set to English.

Windows Backup for Organizations

For business users, this update brings a new feature called Windows Backup for Organizations. This tool helps enterprise users and administrators to:

• Back up system data: It allows for the quick backup of system apps, settings, and preferences.
• Store personal files in OneDrive: Personal files are stored securely in OneDrive.
• Easy restoration: The backed-up data can be easily restored when setting up a new PC, making the transition to a new device much smoother.

Other Notable Improvements

The KB5064081 update also includes several smaller but still significant improvements:

• Widget board dashboards: The widgets board now offers multiple dashboard options.
• Improved privacy dialogs: The dialog boxes that appear when an app requests access to your privacy elements have been improved.
• Accurate CPU usage in Task Manager: The Task Manager now includes a “CPU Utility” option to show the correct CPU utilization and avoid under-reporting values.
• Bug fixes: The update also includes over a dozen bug fixes, such as resolving an issue where dragging the mouse across Taskbar preview thumbnails could disable click functionality.

Known Issues and Workarounds

As with any preview update, there are a couple of known issues you should be aware of.

• Microsoft Pluton-related error: You might see an error related to Microsoft Pluton in the Event Viewer. Microsoft says this is harmless and can be safely ignored.
• Network Device Interface (NDI) issue: There is an ongoing issue with NDI that can affect streaming quality in apps like OBS Studio. As a workaround, you can switch to TCP or UDP protocols while Microsoft works on a fix.

Should You Install the KB5064081 Update?

The KB5064081 update for Windows 11 24H2 brings a lot of exciting new features and improvements. From AI-powered enhancements to greater customization options and a more modern interface, there’s a lot to like about this update. However, since it is an optional preview update, it’s not for everyone.

If you’re an enthusiast who enjoys trying out the latest features and you’re comfortable dealing with potential minor issues, then you should definitely consider installing this update. The new features can significantly improve your Windows 11 experience.

On the other hand, if you rely on your computer for work or other important tasks and you value stability above all else, it might be better to wait for the final, stable release of these features. This will likely happen in the next Patch Tuesday update, which is typically released on the second Tuesday of the month.

Ultimately, the decision to install the KB5064081 update is up to you. By understanding what this update offers and its potential downsides, you can make an informed choice that’s right for your needs.