Windows 11 April 2026 Update Brings Smart App Control and 7 Other Key Improvements

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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.

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