Windows 11 has three new optional updates worth installing

Microsoft has released three new updates for Windows 11 that deserve your attention: KB5095186, KB5095615, and KB5102558.

For users running Windows 11 26H1—the version that’s specially adapted for Snapdragon X2 systems—you’ll want to install update KB5095186. Meanwhile, all other users on Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2 should install both updates KB5095615 and KB5102558.

Here’s what they do:

• Update KB5095186 is called “Safe OS Dynamic Update” and it “makes improvements to the Windows recovery environment (WinRE).” After installing this update, the WinRE version on your system should be 10.0.28000.2335.
• Update KB5095615 is also called “Safe OS Dynamic Update” and it also “makes improvements to the Windows recovery environment (WinRE).” After installing this update, the WinRE version on your system should be 10.0.26100.8737.
• Update KB5102558 is called “Setup Dynamic Update” and it “makes improvements to Windows setup binaries or any files that setup uses for feature updates.”

As usual, the easiest way to get these updates is through Windows Update in the Windows 11 Settings app. No restart is required after installation. These are optional “dynamic” updates meant to prepare your system for the future, so you don’t have to install them right away—but you may want to do so to avoid potential issues later.

By the way: If you’re using Windows 11 Home, you’re missing out on the many benefits of Windows 11 Pro. To learn more, see our comparison of Windows 11 Home and Pro. If you want to upgrade, snag it for cheap in the PCWorld Software Store: now just $59 instead of $99.