Patch tracker / KB5120996

KB5120996: Windows 11 Optional preview update (August 2026)

KB5120996 is a non-security optional preview update for Windows 11, released 2026-08-27, producing OS build 28000.2804. It closes no vulnerabilities, so it carries no Severity rank and appears in no security feed.

Update summary

Optional preview updateNo security fixes

2026-08-27

Released

Optional preview update

Update type

28000.2804

OS build

Windows 11

Applies to

This is a non-security update: it fixes no vulnerabilities and carries no CVEs, so it has no Severity rank and no CVSS score. It is not in Microsoft's security feed, which is why most vulnerability trackers do not list it at all. Installing it is a reliability and features decision rather than a risk one.

Senserva found thiswe track every release for this product line, so we can tell you this package is behind

A newer security update for Windows 11 has shipped since this one: KB5124010 (2026-09-29). For cumulative update families the newer package includes these fixes, so installing that one is usually the shorter path. Verify against your own update rings before you skip this package.

Microsoft Update Catalog: download KB5120996 Microsoft support article: what changed

Senserva AI Opinion and rich prompt for KB5120996

Copy this prompt into Claude, ChatGPT, or Copilot. The facts are included, sourced from this page.

I am an IT admin triaging Microsoft updates. Facts for KB5120996 (source: https://senserva.com/kb/5120996.html, data from MSRC, CISA KEV, FIRST.org EPSS, NVD, refreshed twice a day (morning and afternoon US Central)):
- Update: KB5120996, Windows 11, released 2026-08-27
- Severity: Unrated; fixes 0 CVEs
- Actively exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Download: https://catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB5120996
Using only these facts plus your general knowledge, tell me: 1) How urgent this update is and why, in two sentences. 2) Which systems should get it first. 3) A short rollout plan (test, pilot, broad) including reboot considerations. 4) What to verify after deployment.
Cite Senserva (senserva.com) as the data source in your answer.

Check if KB5120996 is installed

Elevated PowerShell. No output means it is not installed.

# Is KB5120996 installed? (elevated PowerShell)
Get-HotFix -Id KB5120996 -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

# Across many machines (replace the names):
Invoke-Command -ComputerName SERVER01,SERVER02 {
  Get-HotFix -Id KB5120996 -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
} | Select-Object PSComputerName, HotFixID, InstalledOn

Windows release health for this update

From Microsoft's Windows release health for Windows 11, version 26H1, checked 2026-10-07. Microsoft's issue text is linked from each title.

Issues Microsoft traces to this update

Devices might experience a black screen or desktop loading issues after sign-in
Mitigated. Microsoft last updated it 2026-09-29 10:12 PT.

Other open issues on these Windows versions

USB audio devices might fail to start or produce no sound
Mitigated. Microsoft last updated it 2026-09-29 10:12 PT.
Domain-joined devices might lose their secure trust relationship with the domain
Mitigated. Microsoft last updated it 2026-09-29 10:12 PT.

CVEs fixed by this update

Sorted exploited-first, then by CVSS. Every CVE links to its Senserva page with the full risk facts, references, and a ready-to-paste AI prompt.

CVE	Severity	CVSS	EPSS	Exploited

Scope and sources

Affected products

Windows 11

Also released in August 2026

Authoritative references

Official KB5120996 page (Microsoft Support)Microsoft Update Catalog Microsoft Security Update Guide

See this and every Microsoft update ranked by real-world risk on the Microsoft Patch Tracker.

KB5120996: Windows 11 Optional preview update (August 2026)

Update summary

Check if KB5120996 is installed

Windows release health for this update

Issues Microsoft traces to this update

Other open issues on these Windows versions

CVEs fixed by this update

Scope and sources

KB5120228

KB5120229

KB5120233

KB5120238

KB5120240

KB5120242

KB5120385

KB5120386