Most users can wait
KB5120998 is an optional non-security preview update for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2. Unless you need one of the new interface options or are testing a non-critical PC, waiting for a later cumulative update reduces exposure to preview regressions.
Fact-checked: August 30, 2026
Microsoft released Windows 11 preview update KB5120998 on August 27 for versions 24H2 and 25H2. It moves systems to builds 26100.9278 and 26200.9278 and begins a gradual rollout of interface controls users have requested for years.
New options include moving the taskbar to the top or sides, choosing a smaller taskbar, resizing Start, hiding the Start-menu name and photo, and disabling web and Microsoft Store suggestions in Search. Because features are staged, installing the package does not guarantee that every option appears immediately.
Independent reports describe an oversized legacy-style white cursor and wallpaper turning black on some systems. Microsoft’s release page listed no known issues at the time of checking, so these remain user and publication reports rather than acknowledged defects. Other users report successful installation.
Should You Install KB5120998?
Most people should wait because KB5120998 is an optional preview, not a required security update. Install it only if you need the new controls, can tolerate cosmetic problems and have a current backup. If the cursor or wallpaper breaks, uninstall the update through Windows Update history.
- Applies to: Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2.
- Builds: 26100.9278 and 26200.9278.
- Status: optional non-security preview.
- Reported issues: oversized white cursor and black wallpaper on some PCs.
KB5120998 Features and Risk Level
| Change | Status | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Taskbar at top or sides | Official, staged rollout | May not appear immediately after installation |
| Smaller taskbar | Official, staged rollout | Behavior can vary with scale and display layout |
| Resizable Start | Official, staged rollout | More layout choice |
| Hide Start name/photo | Official, staged rollout | Privacy and visual preference |
| Disable web/Store Search suggestions | Official, staged rollout | Reduces promotional and online results |
| Oversized legacy white cursor | Independently reported | Not acknowledged by Microsoft at check time |
| Wallpaper becomes black | Independently reported | Not universal; workaround or removal may restore it |
The New Taskbar and Start Options
The ability to move the taskbar restores flexibility that many users missed after Windows 11 launched. Side placement is useful on wide displays, while a smaller taskbar preserves vertical space on compact laptops. Resizable Start and profile-hiding options further reduce the one-size-fits-all layout.
Microsoft uses controlled feature rollout, so the package can be installed while a specific setting remains absent. Avoid unsupported registry hacks or third-party unlock tools merely to force it; staged deployment can reflect compatibility safeguards.
What the Bug Reports Actually Establish
Windows Latest and TechRadar describe reports of a large, old-style white cursor and a desktop background changing to black. The reports are useful warnings, but they do not prove that every installation fails or that Microsoft has confirmed a root cause.
Microsoft listed no known issues
At the August 30 check, Microsoft’s page did not acknowledge these problems. FrediTech therefore labels them reported bugs and notes that unaffected users have also installed the update successfully.
How to Prepare Before Installing
- Install current manufacturer drivers and finish any pending restart.
- Back up important files to storage that is not the same internal drive.
- Create a restore point if System Protection is enabled.
- Record custom cursor, wallpaper and taskbar settings.
- Install only when you have time to test and reverse the update.
On a work-critical PC, the safest test system is another machine. Optional previews are designed to surface feedback before broader delivery; production reliability matters more than early access to a movable taskbar.
How to Uninstall KB5120998
- Open Settings and select Windows Update.
- Open Update history.
- Choose Uninstall updates.
- Find KB5120998 and choose Uninstall.
- Restart the PC, then check the cursor, wallpaper and build number.
Windows can limit removal after cleanup or a later update supersedes the preview. If the system cannot start normally, use Windows Recovery options and official Microsoft guidance rather than deleting update files manually.
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Who Should Install Now?
| User | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Ordinary home user | Wait for the stable cumulative update |
| Tester or IT administrator | Use a non-critical device and document results |
| User who urgently needs side taskbar | Install only with backup and rollback time |
| PC already showing cursor or wallpaper instability | Avoid adding the preview until the cause is understood |
If you are shopping for a new Windows laptop instead, see the Acer Swift Neo AI buying guide. New hardware should still be tested before accepting optional preview updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is KB5120998 a required security update?
No. It is an optional non-security preview update for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2.
Why do I not see the new taskbar options?
Microsoft is rolling features out gradually. Installing the update does not guarantee immediate activation on every PC.
Has Microsoft confirmed the cursor and wallpaper bugs?
Microsoft listed no known issues on its release page at the time of checking. The cursor and black-wallpaper problems are independently reported.
Can I remove KB5120998?
Usually, yes: Settings → Windows Update → Update history → Uninstall updates. Removal availability can change after cleanup or superseding updates.
Related FrediTech Guides
Sources and Editorial Notes
Official changes and build numbers come from Microsoft. Cursor and wallpaper problems are attributed to independent reporting and are not described as acknowledged Microsoft issues. The recommendation reflects the optional preview status.