Windows 11 Gets 1000 Hz+ Display Support and a Revamped File Explorer
The March 2026 non-security update for Windows 11 is here with 1000Hz+ display refresh rate support, File Explorer improvements, and other changes.
Windows 11 25H2/24H2 get 1000 Hz+ refresh rate support, File Explorer improvements, and more
Microsoft has released the March 2026 non-security update for Windows 11, bringing a host of notable improvements to both the 25H2 and 24H2 versions of the operating system. Among the most exciting additions is support for display refresh rates exceeding 1000 Hz, a feature that will be welcomed by competitive gamers and enthusiasts who have invested in cutting-edge high-refresh-rate monitors. The update is available now through Windows Update as an optional preview release, with the changes expected to roll into the next mandatory Patch Tuesday update.
The support for 1000 Hz and higher refresh rates marks a significant step forward for Windows 11 as a gaming platform. Until now, the operating system had limitations in how it handled extremely high refresh rates, often capping or failing to properly recognize displays capable of pushing beyond traditional boundaries. With this update, users with compatible monitors and graphics hardware will be able to take full advantage of their displays, selecting precise refresh rates above 1000 Hz directly from the Windows display settings. This positions Windows 11 to keep pace with the rapidly evolving gaming monitor market.
File Explorer has also received meaningful improvements in this update. Microsoft has refined the navigation experience and addressed several longstanding performance issues that users have reported in recent months. The changes include faster loading times when browsing folders with large numbers of files, improved responsiveness when switching between tabs, and visual tweaks that bring greater consistency to the overall interface. These refinements suggest that Microsoft continues to prioritize making File Explorer a more reliable and polished core component of the operating system.
In addition to the headline features, the March 2026 non-security update includes a variety of bug fixes and quality-of-life improvements across the system. Microsoft has addressed issues related to taskbar behavior, system tray icon rendering, and certain Bluetooth connectivity problems that affected a subset of users. As with all optional preview updates, users can choose to install the release now to access the new features early or wait for the fixes to be included in the upcoming mandatory security update. Microsoft encourages users who do install the preview to provide feedback through the Feedback Hub app.