Windows 11 KB5089573 Update Adds Shared Audio, Multi-App Camera Support, and Fixes a Boot Partition Issue
Microsoft has released the May 2026 non-security preview update for Windows 11, bringing several useful new features and important fixes before the next Patch Tuesday rollout. The update, labeled KB5089573, is available for Windows 11 version 24H2 and 25H2, moving them to OS builds 26100.8524 and 26200.8524.
While this is not a mandatory security update, KB5089573 includes several user-focused improvements that many Windows 11 users will notice right away. The update also highlights a known installation issue affecting some PCs with very limited space in the EFI System Partition, especially older systems.
The biggest new feature in KB5089573 is Shared Audio. This allows one Windows 11 PC to send the same audio stream to multiple Bluetooth LE Audio devices at the same time. In practical terms, two people can listen to the same movie with separate wireless headphones, or a user can send audio to both a headset and speaker without constantly switching output devices.
To use Shared Audio, users can open Quick Settings from the taskbar, select Shared Audio, choose two supported paired Bluetooth LE Audio devices, and start sharing. This removes the need for extra software or awkward device switching, making Windows 11 more convenient for shared listening.
Another major improvement is multi-app camera support. Until now, using the same webcam in two apps at once often caused conflicts. With this update, two applications can access the same camera feed simultaneously. This is especially useful for users who run video calls while also recording, streaming, or using another camera-based app in the background.
Task Manager also gets a useful upgrade with Neural Processing Unit monitoring. Devices with an NPU will now show NPU usage alongside familiar system resources such as CPU, GPU, memory, and disk activity. As more Windows PCs add AI-focused hardware, this makes it easier for users to see how their system is handling AI-related workloads.
Windows Hello has also been adjusted. If a user switches to PIN sign-in after face or fingerprint authentication fails, Windows will now restore face or fingerprint sign-in as the default option the next time the user logs in. This small change makes the sign-in experience feel smoother and less frustrating.
Microsoft has also improved Magnifier in this update. Screen reader announcements are now clearer when zooming or changing views, protected content can be magnified where permitted, and lens mode should feel smoother during use. These accessibility updates continue Microsoft’s push to make Windows 11 easier to use for more people.
The update also continues the Secure Boot certificate renewal process in the background. This is part of Microsoft’s ongoing effort to prepare devices before the June 26 certificate expiration deadline. KB5089573 helps move more systems through that transition if they were not already updated in earlier release cycles.
However, the update also draws attention to a known issue linked to the previous May 2026 security update, KB5089549. Some devices may fail to install that update with error code 0x800f0922 if the EFI System Partition has very little free space. Microsoft says systems with 10 MB or less available in the EFI System Partition are most at risk.
This issue is more likely to affect older OEM PCs, particularly machines released between around 2012 and 2020. Many of these devices were configured with smaller boot partitions, which can create problems when Windows servicing needs extra space during an update.
For consumer PCs and unmanaged business devices, Microsoft is rolling out a fix automatically through Known Issue Rollback. Enterprise-managed devices may need administrators to deploy a matching Group Policy and restart affected systems before the fix takes effect.
Microsoft has also provided a registry-based workaround for confirmed affected machines. The command is intended to change how the Boot File Servicing component handles EFI System Partition padding during installation:
This workaround should only be used on devices that are confirmed to be affected by the installation failure. It is not recommended as a general fix for every PC. IT administrators managing older hardware should check available EFI System Partition space before pushing the May security update across large device fleets.
Overall, Windows 11 KB5089573 is a notable preview update because it adds features that directly improve everyday usability. Shared Audio makes Bluetooth listening more flexible, multi-app camera support helps streamers and remote workers, Task Manager gains better visibility into AI hardware, and Windows Hello becomes more convenient.
For users on Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2, this preview update offers an early look at improvements expected to become more widely available with the next full update cycle. As always with preview updates, cautious users may prefer to wait for the next Patch Tuesday release, while those who want the latest Windows 11 features can install KB5089573 now through Windows Update.
