Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Windows 11 Has New Emoji. Here’s How to Find Them

Windows 11 Has New Emoji. Here’s How to Find Them

Windows 11 is adding Emoji 17.0 support, bringing new choices to messages, documents, emails, and social posts. Better yet, Microsoft hasn’t changed the familiar shortcut you use to find them.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor
October 28, 2026


Windows 11 v17 Emoji icon
Ever have a reaction that deserves something more expressive than a thumbs-up?

Windows 11 has some fresh choices. 

Microsoft’s September 2026 preview update adds support for Emoji 17.0, with Microsoft highlighting distorted face, fight cloud, and hairy creature among the additions. 

The company also refreshed the appearance of several familiar choices, including saluting face, face with peeking eye, goose, lotus, and kissing cat.

The nice part is that Microsoft didn’t hide them behind a new app or complicated setting. 

You still open the built-in emoji panel with a familiar keyboard shortcut.

Here’s a Cool Tip: Press Windows + . to discover your new emoji.

Windows 11 New Emoji v17

Feature Explanation

Emoji 17.0 is the newer emoji version supported by this Windows 11 update. 

Unicode’s official Emoji 17.0 chart includes additions such as distorted face, fight cloud, hairy creature, ballet dancer, orca, landslide, trombone, and treasure chest, along with new sequences and variations.

It’s a small Windows improvement, but a welcome one for anyone who regularly uses emoji in messages, email, documents, or social posts.

What You'll Gain
  • More expression: Choose from additional emoji for messages, documents, and social posts.
  • Faster access: Open the built-in Windows emoji picker instead of searching the web for an emoji to copy and paste.
  • Familiar controls: Keep using the same Windows + . shortcut.
  • Refreshed artwork: Several existing Windows emoji also receive updated designs.

Step-by-Step Instructions
 
Here's how to do it.

Windows
  1. Click inside a text field where you want to insert an emoji.
  2. Press Windows + . (period) on your keyboard.
  3. The Windows emoji panel opens.
  4. Find the emoji you want.
  5. Select the emoji to insert it into your text.

Try the New Emojis in Windows 11
fig. 1 - Try the New Emojis in Windows 11

Pros and Cons

Pros:
  • Easy to access: The familiar Windows + . keyboard shortcut opens the emoji picker.
  • More choices: Emoji 17.0 expands the available collection with additional characters.
  • No new app to learn: The additions appear through the existing Windows emoji experience.
  • Refreshed designs: Microsoft updated several existing emoji for greater visual consistency.
  • Useful almost anywhere you type: Emoji can add personality to messages, documents, email, and social posts.

Cons:
  • Gradual rollout: Features in this portion of KB5124010 reach devices over time, so your PC may not receive the additions immediately.
  • Minor upgrade: New emoji are enjoyable, but they do not fundamentally change how you use Windows.
  • Appearance may vary: The same Unicode emoji can look different depending on the operating system, app, or platform displaying it.

Troubleshooting and Limitations

Problem: The new emoji don’t appear.
  • Why it happens: Microsoft identifies Emoji 17.0 as part of a gradual rollout. Eligible devices may receive the changes at different times.
  • Fix or workaround: Check Windows Update and make sure your PC is running a supported Windows version. If your system is current and the new emoji still don’t appear, you may need to wait for the rollout to reach your device.

Problem: Windows + . doesn’t open the emoji panel.
  • Why it happens: The shortcut is designed to open the emoji picker while entering text.
  • Fix or workaround: Click inside a field where you can type, then press Windows + . again.

Problem: An emoji looks different on another device.
  • Why it happens: Unicode defines emoji characters and sequences, while vendors can present them with different artwork.
  • Fix or workaround: Avoid relying on the exact appearance of an emoji when communicating important information.

Feature Access
  • Microsoft’s KB5124010 for Windows 11 versions 26H2, 25H2, and 24H2 lists Emoji 17.0 among the update’s gradual-rollout improvements.
  • Gradual-rollout features reach devices over time rather than arriving on every PC simultaneously.
  • Emoji 17.0 support is therefore rolling out to supported Windows 11 PCs and may not appear on every eligible device at the same time.

Score

Criterion  |  Score (0–10)  |  Justification

Value  |  7
It expands everyday communication choices, but it doesn’t solve a major computing problem.

Usability  |  9
The Windows + . shortcut makes emoji remarkably easy to reach once you know it.

Wow Factor  |  6
New characters are fun, but this is an incremental Windows improvement rather than a major feature.

Total: 22/30  |  👍 Good

Emoji 17.0 is a small but enjoyable Windows 11 improvement that earns extra points for requiring almost no learning.

Compared with searching the web for an emoji to copy and paste, Windows’ built-in picker is a much more convenient option.

Key Takeaways

Emoji 17.0 gives Windows 11 users some fresh ways to communicate without requiring them to learn a new tool. 

The shortcut worth remembering remains delightfully simple: Windows + .

If the newest emoji aren’t there yet, don’t assume something is broken. 

Emoji 17.0 is part of a gradual rollout, so your PC may simply not have received it yet.

Cool Tip Snapshot
  • Feature Name: Emoji 17.0 Support
  • Platform(s): Windows 11
  • Quick Benefit: More emoji choices from the familiar Windows picker
  • Best For: Messaging, email, social posts, students, and creators
  • Access Type: Rolling Out
  • Difficulty: Easy

Learn More

Microsoft’s official September 2026 Windows update notes explain Emoji 17.0 support, refreshed emoji designs, applicable Windows versions, and rollout status.

Try It Yourself

Press Windows + . the next time you’re typing a message and see which new emoji have reached your PC. 

Tell us your favorite in the comments, subscribe to the One Cool Tip newsletter, and share this Cool Tip with family, friends, and coworkers.

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Rodger Mansfield, a seasoned technology expert and editor of OneCoolTip.com, transforms complex tech into practical advice for everyday users. His Cool Tips empower readers to stay productive, secure, and one step ahead in the digital world.




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