Be Release-Ready: Salesforce Winter ’26 Is Almost Here!
Salesforce

Be Release-Ready: Salesforce Winter ’26 Is Almost Here!

Rate this post

As the seasons change, so does Salesforce—and Winter ’26 is just around the corner! If you’re eager to make the most of this release, this blog post will walk you through key dates, standout features, and what steps you need to take to stay ahead of the curve.

Mark Your Calendars: Must-Know Release Timeline

DateWhat You Should Do
August 21, 2025Sign up for a Pre-Release Developer Edition to explore new features firsthand
August 27, 2025Dive into the official Release Notes—available now
September 4, before 5 p.m. PTRefresh your sandbox to join the preview group and begin testing
September 5, 2025Sandbox preview period begins—time to test in your environment
September 19, October 3 & 10Production rollout weekends—check the Maintenance Calendar for your org’s specific schedule

What’s New (and Worth Your Attention)

1. Flow Builder Takes a Leap Forward

  • Compare Flow Versions – Easily spot changes between versions to troubleshoot smarter.
  • Improved Debug Experience – Compact and intuitive layout enhances productivity. Debug panels now dock to the left; plus there’s a unique view for Screen Flows.
  • Preview Style – See how Screen Flows render in non-standard Lightning themes.
  • AI-Driven Decision Element – Let AI dynamically evaluate criteria, reducing manual complexity.
  • Action Hub & UI Enhancements – Resizable toolboxes, errors panel, and canvas warnings streamline development.
  • Improved Email Action – Reference email recipients directly without collections—great for flexible flow logic.
  • Data Table Supports Apex-Defined Variables – More robust handling of data pulled from Apex collections.
  • Automation Home (Beta) Deprecated – Everything is consolidated in the Automation & Approvals apps.
  • Copy Elements Button Revamp – Cleaner UI inspires more streamlined building.

(See full details in the official Release Notes)

2. Security & Access Enforcement Enhancements

  • SAML SSO Warning – Triple DES-based SSO configurations will stop working in Winter ’26. Time to upgrade encryption strategy asap.
  • Restrict Flow Access – Flows will require precise profile or permission-set grants; the legacy “FlowSites” system is being dismantled.
  • Secure Roles & Sharing Behavior Update – Enforced in production orgs this release—check Trust for timing and implications.

3. Permission Enforcement & Maintenance Plan Changes

  • Apex Class Permission Checks – Apex actions in Flows will now respect user context—not just component context. Ensure proper permissions are configured.
  • Deprecating Maintenance Plan Frequency Fields – Move over to Maintenance Work Rules before the old fields retire.

Your Winter ’26 Prep Checklist

  • Get hands-on early – Sign up for a pre-release org (Aug 21) and explore new features.
  • Review release notes – Bookmark and revisit the Winter ’26 Release Notes
  • Sandbox strategy – Refresh before Sept 4 to enter the preview group and start realistic testing.
  • Security update rollout – Identify and replace outdated SSO algorithms; align permissions for Flows and Apex.
  • Fix legacy maintenance logic – Migrate Frequency fields to Work Rules ahead of enforcement.
  • Train & communicate changes – Share Flow enhancements, UI updates, and new security protocols with your users.
  • Monitor your release window – Use Salesforce Trust and the Maintenance Calendar to track when Winter ’26 lands in your production instance.

Final Thoughts

Winter ’26 is shaping up to be a major enhancement—not just in features, but in security, governance, and AI-driven automation. By starting early, aligning your permissions, and thoroughly testing in sandbox environments, you’ll ensure a smooth rollout.

Sources:
https://admin.salesforce.com/blog/2025/admin-winter-26-release-dates-countdown
https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=release-notes.salesforce_release_notes.htm&release=258&type=5

Leave a Comment