Salesforce Winter ’26 Release: What Admins and Users Need to Know

The Salesforce Winter ’26 Release is here, bringing some impactful updates and new features. Whether you’re an admin overseeing system configuration or a business user navigating daily workflows, these changes are designed to modernize processes, strengthen security, and make Salesforce even more powerful.

Here, we break down the key updates and what you should do to prepare your org.

The End of Workflow Rules and Process Builder

Winter ’26 officially marks the end of support for Workflow Rules and Process Builder. While these automations will continue to run, Salesforce will no longer enhance or provide support for them.

What needs to be done about the end of Workflow Rules and Process Builder?

• Begin migrating automations to Flows, which are now Salesforce’s standard.
• Use Salesforce’s conversion tool for simple workflows, but note that complex, multi-object automations may require custom redesign.
• Test thoroughly in a sandbox before retiring legacy automations.

We have provided a guide to transitioning from Salesforce Workflow Rules and Process Builder before the end of support—read it here for more details.

ICU Local Formats Taking Effect in Salesforce

Salesforce is aligning dates, times, and numbers with international standards using ICU local formats. This primarily impacts orgs created before Winter ’20 and running Apex or Visualforce APIs older than version 45.

What should I do about ICU local formats taking effect in Salesforce?

• Enable ICU formats in a sandbox and run automated tests.
• Review third-party apps and upgrade to the latest versions.
• Update Apex and API integrations to ensure compatibility.

Changes to Flow Permissions in Salesforce

If you’ve been assigning the “Flow User” permission at the user level, that will no longer work. Moving forward, admins must assign Flow access through permission sets.

What do I need to do about the changes to Flow Permissions in Salesforce?

• Create a new “Run Flows” permission set.
• Assign it to non-admin users who need Flow access.
• Review Release Updates in Setup to get ahead of this change.

New Features for Salesforce Admins and Users

Multi-Column Sorting in List Views

List Views are getting an upgrade. Users can now sort by up to five columns. This feature moves out of beta in Winter ’26, making it easier to find and organize records.

Field History Tracking Enhancements

Admins can now track up to 20 fields on the User object (currently in beta) and manage all field history tracking from a streamlined one-page view. Salesforce will also highlight “high-risk” and sensitive fields.

Dashboard Reference Lines

Previously available only in report charts, reference lines can now be added to dashboards. Track metrics against benchmarks across multiple reports for a more holistic view of performance.

Salesforce Flow Improvements

Winter ’26 continues Salesforce’s investment in Flow, delivering updates that make it easier to build, debug, and manage automation:

• Screen Flow Branding – Preview your company’s branding, colors, and fonts for a polished experience.
• Improved Debugging – Debug flows directly in the same screen, with enhanced visibility into variables, governor limits, and transaction boundaries.
• Compare Flow Versions – Quickly see what’s changed between versions, including field updates, formulas, and deleted components.
• Enhanced Email Collection – Enter multiple email addresses in a single input field, separated by commas.
• Triggering Flows from Actions – Launch flows based on events like attaching a file to a record.

For admins, these improvements bring flows closer to “clicks, not code” while still offering developer-grade insights.

Connected App Security Updates

In response to recent security breaches, Salesforce has tightened connected app management. Starting this release, users cannot access connected apps unless they are explicitly installed or the new “Approved to Install Connected Apps” permission is granted.

How do I securely manage my connected apps in Salesforce?

• Review connected apps in Setup.
• Install and whitelist trusted apps (e.g., Data Loader).
• Block or uninstall untrusted apps.
• Assign the new permission only to users who need it, such as R&D teams.

Preparing for Salesforce Winter ’26

To get your org ready, admins should:

• Audit and migrate workflows and process builders to flows.
• Test ICU local formats in a sandbox.
• Update flow permissions through permission sets.
• Enable new field tracking and dashboard features.
• Review connected apps and update security policies.

For a deeper dive into the changes outlined in this article, including a demo from our experts, we recommend watching this full recording of our recent Salesforce Winter ’26 Release meeting.

How Sikich Can Help

Your Sikich Salesforce team can help your organization prepare for this and every Salesforce release by migrating workflows, securing apps, testing integrations, and maximizing new features.

If you need support for the Salesforce Winter ’26 Release, or if you’re ready to explore advanced AI capabilities, our experts are here to help. Connect with Sikich today to ensure your Salesforce environment is ready for what’s next.