New Update Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview builds [Mega-Thread]

I had to roll this one back because my Bitdefender tray icons kept disappearing. I tried reinstalling Bitdefender and it worked for a couple of hours and the tray icons disappeared again. I then rolled back KB5065797 and Bitdefender works as expected.
 
Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27965 to the Canary Channel.

What’s new in Build 27965 ​

Introducing the new Start menu for Windows 11​

[caption id="attachment_177956" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Updated Start menu shows pinned apps on the top, recommended apps and files in the middle, and installed apps which are grouped by a new category UI on the bottom.
Updated Start menu shows pinned apps on the top, recommended apps and files in the middle, and installed apps which are grouped by a new category UI on the bottom.[/caption] Easily launch all your apps with scrollable Start menu We’re making it easier for you to launch your apps with our updated, scrollable Start menu. With "All” now on the top-level, apps are easily accessible without having to navigate to a secondary page. In addition, we're introducing two new views to browse and launch your installed apps in the “All” section: category and grid view. The new default Category view automatically groups your apps by category for quick access to your most used categories and apps. So, if your most used apps are Outlook and Solitaire, you can expect those apps to bubble up to the top in their respective categories. Categories are formed when there are at least 3 apps in each respective category. Otherwise, they will remain in the “Other” category. Grid view is ordered alphabetically like List view but allows for better scanning of all your installed apps with more horizontal real estate. With new view options to choose from in the “All” section, we’ll remember your last used view so you can reliably launch your apps with the view you prefer most. [caption id="attachment_177957" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Updated Start menu introduces 2 new ways to view installed apps: by category and grid views.
Updated Start menu introduces 2 new ways to view installed apps: by category and grid views.[/caption] Experience a larger Start menu with responsive sections We're making better use of your screen real estate by adapting the size of the Start menu based on your screen size. Have a larger-screen device? You can expect to see a larger Start menu, by default, so you can see more of your apps and files. On larger devices, users can expect to see 8 columns of pinned apps, 6 recommendations, and 4 columns of categories in the Start menu. On smaller devices, you’ll see 6 columns of pinned apps, 4 recommendations, and 3 columns of categories. [caption id="attachment_177959" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Updated Start menu only shows pinned and installed apps to illustrate that sections within Start are now responsive and can collapse such as the Recommended section.
Updated Start menu only shows pinned and installed apps to illustrate that sections within Start are now responsive and can collapse such as the Recommended section.[/caption] Sections within Start are also responsive so you can see more or less of your Pinned and Recommended sections. Have only a few pins? The Pinned section will shrink down to a single row and other sections will slide up. If you’d prefer to not see recommendations, then turn off the following toggles in Settings > Personalization > Start: “Show recently added apps,” “Show recommended files in Start...,” “Show websites from your browsing history,” and “Show recommendations for tips...” If there aren’t any recommendations available, the section will collapse so you can see more of your installed apps. [caption id="attachment_177960" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Toggles in Settings app to turn on/off features in Start.
Toggles in Settings app to turn on/off features in Start.[/caption] Seamless cross-device integration with Phone Link Lastly, we’ve updated Start to continue allowing you to take advantage of powerful cross-device features. Now, you can easily expand and collapse mobile device content using the new mobile device button next to the Search box. This cross-device integration is generally available for connected Android and iOS devices in most markets and will be coming later in 2025 to the European Economic Area. [We are beginning to roll this out to Windows Insiders in the Canary, so the experience isn’t available to all Insiders just yet as we plan to monitor feedback before pushing it out to everyone.] FEEDBACK: Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Desktop Environment > Start menu.

Changes and Improvements for everyone in the Canary channel​

[.NET Framework 3.5]​

  • Starting with Build 27965, .NET Framework 3.5 is no longer a Windows Feature on Demand optional component. We encourage customers relying on the legacy framework to move to modern versions of .NET. Customers running business-critical applications that still depend on .NET Framework 3.5 can access a .NET Framework 3.5 standalone installer located here: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2337635. More information about .NET Framework products' lifecycle can be found here: Lifecycle FAQ - .NET Framework | Microsoft Learn

[Command Line]​

  • Edit, a command line text editor, is now delivered with Windows! You can quickly edit a file while in the Terminal app by typing edit followed by the file name. Edit is open source on GitHub and for a full list of its features, check out its docs.

Fixes ​

[Taskbar and System Tray]​

  • If you were having issues with the taskbar not autohiding correctly in the previous flight, that should be resolved now.

[Video Playback]​

  • Fixed a recent issue which was causing some videos and games to be unexpectedly red.
  • Fixed an issue that could affect playback of protected content in certain Blu-ray, DVD, and digital TV apps that used Enhanced Video Renderer with HDCP enforcement.

Known issues​

[File Explorer]​

  • [NEW] We’re working on the fix for an issue in the latest Canary builds causing File Explorer to crash when transferring files to a network drive.

[Settings]​

  • [NEW] Settings may crash when accessing drive information under Settings > System > Storage. This also impacts accessing the drive information from the properties when you right click a drive in File Explorer.

[Lock and login screens]​

  • [NEW] We’re investigating an issue in this build where the media controls may not display on the lock screen.

[Power and Battery]​

  • We’re investigating reports that sleep and shutdown aren’t working correctly for some Insiders after the latest Canary builds.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Canary Channel​

  • The builds we release to the Canary Channel represent the latest platform changes early in the development cycle and should not be seen as matched to any specific release of Windows and features and experiences included in these builds may never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features may change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they’re ready.
  • Many features in the Canary Channel are rolled out using Control Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time as we monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.
  • Some features may show up in the Dev and Beta Channels first before showing up in the Canary Channel.
  • Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders may not be fully localized and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, please report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.
  • To get off the Canary Channel, a clean install of Windows 11 will be required. As a reminder - Insiders can’t switch to a channel that is receiving builds with lower build numbers without doing a clean installation of Windows 11 due to technical setup requirements.
  • The desktop watermark shown at the lower right corner of the desktop is normal for these pre-release builds.
  • Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.
Thanks, Amanda

Source: Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27965 (Canary Channel)
 
Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.6780 (KB5067103) to the Beta Channel for Windows Insiders on Windows 11, version 24H2. Changes in Beta Channel builds and updates are documented in two buckets: new features, improvements, and fixes that are being gradually rolled out for Insiders who have turned on the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available (via Settings > Windows Update*) and then new features, improvements, and fixes rolling out to everyone in the Beta Channel. For more information, see the Reminders section at the bottom of this blog post.

New features gradually being rolled out to the Beta Channel with toggle on*​

[Agent in Settings]​

The following changes and improvements are rolling out for agent in Settings on Copilot+ PCs: We’re introducing new experiences to make it easier to modify settings in both search and recommended settings. Recommend Settings: Now allows for faster changes by showing an inline agent action for recently modified settings. [caption id="attachment_178304" align="alignnone" width="600"]Settings Homepage with options to adjust recently modified settings under “Recommended settings”. Settings Homepage with options to adjust recently modified settings under “Recommended settings”.[/caption] Search: We now show more available results in the search fly out to discover what you’re looking for and to allow you to quickly modify those settings. In cases where the settings can’t be adjusted further, a dialog lets you know why and provides an option to modify the settings as needed. [caption id="attachment_178305" align="alignnone" width="600"]More available results are displayed within search and take action to quickly modify those settings. More available results are displayed within search and take action to quickly modify those settings.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_178303" align="alignnone" width="600"]When searching for “increase volume” within settings, a dialog is presented indicating that volume is already at the maximum setting and provides a slider to modify the value. When searching for “increase volume” within settings, a dialog is presented indicating that volume is already at the maximum setting and provides a slider to modify the value.[/caption]

[Drag Tray]​

Drag Tray now supports multi-file sharing, intelligently surfaces more relevant apps, and enables seamless file movement to a chosen folder. [caption id="attachment_178302" align="alignnone" width="600"]Drag Tray UI shows options to share to apps like WhatsApp, Paint, Snapchat, and movement to other folders. Drag Tray UI shows options to share to apps like WhatsApp, Paint, Snapchat, and movement to other folders.[/caption]

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out to the Beta Channel with toggle on*​

[Click to Do (Preview)]​

The following changes and improvements are rolling out for Click to Do on Copilot+ PCs:
  • We’re making it easier to act on what matters. Visual cues now make key entities, such as emails, tables, and more, light up on your screen as you launch Click to Do. Click on these entities to discover powerful actions that help you work faster and smarter.

[Administrator Protection]​

  • The ability to enable Administrator Protection via Windows Security under Account protection is now available again.

[OneDrive]​

  • We are rolling out the new OneDrive icon in Accounts and Homepages in Settings.

[Run]​

  • Dark Mode: We continue to make improvements to the dark more experience in Windows 11. This week we are updating the Run dialog. [UPDATE] This change is on a very slow rollout so not many Insiders will see it right away. We plan to expand the rollout to more Insiders over the next few flights.
[caption id="attachment_178301" align="alignnone" width="428"]Run dialog in dark mode Run dialog in dark mode[/caption]

Fixes gradually being rolled out to the Beta Channel with toggle on*​

[Click to Do (Preview)]​

The following fixes are rolling out for Click to Do on Copilot+ PCs:
  • Fixed an issue where launching Click to Do on your primary display via right-edge gesture would result in the swipe visuals appearing on the incorrect display.

[Taskbar & System Tray]​

  • Fixed an issue where pressing WIN + repeatedly wasn’t cycling through the windows of an app as expected.

[File Explorer]​

  • Fixed an issue in the previous flight which was causing File Explorer to crash a lot for some Insiders.

[Start menu]​

  • Fixed an issue which was causing Start menu to unexpectedly scroll to the top when interacting with it.
  • Fixed an issue where the context menu in Start wouldn’t open with touch (just immediately dismissed).

[Search]​

  • Fixed an issue where searches might show unexpected text instead of the expected results and images.

[Other]​

  • If you were experiencing a large number of apps (including browsers) crashing in the previous flight, that should no longer repro with this update.

Known issues​

[Taskbar & System Tray]​

  • Our new animations on taskbar previews have been turned off temporarily because they were interfering with the ability to share a window from its preview, we will note when they’re brought back.

[File Explorer]​

  • Copy progress might flash when clicking more or less details in dark mode version of the copy dialog.
  • Scrollbar and footer are missing and showing a white block instead when text is scaled in dark mode version of the copy dialog.

[Search]​

  • Some Insiders are experiencing an issue where using their Xbox Controller via Bluetooth is causing their PC to bugcheck. Here is how to resolve the issue. Open Device Manager by searching for it via the search box on your taskbar. Once Device Manager is open, click on "View" and then "Devices by Driver". Find the driver named "oemXXX.inf (XboxGameControllerDriver.inf)" where the "XXX" will be a specific number on your PC. Right-click on that driver and click "Uninstall".

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel​

  • Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel on Windows 11, version 24H2 will receive updates based on Windows 11, version 24H2 via an enablement package (Build 26120.xxxx).
  • Updates delivered to the Beta Channel are in a format that offers a preview of enhancements to servicing technology on Windows 11, version 24H2. To learn more, see Introducing Windows 11 checkpoint cumulative updates | Windows IT Pro Blog.
  • Many features in the Beta Channel are rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time as we monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.
  • For Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel who want to be the first to get features gradually rolled out to you, you can turn ON the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available via Settings > Windows Update*. Over time, we will increase the rollouts of features to everyone with the toggle turned on. Should you keep this toggle off, new features will gradually be rolled out to your PC over time once they are ready.
  • Features and experiences included in these builds may never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features may change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they’re ready.
  • Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders may not be fully localized and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, please report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.
  • Please note that some accessibility features may not work with features like Recall and Click to Do while in preview with Windows Insiders.
  • Because the Dev and Beta Channels represent parallel development paths from our engineers, there may be cases where features and experiences show up in the Beta Channel first.
  • Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.
Thanks, Amanda

Source: Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.6780 (Beta Channel)
 
Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.6780 (KB5067103) to the Dev Channel. Changes in Dev Channel builds and updates are documented in two buckets: new features, improvements, and fixes that are being gradually rolled out for Insiders who have turned on the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available (via Settings > Windows Update*) and then new features, improvements, and fixes rolling out to everyone in the Dev Channel. For more information, see the Reminders section at the bottom of this blog post.

New features gradually being rolled out to the Dev Channel with toggle on*​

[Agent in Settings]​

The following changes and improvements are rolling out for agent in Settings on Copilot+ PCs: We’re introducing new experiences to make it easier to modify settings in both search and recommended settings. Recommend Settings: Now allows for faster changes by showing an inline agent action for recently modified settings. [caption id="attachment_178304" align="alignnone" width="600"]Settings Homepage with options to adjust recently modified settings under “Recommended settings”. Settings Homepage with options to adjust recently modified settings under “Recommended settings”.[/caption] Search: We now show more available results in the search fly out to discover what you’re looking for and to allow you to quickly modify those settings. In cases where the settings can’t be adjusted further, a dialog lets you know why and provides an option to modify the settings as needed. [caption id="attachment_178305" align="alignnone" width="600"]More available results are displayed within search and take action to quickly modify those settings. More available results are displayed within search and take action to quickly modify those settings.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_178303" align="alignnone" width="600"]When searching for “increase volume” within settings, a dialog is presented indicating that volume is already at the maximum setting and provides a slider to modify the value. When searching for “increase volume” within settings, a dialog is presented indicating that volume is already at the maximum setting and provides a slider to modify the value.[/caption]

[Drag Tray]​

  • Drag Tray now supports multi-file sharing, intelligently surfaces more relevant apps, and enables seamless file movement to a chosen folder.
[caption id="attachment_178302" align="alignnone" width="600"]Drag Tray UI shows options to share to apps like WhatsApp, Paint, Snapchat, and movement to other folders. Drag Tray UI shows options to share to apps like WhatsApp, Paint, Snapchat, and movement to other folders.[/caption]

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out to the Dev Channel with toggle on*​

[Click to Do (Preview)]​

The following changes and improvements are rolling out for Click to Do on Copilot+ PCs:
  • We’re making it easier to act on what matters. Visual cues now make key entities, such as emails, tables, and more, light up on your screen as you launch Click to Do. Click on these entities to discover powerful actions that help you work faster and smarter.

[Administrator Protection]​

  • The ability to enable Administrator Protection via Windows Security under Account protection is now available again.

[OneDrive]​

  • We are rolling out the new OneDrive icon in Accounts and Homepages in Settings.

[Run]​

  • Dark Mode: We continue to make improvements to the dark more experience in Windows 11. This week we are updating the Run dialog. [UPDATE] This change is on a very slow rollout so not many Insiders will see it right away. We plan to expand the rollout to more Insiders over the next few flights.
[caption id="attachment_178301" align="alignnone" width="428"]Run dialog in dark mode Run dialog in dark mode[/caption]

Fixes gradually being rolled out to the Dev Channel with toggle on*​

[Click to Do (Preview)]​

The following fixes are rolling out for Click to Do on Copilot+ PCs:
  • Fixed an issue where launching Click to Do on your primary display via right-edge gesture would result in the swipe visuals appearing on the incorrect display.

[Taskbar & System Tray]​

  • Fixed an issue where pressing WIN + <number> repeatedly wasn’t cycling through the windows of an app as expected.

[File Explorer]​

  • Fixed an issue in the previous flight which was causing File Explorer to crash a lot for some Insiders.

[Start menu]​

  • Fixed an issue which was causing Start menu to unexpectedly scroll to the top when interacting with it.
  • Fixed an issue where the context menu in Start wouldn’t open with touch (just immediately dismissed).

[Search]​

  • Fixed an issue where searches might show unexpected text instead of the expected results and images.

[Other]​

  • If you were experiencing a large number of apps (including browsers) crashing in the previous flight, that should no longer repro with this update.

Known issues​

[Taskbar & System Tray]​

  • Our new animations on taskbar previews have been turned off temporarily because they were interfering with the ability to share a window from its preview, we will note when they’re brought back.

[File Explorer]​

  • Copy progress might flash when clicking more or less details in dark mode version of the copy dialog.
  • Scrollbar and footer are missing and showing a white block instead when text is scaled in dark mode version of the copy dialog.

[Search]​

  • Some Insiders are experiencing an issue where using their Xbox Controller via Bluetooth is causing their PC to bugcheck. Here is how to resolve the issue. Open Device Manager by searching for it via the search box on your taskbar. Once Device Manager is open, click on "View" and then "Devices by Driver". Find the driver named "oemXXX.inf (XboxGameControllerDriver.inf)" where the "XXX" will be a specific number on your PC. Right-click on that driver and click "Uninstall".

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel​

  • Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel receive updates based on Windows 11, version 25H2 via an enablement package (Build 26220.xxxx).
  • Many features in the Dev Channel are rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time as we monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.
  • For Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel who want to be the first to get features gradually rolled out to you, you can turn ON the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available via Settings > Windows Update*. Over time, we will increase the rollouts of features to everyone with the toggle turned on. Should you keep this toggle off, new features will gradually be rolled out to your PC over time once they are ready.
  • Features and experiences included in these builds may never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features may change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they’re ready.
  • Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders may not be fully localized and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, please report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.
  • Please note that some accessibility features may not work with features like Recall and Click to Do while in preview with Windows Insiders.
  • Because the Dev and Beta Channels represent parallel development paths from our engineers, there may be cases where features and experiences show up in the Beta Channel first.
  • Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.
Thanks, Amanda

Source: Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.6780 (Dev Channel)
 
Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27971 (Canary Channel) Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27971 to the Canary Channel.

What’s new in Build 27971 ​

[Notification Center]​

  • We are extending the functionality of Notification Center to secondary monitors. This means you will be able to see your calendar on any of your monitors as well as the option to show a bigger clock with seconds above calendar. You will be able to open Notification Center on any monitor by clicking the date and time in the system tray of your taskbar.
[We are beginning to roll this out to Windows Insiders in the Canary, so the experience isn’t available to all Insiders just yet as we plan to monitor feedback before pushing it out to everyone.]

Fixes ​

[File Explorer]​

  • Fixed an issue in the latest Canary builds causing File Explorer to crash when transferring files to a network drive.

[Lock and login screens]​

  • Fixed an issue in the previous build where the media controls might not display on the lock screen.

[Input]​

  • Fixed an underlying issue related to microsoft.ink.dll and relevant APIs, which could result in pen and handwriting not working correctly in apps or app crashes recently due to unexpected exceptions being thrown.

[Other]​

  • Fixed an underlying issue which was causing protected content playback to fail for some apps recently.
  • Fixed an issue impacting the ability to start Hyper-V virtual machines with Trusted Platform Module (TPM) on ARM64 devices.

Known issues​

[Settings]​

  • Settings may crash when accessing drive information under Settings > System > Storage. This also impacts accessing the drive information from the properties when you right click a drive in File Explorer.

[Start menu]​

  • [NEW] Insiders with the new Start menu may experience it unexpectedly scrolling to the top.

[Power and Battery]​

  • We’re investigating reports that sleep and shutdown aren’t working correctly for some Insiders after the latest Canary builds.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Canary Channel​

  • The builds we release to the Canary Channel represent the latest platform changes early in the development cycle and should not be seen as matched to any specific release of Windows and features and experiences included in these builds may never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features may change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they’re ready.
  • Many features in the Canary Channel are rolled out using Control Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time as we monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.
  • Some features may show up in the Dev and Beta Channels first before showing up in the Canary Channel.
  • Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders may not be fully localized and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, please report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.
  • To get off the Canary Channel, a clean install of Windows 11 will be required. As a reminder - Insiders can’t switch to a channel that is receiving builds with lower build numbers without doing a clean installation of Windows 11 due to technical setup requirements.
  • The desktop watermark shown at the lower right corner of the desktop is normal for these pre-release builds.
  • Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.
Thanks, Amanda

Source: Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27971 (Canary Channel)
 
Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.6972 (KB5067106) to the Beta Channel for Windows Insiders on Windows 11, version 24H2. Changes in Beta Channel builds and updates are documented in two buckets: new features, improvements, and fixes that are being gradually rolled out for Insiders who have turned on the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available (via Settings > Windows Update*) and then new features, improvements, and fixes rolling out to everyone in the Beta Channel. For more information, see the Reminders section at the bottom of this blog post.

New features gradually being rolled out to the Beta Channel with toggle on*​

[Mobile Device Settings]​

  • You can now directly add and manage your mobile devices from Settings on your Windows PC by navigating to “Mobile Devices” under the Bluetooth & Devices section. This page allows you to view your mobile devices, add new mobile devices, and manage features such as using your device as a connected camera or accessing your device's files in File Explorer.
[caption id="attachment_178322" align="alignnone" width="842"]New settings page under Bluetooth & Devices to manage and add connected mobile devices. New settings page under Bluetooth & Devices to manage and add connected mobile devices.[/caption]

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out to the Beta Channel with toggle on*​

[Accounts]​

  • We’ve added a new entry point in the account control on the Start menu that takes you directly to the benefits page on https://account.microsoft.com/, making it easier to explore and manage the benefits that come with your Microsoft account.
[caption id="attachment_178321" align="alignnone" width="878"]Account control in the Start menu has an option to “View my benefits” to take you directly to the benefits page on account.microsoft.com. Account control in the Start menu has an option to “View my benefits” to take you directly to the benefits page on account.microsoft.com.[/caption]

[Game Pass]​

  • In this build we have modified references to Game Pass plans in Settings to reflect updated branding and benefits.
[caption id="attachment_178320" align="alignnone" width="1024"]Settings Home page reflect new Game Pass branding and benefits. Settings Home page reflects new Game Pass branding and benefits.[/caption]

[File Explorer]​

  • We’re continuing to make improvements to the dark mode experience in File Explorer. You will now see a consistent dark mode experience in the Folder Options dialog.
[caption id="attachment_178319" align="alignnone" width="354"]Updates to the Folder Options dialog in dark mode. Updates to the Folder Options dialog in dark mode.[/caption]

[Drag Tray]​

  • We’ve added the ability to turn Drag Tray on/off from Settings->System->Nearby sharing.

Fixes gradually being rolled out to the Beta Channel with toggle on*​

[File Explorer]​

  • Fixed an issue which could cause File Explorer to show a Catastrophic Error (0x8000FFFF) when extracting large (1.5gb+) archive files.
  • Fixed an issue which could cause an old white toolbar to randomly appear in File Explorer sometimes.

[Display and Graphics]​

  • Fixed a recent issue which was causing some videos and games to be unexpectedly red.
  • Fixed an issue where apps and browsers could have partially stuck onscreen content when other maximized / full screen apps were updating in the background. This may have been noticeable particularly when trying to scroll the window content, as only some parts would update.
  • We've improved the performance when apps query monitors for their full list of supported modes. When this happens, this could lead to a momentary stutter on very high-resolution monitors, and this work should help prevent and reduce stuttering in these scenarios.

[Windows Update]​

  • Fixed an issue which could lead to updates failing to install with error 0x800f0983.

[Other]​

  • Fixed a hang which could impact Outlook in recent builds, where if prompted for your credentials, you wouldn’t be able to bring the pop up to the foreground and it would go unresponsive.
  • Fixed an issue which was causing Remote Credential Guard scenarios between the latest Windows 11 builds and Server 2022 (and below) to fail.
  • Fixed an issue which could cause the print preview screen to stop responding in Chromium-based browsers.

Known issues​

[General]​

  • [NEW] Text actions that use Phi Silica in Click to Do and Recall will not work correctly on this build. A fix is on the way.

[Taskbar & System Tray]​

  • Our new animations on taskbar previews have been turned off temporarily because they were interfering with the ability to share a window from its preview, we will note when they’re brought back.
  • [NEW] We’re investigating an issue which is causing the Start menu to not open for some Insiders on click, although it will open if you press the Windows key. It’s believed this issue may also potentially impact the notification center (which you can open with WIN + N).

[File Explorer]​

  • Copy progress might flash when clicking more or less details in dark mode version of the copy dialog.
  • Scrollbar and footer are missing and showing a white block instead when text is scaled in dark mode version of the copy dialog.

[Gaming]​

  • Some Insiders are experiencing an issue where using their Xbox Controller via Bluetooth is causing their PC to bugcheck. Here is how to resolve the issue. Open Device Manager by searching for it via the search box on your taskbar. Once Device Manager is open, click on "View" and then "Devices by Driver". Find the driver named "oemXXX.inf (XboxGameControllerDriver.inf)" where the "XXX" will be a specific number on your PC. Right-click on that driver and click "Uninstall".

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel​

  • Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel on Windows 11, version 24H2 will receive updates based on Windows 11, version 24H2 via an enablement package (Build 26120.xxxx).
  • Updates delivered to the Beta Channel are in a format that offers a preview of enhancements to servicing technology on Windows 11, version 24H2. To learn more, see Introducing Windows 11 checkpoint cumulative updates | Windows IT Pro Blog.
  • Many features in the Beta Channel are rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time as we monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.
  • For Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel who want to be the first to get features gradually rolled out to you, you can turn ON the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available via Settings > Windows Update*. Over time, we will increase the rollouts of features to everyone with the toggle turned on. Should you keep this toggle off, new features will gradually be rolled out to your PC over time once they are ready.
  • Features and experiences included in these builds may never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features may change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they’re ready.
  • Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders may not be fully localized and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, please report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.
  • Please note that some accessibility features may not work with features like Recall and Click to Do while in preview with Windows Insiders.
  • Because the Dev and Beta Channels represent parallel development paths from our engineers, there may be cases where features and experiences show up in the Beta Channel first.
  • Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.
Thanks, Amanda

Source: Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.6972 (Beta Channel)
 
Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.6972 (KB5067106) to the Dev Channel. Changes in Dev Channel builds and updates are documented in two buckets: new features, improvements, and fixes that are being gradually rolled out for Insiders who have turned on the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available (via Settings > Windows Update*) and then new features, improvements, and fixes rolling out to everyone in the Dev Channel. For more information, see the Reminders section at the bottom of this blog post.

New features gradually being rolled out to the Dev Channel with toggle on*​

[Mobile Device Settings]​

  • You can now directly add and manage your mobile devices from Settings on your Windows PC by navigating to “Mobile Devices” under the Bluetooth & Devices section. This page allows you to view your mobile devices, add new mobile devices, and manage features such as using your device as a connected camera or accessing your device's files in File Explorer.
[caption id="attachment_178322" align="alignnone" width="842"]New settings page under Bluetooth & Devices to manage and add connected mobile devices. New settings page under Bluetooth & Devices to manage and add connected mobile devices.[/caption]

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out to the Dev Channel with toggle on*​

[Accounts]​

  • We’ve added a new entry point in the account control on the Start menu that takes you directly to the benefits page on https://account.microsoft.com/, making it easier to explore and manage the benefits that come with your Microsoft account.
[caption id="attachment_178321" align="alignnone" width="878"]Account control in the Start menu has an option to “View my benefits” to take you directly to the benefits page on account.microsoft.com. Account control in the Start menu has an option to “View my benefits” to take you directly to the benefits page on account.microsoft.com.[/caption]

[Game Pass]​

  • In this build we have modified references to Game Pass plans in Settings to reflect updated branding and benefits.
[caption id="attachment_178320" align="alignnone" width="1024"]Settings Home page reflect new Game Pass branding and benefits. Settings Home page reflects new Game Pass branding and benefits.[/caption]

[File Explorer]​

  • We’re continuing to make improvements to the dark mode experience in File Explorer. You will now see a consistent dark mode experience in the Folder Options dialog.
[caption id="attachment_178319" align="alignnone" width="354"]Updates to the Folder Options dialog in dark mode. Updates to the Folder Options dialog in dark mode.[/caption]

[Drag Tray]​

  • We’ve added the ability to turn Drag Tray on/off from Settings->System->Nearby sharing.

​

Fixes gradually being rolled out to the Dev Channel with toggle on*​

[File Explorer]​

  • Fixed an issue which could cause File Explorer to show a Catastrophic Error (0x8000FFFF) when extracting large (1.5gb+) archive files.
  • Fixed an issue which could cause an old white toolbar to randomly appear in File Explorer sometimes.

[Display and Graphics]​

  • Fixed a recent issue which was causing some videos and games to be unexpectedly red.
  • Fixed an issue where apps and browsers could have partially stuck onscreen content when other maximized / full screen apps were updating in the background. This may have been noticeable particularly when trying to scroll the window content, as only some parts would update.
  • We've improved the performance when apps query monitors for their full list of supported modes. When this happens could lead to a momentary stutter on very high-resolution monitors, and this work should help prevent and reduce stuttering in these scenarios.

[Windows Update]​

  • Fixed an issue which could lead to updates failing to install with error 0x800f0983.

[Other]​

  • Fixed a hang which could impact Outlook in recent builds, where if prompted for your credentials, you wouldn’t be able to bring the pop up to the foreground and it would go unresponsive.
  • Fixed an issue which was causing Remote Credential Guard scenarios between the latest Windows 11 builds and Server 2022 (and below) to fail.
  • Fixed an issue which could cause the print preview screen to stop responding in Chromium-based browsers.

Known issues​

[General]​

  • [NEW] Text actions that use Phi Silica in Click to Do and Recall will not work correctly on this build. A fix is on the way.

[Taskbar & System Tray]​

  • Our new animations on taskbar previews have been turned off temporarily because they were interfering with the ability to share a window from its preview, we will note when they’re brought back.
  • [NEW] We’re investigating an issue which is causing the Start menu to not open for some Insiders on click, although it will open if you press the Windows key. It’s believed this issue may also potentially impact the notification center (which you can open with WIN + N).

[File Explorer]​

  • Copy progress might flash when clicking more or less details in dark mode version of the copy dialog.
  • Scrollbar and footer are missing and showing a white block instead when text is scaled in dark mode version of the copy dialog.

[Gaming]​

  • Some Insiders are experiencing an issue where using their Xbox Controller via Bluetooth is causing their PC to bugcheck. Here is how to resolve the issue. Open Device Manager by searching for it via the search box on your taskbar. Once Device Manager is open, click on "View" and then "Devices by Driver". Find the driver named "oemXXX.inf (XboxGameControllerDriver.inf)" where the "XXX" will be a specific number on your PC. Right-click on that driver and click "Uninstall".

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel​

  • Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel receive updates based on Windows 11, version 25H2 via an enablement package (Build 26220.xxxx).
  • Many features in the Dev Channel are rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time as we monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.
  • For Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel who want to be the first to get features gradually rolled out to you, you can turn ON the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available via Settings > Windows Update*. Over time, we will increase the rollouts of features to everyone with the toggle turned on. Should you keep this toggle off, new features will gradually be rolled out to your PC over time once they are ready.
  • Features and experiences included in these builds may never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features may change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they’re ready.
  • Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders may not be fully localized and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, please report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.
  • Please note that some accessibility features may not work with features like Recall and Click to Do while in preview with Windows Insiders.
  • Because the Dev and Beta Channels represent parallel development paths from our engineers, there may be cases where features and experiences show up in the Beta Channel first.
  • Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.
Thanks, Amanda

Source: Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.6972 (Dev Channel)
 
Hello Windows Insiders, today we’re releasing Windows 11 Builds 26100.7015 and 26200.7015 (KB5067036) to Insiders in the Release Preview Channel on Windows 11, version 24H2 (Build 26100) and version 25H2 (Build 26200). Below is a summary of the new features and improvements included as part of this update separated into two sections: gradual rollout and normal rollout. The bold text within the brackets indicates the item or area of the change we are documenting.

Gradual rollout​

The following features and improvements might not be available to all users because they will roll out gradually. Text bolded in brackets indicate the area of the change being documented. Please note that features and improvements that gradually roll out may not begin rolling out right away nor will they immediately show up right away.
  • [Start menu] New! The redesigned Start menu, built to help you access your apps more quickly and smoothly. Its redesigned layout makes it easier than ever to find what you need.
    • Scrollable ‘All’ section: The main page now includes a scrollable “All” section, making it easier to find apps.
    • Category and grid views: Switch between two new views—category view, which groups apps by type and highlights frequently used ones, and grid view, which lists apps alphabetically with more horizontal space for easier scanning. The menu remembers your last selected view.
    • Responsive layout: The Start menu adapts to your screen size. Larger displays show more pinned apps, recommendations, and categories by default. Sections like Pinned and Recommended expand or collapse based on content. You can customize these views under Settings > Personalization > Start.
    • Phone Link integration: A new mobile device button next to Search lets you expand or collapse content from your connected phone. This feature supports Android and iOS devices in most markets and will roll out to the European Economic Area (EEA) in 2025.
  • [Voice access]
    • New! Fluid Dictation in voice access makes voice-based dictation smoother and smarter. It helps correct grammar, punctuation, and filler words in real time. Powered by on-device small language models (SLMs), it offers fast and private processing. Fluid Dictation is on by default—just open the voice access app to start. To turn it on or off, go to Settings or say Turn on Fluid Dictation or Turn off Fluid Dictation. You can use it in most text input apps, but it’s disabled in secure fields like passwords or PINs Fluid Dictation is available in all English locales on Copilot+ PCs.
    • New! You can now configure a delay before a voice command is executed. To set this up, go to Voice access settings > Wait time before acting, and select the option that best matches your preferences.
    • New! Voice Access now supports Japanese, expanding accessibility for more users. You can now navigate, dictate, and interact with Windows using voice commands. With this update, Windows users who speak Japanese can enjoy a hands-free, voice-powered PC experience.
    • Fixed: Voice access unexpectedly stops working, showing error code 9001.
  • [Agent in Settings] New! The new agent in the Settings experience now supports French.
  • [Settings] New! The “Email & accounts” section is now called “Your accounts.” You manage all your accounts under Settings > Accounts.
  • [Click to Do]
    • New! The prompt box in Click to Do streamlines interaction with Copilot, helping you work more efficiently. You can type a custom prompt directly into the text box, which sends your prompt and selected on-screen content to Copilot. Suggested prompts appear below the text box and are powered locally by Get started with Phi Silica in the Windows App SDK. These suggestions are available for text selections in English, Spanish, and French. This feature isn’t currently available in the European Economic Area (EEA) or China.
    • New! You can now translate on-screen text with Microsoft Copilot with Click to Do. When you select text that is in a different language from your Windows display language or preferred language setting, a translation suggestion appears. After selecting the option to translate the text, the translated text will appear in the Copilot app. You can see the supported regions and languages in Microsoft Copilot. This experience is not yet available for customers in the EEA (European Economic Area) or China.
    • New! Click to Do provides unit conversions for length, area, volume, height, temperature, and speed. When you hover over a number + unit, a floating tooltip will show you the conversation. When you select the number + unit, the context menu opens with additional conversation options. You can also access more conversions via the Copilot app. This experience is not yet available for customers in the EEA (European Economic Area) or China.
    • New! By pressing and holding two fingers anywhere on your Copilot+ PC with a touch screen, you can simultaneously launch Click to Do, select the entity under your finger and see relevant actions.
    • New! You can now select objects in Click to Do using Freeform Selection, Rectangle Selection and Ctrl + Click. To use Freeform Selection Mode, select the Freeform button on the toolbar. Then use your pen or finger to draw freely around the items you want to select. To use the Rectangle Selection Mode, select the Rectangle Selection button on the toolbar. Then drag a box around the items. Everything inside the rectangle will be selected. You can also use Ctrl + Click to select multiple types of items—such as text and images—by holding down the Ctrl key and selecting each item.
    • New! Click to Do can now detect tables. You can now highlight any simple table and send it to Excel, copy or share it. With a table in any application, you can press Win + Click to invoke Click to Do, or Win + Q or right swipe and tap to select the table. Once selected, you’ll see the actions you can take like Convert to table with Excel. Just click, capture and continue. This is available on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, with support for AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs coming soon. You’ll need the latest Microsoft Excel application installed on your PC to see Convert to table with Excel and a Microsoft 365 Subscription. This change is not yet rolling out to Windows Insiders in the EEA (European Economic Area).
    • New! Live Persona Cards from Microsoft 365 now appears in Click to Do. To view a profile card, press Win + Click on an email address from your organization.
    • New! Visual cues now make key items, such as emails, tables, and more, light up on your screen as you launch Click to Do.
    • Fixed: Click to Do may unexpectedly invoke sometimes when pressing Windows key + P.
  • [File Explorer]
    • New! Recommended files in File Explorer Home are now available in personal Microsoft accounts and local accounts. Recommended files show content such as files you frequently used, have recently downloaded, or added to your File Explorer Gallery. This change is not yet rolling out in the EEA (European Economic Area). If you would prefer not to see the recommended section in File Explorer Home, this can be turned off in File Explorer Folder Options. When turned off, folders pinned to Quick Access will display instead.
    • New! When you hover over a file in File Explorer Home, commands such as Open file location or Ask Copilot This experience is available if you’re signed in with a Microsoft account. Support for work and school account (Entra ID) will be available in a future update. This change is not available in the EEA (European Economic Area).
    • New! StorageProvider APIs are now available for cloud providers to integrate with File Explorer Home. Developers can learn to enable the system to query for suggested files.
    • Fixed: The File Explorer context menu may unexpectedly switch back and forth between the normal view and Show More Options on each right click.
    • Fixed: When opening a folder from another app (for example, opening the Downloads folder from a browser), your custom view — including sorting files by name, changing the icon size, or removing grouping — unexpectedly resets back to default.
    • Fixed: The body of the File explorer window may no longer respond to mouse clicks after invoking the context menu.
    • Fixed: Extracting very large archive folders (1.5gb+) may fail with a Catastrophic Error (0x8000FFFF).
    • Fixed: File Explorer may become unresponsive when opening Home.
  • [Taskbar]
    • New! The battery icons are now improved to display colored icons to indicate charging states, simplified overlays that don’t block the percentage bars, and an option to turn on battery percentage. A green battery icon shows that your PC is charging and is in a good state. A yellow icon indicates your battery is less than or equal to 20%. You can also enable the ability to see the battery percentage next to the battery icon in the system tray. To turn on this feature, go to Settings > Power & battery and toggle on the “Battery Percentage”
    • New! When you hover over an open app icon on the taskbar, a thumbnail preview of the app window appears with a new “Share with Copilot” button beneath this preview. Selecting it allows Copilot Vision to scan, analyze, and offer insights on the content displayed by the app at that time. This option can be turned off if preferred under Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors, using the checkbox “Share any window from my taskbar”.
    • Fixed: If you hover over an app icon on the taskbar, and then click the window preview, the preview may dismiss and not bring the window to the foreground.
  • [Lock screen] New! The new battery icons, featuring color indicators and battery percentage, now appear in the lower-right corner of the lock screen.
  • [Microsoft 365 Copilot] New! A new Microsoft 365 Copilot page is added to the Get Started experience for commercial devices managed with an active Microsoft 365 subscription. This page helps you discover and engage with Microsoft 365 Copilot more easily.
  • [Windows Setup Experience] New! You can now name your default user folder during set up. On the Microsoft account sign in page, press Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt. Type the following command: “cd oobe”, press Enter. Then type ““SetDefaultUserFolder.cmd ”. Enter a folder name of your choice and proceed with the MSA sign-in. The folder name cannot be more than 16 characters and only Unicode characters are supported. The custom folder name will be applied if valid. If not, Windows will automatically generate a profile folder name from your Microsoft email address.
  • [Logging into your PC] Improved: Made underlying changes to help improve the performance of loading the taskbar when unlocking your PC after coming out of sleep. This should also help with cases where the password field and other login screen contents didn’t render when transitioning from lock screen to login screen after sleep.
  • [Windows Update]
    • Improved: Addressed underlying issue which can cause “Update and shutdown” to not actually shut down your PC after updating.
    • Improved: Addressed underlying issue which can cause Windows Update to fail to install with error 0x800f0983.
  • [Remote Credential Guard] Fixed: Remote Credential Guard scenarios between the latest Windows 11 builds and Server 2022 (and below) may unexpectedly fail.
  • [Display and Graphics]
    • Fixed: Apps and browsers may have partially stuck onscreen content when other maximized / full screen apps are updating in the background. This is noticeable particularly when trying to scroll the window content, as only some parts update.
    • Fixed: After recent updates, some videos and games may be unexpectedly red.
    • Fixed: If Connected Devices Platform Service has been disabled, Settings may crash when trying to open Settings > System > Display (including if launched using the menu when right clicking the desktop.
  • [Input] Fixed: An issue related to microsoft.ink.dll and relevant APIs can result in pen and handwriting not working correctly in apps or app crashes recently due to unexpected exceptions being thrown.
  • [Open and Save Dialog] Fixed: Certain apps may become unresponsive when launching the Open or Save Dialog.
  • [Administrator Protection Preview] Administrator protection aims to protect free floating admin rights for administrator users allowing them to still perform all admin functions with just in time admin privileges. This feature is off by default and needs to be enabled via OMA-URI in Intune or via group policy.

Normal rollout​

This update includes the following features and improvements that are rolling out as part of this update. Text bolded in brackets indicates the area of the change being documented.
  • [Authentication] Fixed: An issue that caused an ACCESS_DENIED error when users attempted to change passwords remotely on member servers or workgroup devices, even when they had the required permissions.
  • [Media] Fixed: This update addresses an issue where protected content playback fails on some machines after installing KB5064081.
Thanks, Windows Insider Program Team

Source: Releasing Windows 11 Builds 26100.7015 and 26200.7015 to the Release Preview Channel
 
Hello Windows Insiders, today we’re releasing Windows 11 Build 22631.6132 (KB5067112) to Insiders in the Release Preview Channel on Windows 11, version 23H2 (Build 22631). This update includes the following features and improvements that are rolling out as part of this update. Text bolded in brackets indicates the area of the change being documented.
  • [Input] Fixed: This update addresses an issue where the touch keyboard does not enter characters into text fields after the device wakes from sleep. Although touch keyboard animations appear correctly, key presses do not register—for example, when entering a password on the sign-in screen.
  • [Networking] Fixed: An issue where external virtual switches lose their physical network interface card (NIC) bindings and convert to internal switches when the host restarts, resulting in network connectivity loss. The issue was caused by incorrect detection of orphaned virtual switch objects during Host Network Service startup.
  • [Shell] This update enables the Personalized Offers feature during device setup in the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE), and in Settings after the user reaches the desktop.
  • [Storage] Fixed: This update addresses an issue that affects disk communication and causes connectivity errors during Azure Stack Hub or Azure Local cluster upgrades.
Thanks, Windows Insider Program Team

Source: Releasing Windows 11 Build 22631.6132 to the Release Preview Channel
 
Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27975 to the Canary Channel.

What’s new in Build 27975​

[General] ​

  • This update includes a small set of general improvements and fixes that improve the overall experience for Insiders running this build on their PCs.

Fixes​

[Input]​

  • Fixed an issue impacting touch keyboard launch reliability in the latest Canary builds.

[Windows Hello]​

  • Fixed an issue impacting certain devices which was causing the Windows Hello PIN to not work after upgrading to the latest Canary builds, until you set it up again.

[Settings]​

  • Fixed an issue causing Settings to crash when accessing drive information under Settings > System > Storage. This also impacted accessing the drive information from the properties when you right clicked a drive in File Explorer.

Known issues​

[Start menu]​

  • Insiders with the new Start menu may experience it unexpectedly scrolling to the top.

[Power and Battery]​

  • We’re investigating reports that sleep and shutdown aren’t working correctly for some Insiders after the latest Canary builds.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Canary Channel​

  • The builds we release to the Canary Channel represent the latest platform changes early in the development cycle and should not be seen as matched to any specific release of Windows and features and experiences included in these builds may never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features may change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they’re ready.
  • Many features in the Canary Channel are rolled out using Control Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time as we monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.
  • Some features may show up in the Dev and Beta Channels first before showing up in the Canary Channel.
  • Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders may not be fully localized and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, please report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.
  • To get off the Canary Channel, a clean install of Windows 11 will be required. As a reminder - Insiders can’t switch to a channel that is receiving builds with lower build numbers without doing a clean installation of Windows 11 due to technical setup requirements.
  • The desktop watermark shown at the lower right corner of the desktop is normal for these pre-release builds.
  • Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.
Thanks, Amanda

Source: Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27975 (Canary Channel)
 
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Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.6982 (KB5067109) to the Beta Channel for Windows Insiders on Windows 11, version 24H2. Changes in Beta Channel builds and updates are documented in two buckets: new features/improvements, and fixes that are being gradually rolled out for Insiders who have turned on the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available (via Settings > Windows Update*) and then new features, improvements, and fixes rolling out to everyone in the Beta Channel. For more information, see the Reminders section at the bottom of this blog post.

New features gradually being rolled out to the Beta Channel with toggle on* ​

[Windows Search Box]​

  • In this update, we are introducing Copy & Search, a feature that allows you to search the text in your clipboard with a single click. When you copy text anywhere in Windows, a paste gleam will appear in your search box. Click on this gleam and your copied text will appear in the search field, allowing you to search instantly. To get started:
    • Copy text from a document, webpage, or app.
    • After copying text, the paste gleam will appear in the search box on the taskbar.
    • Click the paste gleam to search for the copied text.
[caption id="attachment_178337" align="alignnone" width="919"]Copying any text in Windows (in this case Office) adds a paste gleam to in the Search field on Taskbar. Copying any text in Windows (in this case Office) adds a paste gleam to in the Search field on Taskbar.[/caption]

[Voice Typing]​

  • For customers on Copilot+ PCs, we are introducing a new 'Wait time before acting' setting in Voice Typing, allowing users to configure the delay before a voice command is executed. This provides greater flexibility for users with varying speech patterns, enabling more accurate recognition whether speaking slowly or quickly.
[caption id="attachment_178338" align="alignnone" width="843"]Voice typing settings supports “Wait time before acting” with timing options like “Instant - 0.1 seconds” to “Very Long - 3.0 seconds” Voice typing settings supports “Wait time before acting” with timing options like “Instant - 0.1 seconds” to “Very Long - 3.0 seconds”[/caption]

[Proactive Memory Diagnostics]​

  • We’re introducing a new feature that helps improve system reliability. If your PC experiences a bugcheck (unexpected restart), you may see a notification when signing in suggesting a quick memory scan. If you choose to run it, the system will schedule a Windows Memory Diagnostic scan to run during your next reboot (taking 5 minutes or less on average) and then continue to Windows. If a memory issue is found and mitigated, you will see a notification post-reboot. Please note:
    • This early flight includes all bugcheck codes as triggers while we study the relationship between memory corruption and crashes. Future builds will refine targeting.
    • Currently this is experience not supported on Arm64 devices, systems with Administrator Protection, or BitLocker without Secure Boot.
[caption id="attachment_178339" align="alignnone" width="577"]Windows Memory Diagnostics dialog recommending a scan during next reboot. Windows Memory Diagnostics dialog recommending a scan during next reboot.[/caption]

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out to the Beta Channel with toggle on*​

[Settings]​

  • Device Cards in Settings has been updated to provide more clarity on information about your device for better readability and streamlined navigation for improved user experience.
  • In Settings About, we’ve enhanced it to deliver a more structured and intuitive experience, empowering users with device insights, and seamless navigation to related device components - including quick access to Storage settings.
  • Search: You can now scroll through all search results directly in the flyout, without needing to open a separate results page.
[caption id="attachment_178340" align="alignnone" width="1024"]A scrollbar is added to Settings search results flyout to show all results. A scrollbar is added to Settings search results flyout to show all results.[/caption]

[Click to Do]​

  • We’re helping users discover more actions in Click to Do!
    • A helpful hint now appears as you launch Click to Do, assisting unfamiliar users in discovering powerful actions that help you work quickly and intuitively.
    • Known issue: When there are multiple monitors, the hint appears on every display, and closing one of them does not dismiss the others.

[Start menu]​

  • Windows Insiders with the larger Start menu flyout will now notice that the Windows Search flyout now matches in size. This update aims to create a smoother transition when searching. The feature relies on the updated Start menu rolled out to WIP earlier this year.

[File Explorer]​

[Taskbar]​

[Windows Studio Effects] ​

Fixes gradually being rolled out to the Beta Channel with toggle on*​

[General]​

  • Fixed an issue causing text actions that use Phi Silica in Click to Do and Recall to not work correctly on the previous build.

[Taskbar]​

  • Fixed an issue where hovering over the taskbar with a pen was making the taskbar prematurely hide for some Insiders recently.
  • Fixed an issue where voice access wasn’t working correctly when attempting to interact with the taskbar (calling out a number wasn’t invoking that item).

[Input]​

  • Fixed an issue where if you used the touch keyboard to input your password on the login screen, it might not disappear after logging into your PC.

[File Explorer]​

  • Fixed an issue where the search icon in File Explorer might infinitely loop in an animation recently.

[Widgets]​

  • If you’ve been experiencing an issue recently with widgets not being able to log in, that should be resolved now.

[Administrator Protection]​

  • Fixed an issue when running an app as administrator where the text in the UAC prompt might be truncated.

[Task Manager]​

  • Fixed an issue which was causing some apps and their processes to not be grouped correctly.

[Other]​

  • Updated the buttons to have rounded corners when you’re shutting down your PC and are prompted if you want to shut down anyway despite running apps.

Known Issues​

[General]​

  • [NEW] We’re investigating an underlying issue leading to keyboards or other USB devices not working for a small number of Insiders after the latest flights.

[Taskbar & System Tray]​

  • We’re investigating an issue which is causing the Start menu to not open for some Insiders on click, although it will open if you press the Windows key. It’s believed this issue may also potentially impact the notification center (which you can open with WIN + N).
  • [NEW] We’re investigating an issue where for some Insiders apps aren’t showing in the system tray when they should be.

[File Explorer]​

  • Copy progress might flash when clicking more or less details in dark mode version of the copy dialog.
  • Scrollbar and footer are missing and showing a white block instead when text is scaled in dark mode version of the copy dialog.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel​

  • Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel on Windows 11, version 24H2 will receive updates based on Windows 11, version 24H2 via an enablement package (Build 26120.xxxx).
  • Updates delivered to the Beta Channel are in a format that offers a preview of enhancements to servicing technology on Windows 11, version 24H2. To learn more, see https://aka.ms/CheckpointCumulativeUpdates.
  • Many features in the Beta Channel are rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time as we monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.
  • For Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel who want to be the first to get features gradually rolled out to you, you can turn ON the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available via Settings > Windows Update*. Over time, we will increase the rollouts of features to everyone with the toggle turned on. Should you keep this toggle off, new features will gradually be rolled out to your PC over time once they are ready.
  • Features and experiences included in these builds may never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features may change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they’re ready.
  • Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders may not be fully localized and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, please report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.
  • Please note that some accessibility features may not work with features like Recall and Click to Do while in preview with Windows Insiders.
  • Because the Dev and Beta Channels represent parallel development paths from our engineers, there may be cases where features and experiences show up in the Beta Channel first.
  • Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.
Thanks, Amanda

Source: Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.6982 (Beta Channel)
 
Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.6982 (KB5067109) to the Dev Channel. Changes in Dev Channel builds and updates are documented in two buckets: new features, improvements, and fixes that are being gradually rolled out for Insiders who have turned on the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available (via Settings > Windows Update*) and then new features, improvements, and fixes rolling out to everyone in the Dev Channel. For more information, see the Reminders section at the bottom of this blog post.

New features gradually being rolled out to the Dev Channel with toggle on*​

[Windows Search Box]​

  • In this update, we are introducing Copy & Search, a feature that allows you to search the text in your clipboard with a single click. When you copy text anywhere in Windows, a paste gleam will appear in your search box. Click on this gleam and your copied text will appear in the search field, allowing you to search instantly. To get started:
    • Copy text from a document, webpage, or app.
    • After copying text, the paste gleam will appear in the search box on the taskbar.
    • Click the paste gleam to search for the copied text.
[caption id="attachment_178337" align="alignnone" width="919"]Copying any text in Windows (in this case Office) adds a paste gleam to in the Search field on Taskbar. Copying any text in Windows (in this case Office) adds a paste gleam to in the Search field on Taskbar.[/caption]

[Voice Typing]​

  • For customers on Copilot+ PCs, we are introducing a new 'Wait time before acting' setting in Voice Typing, allowing users to configure the delay before a voice command is executed. This provides greater flexibility for users with varying speech patterns, enabling more accurate recognition whether speaking slowly or quickly.
[caption id="attachment_178338" align="alignnone" width="843"]Voice typing settings supports “Wait time before acting” with timing options like “Instant - 0.1 seconds” to “Very Long - 3.0 seconds” Voice typing settings supports “Wait time before acting” with timing options like “Instant - 0.1 seconds” to “Very Long - 3.0 seconds”[/caption]

[Proactive Memory Diagnostics]​

  • We’re introducing a new feature that helps improve system reliability. If your PC experiences a bugcheck (unexpected restart), you may see a notification when signing in suggesting a quick memory scan. If you choose to run it, the system will schedule a Windows Memory Diagnostic scan to run during your next reboot (taking 5 minutes or less on average) and then continue to Windows. If a memory issue is found and mitigated, you will see a notification post-reboot. Please note:
    • This early flight includes all bugcheck codes as triggers while we study the relationship between memory corruption and crashes. Future builds will refine targeting.
    • Currently this is experience not supported on Arm64 devices, systems with Administrator Protection, or BitLocker without Secure Boot.
[caption id="attachment_178339" align="alignnone" width="577"]Windows Memory Diagnostics dialog recommending a scan during next reboot. Windows Memory Diagnostics dialog recommending a scan during next reboot.[/caption]

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out to the Dev Channel with toggle on*​

[Settings]​

  • Device Cards in Settings has been updated to provide more clarity on information about your device for better readability and streamlined navigation for improved user experience.
  • In Settings About, we’ve enhanced it to deliver a more structured and intuitive experience, empowering users with device insights, and seamless navigation to related device components - including quick access to Storage settings.
  • Search: You can now scroll through all search results directly in the flyout, without needing to open a separate results page.
[caption id="attachment_178340" align="alignnone" width="1024"]A scrollbar is added to Settings search results flyout to show all results. A scrollbar is added to Settings search results flyout to show all results.[/caption]

[Click to Do]​

  • We’re helping users discover more actions in Click to Do!
    • A helpful hint now appears as you launch Click to Do, assisting unfamiliar users in discovering powerful actions that help you work quickly and intuitively.
    • Known issue: When there are multiple monitors, the hint appears on every display, and closing one of them does not dismiss the others.

[Start menu]​

  • Windows Insiders with the larger Start menu flyout will now notice that the Windows Search flyout now matches in size. This update aims to create a smoother transition when searching. The feature relies on the updated Start menu rolled out to WIP earlier this year.

[File Explorer]​

[Taskbar]​

[Windows Studio Effects] ​

Fixes gradually being rolled out to the Dev Channel with toggle on* [General]​

  • Fixed an issue causing text actions that use Phi Silica in Click to Do and Recall to not work correctly on the previous build.

[Taskbar]​

  • Fixed an issue where hovering over the taskbar with a pen was making the taskbar prematurely hide for some Insiders recently.
  • Fixed an issue where voice access wasn’t working correctly when attempting to interact with the taskbar (calling out a number wasn’t invoking that item).

[Input]​

  • Fixed an issue where if you used the touch keyboard to input your password on the login screen, it might not disappear after logging into your PC.

[File Explorer]​

  • Fixed an issue where the search icon in File Explorer might infinitely loop in an animation recently.

[Widgets]​

  • If you’ve been experiencing an issue recently with widgets not being able to log in, that should be resolved now.

[Administrator Protection]​

  • Fixed an issue when running an app as administrator where the text in the UAC prompt might be truncated.

[Task Manager]​

  • Fixed an issue which was causing some apps and their processes to not be grouped correctly.

[Other]​

  • Updated the buttons to have rounded corners when you’re shutting down your PC and are prompted if you want to shut down anyway despite running apps.

​

Known issues​

[General]​

  • [NEW] We’re investigating an underlying issue leading to keyboards or other USB devices not working for a small number of Insiders after the latest flights.

[Taskbar & System Tray]​

  • We’re investigating an issue which is causing the Start menu to not open for some Insiders on click, although it will open if you press the Windows key. It’s believed this issue may also potentially impact the notification center (which you can open with WIN + N).
  • [NEW] We’re investigating an issue where for some Insiders apps aren’t showing in the system tray when they should be.

[File Explorer]​

  • Copy progress might flash when clicking more or less details in dark mode version of the copy dialog.
  • Scrollbar and footer are missing and showing a white block instead when text is scaled in dark mode version of the copy dialog.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel​

  • Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel receive updates based on Windows 11, version 25H2 via an enablement package (Build 26220.xxxx).
  • Many features in the Dev Channel are rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time as we monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.
  • For Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel who want to be the first to get features gradually rolled out to you, you can turn ON the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available via Settings > Windows Update*. Over time, we will increase the rollouts of features to everyone with the toggle turned on. Should you keep this toggle off, new features will gradually be rolled out to your PC over time once they are ready.
  • Features and experiences included in these builds may never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features may change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they’re ready.
  • Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders may not be fully localized and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, please report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.
  • Please note that some accessibility features may not work with features like Recall and Click to Do while in preview with Windows Insiders.
  • Because the Dev and Beta Channels represent parallel development paths from our engineers, there may be cases where features and experiences show up in the Beta Channel first.
  • Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.
Thanks, Amanda

Source: Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.6982 (Dev Channel)
 
Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7051 (KB5067115) to the Dev & Beta Channels. Starting today, we are beginning to offer the same Dev Channel updates based on Windows 11, version 25H2 to Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel as a recommended update. If you are an Insider in the Dev Channel, you now have a window to switch from the Dev Channel to the Beta Channel if you would like. This window will only be open for as long as we’re releasing the same 25H2-based updates across both the Dev and Beta Channels. After we move Dev Channel forward to a higher build number, the opportunity to switch between these channels will close. When the Dev Channel jumps ahead, things might not be as stable as the Dev Channel is today, so we highly encourage you to evaluate which channel you would like to be in during the time in which the window to switch is open. For more information, see the Reminders section at the bottom of this blog post.

New features gradually being rolled out with toggle on*​

Introducing Ask Copilot in taskbar​

[caption id="attachment_178366" align="alignnone" width="467"]The Ask Copilot experience in the Windows taskbar demonstrating a query for ‘Out’ that shows apps, files, settings, and Copilot chat suggestions. The Ask Copilot experience in the Windows taskbar demonstrating a query for ‘Out’ that shows apps, files, settings, and Copilot chat suggestions.[/caption] With the new Ask Copilot in taskbar, Copilot becomes a natural part of how you use your PC, ready to help, guide and collaborate the moment you need it. This opt-in experience gives you one-click access to Copilot Vision and Voice, enabling more natural interaction in your flow. Whether through text, voice, or guided support with Copilot Vision, you can engage on your terms, in the way that works best for you. You’re always in control. As you type, results appear and update instantly, making it easier than ever to find what you need. To get started go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Ask Copilot to enable the experience. You can also manage whether the Copilot app launches automatically at sign-in using the “Auto start on log in” toggle in the Copilot app settings. Ask Copilot in taskbar complements the familiar Windows Search experience, so you can continue using Search as you always have from Start while trying out this new experience. Ask Copilot uses existing Windows APIs to return apps, files, and settings—just like Windows Search—and does not grant Copilot access to your personal content. For more details, you can learn about privacy and control options for Microsoft Copilot here. Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Desktop Environment > Ask Copilot in taskbar.

Full screen experience​

Following the initial launch of the full screen experience (FSE) on the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, today’s preview to Windows Insiders expands availability to additional Windows 11 handheld devices currently in market. Designed with console-style navigation in mind, the Xbox PC app paired with the full screen experience delivers a clean, distraction-free interface for handheld gaming. You’ll get smooth task switching and optimized performance, with background processes minimized and non-essential tasks deferred—so gameplay stays responsive and uninterrupted. [caption id="attachment_178370" align="alignnone" width="1024"]A screenshot of the full screen experience with the Xbox PC app, with game selection shown. A screenshot of the full screen experience with the Xbox PC app, with game selection shown.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_178369" align="alignnone" width="1024"]Settings screen shot showing Gaming and full screen experience enablement options for startup. Settings screen shot showing Gaming and full screen experience enablement options for startup.[/caption] How to enable FSE: On supported devices, go to Settings > Gaming > Full screen experience, then select Xbox as your home app. Once enabled, you can access FSE from Task View and Game Bar or configure your handheld to enter full screen experience on startup.
Availability:
Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Gaming and Xbox > Gaming Handhelds.

Shared audio (preview)​

  • In this update, we are beginning rollout of shared audio (preview), a new experience built on Bluetooth® LE Audio broadcast technology, for Copilot+ PCs. Shared audio allows two family members to watch movies together while traveling, or two students to share music while studying.
  • To get started, access the “Shared audio (preview)” tile in quick settings, select two supported paired and connected accessories and click “Share” to begin.
  • For more information about shared audio (preview), including details about compatible PCs and accessories, visit Extending Bluetooth® LE Audio on Windows 11 with shared audio (preview).
[caption id="attachment_178365" align="alignnone" width="476"]Shared audio (preview) settings showing two connected devices and the Share button to get started using the experience. Shared audio (preview) settings showing two connected devices and the Share button to get started using the experience.[/caption]

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out with toggle on*​

[Prism]​

  • We are enabling the feature update to Prism, our emulator for Windows on Arm, that makes it possible for more 64-bit x86 (x64) applications to run under emulation by adding support for more CPU features under emulation. This support will be made available to any 64-bit x86 (x64) application under emulation by default, and 32-bit x86 applications can be opted in to the support using the emulation settings in the Properties window.
  • Please submit any feedback on compatibility issues or performance regressions through the Feedback Hub (Win + F) under Apps and the specific app you’re seeing issues with (if you don’t see the app listed, use “All other apps”) to help us to ensure that this updated Prism provides a great experience.

Fixes gradually being rolled out with toggle on* [General]​

  • Fixed an underlying issue leading to keyboards or other USB devices not working for a small number of Insiders after the latest flights.

[Start menu]​

  • Fixed an issue where interacting with a folder or its contents in Start menu could result in the folder becoming invisible.

[File Explorer]​

  • Made some underlying changes to help responsiveness of File Explorer when navigating in network locations.
  • Made some more underlying improvements to help reduce the launch time of File Explorer.
  • Fixed an issue where “Open” in File Explorer’s context menu wasn’t showing the right icon for .exe, .cmd & .bat files (was showing a generic executable icon, instead of the default app for that file type).
  • Fixed an issue where you might see your desktop icons move when interacting with files, such as opening or renaming them.
  • Fixed a couple issues where tooltips were not showing up as expected when using navigating Home with a keyboard.

[Lock and login screens]​

  • Fixed a memory leak when your lock screen was set to slide show, which could lead to performance or reliability issues over time when unlocking your PC.
  • Fixed an issue which could cause logging into be very slow the first time when logging into a new account.

[Settings]​

  • Fixed an issue where the search box in Settings could become overlapped with the minimum and maximize buttons in the title bar.

[Other]​

  • Fixed an issue where after the latest updates, screen readers might unexpectedly say "legacy window" without reading out the window contents when interacting with certain apps.
  • Fixed an issue where after the latest updates, text might not render correctly when editing content within a multiline text box in certain apps.
  • Fixed an issue where protected content playback might fail on some machines after the latest updates.
  • Fixed an issue which could cause ethernet upload speeds to be significantly lower on some PCs after the latest updates.

Known issues​

[Taskbar & System Tray]​

  • We’re investigating an issue which is causing the Start menu to not open for some Insiders on click, although it will open if you press the Windows key. It’s believed this issue may also potentially impact the notification center (which you can open with WIN + N).
  • We’re investigating an issue where for some Insiders apps aren’t showing in the system tray when they should be.

[File Explorer]​

  • Copy progress might flash when clicking more or less details in dark mode version of the copy dialog.
  • Scrollbar and footer are missing and showing a white block instead when text is scaled in dark mode version of the copy dialog.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Dev & Beta Channels​

  • Updates are based on Windows 11, version 25H2 via an enablement package (Build 26220.xxxx).
  • Many features are rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time as we monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.
  • For Windows Insiders who want to be the first to get features gradually rolled out to you, you can turn ON the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available via Settings > Windows Update*. Over time, we will increase the rollouts of features to everyone with the toggle turned on. Should you keep this toggle off, new features will gradually be rolled out to your PC over time once they are ready.
  • Features and experiences included in these builds may never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features may change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they’re ready.
  • Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders may not be fully localized and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, please report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.
  • Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.
Thanks, Amanda

Source: Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7051 (Dev & Beta Channels)
 
Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7070 (KB5070300) to the Dev & Beta Channels. As a reminder we are offering the same builds to both the Dev & Beta Channels on Windows 11, version 25H2. If you are an Insider in the Dev Channel, you now have a window to switch from the Dev Channel to the Beta Channel if you would like. This window will only be open for as long as we’re releasing the same 25H2-based updates across both the Dev and Beta Channels. After we move Dev Channel forward to a higher build number, the opportunity to switch between these channels will close. When the Dev Channel jumps ahead, things might not be as stable as the Dev Channel is today, so we highly encourage you to evaluate which channel you would like to be in during the time in which the window to switch is open. Changes in Dev & Beta Channel builds and updates are documented in two buckets: new features, improvements, and fixes that are being gradually rolled out for Insiders who have turned on the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available (via Settings > Windows Update*) and then new features, improvements, and fixes rolling out to everyone in the Dev & Beta Channels. For more information, see the Reminders section at the bottom of this blog post.

New features gradually being rolled out with toggle on*​

Widgets​

Choose your default dashboard in an updated Widget Board Settings
  • Launching the Widget Board when it’s showing live weather content will now open the first dashboard in your navigation bar instead of your most recently used dashboard for a more predictable Widget Board experience.
  • To modify your default dashboard, navigate to the new full-page Widgets Settings experience by clicking the gear icon at the bottom of your Widget navigation bar and re-arrange your desired default dashboard to the top position.
[caption id="attachment_178387" align="alignnone" width="846"]Widgets board with a redesigned Widget Settings page that allows dashboard to be re-arranged Widgets board with a redesigned Widget Settings page that allows dashboard to be re-arranged[/caption]

See numbered badges on the Widget Board navigation bar ​

Badges on the dashboard icons in the Widget navigation bar will now show numbers corresponding to the number of alerts from that dashboard. Navigation bar badges clear automatically when you leave a dashboard, making it easy to track what’s new. [caption id="attachment_178388" align="alignnone" width="300"]Numbered badge on the Discover dashboard icon in the navigation bar. Numbered badge on the Discover dashboard icon in the navigation bar.[/caption] FEEDBACK: Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Desktop Environment > Widgets

Changes and Improvements for everyone​

[Recovery]​

  • We’re updating Quick Machine Recovery in Windows - Microsoft Support make getting back to a working PC clearer and faster. The experience in both Windows Settings and the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) has been streamlined so options are easier to find and use. On PCs with the settings “quick machine recovery” and “automatically check for solutions” both enabled, QMR now runs a one‑time scan by default instead of repeating scans in a loop. If a fix isn’t available right away, you won’t be left waiting; QMR will quickly point you to the most appropriate recovery options to get you back up and running.
[caption id="attachment_178389" align="alignnone" width="1024"]In Settings for Systems, Recovery, “Quick machine recovery” and “Automatically check for solutions” are enabled to run a onetime QMR scan by default. In Settings for Systems, Recovery, “Quick machine recovery” and “Automatically check for solutions” are enabled to run a onetime QMR scan by default.[/caption]

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out with toggle on*​

[Smart App Control]​

  • We’re updating Smart App Control (SAC) so you will now be able to switch SAC off or on without any clean install requirement. To make changes, go to Windows Security > App & Browser Control > Smart App Control settings.
  • When it’s on, it helps block untrusted or potentially harmful apps. You can learn more about SAC App & Browser Control in the Windows Security App - Microsoft Support.

[File Explorer]​

  • We are re-enabling people icons under the “Activity” column in File Explorer Home detailed here.
  • We are temporarily turning off the integration supporting the StorageProvider APIs for cloud providers as detailed here.
  • We are temporarily turning off support for frequently used and recently downloaded recommended files in File Explorer as detailed here.

Fixes gradually being rolled out with toggle on*​

[General]​

  • Fixed an underlying issue which was causing interacting with the desktop to unexpectedly open Task View recently for some people.

[File Explorer]​

  • Fixed an issue where Shift + Click (or middle clicking) on File Explorer in the taskbar wasn’t opening a new File Explorer instance.
  • Fixed an issue where the File Explorer active tab title might not display bolded until you hovered your mouse over it.

[Taskbar]​

  • Fixed an issue which could lead to the “Automatically hide the taskbar” setting unexpectedly turning off, after seeing a message saying “a toolbar is already hidden on this side of your screen”.

[Settings]​

  • Fixed an issue which could lead to Settings hanging when trying to navigate to the Network & Internet section.

Known issues​

[Taskbar & System Tray]​

  • We’re investigating an issue which is causing the Start menu to not open for some Insiders on click, although it will open if you press the Windows key. It’s believed this issue may also potentially impact the notification center (which you can open with WIN + N).
  • We’re investigating an issue where for some Insiders apps aren’t showing in the system tray when they should be.

[File Explorer]​

  • Copy progress might flash when clicking more or less details in dark mode version of the copy dialog.
  • Scrollbar and footer are missing and showing a white block instead when text is scaled in dark mode version of the copy dialog.

[Recall]​

  • [NEW] We’re working on the fix for an issue causing some Insiders to see a message saying they don’t have an eligible camera for Recall when they do.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Dev & Beta Channels​

  • Updates are based on Windows 11, version 25H2 via an enablement package (Build 26220.xxxx).
  • Many features are rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time as we monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.
  • For Windows Insiders who want to be the first to get features gradually rolled out to you, you can turn ON the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available via Settings > Windows Update*. Over time, we will increase the rollouts of features to everyone with the toggle turned on. Should you keep this toggle off, new features will gradually be rolled out to your PC over time once they are ready.
  • Features and experiences included in these builds may never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features may change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they’re ready.
  • Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders may not be fully localized and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, please report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.
  • Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.
Thanks, Windows Insider Program Team

Source: Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7070 (Dev & Beta Channels)
 
Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28000 to the Canary Channel.

What’s new in Build 28000​

[General]​

  • This update includes a small set of general improvements and fixes that improve the overall experience for Insiders running this build on their PCs.

[Versioning]​

  • With this build today, Windows Insiders in the Canary Channel will see the versioning updated under Settings > System > About (and winver) to Windows 11, version 26H1.
  • 26H1 is not a feature update for version 25H2 and only includes platform changes to support specific silicon. There is no action required from customers.
  • 25H2 remains the primary place for new features. Windows 11 continues to have an annual feature update cadence, with releases in the second half of the calendar year.
  • As a reminder, in the Windows Insider Program, new experiences will continue to land first in the Dev and Beta Channels, with Canary primarily focused on platform changes.

Fixes ​

[General]​

  • Fixed an issue causing live captions to crash in the previous flight for some Insiders.
  • Fixed an issue which could cause the credentials window to not be accessible when trying to login to Outlook in recent flights.

Known issues ​

[Start menu]​

  • Insiders with the new Start menu may experience it unexpectedly scrolling to the top.

[Power and Battery]​

  • We’re investigating reports that sleep and shutdown aren’t working correctly for some Insiders after the latest Canary builds.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Canary Channel​

  • The builds we release to the Canary Channel represent the latest platform changes early in the development cycle and should not be seen as matched to any specific release of Windows. Features and experiences included in these builds may never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features may change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they’re ready.
  • Many features in the Canary Channel are rolled out using Control Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time as we monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.
  • Some features may show up in the Dev and Beta Channels first before showing up in the Canary Channel.
  • Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders may not be fully localized and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, please report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.
  • To get off the Canary Channel, a clean install of Windows 11 will be required. As a reminder - Insiders can’t switch to a channel that is receiving builds with lower build numbers without doing a clean installation of Windows 11 due to technical setup requirements.
  • Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.
Thanks, Windows Insider Program Team

Source: Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28000 (Canary Channel)
 
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Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7262 (KB5070303) to the Dev & Beta Channels. As a reminder we are offering the same builds to both the Dev & Beta Channels on Windows 11, version 25H2. If you are an Insider in the Dev Channel, you now have a window to switch from the Dev Channel to the Beta Channel if you would like. This window will only be open for as long as we’re releasing the same 25H2-based updates across both the Dev and Beta Channels. After we move Dev Channel forward to a higher build number, the opportunity to switch between these channels will close. When the Dev Channel jumps ahead, things might not be as stable as the Dev Channel is today, so we highly encourage you to evaluate which channel you would like to be in during the time in which the window to switch is open. Changes in Dev & Beta Channel builds and updates are documented in two buckets: new features, improvements, and fixes that are being gradually rolled out for Insiders who have turned on the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available (via Settings > Windows Update*) and then new features, improvements, and fixes rolling out to everyone in the Dev & Beta Channels. For more information, see the Reminders section at the bottom of this blog post.

New features gradually being rolled out with toggle on*​

HD Voices in Narrator and Magnifier​

Narrator and Magnifier now support high-definition voices for English (United States), powered by Azure’s latest on-device text-to-speech models. These voices use generative AI to adjust tone and pacing for more natural, expressive speech. When reading with Narrator or listening to text in Magnifier, HD voices provide clearer audio and smoother flow. This helps reduce listening fatigue during long sessions and makes it easier to stay focused on the content. While natural voices are available in multiple languages, HD voices are currently offered in English (United States). Both Narrator and Magnifier allow you to personalize your experience by adjusting voice speed and switching between voices anytime. To enable in Narrator
  1. Open Settings → Accessibility → Narrator.
  2. Navigate to “add a natural voice” button
  3. Download your preferred HD voice.
  4. Switch voices or adjust speed anytime in Narrator settings.
Currently, HD voices are available in English (United States), with one male (Andrew) and one female (Ava) option to choose from. Magnifier also supports natural voices, including new HD options for even clearer, more lifelike speech. To enable:
  1. Open Settings → Accessibility → Magnifier.
  2. Navigate to “add a natural voice” button
  3. Download your preferred voice.
  4. Change voices or adjust speed anytime in Magnifier settings.
[caption id="attachment_178403" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]UI showing list of voices that can be downloaded in Magnifier. UI showing list of voices that can be downloaded in Magnifier.[/caption] FEEDBACK: Please share your feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Accessibility > Narrator or Accessibility > Magnifier.

Narrator now supports math​

  • We’re introducing the first phase of Math reading in Narrator, bringing clearer and more natural math experiences to users who are blind or have low vision. With this update, equations in Microsoft 365 apps such as Word can now be read in a structured way that reflects how they’re meant to be understood. Math is at the heart of STEM education and learning, and this improvement helps ensure that students and professionals can independently explore equations, formulas, and scientific notations with confidence.
  • To try out this experience, turn on Narrator (press Win + Ctrl + Enter) and open a Word document containing mathematical equations. Use any of the standard Narrator reading commands to hear equations read aloud in a more natural, structured way. We’re continuing to refine this experience and plan to expand it to more scenarios in the future.
  • FEEDBACK: Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Accessibility > Narrator.

AI Components Setting​

  • New “Experimental agentic features” toggle in the Settings app. This setting, under System->AI Components, allows agents to use new Windows agentic features. More information can be found here: Experimental Agentic Features - Microsoft Support.
[caption id="attachment_178411" align="alignnone" width="1024"]UI showing the Windows Settings app, specifically under System > AI components where users can activate the “Experimental agentic features” toggle. UI showing the Windows Settings app, specifically under System > AI components where users can activate the “Experimental agentic features” toggle.[/caption]

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out with toggle on*​

[Click to Do]​

  • The Click to Do context menu is being updated with a streamlined design, making it simpler to locate what you need. Frequently used actions like Copy, Save, Share, and Open will now be easier to access directly from the context menu.
  • Whenever a large image or table appears on your screen, the context menu will automatically pop up, making it quicker and easier to access the actions and results you need.
[caption id="attachment_178402" align="alignnone" width="1024"]UI showing the context menu automatically appearing to provide quick access to common actions. UI showing the context menu automatically appearing to provide quick access to common actions.[/caption]

Image Object Selection Update​

  • We are temporarily turning off Image Object select as detailed here for Dev and Beta

Teaching Tip Updates​

  • Teaching tips and introduction screen in tutorial mode have been improved.
  • A new "Launch Tutorial" button and refreshed instructions make it easier for users to start the tutorial.

[Input]​

  • Pens that support haptic feedback will now deliver tactile responses during certain interactions with the system UI. For example, you may feel vibrations when hovering over the close button or when snapping and resizing windows.

[File Explorer]​

  • We are reconfiguring the CFR that supported AI Actions in File Explorer – Insiders may see a temporary loss in image actions and Copilot summary actions as this is relaunched and gradually rolled out to Insiders in the Dev & Beta Channels.
  • We’re temporarily stopping the roll out of the ability for newly launched File Explorer folders to open in tabs instead of windows, as it wasn’t working correctly. Appreciate your patience.
  • We’re working on consolidating the share options in the context menu into a single entry point. (Updated 11/17)

[Administrator Protection]​

Fixes gradually being rolled out with toggle on*​

[General]​

  • Fixed an issue resulting in mouse and keyboard not working for some Insiders in WinRE / Advanced Startup.

[Recall]​

  • Fixed an issue recently causing some Insiders to see a message saying they don’t have an eligible camera for Recall when they did.

[Task Manager]​

  • Fixed an issue where the Task Manager process wasn’t stopping correctly after closing Task Manager. As a result of this, you may have also seen Task Manager unexpectedly open on boot.

[Settings]​

  • Fixed an issue where the Virtual Workspaces options weren’t working correctly in Settings > System > Advanced. As part of this fix, the option is now available again for Insiders.
  • Fixed an issue where the CPU information in Settings > System > About may be unexpectedly truncated.

Known issues​

[Taskbar & System Tray]​

  • We’re investigating an issue which is causing the Start menu to not open for some Insiders on click, although it will open if you press the Windows key. It’s believed this issue may also potentially impact the notification center (which you can open with WIN + N).
  • We’re investigating an issue where for some Insiders apps aren’t showing in the system tray when they should be.

[File Explorer]​

  • Scrollbar and footer are missing and showing a white block instead when text is scaled in dark mode version of the copy dialog.

[.NET Framework and Visual Studio]​

  • [NEW] Insiders using ARM64 PCs may observe crashes with Visual Studio or applications that depend on .NET Framework. To resolve the problem, scan for Windows Updates and install the latest .NET Framework update.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Dev & Beta Channels​

  • Updates are based on Windows 11, version 25H2 via an enablement package (Build 26220.xxxx).
  • Many features are rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time as we monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.
  • For Windows Insiders who want to be the first to get features gradually rolled out to you, you can turn ON the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available via Settings > Windows Update*. Over time, we will increase the rollouts of features to everyone with the toggle turned on. Should you keep this toggle off, new features will gradually be rolled out to your PC over time once they are ready.
  • Features and experiences included in these builds may never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features may change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they’re ready.
  • Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders may not be fully localized and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, please report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.
  • Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.
Thanks, Windows Insider Program Team

Source: Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7262 (Dev & Beta Channels)
 
Hello Windows Insiders, today we’re releasing Windows 11 Builds 26100.7296 and 26200.7296 (KB 5070311) to Insiders in the Release Preview Channel on Windows 11, version 24H2 (Build 26100) and version 25H2 (Build 26200). Below is a summary of the new features and improvements included as part of this update separated into two sections: gradual rollout and normal rollout. The bold text within the brackets indicates the item or area of the change we are documenting.

Gradual rollout​

The following features and improvements might not be available to all users because they will roll out gradually. Text bolded in brackets indicate the area of the change being documented. Please note that features and improvements that gradually roll out may not begin rolling out right away nor will they immediately show up right away.

Copilot+ PC only experiences​

  • [Camera] New! As part of the Copilot+ PCs experience, you can use Windows Studio Effects, which provides AI-powered camera enhancements on an additional, alternative camera such as a USB webcam or your laptop’s built-in rear camera. To get started, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Cameras and select your preferred camera from the connected cameras list. Then, open the Advanced camera options and turn on Use Windows Studio Effects. After you turn it on, you can adjust Studio Effects from the camera settings page or the quick settings menu in the taskbar. For more info on the different AI experiences, see ms/copilotpluspcs.
  • [Click to Do] These improvements are rolling out to Click to Do on Copilot+ PCs.
    • New! The Click to Do context menu now has a streamlined design that makesi it easier to access frequently used actions like Copy, Save, Share, and Open. You can quickly find what you need.
    • New! Whenever a large image or table appears on your screen, the context menu automatically opens, making it quicker and easier to access the actions and results you need.
  • [Agent in Settings] These improvements are rolling out to Agents Settings on Copilot+ PCs.
    • New! The search results menu now displays more available results, making it easier to quickly find and modify your settings. A scroll bar lets you view all search results.
    • New! Recommended settings now make changes faster by showing an inline agent option for recently modified settings.
    • New! A dialog now appears when settings can’t be adjusted further. It explains why and provides an option to modify the settings as needed.
  • [File Explorer] New! As part of the Copilot+ PC experience, the File Explorer Search Box placeholder text has been updated to highlight the enhanced Windows Search.

Windows 11 PC experiences – all supported devices​

  • [Desktop Spotlight] New! When Windows Spotlight is set as your desktop background (Settings > Personalization > Background), the context menu now includes two options: Learn more about this background and Next desktop background.
  • [Drag Tray] For users with the Drag Tray:1
    • New! Drag Tray now supports multi-file sharing, shows more relevant apps, and makes it easy to move files to a chosen folder.
    • New! You can now turn Drag Tray on or off from Settings > System > Nearby sharing.
  • [Keyboard] New! Keyboard backlight performance has improved on supported HID-compliant keyboards. Compatible keyboards display keys clearly in low-light environments, and the backlight adjusts to help conserve power.
  • [File Explorer]
    • New! File Explorer now offers a more consistent dark mode Key actions such as copy, move, and delete dialogs have been updated in both default and expanded views. Progress bars and chart views now align with the dark theme to improve readability. Confirmation dialogs for actions like skip, override, and file selection, along with multiple error dialogs, have also been refreshed for a cohesive look.
    • New! We’re working on consolidating the share options in the context menu into a single entry point. This change will initially be available to a small group of devices as we evaluate the best approach.
    • Fixed: File Explorer may unexpectedly not show thumbnails for video files containing certain EXIF metadata.
    • Fixed: An old white toolbar may sometimes randomly appear in File Explorer.
    • Fixed: When you right click on a file, the icon next to the entry to Open may be generic rather than matching the default app for that file type.
  • [Settings]
    • New! Keyboard settings for character repeat delay and rate, and cursor blink rate, have moved from the Control Panel to Settings. You can now find character repeat delay and rate under Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard, and cursor blink rate under Settings > Accessibility > Text cursor.
    • New! You can view the Device Card on the Settings home page. It shows key specifications and usage details of your PC. From the card, go directly to Settings > About page for more detailed information about your PC. This card will show when signed in with your Microsoft account and in the U.S. only.
    • New! About in Settings now has an updated layout that organizes device details and related options in one place. You can quickly access features such as Storage settings for faster navigation.
    • Fixed: Settings may become unresponsive when attempting to navigate to the Network & Internet section.
  • [Windows Hello] New! Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS) now supports peripheral fingerprint sensors. To enroll a supported ESS fingerprint reader, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and follow the prompts.
  • [Windows Share] New! 2 You can share OneDrive files through other apps. The options appear under Share using when you select the Copy link. You must be signed into your Microsoft account.
  • [Mobile Device Settings] New! You can now add and manage your mobile devices in Settings Bluetooth & Devices > Mobile On this page you can manage features such as using your device as a connected camera or accessing your device’s files in File Explorer.
  • [Game Pass] References to Game Pass in Settings are now modified to reflect updated branding and benefits.
  • [Taskbar & System Tray]
    • New! We’re updating the animations that appear when hovering over app groups on the taskbar, so that as you slide between apps you can now see the preview transition.
    • Fixed: The “Automatically hide the taskbar” setting may unexpectedly turn off, after seeing a message saying “a toolbar is already hidden on this side of your screen”.
    • Fixed: Voice access doesn't work correctly when attempting to interact with the taskbar (calling out a number may not invoke that item).
  • [Recovery] On PCs with the settings “quick machine recovery” and “automatically check for solutions” both enabled, Quick Machine Recovery now runs a one‑time scan by default instead of repeating scans in a loop. If a fix isn’t available right away, QMR will quickly point you to the most appropriate recovery options to get you back up and running.
  • [Widgets]
    • New! You can choose a default dashboard in Widget Board settings. When live weather is showing, the Widget Board opens the first dashboard in your navigation bar instead of the most recently used one, making the experience consistent. To set your default dashboard, open the full-page Widgets Settings by selecting Settings (gear icon) in the navigation bar, then move your preferred dashboard to the top.
    • New! Dashboard icons in the Widget navigation bar now show numbers that correspond to the number of alerts from that dashboard. Navigation bar badges clear automatically when you leave a dashboard, making it easy to track what’s new.
  • [OneDrive] The new OneDrive icon is now in Accounts and Homepages in Settings.
  • [Input] Pens that support haptic feedback will now deliver tactile responses during certain interactions with the system UI. For example, you may feel vibrations when hovering over the close button or when snapping and resizing windows.
  • [Lock and Login Screens]
    • Fixed: It may be very slow the first time when logging into a new account.
    • Fixed: When your lock screen is set to slide show, there may be a memory leak. Memory leaks can lead to performance or reliability issues over time.
  • [Display and Graphics]:
    • Improved: We’ve improved the performance when apps query monitors for their full list of supported modes. When this happens it could previously lead to a momentary stutter on very high-resolution monitors. This work should help prevent and reduce stuttering in these scenarios.
    • Fixed: All-in-one PCs may experience issues with their brightness slider, where it unexpectedly reverts to the original brightness when interacting with it.
    • Fixed: Recently certain games may show a message saying “Unsupported graphics card detected”, although a supported graphics card is used.
  • [Smart cards]: Fixed: You may unexpectedly see STATUS_NOT_SUPPORTED (0xc00000bb) during logon when using ECC Smart Card Logon Credential.
  • [Advanced Settings] You can now enable Virtual Workspaces in Advanced Settings. Virtual Workspaces allow you to enable or disable virtual environments such as Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, and more. To access Virtual Workspaces go to Settings > Systems > Advanced.
1 This feature is gradually rolling out, and availability will vary by device and market. Drag tray might not be available to all devices yet. For more information on Drag Tray, see KB5058499. 2 Feature availability depends on your device and market. This feature isn’t available in the European Economic Area.

Normal Rollout​

This non-security update includes quality improvements. The following summary outlines key issues addressed by the KB update after you install it. Also, included are available new features. The bold text within the brackets indicates the item or area of the change.
  • [Security] Fixed: This update addresses an issue that affects Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS). LSASS could become unstable due to an access violation.
Thanks, Windows Insider Program Team *Functionality will vary by device and market; text actions will be available across markets in select character sets. See aka.ms/copilotpluspcs.

Source: Releasing Windows 11 Builds 26100.7296 and 26200.7296 to the Release Preview Channel
 
  • Thanks
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Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28000.1199 to the Canary Channel. (KB 5068860)

What’s new in Build 28000.1199​

[General]​

  • This update includes a small set of general improvements and fixes that improve the overall experience for Insiders running this build on their PCs.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Canary Channel​

  • The builds we release to the Canary Channel represent the latest platform changes early in the development cycle and should not be seen as matched to any specific release of Windows. Features and experiences included in these builds may never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features may change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they’re ready.
  • Many features in the Canary Channel are rolled out using Control Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time as we monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.
  • Some features may show up in the Dev and Beta Channels first before showing up in the Canary Channel.
  • Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders may not be fully localized and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, please report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.
  • To get off the Canary Channel, a clean install of Windows 11 will be required. As a reminder - Insiders can’t switch to a channel that is receiving builds with lower build numbers without doing a clean installation of Windows 11 due to technical setup requirements.
  • Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.
Thanks, Windows Insider Program Team

Source: Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28000.1199 (Canary Channel)
 
Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7271 (KB5070307) to the Dev & Beta Channels. As a reminder we are offering the same builds to both the Dev & Beta Channels on Windows 11, version 25H2. If you are an Insider in the Dev Channel, you now have a window to switch from the Dev Channel to the Beta Channel if you would like. This window will only be open for as long as we’re releasing the same 25H2-based updates across both the Dev and Beta Channels. After we move Dev Channel forward to a higher build number, the opportunity to switch between these channels will close. When the Dev Channel jumps ahead, things might not be as stable as the Dev Channel is today, so we highly encourage you to evaluate which channel you would like to be in during the time in which the window to switch is open. Changes in Dev & Beta Channel builds and updates are documented in two buckets: new features, improvements, and fixes that are being gradually rolled out for Insiders who have turned on the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available (via Settings > Windows Update*) and then new features, improvements, and fixes rolling out to everyone in the Dev & Beta Channels. For more information, see the Reminders section at the bottom of this blog post.

Introducing the Xbox full screen experience for PC​

Alongside today’s general availability of the Xbox full screen experience (FSE) on more Windows handhelds, today’s preview to Windows Insiders also expands availability of FSE to additional Windows 11 PC form factors. Designed with console-style navigation in mind, the Xbox full screen experience delivers a clean, distraction-free interface for controller-first gaming. Pair a controller to your PC for smooth task switching and a streamlined gaming experience on your desktop, laptop, or tablet. [caption id="attachment_178433" align="alignnone" width="1024"]UI showing the Task View in Xbox full screen experience on PC. UI showing the Task View in Xbox full screen experience on PC.[/caption] How to enter Xbox full screen experience: You can access Xbox full screen experience from Task View, Game Bar settings, or use Win + F11 hotkey to toggle FSE. [caption id="attachment_178432" align="alignnone" width="1024"]UI of the task view interface showing the option to access Xbox full screen experience. UI of the task view interface showing the option to access Xbox full screen experience.[/caption] The Xbox full screen experience begins as a gradual rollout to Windows Insiders on the Dev & Beta Channels, who are also registered Xbox Insiders. We expect to expand this later to all Insiders on the Dev & Beta Channels without requiring Xbox program registration. If you want to be among the first to try out these new features on your PC, join the Xbox Insiders Program and opt into the PC gaming preview through the Xbox Insiders Hub. For more information about the Xbox full screen experience, visit Full screen experience expands to more Windows 11 PC form factors. Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Gaming and Xbox > Gaming Full Screen Experience.

New features gradually being rolled out with toggle on*​

Point-in-time restore for Windows​

We’re excited to introduce point-in-time restore for Windows, now available to Insiders in the Beta and Dev Channels! This flexible recovery feature empowers you to quickly roll your device back to a previous state—helping minimize downtime and simplify troubleshooting when disruptions strike. Whether you’re dealing with a widespread outage or a one-off issue, point-in-time restore helps recover your system (including apps, settings, and user files) to get you back to productivity faster. For more details, check out our documentation. [caption id="attachment_178444" align="alignnone" width="618"]Point-in-time restore shown in the Troubleshoot menu for Windows RE. Point-in-time restore shown in the Troubleshoot menu for Windows RE.[/caption] Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Recovery and Uninstall > Point-in-time restore.

Introducing Fluid Dictation in Voice Typing​

Following the introduction of Fluid dictation for voice access users, we’re also now introducing it for voice typing users on NPU devices. Fluid dictation makes voice-based dictation smoother and smarter by automatically correcting grammar, punctuation, and filler words as you speak, reducing the need for manual editing. Powered by on-device small language models (SLMs), it ensures fast and private processing. To use it, set focus to a text field and launch voice typing by pressing the Windows key plus H and complete setup if you're a first-time user. Fluid Dictation is enabled by default—you can check or toggle it via the settings flyout—so all you need to do is start talking! [caption id="attachment_178445" align="alignnone" width="583"]UI showing the Fluid Dictation toggle in the voice typing launcher. UI showing the Fluid Dictation toggle in the voice typing launcher.[/caption] Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Input and Language > Voice Typing (Windows key plus H).

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out with toggle on*​

[Seamlessly resume more apps from your Android phone to your PC]​

  • Following the ability to resume Spotify tracks from your phone onto your PC, we’re excited to share that:
    • vivo Android phone users can also now continue your browsing activity from vivo Browser on your phone, onto your default browser on your PC.
    • Honor, Huawei, Oppo, Samsung and vivo Android phone users can also now continue online files opened on M365 Copilot app from your phone onto your PC. Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files will open in the respective app on your PC if you have it installed, or if you don’t they’ll open in the default browser on your PC. Note - offline files (stored locally on the phone) are not currently supported.
FEEDBACK: Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Devices and Drivers > Linked Phone.

[Click to Do]​

  • We’re testing and refining the Click-to-Do top bar to determine the best experience for future updates. Functionality will vary by device and market.

[File Explorer]​

  • We’re making a few refinements to the context menu aimed at reducing the space taken by less commonly used actions, while keeping them easy to access. We’ve also updated the ordering of actions to group similar tasks. This includes:
    • We’ve moved Compress to ZIP file, Copy as Path, Set as Desktop Background, and Rotate Right, and Rotate Left into a new Manage file flyout.
    • We’ve moved cloud provider options, like Always Keep on this Device and Free Up Space, into their relevant cloud provider flyout.
    • We’ve moved Send to My Phone next to the cloud provider options.
    • We’ve moved Open Folder Location to now be next to Open and Open with.
[caption id="attachment_178446" align="alignnone" width="1024"]The image on the left shows the “before” experience before and the image on the right shows the “after” experience. The image on the left shows the “before” experience before and the image on the right shows the “after” experience.[/caption] Note, the name Manage file may change in a future Insider update. If you have feedback, please file it in the Feedback Hub under Desktop Environment > Right-Click Context Menu
  • We’re exploring preloading File Explorer in the background to help improve File Explorer launch performance. This shouldn’t be visible to you, outside of File Explorer hopefully launching faster when you need to use it. If you have the change, if needed there is an option you can uncheck to disable this called “Enable window preloading for faster launch times” in File Explorer’s Folder Options, under View. Looking forward to your feedback! If you do encounter any issues, please file them in the Feedback Hub under Files Folders and Online Storage > File Explorer Performance, or Files Folders and Online Storage > File Explorer.

[Microsoft Store]​

Based on user feedback, we have added support for uninstalling Store-managed apps from the Store's library page. Simply find an installed app in your library, click the three-dot menu, and click uninstall. Please let us know what you think! [caption id="attachment_178447" align="alignnone" width="624"]UI showing the uninstall functionality for Store-managed apps from the Store's library page. UI showing the uninstall functionality for Store-managed apps from the Store's library page.[/caption] Windows Insiders across all channels running Microsoft Store version 22510.1401.x.x and higher will see this improvement. FEEDBACK: Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Microsoft Store.

Fixes gradually being rolled out with toggle on*​

[Taskbar and System Tray]​

  • Fixed an issue which could cause the taskbar to hang after receiving certain notifications.
  • Fixed an issue where the battery icon in the taskbar might unexpectedly show its own backplate when hovering over the icon in the system tray (instead of combined with wi-fi and volume).

[Internet]​

  • Made some underlying improvements to help address an issue which could lead to not having internet after resuming from disconnected standby. Please don’t hesitate to file feedback under Network and Internet in the Feedback Hub if you continue experiencing issues.

[File Explorer]​

  • Fixed an issue where if you opened the Recycle bin and had “Empty recycle bin” visible in the command bar, it might stay showing after you navigated away.

[Settings]​

  • Fixed an issue where Settings might crash when navigating to Privacy & Security > Camera, Location, or Microphone.

[Display and Graphics]​

  • Fixed an issue where recently certain games might show a message saying “Unsupported graphics card detected”, although a supported graphics card was being used.

[Task Manager]​

  • If you’re using Die or CAMM memory form factor, Task Manager will now show that in Performance under Memory > Form Factor, instead of a blank.

[.NET Framework and Visual Studio]​

  • The issue causing Insiders with ARM64 PCs to potentially observe crashes with Visual Studio or applications that depend on .NET Framework should be resolved if you have installed the latest .NET Framework update.

Known issues​

[Xbox full screen experience for PC]​

  • [NEW] The virtual keyboard is not shown for controller users on devices without a touch screen. Please use the physical keyboard as a workaround for now.
  • [NEW] Some apps may behave unexpectedly when using FSE, particularly those that expect to be locked to a given size or launch additional windows.

[Taskbar & System Tray]​

  • We’re investigating an issue which is causing the Start menu to not open for some Insiders on click, although it will open if you press the Windows key. It’s believed this issue may also potentially impact the notification center (which you can open with WIN + N).
  • We’re investigating an issue where for some Insiders apps aren’t showing in the system tray when they should be.

[File Explorer]​

  • Scrollbar and footer are missing and showing a white block instead when text is scaled in dark mode version of the copy dialog.
  • [NEW] We’re investigating an issue where File Explorer has started showing a white flash when navigating between pages after the previous flight.

[Bluetooth]​

  • [NEW] We’re investigating an issue causing Bluetooth device battery level to not show for some Insiders.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Dev & Beta Channels​

  • Updates are based on Windows 11, version 25H2 via an enablement package (Build 26220.xxxx).
  • Many features are rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time as we monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.
  • For Windows Insiders who want to be the first to get features gradually rolled out to you, you can turn ON the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available via Settings > Windows Update*. Over time, we will increase the rollouts of features to everyone with the toggle turned on. Should you keep this toggle off, new features will gradually be rolled out to your PC over time once they are ready.
  • Features and experiences included in these builds may never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features may change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they’re ready.
  • Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders may not be fully localized and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, please report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.
  • Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.
Thanks, Windows Insider Program Team

Source: Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7271 (Dev & Beta Channels)
 
Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7344 (KB5070316) to the Dev & Beta Channels. As a reminder, we are offering the same builds to both the Dev & Beta Channels on Windows 11, version 25H2. If you are an Insider in the Dev Channel, you now have a window to switch from the Dev Channel to the Beta Channel if you would like. This window will only be open for as long as we’re releasing the same 25H2-based updates across both the Dev and Beta Channels. After we move Dev Channel forward to a higher build number, the opportunity to switch between these channels will close. When the Dev Channel jumps ahead, things might not be as stable as the Dev Channel is today, so we highly encourage you to evaluate which channel you would like to be in during the time in which the window to switch is open. Changes in Dev & Beta Channel builds and updates are documented in two buckets: new features, improvements, and fixes that are being gradually rolled out for Insiders who have turned on the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available (via Settings > Windows Update*) and then new features, improvements, and fixes rolling out to everyone in the Dev & Beta Channels. For more information, see the Reminders section at the bottom of this blog post.

New features gradually being rolled out with toggle on*​

Public preview of native support for MCP on Windows​

Windows now offers native support for the Model Context Protocol (MCP), an open standard that gives AI agents a universal way to connect with apps, tools, and services. Agents can discover and connect to these tools and other agents via a secure, manageable Windows on-device registry (ODR). By default, all agent connectors in the Windows on-device registry will be contained in a secure environment with their own identity and audit trail. With OS level integration, MCP on Windows delivers secure discoverability, consistent controls, and enterprise grade manageability—empowering developers, IT professionals, and end users to build and deploy agentic workflows at scale. [caption id="attachment_178461" align="alignnone" width="624"]MCP enables secure agent connections to Windows apps and services. MCP enables secure agent connections to Windows apps and services.[/caption] As part of this release, two agent connectors are built into Windows—File Explorer and Windows Settings.
  • File Explorer Connector Agents can use the File Explorer connector to manage, organize and retrieve local files on a user’s device with their consent. On Copilot+ PCs, the connector can also perform natural language search to retrieve the exact file based on descriptions, content, metadata, and, for images, enhanced search based on image classification.
  • Windows Settings Connector On Copilot+ PC devices, Windows Settings connector lets users check, change settings, or navigate directly to specific pages such as display, mouse, keyboard, and sound using natural language.
Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Developer Platform > All other issues.

Quick Machine Recovery​

Quick machine recovery (QMR) will now be turned on automatically for Windows Professional devices that are not domain joined. These devices will get the same recovery features as Windows Home users. For enterprise computers that are domain joined, nothing changes—QMR will stay off unless your organization turns it on. Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Recovery and Uninstall > Quick Machine Recovery.

Update Orchestration Platform (UOP)​

The Unified Update Orchestration Platform (UOP) is starting to roll out to Windows Insiders in the Dev and Beta Channels. UOP makes app updates more consistent and predictable, with fewer interruptions. Insiders will see a new page in Settings > Apps > App Updates, where they can check update progress and take action if needed. How it Works
  • Apps will register with UOP via APIs.
  • UOP triggers a registered app to scan, download and install updates based on user activity and system state.
  • Apps continue to utilize their own backend for acquiring updates.
  • Apps report update status back to UOP, so users can see it in the App Updates page.
Availability No apps utilize UOP yet because the feature is new, but apps will start using it over time. The feature is partially enabled for Dev and Beta Channel Insiders today and will reach full enablement in these channels soon. API documentation will follow. Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Downloading, installing, and configuring Windows Update.

Windows MIDI Services​

We’re excited to announce the highly anticipated production release of Windows MIDI Services, going to the Dev and Beta Windows Insider channels today, and then to retail Windows in the next few months. This is our update of MIDI on Windows with a focus on a great experience for musicians using MIDI 1.0 or MIDI 2.0. Thank you to all the Insiders who provided feedback on the February 5, 2025 Canary Channel Windows Midi Services preview: Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27788 (Canary Channel) | Windows Insider Blog. Your feedback, bug reports, and testing have been invaluable! New features in this release include:
  • Full support for WinMM MIDI 1.0 and WinRT MIDI 1.0, complete with in-service translation, enabling any API to use any MIDI 1.0 or MIDI 2.0 device. This means your existing applications will use the new service and gain important new features like the ability for more than one app to open a MIDI port at the same time, custom port names, and more.
  • New loopback and app-to-app MIDI support.
  • Lots of performance improvements and bug fixes thanks to our vibrant community. Thank you!
The App SDK and Tools package is a separate download, versioned outside of Windows. This enables applications to use the in-box MIDI 2.0 features and also provides the tools you need to manage your MIDI setup on Windows, including the MIDI Console and MIDI Settings app. Current releases are available on our GitHub repo releases page or via the main Windows MIDI Services landing page. Please note that these are unsigned releases at the moment and so will give you a warning when you download and install. [caption id="attachment_178460" align="alignnone" width="1024"]Windows MIDI Services Console Monitor Windows MIDI Services Console Monitor[/caption] [caption id="attachment_178457" align="alignnone" width="1024"]Windows MIDI Services Settings app Windows MIDI Services Settings app[/caption] We look forward to having Windows Insiders who create music try out the Windows MIDI Services release especially with your current applications and devices. You can also join the discussion on Discord if you have questions or are looking to help or provide feedback! You will find a list of known issues documented here. Feedback: Share your thoughts on GitHub or Discord.

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out with toggle on*​

[“Open With” App Integration]​

We're updating Open With so that if you don’t have a relevant app you need installed, instead of having to open Microsoft Store to find it, it will now show directly in this list as available to install. This makes it faster and easier to find and install the app you need. [caption id="attachment_178458" align="alignnone" width="975"]Choose an app to open files—now with direct Microsoft Store integration. Choose an app to open files—now with direct Microsoft Store integration.[/caption]

Fixes gradually being rolled out with toggle on*​

[Search]​

  • Fixed a recent issue which could caused the search window to unexpectedly start floating above the taskbar.

[File Explorer]​

  • If there are no available or enabled AI Actions, this section will no longer show in the context menu.
  • Fixed an issue where File Explorer might not search certain SMB shares after the latest updates.

[Windows Hello]​

  • Fixed an issue resulting in fingerprint recognition not working for some Insiders after the latest flights.

[Display and Graphics]​

  • Fixed an issue which could cause the Project pane to not appear after pressing WIN + P.

[Xbox full screen experience for PC]​

  • For Insiders with the new Xbox full screen experience for PC, the virtual keyboard should now show properly when needed for controller users on devices without a touch screen.

[Other]​

  • Fixed an issue in the previous flight which was leading to some Insiders seeing a bugcheck with error DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL when using a controller.
  • Fixed an underlying issue that could lead to your PC freezing where attempting to run Windows Terminal elevated from a non-admin account.

Known issues​

[Xbox full screen experience for PC]​

  • Some apps may behave unexpectedly when using FSE, particularly those that expect to be locked to a given size or launch additional windows.

[Taskbar & System Tray]​

  • We’re working on the fix for an issue which is causing the Start menu to not open for some Insiders on click, although it will open if you press the Windows key. This issue may also potentially impact the notification center (which you can open with WIN + N) and quick settings (WIN + A).
  • We’re investigating an issue where for some Insiders apps aren’t showing in the system tray when they should be.

[File Explorer]​

  • Scrollbar and footer are missing and showing a white block instead when text is scaled in dark mode version of the copy dialog.
  • We’re working on the fix for an issue where File Explorer has started showing a white flash when navigating between pages after the latest flights.
  • [NEW] We’re working on the fix for an issue where opening the context menu is causing explorer.exe to crash for some Insiders after the previous flight.

[Bluetooth]​

  • We’re investigating an issue causing Bluetooth device battery level to not show for some Insiders.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Dev & Beta Channels​

  • Updates are based on Windows 11, version 25H2 via an enablement package (Build 26220.xxxx).
  • Many features are rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time as we monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.
  • For Windows Insiders who want to be the first to get features gradually rolled out to you, you can turn ON the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available via Settings > Windows Update*. Over time, we will increase the rollouts of features to everyone with the toggle turned on. Should you keep this toggle off, new features will gradually be rolled out to your PC over time once they are ready.
  • Features and experiences included in these builds may never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features may change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they’re ready.
  • Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders may not be fully localized and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, please report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.
  • Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.
Thanks, Windows Insider Program Team

Source: Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7344 (Dev & Beta Channels)
 

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