A small change is on the way to Windows 11, but it will make a big difference to a select group of users. Windows Insiders can now test the option to make the taskbar smaller on Windows 11.

Windows 11's taskbar has always been controversial. Microsoft rebuilt the taskbar when creating the operating system, but the company did not include every feature from the Windows 10 taskbar.

As a result, options like being able to move the taskbar to the side or top of the screen never made it to Windows 11. Microsoft is addressing some of the most frequently shared complaints. Soon, you'll be able to move the taskbar and resize it. Progress!

Windows Insiders have been able to move the taskbar around since earlier this year, but until recently have had limited options for resizing it. Insider builds presented the option to "show smaller taskbar buttons" but enabling that feature only shrinks the buttons. The actual taskbar remains the same height.

Windows 11 Experimental Preview Build 26300.8758 adds a toggle to change the size of the taskbar. Switching the taskbar to "small" reduces the height of the taskbar and also enables smaller icons.

It's also possible to enable small icons while keeping the taskbar its default height.

Build 26300.8758: Changes

Taskbar

• Taskbar customization just got easier. As we continue to make improvements to the Taskbar experience mentioned last month, we've introduced a dedicated Taskbar Size setting, making it simpler to find, understand, and personalize your ideal taskbar experience.
• We've also made refinements to the transitions between taskbar sizes for a smoother overall experience.

File Explorer

• We've improved the reliability of thumbnail previews for cloud files in the Details pane. The pane has also been reorganized so file properties are easier to find and review at a glance.
• Fixed an issue where the OneDrive shortcut in File Explorer stops working when File Explorer is run in administrative mode.
• Fixed an issue where the confirmation dialog might display an internal Recycle Bin file name instead of the original file name when permanently deleting a file.

Sounds

• Improved system sounds when using Windows in dark mode.

Microsoft released a bunch of builds recently, but most of them were rather minor. An unnoted change is that Xbox mode is now called XBOX mode.

An initiative to improve Windows 11 known as Windows K2 will include changes large and small. Microsoft plans to address serious "pain points" across Windows 11. Performance, design, and reliability are all being worked on by the tech giant.

Tiny details like taskbar resizing help Windows 11 feel more polished and personalized.

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

June is closing out, making it a good moment to recap the latest Windows 11 changes Microsoft delivered in the second half of the month. While there are no headline-grabbing feature drops, the updates continue to refine the overall experience with a steady set of improvements across the system. Microsoft also confirmed active development of Windows 11 version 26H2, the next major release on the roadmap.

During the final two weeks of June, preview builds in the Experimental channel transitioned their versioning from 25H2 to 26H2, signaling the formal shift toward the next development cycle.

At the same time, Taskbar customization gained more flexibility, allowing users to adjust its size independently of button scaling, offering finer control over the desktop layout.

Meanwhile, the Future Platforms channel received a broader set of enhancements, including Screen tint, reduced reboot requirements for Windows Update, improved Magnifier zoom options, and refinements across Personalization, Storage, and Audio settings.

In the Experimental channel, we've seen builds 29617, 28120.2374, 26300.8758, 28120.2315, and 26300.8697. In the Beta channel, the company released builds 26220.8754, 28020.2366, 28020.2308, and 26220.8690.

In this recap, I'll highlight the latest and most noteworthy changes available through the Windows Insider Program.

Biggest improvements from the Windows Insider Program in June 2026

These are the most significant changes Microsoft has unveiled since my last roundup.

Windows 11 version 26H2

Although it's not a feature, starting with build 26300.8697 in the Experimental experience, Microsoft officially changed the version number from 25H2 to 26H2.

You will find the change in Settings > System > About, under the "Windows Info" section. Also, the version number can be found when running the "winver" command. However, the "Windows Insider Program" still reports this channel as "Windows 11, version 25H2."

This means that everything that the company makes available in the Experimental channel will become part of the version 26H2.

However, another point to note is that versions 25H2 and 26H2 share the same core file system, meaning that even though the company has announced the development of the new version, virtually all the changes intended for version 26H2 will also be available for version 25H2.

Privacy & security page redesign

Build 26300.8697 also updates the "Privacy & security" page with a new header that includes an entry point to the Windows Security app and a glance at details for various features, including location, camera, and microphone features.

On the rest of the page, the development team is also reorganizing the items into new sections, including "Your info," "Communication," "File access," and "System."

Other new entry points include "Custom Dictionary" and "Passkeys."

Although it's not officially available, it has been found that on the "Search" page, Microsoft is updating the "Show suggested results" setting to include options to disable web searches and Microsoft Store apps from search results in the Windows Search feature.

Mobile Devices changes

As part of the change for version 26H1, in the Beta and Experimental channels, builds 28120.2374 and 28020.2366 update the Mobile Devices page in the Settings app and add the ability to configure and manage mobile devices.

Emoji panel changes

Also, in version 26H1, the company is changing the GIF provider to GIPHY, replacing the Tenor API to improve the experience for browsing and sharing GIFs.

Taskbar resize option

Microsoft also made available build 26300.8758 for version 26H2, which updates the Taskbar settings with a new dedicated option to make the Taskbar smaller.

The setting is called "Taskbar size," and it features two options, including "Default" and "Small."

If you use the "Small" option, this action turns off the "Show smaller app icons" feature.

The description under the "Automatically hide the taskbar" option is also new in this release.

Sounds in dark mode

This isn't a flashy improvement, but it's worth pointing out that build 26300.8758 improves system sounds when using the system dark mode.

XBOX branding

In the Gaming section, the Xbox mode page is being rebranded to "XBOX mode" as the company refreshes the brand based on feedback.

Screen tint new feature

On Windows 11 build 29617 for the Future Platforms version, Microsoft introduced a new accessibility feature called "Screen tint." It's a system-wide color overlay designed to reduce eye strain and soften overly bright or saturated displays.

Unlike the Night Light feature, which primarily reduces blue light for nighttime use, Screen tint changes the overall intensity and color tone of the display during the day. The software giant notes that the two features solve different problems and can work together.

The feature is available in Settings > Accessibility > Vision > Screen tint, with six preset tint colors and an option to create a custom color.

In addition, you can also adjust the intensity with the available slider. However, one thing to point out is that enabling Screen tint disables Color Filters, and vice versa.

Magnifier new zoom controls

The Magnifier feature is receiving several enhancements for the Future Platforms version.

For instance, it's now possible to enter a specific zoom percentage directly in the interface instead of repeatedly clicking the zoom-in and zoom-out buttons.

Also, in the Magnifier settings, you can now find additional zoom presets, including 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 400 percent.

Personalization changes

The company has also improved the personalization experience by enhancing the accuracy of automatic accent color selection. This allows the operating system to better match the chosen accent color to the colors in your desktop wallpaper.

In addition, Microsoft has fixed a problem to improve how background images are preserved across restarts and upgrades.

These improvements are already available in other channels, but they won't arrive in the Future Platforms version until build 29617.

Windows Central's Take

I like the direction Microsoft is taking with these Insider builds. There isn't a single feature that completely changes how I use Windows 11, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Some of the best updates are the ones that quietly make the operating system more polished over time. A dedicated Taskbar size setting, a cleaner "Privacy & security" page, and accessibility improvements may not grab headlines. However, they're the kinds of refinements people notice after using the operating system every day.

The official move to version 26H2 is also significant. Based on Microsoft's recent release strategy, I expect the next feature update to focus more on improving what already exists than on introducing major new experiences. If that's the case, I'd much rather see the company continue investing in performance, consistency, and usability than chase flashy features that don't solve real problems.

Of course, these are still preview builds, so I wouldn't recommend installing them on a primary computer unless you're comfortable testing unfinished preview builds.

What do you think about these latest Windows 11 changes? Let me know in the comments.

More resources

Explore more in-depth how-to guides, troubleshooting advice, and essential tips to get the most out of Windows 11 and 10. Start browsing here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

Xbox mode only rolled out to Windows 11 with the May 2026 Security Update, but the feature already has a name change in the works. The latest Windows Insider build shows "XBOX mode" rather than "Xbox mode."

The change is small, but it reflects the rebrand Microsoft is in the middle of. Earlier this year, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma polled people on X asking if the name of the brand should be Xbox or XBOX. The overwhelming majority preferred the all-caps version, and Microsoft listened to the feedback.

In several places, Microsoft has swapped in the XBOX name. The official XBOX website and XBOX social media handles show the all-caps version. Even the Microsoft Store shows love for capital letters.

Sharma has made more meaningful changes to the XBOX brand since being promoted, but the XBOX rebrand is quite visible. The move aligns XBOX with the original console, which is a clever bit of marketing.

The change was flagged by X user @phantomofearth. Microsoft's release notes for Windows 11 Experimental Build 26300.8758 do not note the new name for XBOX mode.

XBOX mode (and Xbox mode) was originally called "Xbox Fullscreen Experience." Throughout all three names, the concept of the feature has been the same: provide a console-like experience on Windows 11.

When enabled, XBOX mode makes Windows 11 open with a controller-friendly interface that also works well with built-in controllers on gaming handhelds. Microsoft has worked on XBOX mode for a while and overcome some awkward limitations. For example, it's now easier to sign in to Windows 11 when in XBOX mode by using a PIN.

XBOX mode also prioritizes gaming and reduces background tasks on Windows 11. It can free up to 2GB of memory on your PC, according to Microsoft. Considering it's increasingly expensive to get a PC with a lot of memory, freeing up 2GB makes a big difference.

The next generation of Xbox, known currently as Project Helix, is meant to run some form of XBOX mode. Before that device ships, XBOX mode needs more meaningful changes to smooth out the experience. We spent a week with XBOX mode last month and had a mixed experience.

Microsoft is aggressively pushing improvements to Windows 11 through its K2 initiative. Among those upgrades will be a smoother gaming experience. But for now, we can enjoy the unified branding of XBOX mode.

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

As part of the Experimental experience for Windows 11 version 26H2, Microsoft recently released build 26300.8697. While the official announcement focused on fixes and improvements, a more interesting discovery was hiding beneath the surface. A new Search setting that can turn off Bing-powered web results in the Windows Search experience.

Search may finally get a Bing off switch

Windows Search has long mixed local files, apps, and settings with web suggestions, often surfacing Bing results even when users are simply looking for something on their computer. The appearance of a dedicated toggle to remove those web results suggests that the company is exploring a more streamlined Search experience with fewer distractions.

However, this isn't entirely new. Users in the European Economic Area (EEA) have had similar controls for some time as part of Microsoft's compliance with the Digital Markets Act. What's notable here is that the company now appears to be building the same functionality for all markets.

The story I see is much more than user choice. This appears to be Microsoft acknowledging that not every Windows Search query needs a web result attached to it. Instead of forcing online content into the experience, Windows 11 could soon let users decide what belongs in Search. For many people, that could make finding apps, files, and settings faster and more predictable.

New Search controls reduce clutter

The setting is currently tucked in under Settings > Privacy & security > Search in build 26300.8697. The option is labeled "Web Searches" in the "Show suggested search results" section.

Microsoft is also testing a separate "Microsoft Store" toggle to prevent Store apps from appearing in Search results. Together, these options would give users more control over what surfaces when searching from the Start menu and Search box in the Taskbar.

Privacy & Security settings are getting reorganized

The same preview build also includes an updated version of the "Privacy & security" page. Microsoft has reorganized the settings into clearer categories and added a new header that provides quick access to Windows Security, along with glanceable information for location, camera, and microphone permissions.

The company is also adding new entry points for features such as Passkeys and the Custom Dictionary.

Availability of the Search experience

At this stage, the feature is not officially available, and it's not an option you can turn on from the "Feature flags" page either. It was spotted by @PhantomOfEarth inside the Insider build and can only be enabled using ViveTool feature IDs, indicating that Microsoft is still actively developing and testing the experience.

If testing goes as planned, the company could refine the feature through future 26H2 preview releases before deciding on a wider rollout.

Windows Central's Take

I think Microsoft should have offered this option to everyone a long time ago. When I'm using Windows Search, I'm usually looking for a file, app, or setting, not a Bing result. While web integration has its place, it often makes Search feel more cluttered than helpful.

What's interesting is that similar controls have already existed in Europe, so this isn't really a new feature. The bigger story is that Microsoft appears to be testing the same level of control for users across all regions, including the addition of an option to suppress apps from the Microsoft Store in the experience.

I wouldn't consider this a major feature for Windows 11, but it's the type of improvement that can make the operating system feel less intrusive and more focused on what users actually want to find.

What are your thoughts about having the option to remove Bing results from Windows Search on Windows 11? Let me know in the comments.

More resources

Explore more in-depth how-to guides, troubleshooting advice, and essential tips to get the most out of Windows 11 and 10. Start browsing here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

Controlling audio settings on your PC is about to get easier. An upcoming update to Windows 11 will provide more options on a single page, reducing the number of clicks needed to change the volume of your devices.

Windows 11 Build 29613.1000 shipped to Windows Insiders in the Experimental (Future Platforms) Preview Channel recently. The update improves the "All sound devices" page within the settings app.

At the moment, that page merely shows a list of your output devices and input devices. To make any changes, you have to click on a device and jump to another page. After the latest Insider update, that same page lets you change your default device, monitor the volume of each device, and choose to hide or show disabled or unplugged devices.

Microsoft detailed the changes in the build's release notes:

• Following up on our previous improvements, we’re making some more adjustments to Settings > System > Sounds based on your feedback. Namely, we’ve updated the “All sound devices” page so:
  • You now have the ability to change default devices from this page.
  • Each of the devices displayed on this page now has a little volume meter next to it to show if there is audio actively playing.
  • We’ve adjusted the page design slightly so now you can filter whether you’re viewing input or output devices.
  • We’ve added toggles so you can choose if you want to hide or show disabled, disconnected, and unplugged devices on this page.
• We’ve also updated the input and output audio properties page for devices in Settings to now include jack information for those that need it.

Microsoft shipped three other Insider builds alongside Build 29613.1000, though they're minor updates. They mostly focus on bug fixes and minor changes.

Microsoft overhauled the Windows Insider Program recently. The channel structure now feels more linear and builds progress through in a way that feels natural.

The newly formed Experimental Channel allows Insiders to test "Future Platform" builds of the OS, which focus more on platform change than new features. The regular Experimental and Beta Channels have more front-facing features.

Users will also be able to bypass A/B testing and access the newest features available through their respective channel.

Microsoft is still transitioning to the new structure, so some options are not available at this time.

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

As part of the Windows Insider Program, Microsoft made available several preview builds of Windows 11 in early June 2026. Although these preview builds didn't introduce many new features, the company dedicated most of its work to improving existing ones.

In the first two weeks of June, the company unveiled a new Beta channel for version 26H1, and in the different channels, we've also seen a number of features and improvements. For example, we've seen new features like Screen Tint and Low Latency Profile.

In addition, a new version of Widgets with fewer distracting settings has rolled out, an updated Magnifier with new settings has also rolled out, and there are improvements for File Explorer.

Furthermore, Microsoft continues improving the Windows Update experience, Windows Search, and more.

In the Experimental track, we've seen builds 28120.2242, 26300.8687, 29610, and 28120.2302, and builds 26220.8575, 28020.2236, 26220.8680, and 28020.2298 have been released in the Beta channel.

In this recap, I'll highlight the latest and most noteworthy changes available through the Windows Insider Program.

Biggest improvements from the Windows Insider Program in June 2026

These are the most significant changes Microsoft has unveiled since the last roundup.

Screen tint new feature

On Windows 11 build 28020.2298, in the new Beta channel for version 26H1, Microsoft introduced a new accessibility feature called "Screen tint." It's a system-wide color overlay designed to reduce eye strain and soften overly bright or saturated displays.

Unlike the Night Light feature, which primarily reduces blue light for nighttime use, Screen tint changes the overall intensity and color tone of the display during the day. The software giant notes that the two features solve different problems and can work together.

The feature is available in Settings > Accessibility > Vision > Screen tint, with six preset tint colors and an option to create a custom color.

In addition, you can also adjust the intensity with the available slider. However, one thing to point out is that enabling Screen tint disables Color Filters, and vice versa.

In June 2026, Screen Tint also became available on build 26220.8680 through the Beta experience.

Low Latency Profile

Also, for version 26H1, on build 28020.2298, the company introduced Low Latency Profile, a feature that temporarily maxes out (or near-maxes) the processor frequency for 1 to 3 seconds during interactive tasks on Windows 11. Instead of focusing on sustained performance, the feature appears designed to reduce delays during actions like opening apps or opening flyouts, such as the Start menu, File Explorer, and context menus.

The feature can result in up to 40 percent faster application launch times and up to 70 percent faster interaction times with system features, such as opening the Start menu or context menu.

Low Latency Profile works automatically, so you won't find an option to turn it on or off in the Settings app or Control Panel.

It's important to note that responsiveness improvements will vary by hardware. Computers with lower-end or older components may notice the biggest difference because these systems typically struggle more with interface responsiveness, app launches, and short bursts of activity.

Widgets with quieter defaults

In the Beta channel for version 25H2, starting with build 26220.8680, the development team updated the Widgets experience with less distracting default settings.

For example, Widgets no longer open in hover and turn off badges in the Taskbar by default. In addition, alerts will be limited until you open the app and engage with the experience.

When you open the dashboard, Widgets will appear under your "widgets" rather than in the news feed. In addition, the company is updating the Taskbar badging to use a color scheme that follows the system accent color, rather than the red indicator, to reduce the sense of urgency.

Another change being developed is adaptive behavior for user engagement. This means that the system will now adapt the Widgets feature based on user interaction. For example, highly engaged users will continue to receive the current experience. On the other hand, less engaging users will notice quieter default settings, including reduced or disabled badging.

Magnifier additional controls

As part of the accessibility improvements, in build 26220.8680, the Magnifier feature is receiving several enhancements.

For example, it's now possible to enter a specific zoom percentage directly in the interface instead of repeatedly clicking the zoom-in and zoom-out buttons.

Also, in the Magnifier settings, you can now find additional zoom presets, including 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 400 percent.

File Explorer changes

Although File Explorer remains visually the same, Microsoft has been pushing various improvements focused on compatibility, performance, and reliability.

For example, on build 26220.8680, the address bar now supports paths with double backslashes and quotation marks. Microsoft has also improved performance when mounting ISO files to prevent the application from becoming unresponsive during SmartScreen scans.

On build 26300.8687, you can now use the middle-click support to open folders in a new tab directly from the address bar and the Home page.

In addition, the company has made further refinements to improve File Explorer responsiveness at higher text scaling.

Windows Update single monthly restart

Alongside the ability to pause updates indefinitely, Microsoft continues improving its Windows Update system, and starting with the release of build 26300.8687, the company is unifying drivers, .NET, and firmware updates with the monthly quality update install to reduce restarts to one per month.

Windows Search with typo handling

Starting with build 26300.8687, Windows 11 includes an updated version of the search experience that improves the handling of typos, missing letters, extra characters, and partial app names.

It all means that, when searching the system, making mistakes should now be more likely to show the right answer. For instance, if you type "utlook," the Outlook app should be the first result.

Furthermore, local results now take priority over web results.

Windows Central's Take

These June Insider builds don't introduce many brand-new features, but they do show where Microsoft's priorities are right now. The majority of the features highlighted this month have already appeared in other preview builds. However, they're now making their way across additional testing channels as the company continues developing future versions of Windows 11.

Personally, I think the most meaningful changes are the ones that improve everyday usability. The Windows Update changes, better search results, and ongoing File Explorer refinements may not generate the same excitement as a major new feature. However, they have the potential to make the operating system feel more polished and less frustrating to use over time.

What are your thoughts about these latest Windows 11 improvements? Let me know in the comments.

More resources

Explore more in-depth how-to guides, troubleshooting advice, and essential tips to get the most out of Windows 11 and 10. Start browsing here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

After taking one week off from builds, Microsoft just shipped six Windows Insider builds to wrap up the week. New features and fixes await Insiders across several different channels.

Given the more linear nature of the revamped Windows Insider Program, we've already seen several of the features included in today's builds. For example, Insiders in the Beta (26H1) Channel can now try Screen tint. That same feature already shipped to Insiders in the Experimental Channel, so we've gone hands-on with Screen tint.

I'll focus on the features in Experimental Preview Build 26300.8687 here, but you can follow the quick links to see the full change logs for all of today's builds.

The biggest change in this update is that Microsoft is laying the groundwork for your PC to receive fewer updates. Microsoft plans to reduce the number of times you need to reboot your PC each month by coordinating driver, .NET, and firmware updates to align with other Windows updates.

The update improves File Explorer by adding support for middle clicking to open a folder in the Address Bar. Search is now "more forgiving" of typos, dropped letters, and partial words.

Windows 11 Insider Experimental Preview Build 26300.8687

Changes and improvements gradually being rolled out

Windows Update

• As announced in the Windows Update announce blog, we are now bringing a new unified update experience to reduce the number of reboots you see per month. We are starting by coordinating driver, .NET, and firmware updates to align with the monthly quality update, reducing the update experience to a single monthly restart. See the blog for more information.

File Explorer

• Middle click to open a folder in a new tab is now supported in the Address Bar and the Home page for a more consistent and efficient tabbed navigation experience across File Explorer.
• Improved screen reader announcements for conflict resolution dialog ("Which files do you want to keep?") when moving / copying files.
• Made some more improvements to how File Explorer responds to increased text scaling.

Search

• Finding apps is more forgiving. Search is better at handling typos, dropped letters, extra letters, and partial words for apps. Queries like “utlook” can still find Outlook.
• Settings results are improving. We’ve made ranking improvements to help more relevant settings appear higher in results.

Taskbar

• Improved reliability of loading the system tray area of the taskbar.
• Fixed an issue where tooltips might unexpectedly appear on top of the Start menu icon in the taskbar when using the taskbar in an alternate position. Also fixed a few other visual polish issues when using the taskbar with small icons.

Windows setup

• The digital safety of users and supporting families is central to how we think about the Windows experience. We're improving information on parental controls and their availability during Windows setup, so families can more easily understand available protections and make informed choices from the very beginning.

Input

• Update: The emoji panel (Windows key + period (.)) now uses GIPHY as the GIF provider, delivering a smoother GIF browsing and sharing experience following the deprecation of Tenor.
• Fixed an issue which was causing the mouse cursor to potentially move in the wrong direction in recent Insider builds on secondary monitors when set to portrait mode.

Remote Recovery Management

• Adding recovery remote management plug-in for extending WinRE management capabilities for MDM providers

Audio

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

Settings

• Fixed an issue impacting the reliability of Settings > Apps > Installed Apps after the latest flights.

General Reliability

• If you were experiencing freezes in the previous flight when interacting with search, Notepad, or certain other scenarios, that should be resolved now.

Other

• When using dark mode, if you open "Run new task" from Task Manager it will now show in dark mode too.

Which Windows Insider Channel are you in?

With so many changes to the Windows Insider Program, I'm curious which types of builds you receive on your PC. Are you in an Experimental channel or a more stable one? Or do you just catch up on release notes and keep your PC on a public release build?

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

Microsoft is working on a new accessibility feature for Windows 11 known as "Screen Tint," and it could become a useful option for anyone who spends long hours in front of a monitor.

Currently, the feature is available through the Windows Insider Program, and it introduces a system-wide color overlay designed to make the desktop easier on the eyes. Unlike the "Color filters" feature that focuses on accessibility requirements such as color blindness, Screen Tint is aimed at overall viewing comfort, allowing users to adjust the visual tone of the entire operating system.

Once enabled, the overlay applies across the desktop and apps, creating a more consistent viewing experience without requiring third-party tools.

Windows 11's new Screen Tint feature

Screen Tint appears under Settings > Accessibility > Screen Tint, where Microsoft describes the feature as a way to "show a color overlay on your display to reduce eye strain and improve viewing comfort."

The setting is disabled by default, but turning it on reveals several preset tint profiles along with options for further customization.

Windows 11 currently provides six built-in presets, including:

• Amber for extended screen sessions.
• Rose tint for users sensitive to fluorescent lighting or migraine triggers.
• Yellow to reduce visual stress while reading.
• Blue for glare sensitivity in bright environments.
• Green to soften harsh white backgrounds.
• Gray for users who find high-contrast displays tiring.

On the page, there's also a "Custom" tint option that lets users choose any color they prefer.

Furthermore, there's a dedicated Strength slider that controls how intense the color overlay appears. Rather than forcing users into predefined filter levels, Screen Tint allows fine-tuned adjustments based on personal preference, lighting conditions, or specific visual sensitivities.

Not the same as Color Filters

While Screen Tint may look similar to Windows 11's existing Color Filters feature at first glance, the two tools serve different purposes.

Color Filters are primarily designed as accessibility aids for users with color vision deficiencies. On the other hand, Screen Tint appears focused on comfort and visual fatigue reduction.

Microsoft notes that enabling Screen Tint automatically disables Color Filters, meaning only one feature can be active at a time.

Windows Central's Take

I wasn't expecting a feature like Screen Tint, but I can see why the company is exploring it. While the operating system already includes Color Filters and other display adjustments, Screen Tint appears to offer a more flexible way to adjust the overall screen appearance based on personal comfort rather than a specific accessibility need.

The ability to fine-tune the overlay's color and intensity could be useful for people who spend long hours in front of a monitor, especially since everyone experiences screen fatigue differently.

Of course, this is still an experimental feature, so there's no guarantee it'll ship in its current form. However, I generally like seeing the software giant continue to expand the personalization and accessibility options available on Windows 11.

What are your thoughts about the new Screen Tint feature on Windows 11? Let me know in the comments.

More resources

Explore more in-depth how-to guides, troubleshooting advice, and essential tips to get the most out of Windows 11 and 10. Start browsing here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

As May has come to an end, we can now take a look at the new features and changes that participants of the Windows Insider Program received during the second half of the month for Windows 11.

Alongside the improvements available during the first half of May, the company rolled out preview builds through the Experimental and Beta tracks for versions 25H2, 26H1, and Feature Platforms.

In the Experimental experience, we've seen 26300.8553, 26300.8497, 28020.2149, 29595, 29599, and 28020.2207, while the Beta experience received builds 26220.8491 and 26220.8544.

In this recap, I'll highlight the latest and most noteworthy changes available through the Windows Insider Program.

Biggest improvements from the Windows Insider Program in May 2026

These are the most significant improvements the company has been testing since the last roundup.

Screen tint new feature

On Windows 11 build 26300.8497, the development team introduced a new accessibility feature known as "Screen tint." It's a system-wide color overlay designed to reduce eye strain and soften overly bright or saturated displays.

Unlike the Night Light feature, which primarily reduces blue light for nighttime use, Screen tint changes the overall intensity and color tone of the display during the day. Microsoft says the two features solve different problems and can work together at the same time.

The feature is available from Settings > Accessibility > Vision > Screen tint, and it features six preset tint colors, plus an option to create a custom color.

In addition, you can also adjust the intensity with the available slider.

One thing to point out is that enabling Screen tint disables Color Filters, and vice versa.

Braille support for Narrator

Microsoft significantly improves Narrator's Braille support by adding true plug-and-play support for HID-based refreshable Braille displays. The company is testing the feature in the Experimental channel (build 26300.8497) as part of its broader Windows K2 accessibility initiative.

The biggest change is that compatible Braille displays now connect instantly without requiring extra drivers or manual configuration.

Previously, setting up Braille on Windows often involved downloading separate Braille components, selecting display drivers manually, configuring Narrator compatibility, and troubleshooting USB or serial connections.

However, Windows 11 can now automatically recognize HID-compliant Braille displays over USB, just as it does with a keyboard or mouse.

Compatible HID Braille displays include the Orbit Reader 20, Orbit Slate 340, Freedom Scientific Focus 40, and APH Mantis Q40.

The update also adds wireless Bluetooth support for HID Braille displays. Users can now pair supported devices from Settings > Bluetooth & devices, without additional Narrator-specific pairing steps.

One of the most important improvements is support during the Out-of-box Experience (OOBE). Microsoft says deaf-blind users can now connect a compatible USB Braille display and complete the initial setup independently from the very first screen.

Magnifier defaults changes

In addition, build 26300.8497 includes a small Magnifier update focused on reducing visual clutter on touchscreen devices.

The main change is that the touch panning bars in Magnifier are now turned off by default. Microsoft says this creates a cleaner and less distracting magnified view, especially on tablets and touch-enabled devices.

The improvement removes the on-screen navigation bars from the magnified view, but you can enable them again from Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier.

Windows Ready Print new install option

Microsoft is continuing its overhaul of the printing stack with a new "Windows Ready Print" setting.

The option is known as "Default install printers using Windows Ready Print," and it's available from Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.

The setting controls whether Windows automatically installs compatible printers using the modern Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) instead of relying on traditional manufacturer drivers.

For example, if enabled, then the system installs supported printers using IPP and the modern print stack.

If the setting is disabled, then the system can fall back to older installation methods, including vendor-specific drivers and legacy print technologies.

Microsoft says the goal is to simplify printer setup, improve reliability, and reduce dependency on third-party drivers.

The company is also officially branding its modern print platform as "Windows Ready Print." This is essentially the next stage of the company's long-term effort to modernize printing in the operating system and phase out legacy driver models.

The Windows Ready Print changes are also available in the Beta channel, build 26220.8544.

Voice Isolation for Voice Access

Windows 11 is adding a significant upgrade to Voice Access with a new feature called "Voice Isolation," introduced on build 26300.8497.

The feature is designed to make Voice Access more accurate in noisy environments by filtering out nearby conversations, background sounds, and environmental noise.

Instead of listening to every sound equally, Voice Access can now prioritize your voice.

Voice Access now includes three speech recognition modes under Voice Access settings > Improve speech recognition, including Voice Isolation, remove background noise only, and no filtering.

• Voice Isolation: Filters background voices and noise using a one-time voice setup.
• Remove background noise only: Reduces non-speech sounds like typing and door slams without setup.
• No filtering: Uses raw microphone input with no additional processing.

The software giant says all processing happens locally on the device, meaning voice data does not leave the computer.

Start menu new options

As part of build 26300.8553 (Experimental), the development team began testing new changes to the Start menu that allow you to change its size and customize how it appears on the desktop.

First, there's an update to the "Start" settings page that lets you decide which sections appear in the Start menu.

Also, the system now renames "Recommended" to "Recent" in the settings and in the Start menu, and you can even choose the type of content you want to see in this section.

Furthermore, the "Show recent and suggested files" option now works independently of the recent functionality in File Explorer or on the Taskbar.

If the "All" section isn't for you either, you can disable it. Now, if you prefer, you can choose to show or hide the most used apps.

Perhaps the most noticeable change, at least for me, is the option to change the menu size. Although you cannot make the menu as big or as small as it was possible on Windows 10, you can now choose between "Small," "Large," and "Automatic" layouts.

Finally, at the end of the page, you will also find a new "Hide your name and profile picture on Start" toggle, which, as the name implies, increases privacy by allowing you to hide your name and picture profile from the Account Manager menu entry point.

One thing I noticed is that this new toggle only hides your information in the button. If you open the Account Manager menu, your account details will remain visible.

Another thing to note is that this is still not the new Start menu built with the WinUI 3 framework. Instead, it remains the legacy implementation.

New spinner animation

Finally, Microsoft continues the rollout of the new unified "donut" style spinner design across key Windows 11 system flows, including Boot, Logon, Restart, Shutdown, and Windows Update.

This animation, which was already present in the operating system, replaces the legacy loading dots animation for a more consistent experience.

Furthermore, the company is also updating the text for system states to "Restarting," "Working on updates," and "Welcome."

Windows Search refinements

Windows Search isn't getting a massive overhaul, but with the release of build 26300.8553 (Experimental), Microsoft is introducing support for substring matching, which helps you to find files with compound names or text content.

For instance, you can find the file called "MeetingNotesApril" by simply typing "april."

Windows Central's Take

When looking at the last batch of Insider changes from May, I like to see the company's continued focus on accessibility. Features like Screen tint, improved Braille support, and Voice Isolation may not generate the same excitement as other flashy features. However, they can have a much bigger impact on how people actually use their devices every day.

The Start menu updates are likely to be the changes that get the most attention. Microsoft has spent years tweaking and reworking the Start experience, and these changes show that the company is still addressing limitations that many users pointed out when Windows 11 first launched.

I'm also keeping an eye on Windows Ready Print. Printer setup has long been one of the most frustrating pain points in the operating system, and Microsoft's effort to reduce reliance on vendor-specific drivers could end up being one of those underappreciated changes that quietly make the platform more reliable over time.

Overall, May was a surprisingly productive month for Windows 11. While many of the changes focused on refining the experience, Microsoft also introduced welcome improvements across accessibility, personalization, and core system features. Not every addition will appeal to every user, but taken together, these updates show the company continuing to address long-standing requests while gradually modernizing different parts of the operating system.

What are your thoughts on the latest Windows 11 Insider features? Let me know in the comments.

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On Windows 11, the Taskbar is finally getting some major upgrades, including support for repositioning and resizing. However, these aren't exactly new capabilities, since they were already available on Windows 10 and earlier versions of the operating system.

As part of the Windows K2 initiative, Microsoft is addressing some of Windows 11's biggest pain points in an effort to regain users' trust, and several of those improvements are coming to the Taskbar experience.

In the latest Windows 11 preview build from the Experimental channel for version 25H2, Microsoft is restoring the ability to place the Taskbar on any edge of the screen. The company is also introducing an option to shrink the Taskbar.

Windows 11 regains position for the Taskbar

When the company released Windows 11, it introduced a redesigned Taskbar that, despite its modern appearance, removed several basic capabilities, including the ability to change its position on the screen.

Now, after years of user complaints, Microsoft appears to be acknowledging that many of the Taskbar features available on Windows 10 were the right approach after all.

Starting with build 26300.8493, users can place the Taskbar at the top, bottom, left, or right edge of the screen.

Microsoft also notes that Windows 11 automatically adapts interface elements based on the Taskbar's position. For example, when the Taskbar is docked at the top of the screen, the Start menu and Search interface open downward from the top edge.

Buttons, system tray icons, and other interface elements are also properly aligned regardless of the Taskbar's location, including the date and time display. However, when using the vertical layout, the system displays the year in abbreviated form rather than the full four-digit format. In addition, seconds are not displayed while the Taskbar is positioned vertically.

One thing to point out is that whether you position the Taskbar on the left or right, both layouts support ungrouping with app labels using the "Never combine" option.

The new "Taskbar position" option is available from Settings > Personalization > Taskbar under the "Taskbar behaviors" section.

One interesting fact about the settings implementations is that each of the options generates a live preview of the desktop background.

Microsoft says it is working on additional improvements and refinements. However, the company notes that auto-hide currently doesn't work properly, and the tablet-optimized Taskbar remains unsupported in layouts other than the bottom position.

Windows 11 regains resize feature for the Taskbar

As part of the original release of Windows 11, Microsoft also removed the ability to change the Taskbar size. In fact, the Taskbar was noticeably taller than in previous versions, partly because the company intentionally optimized the experience for touch devices.

Now, that capability is finally making a comeback with a new option that reduces the Taskbar height and button size, giving users more available screen space.

The change is subtle but immediately noticeable, especially for users accustomed to the smaller Taskbar design from the Windows 10 era. The reduced size makes the desktop feel more compact and familiar without significantly altering the overall Windows 11 design.

Microsoft also notes that resizing the Taskbar on Windows 11 does not require signing out or restarting the computer. However, as far as I can remember, Windows 10 behaved the same way, meaning this wasn't exactly a limitation in the previous version. Even so, Microsoft appears to be highlighting the behavior as part of the updated implementation.

Instead of adding a separate setting, the company is repurposing the existing "Show smaller taskbar buttons" option to control both icon and Taskbar size.

Previously, this feature only reduced the size of Taskbar icons to fit more apps in the same space. Now, enabling the option also shrinks the Taskbar itself.

You can find the setting under Settings > Personalization > Taskbar in the "Taskbar behaviors" section. To make the Taskbar permanently smaller, you must select the "Always" option.

If you choose the "When taskbar is full" setting, the Taskbar will remain at its default size until it runs out of space. At that point, instead of moving apps into the overflow menu, Windows 11 automatically switches to the smaller Taskbar and icon layout to fit more applications on the screen.

Windows 10 had a better implementation

While these are welcome additions, the implementation still feels somewhat incomplete compared to the experience available on Windows 10.

For example, on Windows 10, as long as the Taskbar was unlocked, you could simply drag it to the top, bottom, left, or right side of the screen with minimal effort and fewer clicks.

On Windows 11, changing the Taskbar position now requires navigating to the "Taskbar" settings page, expanding the "Taskbar behaviors" section, and selecting the desired layout manually. Dragging the Taskbar directly on the desktop is not supported.

Similarly, while Windows 10 included a toggle to make the Taskbar and icons smaller, it also allowed users to resize the Taskbar height freely by dragging its edge with the mouse. That flexibility made it possible to create multiple rows of pinned and running apps, something the new Windows 11 implementation still doesn't support.

The new approach isn't necessarily bad, but the Windows 10 implementation was clearly more flexible and user-friendly.

Windows Central's Take

I like to see Microsoft is finally bringing these Taskbar features back because, honestly, they never should've disappeared in the first place. The ability to move the Taskbar or make it smaller may sound minor, but these are the types of customization options people want. Their absence made Windows 11 feel unnecessarily restrictive compared to Windows 10.

At the same time, this implementation still feels as if the company is cautiously reintroducing features rather than fully embracing the flexibility users have been accustomed to for decades. On Windows 10, repositioning the Taskbar felt natural because you could simply drag it wherever you wanted. Now, the process is buried inside Settings, and some functionality, like multi-row Taskbars, is still missing entirely.

I do think these changes matter because they show the company is finally listening to long-standing feedback rather than forcing a simplified design philosophy on power users. Over the last few years, I've noticed the company slowly walking back several Windows 11 decisions, and this feels like another example of Microsoft realizing that removing customization options wasn't the right move.

What are your thoughts about these new Taskbar features on Windows 11? Let me know in the comments.

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As part of the Windows Insider Program, Microsoft released several preview builds of Windows 11 in early May 2026. Although these releases didn't introduce many new experiences, the company dedicated most of the work to improving existing features.

In the first half of May, the software giant rolled out a new version of the Run dialog with a modern design, File Explorer has received several improvements, the Widgets experience introduced new defaults to reduce distractions, and brought back the ability to relocate the Taskbar anywhere on the screen.

In addition, there are new touchpad gesture controls, an updated version of the Task Manager, and Microsoft now provides free upgrades from Windows 11 Home to Pro Education at no extra cost for organizations.

In the Experimental track, we've seen builds 26300.8493, 28020.2134, 29591, 28020.2075, 29585, 26300.8376, 28020.1921, 29580, and 26300.8346, and builds 26220.8270 and 26220.8283 have been released in the Beta Channel, which is still in the legacy channel.

Also, the company released build 26300.8276 in the Dev Channel, build 26220.8271 in the Beta Channel, and builds 28020.1863 and 29570 in the Canary Channel.

In this recap, I'll highlight the latest and most interesting changes available through the Windows Insider Program.

Biggest improvements from the Windows Insider Program in May 2026

These are the most significant changes Microsoft has unveiled since the last roundup.

1. Taskbar position settings

Microsoft is bringing back the ability to change the location of the Taskbar with the release of build 26300.8493 in the Experimental channel.

This change allows users to place the Taskbar at the top of the screen, as well as at the left or right edges of the screen, rather than being limited to the bottom.

The setting appears on Settings > Personalization > Taskbar, under the "Taskbar behaviors" section. The setting is called "Taskbar position."

One interesting fact about this new setting is that each position option displays a live view of the current desktop wallpaper.

The company notes that flyouts, tooltips, and animations will follow the Taskbar orientation regardless of the position.

Also, most existing features will continue to work, including the option to ungroup and show labels for apps.

However, this feature is still a work in progress, so not everything is working as expected. For example, touch gestures and the search box are not working correctly. In addition, auto-hide and touch-optimized capabilities are not supported.

Furthermore, the company is updating the "Show smaller taskbar button" option to make the Taskbar smaller instead of just the buttons.

2. Modern Run dialog

Starting with build 26300.8346, Windows 11 introduces a new design for the Run dialog.

Unlike the legacy design, the Run dialog now features a modern design that better aligns with Windows 11 visuals. For example, the design offers virtually the same capabilities as the legacy version, plus a new interface using semi-transparent and blurred elements, rounded corners, and support for the light and dark color modes.

The interface is small but longer than the older design, and it's interesting enough. It only appears in the bottom-left corner of the screen, and you can't drag it around the desktop as you can in the legacy version.

Also, at least initially, launching the Run dialog Task Manager not only launches the legacy Run, but also the version that doesn't support the dark color mode.

One thing to note is that Microsoft won't be replacing the legacy version of the Run command. Instead, you'll have to enable it manually from the "Advanced" settings page.

3. Share interface with suggestions

Microsoft has been working on improving the Windows Share interface to include app suggestions for Azure Active Directory users.

Previously, suggestions were limited to users with a Microsoft account, but now, it's expanding to allow AAD users to discover and install apps without the Microsoft Store.

If the suggestions aren't for you, it's possible to disable them in Settings > System > Nearby Sharing.

This improvement first became available on build 26300.8346.

4. File Explorer improvements

In addition, over the first two weeks of May, the software giant has rolled out several improvements that, when combined, represent a significant set of changes.

For example, Microsoft has fixed grey flash on load and unexpected scrolling in the Home page.

Also, on the same page, there has been work in the "Favorites" section and with thumbnails in the "Recommended" section.

Furthermore, the address bar improves support for paths with double backslashes and quotation marks, and the suggestion flyout in the address bar should also close more reliably after selecting an item.

If you use the "Details" view, File Explorer will be more efficient, showing file sizes, meaning that you will now see KB, MB, and GB, instead of only KB, depending on the size of the file.

5. Widgets changes

Microsoft is also changing the default settings of the Widgets experience to make it less distracting.

For instance, starting with build 26300.8346, Widgets no longer open in hover and turn off badges in the Taskbar by default. In addition, alerts will be limited until you open the app and engage with the experience.

When opening the dashboard, Widgets will open on your "widgets," not in the news feed.

In addition, on Windows 11 build 26300.8493, the company is updating the Taskbar badging with a color scheme that follows the system accent color rather than the red indicator to reduce the sense of urgency.

Another change being developed is adaptive behavior for user engagement. This means that the system will now adapt the Widgets feature based on user interaction. For example, highly engaged users will continue to receive the current experience. On the other hand, less engaging users will notice quieter default settings, including reduced or disabled badging.

6. Windows Search box with improved results

On Windows 11, the company is also paying attention to the search experience, and starting with build 26300.8493, the search interface available from the Taskbar will now prioritize apps and files over web results.

This means that web results will now appear below the results for apps and files.

In addition, Microsoft notes that it will continue to improve the search release in future updates.

7. New spinner design for core experiences

As part of the rollout of build 26300.8493 in the Experimental track for version 25H2, the development team is introducing a unified donut-style spinner animation for boot, login, restart, shutdown, and Windows Update.

This new design replaces the legacy dots indicator with a modern and more consistent experience.

The company also notes that there are update messages, including Restarting, Working on updates, or Welcome, depending on the system state.

8. Touchpad gesture controls

Starting on build 26300.8376, the software giant has also introduced new precision touchpad gestures on the "Touchpad" settings page.

As part of the new settings, Windows 11 now includes controls for scroll and zoom speed, allowing you to adjust the sensitivity

The system now offers automatic scrolling so you can keep scrolling without lifting your fingers. The feature works by positioning your fingers close to the edge of the touchpad while scrolling or pressing more firmly while holding them still.

Furthermore, accelerated scrolling intelligently increases scrolling speed during repeated gestures, allowing you to move through long documents and webpages faster and with less effort.

Microsoft is also introducing single-finger scrolling, a feature that lets you scroll vertically by swiping along either edge of the touchpad with one finger.

9. Home to Pro Education free upgrade

The software giant is also rolling out a new upgrade path that enables eligible K-12 organizations to switch devices from Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Pro Education at no extra cost. The initiative is intended to help schools purchase more affordable devices running the Home edition and later transition them into managed school environments.

The path was first announced with the release of build 26300.8376, and to perform the upgrade, users must first sign in using a local account and run the ClipUpgrade.exe command from an elevated Command Prompt. After signing in with an eligible K-12 organization account, the system will verify qualification, stage the upgrade, and finalize the transition following a system restart.

10. Task Manager with new NPU visibility

In the Experimental experience, build 28020.1921, you'll also find an updated version of the Task Manager that includes various improvements regarding devices using Neural Processing Units (NPUs).

First, the app now includes optional "NPU" and "NPU Engine" columns in the "Processes," "Users," and "Details" tabs.

In addition, the "Details" tab ships with "NPU Dedicated Memory" and "NPU Shared Memory" columns to improve visibility into AI workloads.

Furthermore, if the graphics card has an NPU, it'll appear in the "Performance" tab.

In the "Processes" and "Details" tabs, you'll also find a new "Isolation" column to understand when an app is running in an "AppContainer."

These new columns are available from the context menu when you right-click the header of a column in Task Manager.

11. Voice Typing on the touch keyboard

In the touch keyboard experience, the development team has updated the Voice Typing integration.

The new design replaces the full-screen overlay with a new Voice Typing button with animations directly on the dictation key.

12. Windows Update overhaul

As previously available in other channels, starting with build 28020.2134 and 29591 for version 26H1 and Feature Platforms, Microsoft is rolling out significant changes to the Windows Update system.

First, during the Out-of-box Experience (OOBE), it's now possible to skip updates during the initial setup to get to the desktop more quickly.

In the Windows Update settings, you can now pause updates indefinitely. However, you can only do this in 35-day blocks, and you must complete the reschedule to prevent the system from resuming updates automatically.

Finally, the software giant is also updating the Power menu in the Start menu always to restart or shut down independently of updates. Furthermore, the company is updating the labels it uses for updates to make it clear which updates you're installing on your computer.

13. Shared Audio feature

On Windows 11 build 29591, as part of the Feature Platform version, you'll now have access to the new "Shared Audio" feature that lets two people listen to the same audio from one computer.

The feature works by using Bluetooth LE Audio broadcast technology to stream the same audio to two Bluetooth peripherals.

Shared Audio is available through the Quick Settings flyout, and selecting the two supported devices already connected to the computer.

Microsoft is also including an indicator in the Taskbar to indicate to the user that the audio is being shared.

Windows Central's Take

One thing I'm noticing about these builds is that Microsoft finally seems to be spending more time fixing long-standing friction points rather than chasing headline features. A lot of these changes are small on paper, but they affect parts of the operating system that users interact with every day.

The reversal of Taskbar positioning is probably the clearest example. I've lost count of how many times Windows 10 users complained after moving to Windows 11 and realized they could no longer place the Taskbar at the top or the sides of the screen.

I'm also glad to see Microsoft toning down Widgets. Over the last few releases, the company pushed too hard on alerts, badges, and news feeds that many users ignored. Making the experience quieter by default feels like the right move.

The changes for File Explorer and Search are the kind of improvements that rarely make flashy headlines but genuinely improve the experience over time. Prioritizing local apps and files over web results in Search is something Windows 11 should have done from the start.

I also think the Windows Update overhaul is really important because it gives users more control during setup and over update scheduling, the kind of flexibility that power users have been asking for for years. It won't completely change how people feel about Windows Update overnight, but it's another sign the company may finally be easing off some of the forced behavior introduced during the Windows 10 era.

What are your thoughts about these latest Windows 11 changes? Let me know in the comments.

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
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I usually don't rely on cleanup tools on Windows 11 anymore. However, I still remember when apps, such as CCleaner and the old Symantec Norton utilities, were considered essential for keeping a computer running smoothly.

Those tools still exist today, but many have shifted toward bloated feature sets, aggressive upselling, or questionable cleanup practices. If you're still looking for a lightweight utility focused on maintenance and cleanup, however, Fluent Cleaner may be worth a look.

Fluent Cleaner is an open-source app designed as a modern alternative to CCleaner. It comes from the developer behind tools like FlyOOBE and Winslop, and it features a clean WinUI-based interface that feels native to Windows 11. The experience is familiar too, offering many of the classic cleanup functions users used to expect from older optimization utilities.

In this guide, I'll walk you through Fluent Cleaner, how it works, and the features you can use to clean up and maintain Windows 11.

Getting started with Fluent Clanner

The tool is available through its official GitHub page, and it's a self-contained tool that comes in a Zip file and doesn't require traditional installation.

Installation

Since there isn't a traditional installation process, you only have to download and extract the package.

First, open the GitHub page, and download the FluentCleaner-win-x64.zip package from the "Assets" section. Select the archive in File Explorer and use the "Extract All" button from the command bar to extract the file.

Once you have extracted the files, you can use FCleaner.exe to launch the application.

Interface

The tool features a modern design that matches Windows 11's style using the WinUI framework.

On the left side, Fluent Cleaner lists the components, including Windows and apps, you can analyze and optimize with the application.

The "Terminal" tab lets you issue commands to interact with the application. You get started using the "Help" command.

According to the developer, the tool doesn't include any spyware, scareware, upsell garbage, dark patterns, or fake Registry magic.

Furthermore, it uses the methods that CCleaner used to perform system cleaning, including the use of the Winapp2.ini, which is a "community-driven database of declarative cleaning routines" for the operating system that is even used by other cleaning tools.

If you open the "Settings" page via the gear icon at the bottom left, you can change the theme color. Also, you'll have access to the databases Fuent Cleanner uses to scan and clean the operating system.

The default database is the Winapp2, but you can also use the Winapp3, which is an experimental database at this point, and uses more aggressive entries to clean the operating system.

Finally, there's a Winappx database that allows you to remove bloatware from your computer.

On this page, you can also add a custom database using ".ini" files.

If you don't understand what each database does, it's recommended to stick with the default configuration.

Extensions

One feature that sets Fluent Cleaner apart is its support for extensions, which let you access other scripts and tools from a single interface.

For instance, you can load the Chris Titus Tech debloating tool, the Clear Icon Cache extension to fix broken icons on the desktop, as well as Explorer Tweaks and Remove Windows AI.

The process to add the extensions is straightforward. On the main page where you downloaded the tool, download and extract the Extensions.zip file.

Once you've unzipped, copy the Extensions folder to the folder where you extracted the Fluent Cleaner files, then restart the utility. Then all the tools will be listed in the "Extensions" page.

Windows 11 cleanup

If you want to give it a try, double-click the "FCleaner.exe," and click the "Analyze" button. The scan is quick, but it can also take a while depending on the system configuration.

You can also use the "Select options" (three dots) menu to manage the selection of items. For instance, you can select none to choose exactly what you want to clear, instead of using the default configuration.

If you hover over one of the items from the left side, you can select all or none of the items for a specific application.

While writing this, I also opened the "Temporary files" tool in Windows 11, and by default, the system found 15.9GB of junk.

On the other hand, Fluent Cleaner went deeper and found 19.43GB of junk that can be deleted from my setup.

Although there is a big difference, it's not the case that the tool available in the operating system is bad. It's more about Fluent Cleaner being more capable.

Once you're ready, click the "Run Cleaner" button from the bottom-right to clean up the system.

Windows Central's Take

I stopped recommending cleanup utilities years ago because many evolved into bloated apps filled with upsells and questionable "optimization" features. Fluent Cleaner feels different. It focuses on the basics, looks native on Windows 11, and gives users more control without pretending it can magically speed up your computer.

I still think most people are fine using Windows 11's built-in cleanup tools, but Fluent Cleaner clearly goes deeper for enthusiasts who want more advanced maintenance options. The open-source approach is also refreshing at a time when many system utilities feel more focused on subscriptions and telemetry than actually helping users.

My only caution is with the more aggressive cleanup databases and extensions. Like with any optimization tool, going too far can sometimes create more problems than benefits. However, based on what I've seen so far, Fluent Cleaner feels closer to the lightweight utilities users actually use without having to worry.

What are your thoughts about this tool? Let me know in the comments.

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On Windows 11, you no longer have to rely on the ViveTool, as Microsoft now provides a setting to manage experimental features, and in this guide, I'll show you the steps to complete this task.

I've been reporting on preview builds for a long time, and one of the frustrating aspects has always been installing Insider builds only to find that the features weren't available in my setup.

This happened because Microsoft has been using the Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR) technology to A/B-test new features with only a limited number of users. However, with the recent changes to the Windows Insider Program, everyone can enable these experimental features even if they're hidden with the addition of the "Feature flags" page.

Furthermore, the company has also made changes to the Beta channel that end the Controlled Feature Rollout, enabling all announced features by default in this experience.

One thing to note is that this applies only to the features and improvements that Microsoft officially announces. If other features are not ready for testing and are hidden, you may still need to use the ViveTool to enable them.

In this how-to guide, I'll show you how to access experimental changes on Windows 11.

How to access early features by turning flags on Windows 11

To enable experimental features through the Windows 11 Insider Program, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Windows Update.
3. Click the "Windows Insider Program" page.
4. Confirm your device is in the Experimental experience under the "Select your experience" section.

4. Click the Advanced Options setting.
5. Confirm the version of the operating system. For example, version 25H2.
6. Click the Feature flags page.

7. (Option 1) Select the Enabled option for the experimental feature to test.

• Quick tip: You can enable one or multiple features at the same time.

8. (Option 2) Select the No override option to allow the system to manage the availability of this feature on your device.
9. (Option 3) Select the Disabled option to disable the experimental feature on your computer.
10. Click the Apply Changes button.
11. Click the Restart now button.

Once you complete the steps, the experimental feature that you selected will be enabled on your computer.

FAQs about enabling experimental features on Windows 11

These are common questions regarding managing features flags on Windows 11.

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As part of its commitment to fix Windows 11's pain points, Microsoft is rebuilding the Windows Insider Program to make it easier to understand and allow users to test new features and improvements.

This overhaul to the program simplifies the number of channels and lets you turn experimental features on demand without needing third-party tools like popular ViveTool.

In this guide, I'll dive into the changes to get you up to speed in the new Windows Insider Program for the operating system.

Windows Insider Program new structure

Microsoft started this overhaul by rethinking the channels and building new feature flag controls inside the Settings app.

For example, instead of multiple overlapping channels, such as Canary, Dev, Beta, and Release Preview, you now have two main tracks, including "Experimental" and "Beta."

One thing to point out here is that the "Release Preview" is still a track, but it's hidden by default. You must enable it manually before it's available.

On the Windows Insider Program page, you'll also find the "Advanced Options" section that you'll have to use to select the version of the operating system you want to test. For instance, version 25H2 and 26H1, but there's a new "Feature Platforms" version that replaces the "Dev" version.

The Feature Platforms version includes the most experimental changes that are not tied to any specific release of the operating system.

Finally, Microsoft is also adding a new "Feature Flags" page, which is a big deal because it's a new experience that lets you manage experimental features without resorting to the ViveTool.

New Insider experiences breakdown

First, the company is cutting the number of channels from four to three, including Experimental, Beta, and Release Preview.

Experimental track

The Experimental experience replaces the Canary and Dev Channels from the legacy structure. This experience includes the latest features and improvements. However, previews in the track will be heavily unstable, and you'll run into issues.

One of the biggest advantages of this experience is that you can turn experimental features on or off from the "Feature flags" page. However, this applies only to features officially announced by the company.

If a specific build includes other features that aren't ready for preview, you'll have to use the ViveTool if they're found.

Enrolling in this experience:

Once you have your computer enrolled in the Windows Insider Program, from Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program, you'll have to choose the "Experimental" option under the "Select your experience" setting.

After selecting the experience, open the "Advanced Options" setting and choose the version of the operating system you wish to test. Currently, you can choose from version 25H2, 26H1, and Feature Platforms.

Once you have selected the experience and version of the operating system, check for updates on the "Windows Update" page, then download and install the latest preview build.

I want to be clear that Microsoft is still in the process of switching existing users from the old to the new structure. While writing this guide, the computer enrollment was the same as before. However, it's expected that steps will change in the future.

Changing tracks:

If you want to switch from the Experimental to the Beta experience, you can now do so with an in-place upgrade that preserves your files.

To change channels, from Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program, choose the "Beta" option from the "Select your experience" setting. If you also want to change the Windows version, in the "Advanced Options" settings, select the version to test.

Once you complete the steps, an in-place upgrade will occur to switch experiences.

While you can switch between experiences without performing a clean installation of Windows 11, you'll have to perform a fresh installation if you want to use the Feature Platforms version, as this doesn't align with the current platform of the operating system.

Beta track

The Beta experience is almost identical to the Beta Channel from the old structure. However, the most noticeable difference is that all the advertised features through the Microsoft official support website will be enabled by default.

In other words, in this experience, the company is eliminating the Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR) approach, and you won't have to use the "Feature flags" page, nor will you have to resort to third-party tools to enable hidden improvements.

Of course, the set of features in Beta will be mostly different from those in Experimental.

Enrolling in this experience:

Once you have your computer enrolled in the Windows Insider Program, from Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program, you'll have to choose the "Beta" option under the "Select your experience" setting.

After selecting the track, open the "Advanced Options" setting and choose the version of the operating system you wish to test. Currently, you can choose from version 25H2, 26H1, and Feature Platforms.

Once you have selected the experience and version, check for updates to download and install the latest preview build.

Changing tracks:

If you want to switch from the Beta to the Experimental experience, you can now do so with an in-place upgrade that preserves your files.

To change channels, from Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program, choose the "Beta" option from the "Select your experience" setting. If you also want to change the Windows version, in the "Advanced Options" settings, select the version to test.

Once you complete the steps, an in-place upgrade will occur to switch experiences.

It's important to remember that a clean installation will only be required if you want to use the Feature Platforms version, as it doesn't align with the operating system's current platform.

Release Preview track

Finally, you'll also find the Release Preview experience, and similar to the legacy Release Preview Channel, in this track, you'll receive nearly finished builds of the operating system.

However, the experience doesn't appear by default. You'll have to surface it using the "Advanced Options" settings.

Enrolling in this experience:

Once you have your computer enrolled in the Windows Insider Program, from Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program, you'll have to open "Advanced Options," turn on the "Show Release Preview" toggle switch, and then select the "Release Preview" option under the "Select your experience" setting.

After selecting the track, open the "Advanced Options" setting and choose the version of the operating system you wish to test.

Once you have selected the experience and version, check for updates to download and install the latest preview build.

Enable experimental features

If you enroll your device in the Experimental experience, you can enable experimental features that aren't already available in your installation without resorting to third-party tools like ViveTool.

To enable experimental features on Windows 11, open Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program > Feature flags, select the "Enabled" option for each of the available flags you want to enable, click the "Apply Changes" button, and then click the "Restart now" button.

Unenroll from the Insider Program

If you no longer want to remain in the Windows Insider Program, you can now unenroll while preserving your apps, settings, and files.

The process is straightforward. Open Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program and turn on the "Unenroll Device" toggle switch.

This step will trigger an in-place upgrade preserving your files, apps, and settings.

Switching existing Insiders

Although the new Windows Insider Program changes are available, Microsoft is in a transition phase and is gradually automatically switching users to the equivalent tracks.

First, devices already enrolled in the program will be switched to either the Beta or Experimental experience. However, this process won't change the operating system version, usually found in the "Advanced Options" settings.

• Devices in the Dev Channel will transition to the Experimental experience for version 25H2.
• Devices in the Canary Channel running 28000-series builds will move to the Experimental track for version 26H1.
• Devices in the Canary Channel running 25900-series builds will transition to the Experimental track for the Feature Platform version.

Windows Central's Take

I like where the program is going. The old Insider structure had become confusing, so simplifying the program was long overdue. However, the real win here is the built-in feature flags. One of the main reasons to join the Insider Program is early access to new features, and it's been frustrating to install a preview only to find those features locked behind limited rollouts.

This change finally makes that experience more consistent and predictable.

That said, I'd still be cautious with the Experimental track. The name is accurate, and from experience, these builds can break things in ways that aren't worth the risk on a primary computer. For most people, Beta remains the safer and more practical choice.

Overall, this feels like Microsoft cleaning up its own complexity. It's a simpler system, but the trade-offs of testing early builds haven't really changed.

More resources

Explore more in-depth how-to guides, troubleshooting advice, and essential tips to get the most out of Windows 11 and 10. Start browsing here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

Windows Insiders should set a reminder to check for builds at the end of each week. Microsoft just rolled out four Insider builds, each of which contains several changes and improvements.

The Touchpad experience and the Touch Keyboard experience are both improved with the latest Insider builds. Microsoft also provided a new upgrade path for education users. The changes you'll see depend on the Insider Channel you're in, but all the changes are worth studying.

As a reminder, Microsoft is overhauling the Windows Insider Program. Beta Channel Insiders have not been transitioned to the new Beta experience yet. Those who were in the Dev Channel and now in the Experimental Channel will receive Build 26300.8376. Insiders who were in the Canary 28000 series Channel are now in Experimental and will receive Build 28020.2075. Any Insiders who were in the Canary 29500 series Channel will receive Build 29585.1000.

Once the transition is complete, channels within the Windows Insider Program will be easier to navigate and switch between. But for now, people will need to double-check release notes to understand which build and features they'll receive.

With so many different builds rolling out, I'll highlight the biggest changes rather than list four separate change logs.

Beta Preview Build 26220.8370

Free upgrade path to Windows 11 Pro Education for K-12

Windows Insiders in K–12 education environments can now experience a seamless upgrade path from Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Pro Education edition—at no additional cost. This enables educational organizations to procure Windows 11 Home devices, upgrade them to Windows 11 Pro Education, and bring devices under school management.

Please note: This upgrade is one-way only. Reverting to Windows Home is not supported without a clean OS reinstall.

Experimental Preview Build 26300.8376

Touchpad

We’re adding new gesturing-related functionality to precision touchpads in Settings. The new features should be widely available across applications, with the exception that WinUI3-based UI requires new WinAppSDK versions for complete functionality - we're in the process of bringing the necessary changes to versions 1.8 and 2.0.

• Scroll / zoom speed: control the baseline speed for these gestures
• Automatic scrolling: scrolling continues indefinitely without lifting your fingers. Activate by either bringing your fingers near the edge of the touchpad while scrolling, or holding them still and pressing harder (requires hardware support).
• Accelerated scrolling: repeatedly scrolling increases their speed, allowing quick traversal of long documents.
• Single-finger scrolling: perform a vertical scroll with a single finger starting from the left or right side of the touchpad.

File Explorer

We’ve made several updates to improve reliability, readability, and overall usability in File Explorer:

• Address Bar improvements
  • The address bar now supports paths containing double backslashes and quotation marks (for example, C:\Users\user or "C:\Users\user"), improving compatibility with a wider range of inputs.
  • Improved reliability of the Address Bar suggestion dropdown so it now consistently closes after an item is selected.
• More readable file size formatting
  • File sizes in the Details view now display using appropriate units (KB, MB, GB) instead of KB-only, making them easier to understand at a glance.
• Refinements to the rename experience
  • Fixed an issue where text would be repeatedly selected while renaming items in folder views.
  • Fixed an issue where updated names (case-only changes) were not immediately reflected in folder views across local and cloud storage.
• Improved keyboard navigation of File Explorer context menu in flyouts.

EDU

Windows Insiders in this channel can also upgrade to Windows 11 Pro for K-12 from Windows 11 Home at no additional cost.

Experimental (26H1) Preview Build 28020.2075

Input

• Improved the reliability of typing when using the ADLaM keyboard.
• Improved performance of opening clipboard history.

Fonts

We’ve made some font improvements, including updating the Leelawadee UI font family for the Thai, Lao, Khmer, and Lontara scripts to help improve glyph sequencing, positioning, and rendering for these scripts.

Experimental (Future Platforms) Preview Build 29585.1000

Touch Keyboard Experience for Voice Typing

• We’re updating the experience when you use voice typing with the touch keyboard to make it feel more streamlined and intuitive. The new design removes the previous full‑screen overlay and instead shows voice typing animations directly on the dictation key, helping you stay focused on what you’re doing without extra visual distractions. 

Windows 11's best new features

All of the changes that shipped to Windows Insiders this week are welcome improvements, though they affect different customers. Educators and school admins will likely value the free upgrade path to Windows 11 Pro Education edition, since it allows them to acquire Windows 11 Home devices and upgrade them.

I'm most excited about the new gesture functionality in Windows 11. Being able to control the scroll and zoom speed through Windows Settings will save me time and automatic scrolling will let me scan webpages with less effort. I read a lot of articles for my job and need to locate specific pieces of information, so anything that speeds up scrolling and navigating is a big plus.

I also appreciate File Explorer showing file sizes in the most appropriate units. Listing a file as 4,215,577 KB isn't especially useful. I know I can convert it in my head by moving a decimal point, but I prefer to just see that same file listed in GB.

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

Windows 11 is being revamped, and Microsoft is here to show that it's keeping its promise. Windows K2 is an ongoing effort by the company to improve Windows 11, rebuild user trust, and shake off the negative sentiment surrounding the operating system.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said the tech giant is "doing the work required to win back fans across Windows and Xbox." A Windows blog post by Marcus Ash details some of that work.

"Two themes have stood out in my conversations with you. First, you want more transparency. You want to see what we’re doing, understand our decisions, and see progress through shipping. Second, a shared sense of pride. We want to be proud of what we build, and as Insiders, you’re proud to be the first to guide us with your feedback. When we get it right, we celebrate together. When we don’t, you push us to improve."

Since committing to improve Windows 11, Microsoft has restructured the Windows Insider Program, promised fan-favorite features, and started testing some long-awaited improvements. Ash's blog post highlights the following features and changes that have started rolling out to Windows Insiders:

• Clearer controls for Windows Insider features
• Smoother Windows Updates with less disruption
• A simplified UI for inbox apps
• Faster and more reliable File Explorer performance
• More control over widgets
• Improved overall system performance

Since these are all rolling out to Windows Insiders, we've already touched on them. But Ash's post serves as a quick recap that illustrates real change happening at Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Washington.

One of the first major changes was rebooting the Windows Insider Program. With clearer channels that make sense, transparent options for enabling or disabling features, and a simplified experience for moving between channels, Insiders are more likely to test features and send feedback.

It's smart of Microsoft to revamp the Windows Insider Program first, since ignoring feedback is a large reason user trust in Microsoft eroded.

Looking ahead

Ash teased what's ahead for Windows 11:

"I’m excited to share more on that work later this month, including how we’re improving Taskbar and Start, as well [as] the work underway to enhance Search."

Our Senior Editor Zac Bowden shared that Microsoft will rebuild the Start menu from scratch with WinUI 3. The new Start menu will be up to 60% faster and more responsive.

There will also be more customization options for the Start menu. Microsoft reportedly plans to get rid of ads in the Start menu as well.

It seems like we won't have to wait long to see some of those changes enter testing.

We'll update our Windows K2 status tracker as more features enter testing and roll out to everyone.

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

Microsoft plans to start the rollout of the May 2026 Security Update for Windows 11 on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. In the fifth month of the year, the software giant is pushing new features, improvements to existing experience, and security fixes.

In this quality update, the company is finally releasing the long-awaited Xbox mode. Officially, this feature started rolling out on April 30 with this update version.

File Explorer is also receiving some improvements, including faster launch times. In addition, Microsoft is expanding support for haptic feedback, and improvements for Voice Typing, Drag Tray becomes Drop Tray, and the Taskbar is getting support for AI agents.

Finally, this update brings new keyboard layouts, changes for the Windows Driver Policy, security changes for the batch files, and more.

In this guide, I'll highlight the most significant changes in the May 2026 Security Update for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2, since both are identical.

Windows 11's new features arriving in May

The company uses the Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR) technology to gradually roll out new improvements, so it may take some time before you see them.

1. Xbox mode gaming feature

Starting with the Patch Tuesday update for May, Microsoft is finally making available the Xbox mode for regular PCs, but it's currently available in select markets.

The feature transforms your laptop, desktop, or tablet into a console-like experience using the Xbox app in full-screen mode. Once the feature is enabled, upon restart and after signing in, the device will enter the mode automatically with a controller-friendly interface similar to the Xbox dashboard, letting you launch and play games without the usual clutter.

Also, this mode is more than auto-starting an app. This new experience prioritizes resources to improve the gaming experience by reducing background activity and distractions. According to the company, Xbox mode can free up as much as 2GB of memory.

The feature is available from Settings > Gaming > Xbox mode. On this page, you'll have to turn on the "Enable Xbox mode" toggle switch and select the Xbox app (if applicable).

2. File Explorer improvements

As part of this wave of changes, File Explorer will receive a number of improvements.

First, the company is expanding support for archive formats that can be used in File Explorer to include uu, cpio, xar, and NuGet Packages (nupkg).

In folders such as Downloads and Documents, the "View" and "Sort" preferences will be used when apps launch File Explorer directly to those locations.

Also, this update fixes a white flash when opening the "This PC" page or resizing the "Details" page while in dark mode.

3. Haptic feedback effects

In the Settings app, from the "Haptic signals" page, you can now control haptic feedback effects on compatible devices for specific actions, such as snapping and resizing windows and aligning objects in PowerPoint.

Currently, these effects are supported on Surface Slim Pen 2, ASUS Pen 3.0, and MSI Pen 2 with haptic feedback.

Microsoft plans to bring support for Logitech MX Master 4, but this will come at a later time as Logitech releases updates.

4. Voice Typing improvements

On the touch keyboard, the Voicy Typing elements are being reworked. The new design ditches the full-screen overlay and displays the Voice Typing animation on the dictation key.

5. Keyboard new layout

Microsoft is making available a new Arabic 101 Legacy keyboard layout, which you can add from the "Region" page in the Settings app.

6. Drop Tray changes

Starting with the May 2026 Security Update, the Drag Tray feature becomes "Drop Tray," and Microsoft is also relocating the feature to Settings > System > Multitasking.

If you don't like this feature because you don't like how the feature breaks your flow when dragging a file, you can now disable it from the "Multitasking" page.

7. Taskbar new AI agents support

Perhaps one of the most significant additions through this update is the new support to monitor AI agents from the Taskbar.

If your computer supports working with AI agents, you'll now be able to check what the agent is doing from the Taskbar without opening the app. Microsoft notes that this integration is first coming to the Microsoft 365 Copilot app, where the Research agent can now show live progress while generating a report.

You only have to hover over the AI agent in the Taskbar to check the progress. In this case, when the report is done, you'll receive a notification.

8. Debloat policy with dynamic list support

While the operating system has included the "Remove Default Microsoft Store packages" policy for some time, it now includes a dynamic list option that allows you to specify additional MSIX and APPX apps to remove from the system.

This policy is meant for organizations to give administrators granular control over default apps beyond the standard list.

9. Windows Driver Policy update

In May, the company plans to update how the kernel trusts third-party drivers.

For example, the default trust for cross-signed drivers is now gone, while drivers from the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program (WHCP) and a list of trusted legacy drivers will remain allowed.

It's important to note that before enforcing the changes, the operating system will test the driver compatibility for at least 100 hours and three reboots.

After the enforcements, some cross-signed drivers might be blocked.

10. Batch file security changes

The update Microsoft is preparing for Windows 11 also includes security improvements to batch files and Command Prompt scripts to minimize runtime manipulation risks.

Starting with this update, network administrators and Application Control for Business policy authors can now enable a hardened processing mode for batch files. When enabled, this mode locks batch files during execution, preventing any modifications and reducing the risk of runtime tampering.

The feature can be configured through the Registry at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor by creating the LockBatchFilesWhenInUse DWORD and setting its value to 1 (use 0 to keep it disabled).

Alternatively, the same behavior can be enforced using the LockBatchFilesWhenInUse application manifest control, as defined in the Application Control for Business schema.

11. Format FAT32 up to 2TB

Finally, another change worth noting is the new update to the format command-line tool, which now allows you to format volumes up to 2TB using FAT32.

Previously, you were only able to format volumes of up to 32GB.

Windows Central's Take

I walked away from the May 2026 Windows 11 update feeling like Microsoft finally struck the right balance between useful upgrades and everyday polish.

Xbox mode is the feature that grabbed me first because it genuinely makes my PC feel like a console when I want it to. File Explorer feels faster, folder views are finally consistent, and the expanded archive support saves me from installing extra tools.

Even the small touches, like smarter Taskbar AI and tighter driver rules, make the OS feel more intentional. It is not a flashy update, but as I tested everything, I kept noticing little improvements that add up.

I am curious how many of you plan to install it right away and how it holds up on your hardware? Let me know in the comments!

More resources

Explore more in-depth how-to guides, troubleshooting advice, and essential tips to get the most out of Windows 11 and 10. Start browsing here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

As April is coming to an end, it's now the right time to review the new changes and features that Microsoft made available for Windows 11 through the Windows Insider Program during the second half of the month.

In addition to the enhancements available during the first two weeks of April, the company made preview builds available to Insiders using the channel names Experimental and Beta for versions 25H2, 26H1, and Feature Platforms. However, since we are still in a transitional period, during this month, there were builds also available in the legacy Beta, Dev, and Canary Channels.

In the Experimental track, we've seen builds 26300.8289, 28200.1873, and 29576, and build 26220.8283 has been released in the Beta Channel, which is still in the legacy channel.

Also, the company released build 26300.8276 in the Dev Channel, build 26220.8271 in the Beta Channel, and builds 28020.1863 and 29570 in the Canary Channel.

In this recap, I'll highlight the latest and most noteworthy changes available through the Windows Insider Program.

Biggest improvements from the Windows Insider Program in April 2026

These are the most significant changes Microsoft has unveiled since the last roundup.

Windows Update overhaul

Starting on build 26300.8289, Windows 11 is introducing significant changes to the Windows Update system to give users more control over system updates.

First, the company is adding a new calendar control for the "Pause updates" feature that allows you to pause updates for up to 35 days, but the big deal is that you can extend this schedule unlimited times. In other words, using this new control, you can turn off system updates indefinitely.

In addition, Microsoft is minimizing disruption by scheduling drivers, .NET, and firmware updates that require a restart to apply a monthly quality update, so your computer only needs to reboot once a month.

Finally, you'll also notice that updates will now be grouped on a single "Available updates" section in the Settings app, and drivers will include clearer labels, such as display, audio, or battery, to improve transparency.

Outside the Windows Update settings page, the company is updating the Power menu to include restart and shutdown options independently from the update options. The change aims to ensure you can perform power-cycle actions without having to apply updates when you don't have time.

The company also advertises that the ability to skip updates during initial setup is new to this release, but that's an option already available to everyone.

File Explorer improvements

When build 26300.8276 became available, Windows 11 introduced an updated version of File Explorer that improved the placement of the search box icons to make the interface more consistent across devices.

Settings app changes

Also, on Windows 11 builds 26300.8276 and 26220.8271, the system received an updated version of the Settings app that makes the "Default location" and "Allow location override" options unavailable when "Location services" is turned off in Settings > Privacy & Security > Location.

Finally, the navigation to the "Installed apps" page has also been improved.

Xbox mode feature

In builds 29570 and 28200.1873, Microsoft began rolling out Xbox mode, bringing an Xbox-like console experience to regular PCs.

This feature makes the Xbox app a full-screen experience that is easily controlled with the game controller, and this mode prioritizes the gaming experience by reducing background activity and other distractions.

Once the update is installed, you should be able to configure the feature from Settings > Gaming > Xbox mode.

It's worth noting that the company plans to bring this feature to everyone with the release of the May 2026 Security Update.

Debloat policy changes

Windows 11 Enterprise and Education editions already come with the "Remove Default Microsoft Store packages from the system" policy to allow administrators to create new accounts without many of the built-in apps.

Starting at Windows 11 build 29570 in the Canary Channel, Microsoft updated the policy to include a dynamic list option that allows administrators to uninstall additional MSIX and APPX programs.

Context menu update

We've seen this in previous builds, but in the Canary Channel, the company also updated the context menu so that when you right-click a specific file, such as .exe, .bat, or .cmd, the "Open" option in the menu will include the icon of the supported application that opens that file.

Touchpad right-click changes

Also, Microsoft has been updating the "Touchpad" settings page across channels to include an option to change the size of the right-click zone.

The setting includes options, including default, small, medium, and large. However, keep in mind that you'll only see this option on devices with pressable surfaces.

Pen settings improvements

The company has also updated the "Pen" settings page with a new "Same as Copilot key" option that lets you open the same app with a pen click using the same apps configured in the "Copilot" key.

Sound settings improvements

As part of the Sound settings improvements, starting with build 29576 for the Feature Platforms version, Microsoft has been rolling out a number of improvements.

First, on the "Sound" page, the development team is updating the volume slider design to visually indicate active audio playback.

On supported hardware, the option to enable hardware acceleration will be available in the "Advanced" section of the device's properties.

In addition, the Advanced section includes an option to configure exclusive mode for that specific audio device.

Microsoft is also bringing the ability to configure adaptive communication sound levels directly into the Settings app, so you no longer have to configure these settings in the Control Panel.

Finally, the company notes that the option to set an audio device as the default sound device is now available in the "Properties" page.

Point-in-time Recostore

The preview build 29576 also introduced Point-in-time Restore, a feature designed to help you roll back your device to an earlier point in time to recover from buggy updates, broken drivers, misconfiguration, malware, and more.

The feature sounds familiar because it's a modern version of System Restore. However, this is a modern take that is predictable and easier for users and network administrators to manage.

Point-in-time Restore uses Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) to create restore points that include the entire state of the operating system, apps, configurations, passwords, secrets, credentials, and, more importantly, your data.

The feature is enabled by default on devices with at least 200GB of storage and running the Home and Pro editions of the operating system.

If you want to manage the feature, open Settings > Recovery > Point-in-time, and turn on the "Point-in-time Restore" toggle switch.

By default, the system creates restore points once a day and keeps them for three days. A configuration that should be optimal for most users.

Task Manager update for NPUs

Also, with the release of build 29576, you'll find an updated Task Manager that includes optional "NPU" and "NPU Engine" columns on the "Processes," "Users," and "Details" tabs.

The Details page also adds "NPU Dedicated Memory" and "NPU Shared Memory" columns to better understand how AI workloads use system resources.

Also, if your graphics card includes neural engines, these will now appear on the "Performance" page for viewing AI processing activity.

On the "Processes" and "Details" tabs, a new "Isolation" column makes it easier to identify apps using "AppContainer."

The new columns are available in the right-click menu in the Task Manager header.

Windows Central's Take

I feel like the preview builds in April are less about headline features and more about giving me better control and stability. It finally feels like Windows is catching up to what I have wanted for a while.

The Windows Update changes stand out the most for me. Being able to pause updates for as long as I want and having restarts fall into a predictable monthly cycle fixes one of the most frustrating parts of Windows 11. That alone makes the system feel much less intrusive in my daily use.

I am also seeing the Experimental track continue to surface features like Point in Time Restore, Xbox mode, and Task Manager improvements. A lot of these have already shown up in other Insider channels or even in stable builds, but it is good to see them moving forward in a more organized way.

Overall, April feels like groundwork. The improvements are not flashy, but they solve real usability problems and set things up for bigger changes that will matter more over time.

It's important to note that in addition to these improvements, in the last wave of previews, Windows 11 shipped with several hidden features, including the new Run dialog, storage settings tweaks, new loading animation for restart and shutdown, and an early preview of the next upgrade for the Taskbar with repositioning options.

What are your thoughts on the latest improvements coming to the operating system? Let me know in the comments.

More resources

Explore more in-depth how-to guides, troubleshooting advice, and essential tips to get the most out of Windows 11 and 10. Start browsing here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

Sitting down at your PC and realizing it needs an update is at least bothersome. At worst, it can derail your plans by requiring you to set aside time for the system to do its thing. But soon, Windows Update will be easier to control.

When you set up your PC, you'll be able to skip updates during the out-of-box experience (OOBE). There will also be the option to extend update pauses for as long as you'd like.

Windows 11 PCs will always present options to shut down or restart without updating, which is in contrast to current behavior where those options disappear.

Lastly, Windows 11 will provide more insights about updates, helping you stay informed on what's new and giving you the information you need to make an informed plan for updating your PC.

Microsoft's Aria Hanson detailed the changes in a Windows blog post. Hanson read 7,621 pieces of feedback that helped shape the changes.

You'll likely hear more about feedback being listened to and actioned going forward. Microsoft is revamping the Insider program and part of that effort is a renewed dedication to checking feedback.

Hanson's blog post details the new options, such as the expanded options for extending update pauses. You'll be able to click a date on a calendar to indicate when you want updates paused until. It will also be possible to re-pause updates in 35-day intervals.

Microsoft is also starting to coordinate driver, .NET, and firmware updates, so there are fewer updates each month.

"There are few things more frustrating than sitting down to use your computer, only to find that it requires an update. Worse, is when this happens multiple times in a given month," says Hanson.

"We know this has been a major pain point for Windows users, so as of today, we’re unifying the update experience to reduce the number of reboots you see every month."

Many of the changes are already in testing among Windows Insiders in the newly formed Experimental Channel.

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

Starting today, Windows Insiders are being shifted to the newly formed Experimental Channel and the revamped Beta Channel. Most Insiders in the Dev Channel will be placed in the Experimental Channel, while those in the Beta Channel will be in the updated Beta Channel.

Windows Insiders in the Canary Channel will be transitioned to either the Experimental (26H1) Channel or the Experimental (Future Platforms) depending on the Canary build their PC is on, but that transition will happen over the coming weeks.

Microsoft is rebooting the Windows Insider Program with a new focus, a clearer structure, and a deeper commitment to listening to feedback. Part of the change is a simplified channel strategy that reorganizes the Insider Channels in a way that makes sense.

The Experimental and Beta Channels will allow Insiders to test features and provide feedback without having to jump through hoops or use third-party tools to enable features. There's a clear separation between the channels that I'm excited to see.

Microsoft outlines the transition in a Windows Insider blog post:

"To ensure quality and reliability of the program changes, we will be rolling out the changes in a phased approach. Starting today, we will begin moving users in the Dev Channel to Experimental. Delivering on our promise to allow Insiders in Experimental to enable new experiences before they roll out to your device, if you are in the Dev Channel and do not see the new Experimental channel UI, you can enable it yourself by going to Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program > Feature flags and toggling on the new experience."

The rollout will span the coming few weeks and eventually include Canary Channel Insiders as well.

Microsoft kicked things off with the first-ever Experimental builds and a Dev Channel Build. Here are some quick links to the change logs and a rundown of what's new in the first-ever Experimental build.

• Beta (Including Beta Channel): Build 26220.8283
• Experimental (Including Dev Channel): Build 26300.8289
• Experimental (26H1) – Including Canary 28000 series: Build 28020.1873
• Experimental (Future Platforms) – Including Canary 29500 series: Build 29576.1000

Windows 11 Insider Experimental Preview Build 26300.8289

Windows Insider Program channel movement

As announced in the Windows Insider Blog, we will begin moving users in the Dev Channel to the new Experimental channel. This will be a phased rollout and Insiders who do not see the new experience on their device but want to, can enable the experience under Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program > Feature flags.

Windows Update

We’re introducing new capabilities to enhance security and improve user control over the Windows update experience. This includes:

• Ability to skip updates immediately during the out of box experience (OOBE)
• Extend update pauses as many times as you need
• Always available options to shutdown and restart with updating
• More insight on available updates to make more informed installation decisions

Print Drivers

The Internet Protocol Print driver (prnms012) has new hardware IDs (HWIDs) in preparation for upcoming changes in printer driver ranking order. See our third-party driver deprecation timeline: End of Servicing Plan for Third-Party Printer Drivers on Windows - Windows drivers | Microsoft Learn..

Start menu

Improved detection of clicks at the leftmost edge of the taskbar to invoke start menu when the taskbar icons are set to left aligned.

Other

• Removed unexpected error that was showing when opening Group Policy Editor in the last couple Insider flights.
• We’re updated Times New Roman to improve support for combining diacritical marks across the Greek and Cyrillic Unicode ranges. If you notice any positioning issues with these diacritical marks, please let us know by filing feedback under Desktop Environment > Font Installation and Preview in the Feedback Hub – preferably with details about the specific Unicode character, and a screenshot highlighting the expected position.

The biggest change is the ability to skip updates during the out of box experience. We knew this was on the way, and it's nice to see it hit the next phase of testing.

Before this change, users setting up a PC for the first time needed to sit through an entire update process, which could take up to half an hour. While it's important to keep systems up to date, having the option to skip those updates while setting up a PC is lovely.

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For those of us who have been bleeding "Microsoft Blue" for a decade or more (Windows Central is going on 20 years in 2027), the Windows Insider Program isn't just a beta testing track—it’s a culture. I remember the early days of the Gabe Aul and Dona Sarkar eras; it was fun, it was goofy, and most important, it felt human. We had the Ninja Cat, we had "hustle-as-a-service," and there was a palpable sense of pride in being a Windows fan.

But let's be honest: over the last few years, that spark faded. The program felt like it was operating on autopilot. New features were often dictated to users rather than built with them, and the community (especially the vocal power users who frequent Windows Central) began to feel like their feedback was disappearing into a black hole.

Recently, I sat down with a senior leadership figure within the Windows design and research organization to discuss why Microsoft is suddenly doubling down on the Insider community again. While our conversation was on background—meaning I can’t name them, but I can share their insights—the message was clear: Microsoft knows they lost the "spirit of the game," and they are structurally re-engineering the company to win it back.

What’s changing in the Insider program

According ot Microsoft, the reboot is practical, not purely cosmetic. The Windows and Insider teams have been blunt about the two biggest complaints from longtime Insiders: confusing channels and opaque feature rollouts.

Much of this was announced publicly in the previous weeks, first with a post by Pavan Davuluri, Executive Vice President, Windows & Devices, announcing major changes to Windows 11, and the next was the revamp announcement of the Insider program itself.

I'll recap what Microsoft has stated over the last few weeks for the Insider program, and some of what I learned in my conversation:

• Simplified channel strategy. The Insider program is being reorganized around clearer, purpose‑driven channels: an Experimental track for early feature flags and rapid iteration, and a Beta track that’s meant to be predictable and closer to shipping. That should reduce the “I installed the build but don’t have the feature” frustration that’s plagued Insiders for years.
• Feature flags and transparency. Experimental builds will expose a feature‑flags page so testers can opt into visible features themselves instead of waiting for staggered rollouts. That’s a big deal for people who want to test specific changes without guessing.
• Easier channel movement. Microsoft is lowering the friction for switching channels, so you won’t need to wipe and reinstall just to try something different.
• Named accountability. Each of the program’s priority areas now has a Directly Responsible Individual (DRI) — a senior leader who owns a specific area (taskbar, File Explorer, widgets, reliability, etc.), synthesizes telemetry and feedback, and drives a prioritized backlog.

Davuluri's post states that Microsoft is doubling down on quality for Windows 11, driven by community feedback and a desire to make the OS feel more reliable, performant, and thoughtfully crafted.

That blog post also outlines near‑term changes rolling out to Insiders, including new taskbar positioning options (top and sides), quieter and more intentional Copilot integrations, faster and more dependable File Explorer, and greater control over updates and widgets, plus a redesigned Feedback Hub to make it easier to submit and track feedback.

The post frames these moves as part of a broader, year‑long effort to raise the bar on performance, reliability, and craft across the platform, with deeper validation and broader testing on real‑world hardware before features reach wider audiences.

(Internally, this is referred to as "Windows K2", though there is no final version of K2; I learned it's more of an ongoing improvement initiative than a specific OS build or end-goal.)

The Windows and Insider teams also note it will focus on reducing resource usage, improving responsiveness by moving core experiences to WinUI3, strengthening driver and app reliability, and making updates less disruptive, while continuing to harden security.

These are the kinds of changes that, on paper, should make the Insider experience less mystifying and more rewarding, and they're long overdue, but welcome nonetheless.

Why now? The drive for "product pride"

The biggest question I had going in was: What changed? For years, Microsoft seemed content to let the Insider program simmer on the back burner while AI took center stage.

According to this senior official, the shift was driven by an internal realization that the Windows team needed to be "kept honest". But more interestingly, it was about internal morale. "The feedback we’ve heard from our own team is: 'I want to be proud of what I work on,'" the official told me. "And the best way to measure that pride is a stronger connection to enthusiasts and people that give us this feedback".

There is a sense that Windows 11 has reached a scale—over a billion customers—where "one size fits all" no longer works. To move forward, Microsoft is rebooting the program to find "early signals" from people like us who spot regressions and UI friction long before the general population does.

The new structure: Meet the "DRIs"

One of the most significant takeaways from our talk was how Microsoft is changing the way it actually uses our feedback. In the past, it often felt like design, engineering, and product teams were siloed. Now, under the leadership of Pavan Davuluri, the Windows team has been consolidated.

They have introduced a model of Directly Responsible Individuals (DRIs). These are senior leaders—not just project managers, but top-tier designers and engineers—who are personally accountable for specific "pain points" identified in recent community feedback.

For example, there is now a dedicated DRI for the Start menu and Taskbar. Their job isn't just to ship new icons; it’s to synthesize telemetry, user research, and "Feedback Hub" complaints into a list they are required to "burn down". Other DRIs are focused specifically on File Explorer, widgets, and overall system reliability.

I’ll admit, I’m skeptical. We’ve heard "we're listening" before. But the official insisted this isn't a top-down executive mandate; it’s about giving engineers the freedom to fix the things that "bug them or bug a customer" without needing an ROI justification for every single line of code.

The hard part: Skepticism is warranted

The Windows community’s skepticism is real and justified. Over the last few years, Insiders have seen features announced and then never fully delivered, preview builds that introduced regressions, and a sense that decisions were sometimes made without community input.

As far as I can tell, two things will determine whether this reboot is meaningful:

• Quality in Beta builds. Beta must feel like Beta. If the “predictable” channel still ships builds with frequent regressions, trust won’t return. The team says Beta will have fewer regressions, but the community will judge by experience, not promises.
• Closing the loop publicly. It’s one thing to fix a bug because an Insider reported it; it’s another to publicly acknowledge that contribution. The team is talking about ways to celebrate Insider contributions (I suggested listing names or handles in release notes or blog posts), and that kind of recognition matters more than Microsoft might assume.

I didn't let them off easy on the technical side. I brought up a major point of contention for our audience: the shift toward "web view" apps like the new Outlook and Teams, which many of you feel are sluggish compared to native Win32 or UWP apps.

The official acknowledged the tension. They noted that while web tech offers cross-platform velocity, the "native is standard" viewpoint of the core enthusiast community is something they are hearing "all the time". While they didn't promise a return to 100% native apps, they did mention that WinUI 3 is a major focus of the current overhaul. The goal is to make the framework feature-complete and optimized so that even when Microsoft (or third parties) chooses a specific tech stack, the performance and "craft" meet the expectations of a flagship OS.

But let's have that debate publicly so we can settle on native vs. WebView design, including the pros/cons of each, so we can reach common ground. It's clear to me that Microsoft's core audience is very pro-native apps, so Microsoft has the challenge of trying to convince them that WebView can work, or to go back to the drawing board.

To its credit, Microsoft has already announced a team, led by fan-favorite Rudy Hyun, to look at this very issue, including a doubling down on native apps. Let's see what happens.

How Microsoft plans to measure progress

The team has tied the program to measurable goals, which I asked about, and that includes: product satisfaction, retention, platform health (OS, drivers, app stack), and velocity on DRI backlogs. Each DRI is expected to synthesize telemetry, research, and Feedback Hub signals into a prioritized list and then burn down that list with measurable fixes.

If Microsoft publishes regular, pillar‑aligned updates that show what shipped and how community feedback influenced decisions, that transparency will go a long way toward rebuilding trust.

Can the fun come back?

One of my favorite parts of the conversation was talking about the "Ninja Cat" days. I asked if we’d ever see that kind of lighthearted branding again, or if the "Enterprise-first" era of Microsoft had killed the fun.

The response was encouragingly human. "Nostalgia is a tricky thing," the official said, noting they don't want to just copy the past. Instead, they want to work with the community to "invent the next Ninja Cat together".

As I told the official, that kind of recognition means the world to a community that has felt ignored. When you see your name on a site like Windows Central or a Microsoft blog, it transforms you from a "user" into a "participant".

That said, 2026 feels very different from 2016, and not in a good way. That's not Microsoft's fault, but it is its challenge that it inherited from this new online culture, which favors aggression and hostility over having a good time and letting us enjoy things.

What about a Windows 12, instead?

I asked Microsoft whether it was time to move on to Windows 12, and the answer was clear: they want to refine Windows 11 first. With more than a billion users, Windows 11 is already the baseline for most people, and the company believes it is more responsible to improve what is in use than to start over with a new version.

Leadership told me they see real value in spending the time to address the diversity of customer needs at scale. A wholesale jump to Windows 12 would create pressure to make big, visible changes that may not be necessary when the team can instead focus on improving craft, performance, and reliability across the existing platform.

Their current strategy is about reengineering the experience from the inside out so users get more control and flexibility. By staying on Windows 11, the team can target specific areas of feedback, such as Start menu and Taskbar customization, and make structural changes like consolidating the Windows organization under a single leadership umbrella.

The goal they described to me was simple: make Windows 11 an excellent product people can be proud of, rather than chasing a fixed timeline for a successor.

I agree with this. Doing Windows 12 sounds great, but there would be too much pressure to reinvent everything again just for the sake of doing it.

My take

I left this conversation feeling something I haven't felt in a while: hopeful. It’s easy to be cynical about "corporate reorgs," but hearing that the people who actually design the pixels are now the ones accountable for fixing the Taskbar is a huge win for common sense. The fact that they are looking to lower the barrier for entry and make the builds easier to understand suggests they actually want us back in the fold.

Microsoft is trying to be transparent again because, in 2026, honesty is the only currency that matters in a world of AI-generated noise. They want Windows to be more than "ones and zeros"—they want it to have a human connection.

Whether they can actually execute on this "Commitment to Quality" remains to be seen. But for the first time in years, it feels like the Windows team is looking at the community not as a checkbox, but as a partner. I can get behind that.

What do you think? Does a "DRI" for the Taskbar make you feel better about the future of Windows 11, or are you waiting to see the "Ninja Cat" return before you believe the fun is back? Let us know in the comments.

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Windows 11’s early April Insider builds are a clear signal of where Microsoft wants the OS to go next. Across UI refinements, new feature toggles, and deeper system integrations, these updates show the company tightening the experience ahead of bigger changes expected later in 2026. Some improvements are subtle, others are more ambitious, but together they paint a picture of an OS that’s steadily evolving rather than standing still.

Here’s a closer look at the seven changes Insiders can test right now and what they hint at for the months ahead.

Thus far in April 2026, the company has rolled out several improvements and visual changes, including platform changes (in the Canary Channel). For instance, the operating system now includes haptic feedback effects for specific actions, the Xbox Full Screen Experience comes with the Xbox mode, and there are visual changes to Protected Print Mode in the Settings app.

In addition, the software giant began the rollout of Secure Boot certification alerts through the Windows Insider Program. Also, there's a new option to control the touchpad right-click area, and you'll also find Feedback Hub app improvements.

Another thing to point out is that in total, during the first two weeks of April, there were six preview builds, including 26300.8155 and 26220.8148, as well as 26300.8170 and 26220.8165 in the Dev and Beta Channels. In the Canary Channel, we've seen build 29560 and 28020.1803 as well as 29565 and 28020.1812.

In this recap, I'll highlight the latest and most noteworthy changes available through the Windows Insider Program.

Biggest improvements from the Windows Insider Program in April 2026

These are the improvements that the software giant has rolled out since my last roundup of changes.

1. Haptic feedback effects

Starting with build 26220.8148 and 26300.8155, Windows 11 adds haptic feedback effects to compatible devices for specific actions, such as window snapping, resizing, and hovering over the close button.

You can always configure these settings on Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mouse > Haptic signals.

2. Xbox mode new name

Originally, the company started previewing the Xbox Full Screen Experience, which transforms your desktop into a console-like experience using the Xbox app and system tweaks to improve the gaming experience.

In recent updates, an update became available to improve the first-run experience when entering the mode. Also, and more importantly, Microsoft has now renamed the feature from Xbox Full Screen Experience to Xbox mode.

3. Protected Print Mode changes

The Windows Protect Print Mode isn't getting any improvements, per se. Instead, the company has been testing a new badge icon that will appear on a printer installed on your computer that supports the new printer drivers.

This change is now available in the Dev and Beta Channels.

4. Secure Boot certificate alerts

In the Windows Security app, the company recently released an update for the Secure Boot settings that shows a green, yellow, or red badge indicating the current state of the certificates expiring in June 2026.

For instance, the green icon indicates that the system is fully updated, so you don't need to worry about Secure Boot certificates.

The yellow icon indicates that the update is pending or limited due to compatibility issues.

The red icon means that the new certificates cannot be applied, and manual configuration is required.

These new messages are available on the Windows Security app > Device security > Secure Boot, after installing the latest preview build in the Canary, Dev, and Beta Channels.

5. Pen settings improvements

Starting on build 28020.1803 and 29560 from the Canary Channel, the development team updated the Pen settings page, which allows you to set the tail button to launch the same app as the Copilot key.

This new setting can be found on Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Pen.

6. Touchpad new customization setting

On laptops, it is now possible to choose the size of the right-click zone in the touchpad.

If you have a supported touchpad, the new option is available from Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Touchpad, and the options include default, small, medium, and large.

In addition, it's worth pointing out that some manufacturers may offer their own customization for this. So, if your computer is using this customization, you'll also see a "Custom" entry in the Touchpad settings.

This setting was previously limited to the Dev and Beta Channels, but it's now available in the Canary Channel with the release of builds 29560 and 28020.1803.

7. Feedback Hub app update

Finally, the company recently released the Feedback Hub app version 2.2604.101.0 in the Dev and Canary channels, with some improvements.

In the latest update of the app, Microsoft shipped changes for the window behavior so that it has a consistent default startup experience. If you resize the window manually, the app will now remember the size.

You can now use the back button on the mouse when navigating between pages to step back to a previous page without having to use the application controls.

The upvote button now displays correctly for the Chinese language and improves accessibility.

Windows Central's Take

Microsoft isn't using the start of April to ship flashy features, but rather to refine the experience. These changes may seem small, but they're still important because they reflect the company's ongoing commitment to polishing the operating system.

The introduction of haptic feedback and the new touchpad customization highlights the focus on input precision and tactile interaction, especially on modern laptops. At the same time, subtle interface tweaks, like the updated Protected Print Mode badge and Feedback Hub improvements, show the company is paying closer attention to clarity and usability rather than just adding headline features.

Perhaps more importantly, changes like Secure Boot certificate alerts indicate more emphasis on security transparency. Instead of burying critical system states, the operating system is starting to surface them in ways that are easier for everyday users to understand before problems arise.

It's important to note that I'm not including details on the upcoming changes to the Windows Insider Program and Windows Update settings because they haven't been officially released on any preview channels.

More resources

Explore more in-depth how-to guides, troubleshooting advice, and essential tips to get the most out of Windows 11 and 10. Start browsing here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

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Microsoft is giving the Windows 11 preview program its biggest reset in years, and the goal is simple: make testing Windows features less confusing. In its latest announcement, the company is introducing new Experimental and Beta channels that separate risky builds from stable ones, while also giving testers a clearer path to try features before they ship. For years, the Insider Program has struggled with overlapping rings, unpredictable feature drops, and unclear timelines. This overhaul is meant to fix that. And after spending time with the new structure, it finally feels like Microsoft is taking the testing experience seriously again.

First up, the company is streamlining the channels available to join when you choose to run preview builds of Windows 11. Microsoft says that going forward, there are now just two primary preview channels that participants can choose between: Experimental and Beta.

The new Experimental channel replaces both the Canary and Dev channels, and will be where new features show up first in their earliest development stages. This channel is for those who want access to the newest features as soon as possible to submit feedback about and help shape features as they are built.

The Experimental channel will also be where users can choose to test "Future Platform" builds of the OS, which focus more on underlying platform changes rather than surface-level features. These platform builds are not tied to any specific version of the OS, unlike the regular Experimental and Beta channel builds.

In a major change, Microsoft is also giving users in the new Experimental channel access to feature flags, which will allow participants to enable or disable new features that are presented in changelogs without waiting for an automated A/B test to give them access.

Famously, the Windows Insider Program has been the only OS preview program that doesn't guarantee you access to features that are in development. Instead, Microsoft utilizes a system called Controlled Feature Rollouts (CFR), which makes new features appear in an A/B test format. That meant those installing new Windows 11 builds to test were never able to guarantee whether they were going to actually be able to test the feature.

Going forward, users will be able to officially bypass these A/B tests if they want access to the newest features as soon as they are documented in changelogs. The options to configure feature flags will be present in Settings, and users will be free to toggle on features they don't have automated access to whenever they want.

The Windows 11 Beta channel is remaining, but with one crucial change: Microsoft is ending CFR for participants in this channel. That means new builds that roll out to the Beta Channel will have all the features detailed in changelogs enabled by default, without needing to configure feature flags to gain access to them.

The Windows 11 Release Preview channel is also sticking around and will continue to be the place to test production-ready builds of Windows 11, a handful of weeks before general availability.

This new Experimental and Beta channel system is more similar to how Microsoft handles feature rollouts in Edge. The more experimental channels rely on feature flags for users to configure to gain access to, whereas the Beta Channel is an early look at the new features that Microsoft intends to ship imminently.

The company is also making it easier to switch between the new Experimental, Beta, and Release Preview channels. Soon, users will be able to jump between preview channels, testing the same OS version via an in-place upgrade, negating the need to wipe your device to join a different Insider channel. This doesn't apply to those testing Future Platform builds, however.

Microsoft says these changes to the Windows Insider Program will begin rolling out in the coming weeks and are designed to make testing Windows 11 more straightforward and easy for people. Now, when you choose to test preview builds of Windows, it will be super easy to get access to the features that are documented in changelogs, instead of being forced to wait weeks.

Existing Insiders that are already in the Canary or Dev channels will be automatically moved to the Experimental channel when available. Insiders in the Beta and Release Preview channels will remain where they already are. These changes are part of Microsoft's larger effort to fix Windows 11's biggest flaws, and tackling the preview program head-on is a great way to start.

Windows Central's take

Microsoft’s overhaul of the Windows 11 preview program is the kind of course correction we’ve been waiting for. The Insider Program has been valuable, but it also became tangled in too many rings, too many exceptions, and too many moments where even seasoned testers weren’t sure what they were signing up for. It stopped being exciting and started feeling procedural. By introducing clearer channels and a more intentional structure, Microsoft is signaling that it wants testing to be predictable, meaningful, and—most importantly—worth our time again.

What makes this moment even more encouraging is everything happening around it. The return of Windows meetups, renewed fan outreach, and a leadership team that genuinely seems to care about community energy all point in the same direction: bringing back the spirit that made the 2015 Insider era so fun (e.g., the Ninja Cat era). That era worked because it felt like a conversation, not a pipeline. If Microsoft can pair these new preview channels with that same sense of openness and enthusiasm, the Insider Program could finally feel like a place where testing Windows is not just useful, but enjoyable again.

Do you think Microsoft’s new preview channels will make Windows testing more reliable? Let me know in the comments!

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At the beginning of this year, Microsoft's Windows President, Pavan Davuluri, pledged to improve general user sentiment around Windows 11 by addressing major pain points across the operating system and listening to customer feedback.

The tech giant has already made good on some of these promises by bringing back the fan-favorite vertical Taskbar in Windows 11. There are also plans underway to pull back from its big AI push in Windows 11, reducing where Copilot and integrations appear across the operating system.

And now, the company is bringing back Windows Insider meetups. Marcus Ash, Microsoft’s lead for Design and Research across Windows & Devices, recently announced that he is expanding his role in the Windows Insider Program “to listen more closely, engage more directly, and continue improving Windows for over 1 billion people.”

For context, Windows Insider meetups are community-based events hosted by Microsoft itself, giving Insiders the opportunity to interact directly with the Windows product team, get early previews of upcoming features, share feedback, and discuss the future of Windows.

Microsoft held its first Windows Insider meetup in Seattle last month, which, according to Ash, "was an opportunity to connect the community directly with members of the Windows product team, get hands‑on with new experiences, share what’s working well, and be candid about what we can do better."

Now, Windows Insider meetups are hitting the road. If you're interested in being part of this experience, you can register to secure your spot. Here's where you can expect the program to land in the next couple of months:

• April 21 – New York City (USA)
• May 7 – Hyderabad (India)
• May 13 – Taipei (Taiwan)
• June 4 – San Francisco (USA)
• June 23 – London (UK)

Senior Editor Zac Bowden previously said, "Microsoft’s Windows Insider Program has become a shell of its former self in recent months, to the point where it no longer makes sense to sign up and test new features, as there’s no guarantee the features will even be made available to you."

So, perhaps these Windows Insider meetups could be a stepping stone to bigger things like a major Windows event, which Microsoft last held in 2024. Bowden argued that Microsoft should bring back the annual Windows event and stop acting as if it's "ashamed" of the platform. This could be a step in the right direction.

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Microsoft is expected to begin rolling out the April 2026 Security Update for Windows 11 on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, and in the fourth month of the year, the company is making new features, improvements, and security fixes available.

In this cumulative update, the company is introducing changes to the Smart App Control so you don't have to reinstall the operating system to use it. Windows Narrator now brings image description to AI as well as to non-AI devices. You'll notice various design changes in the Settings app. File Explorer is getting a few improvements, and there's new refresh rate support on Windows 11.

In this guide, I'll highlight the most significant changes in the April 2026 Security Update for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2, since both are identical.

Windows 11's new features arriving in April

The company uses the Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR) technology to roll out new improvements gradually, so it may take some time before you see them.

1. Smart App Control behavior changes

Smart App Control (SAC) has now been updated to no longer require an operating system reinstallation to manage it.

The feature is available through the Windows Security app, and it locks the system down, allowing only trusted apps to run in the operating system to prevent unwanted behavior from untrusted apps.

Originally, Smart App Control was available for new installations, and it required completing the installation to turn it off. However, this is changing with the release of the April 2026 Security Update.

If you want to turn this feature on or off, you can do this from Windows Security > App & Browser Control > Smart App Control.

2. Windows Narrator with image description

On Windows 11, the Narrator feature can already generate image descriptions using AI, but the functionality was limited to Copilot+ PCs.

Now, starting with this update, the feature no longer requires a local AI model. Instead, the system will now use Copilot to analyze and provide the image description.

If you want to use this feature, you can use the "Narrator key + Ctrl + D" shortcut to describe the focused image or the "Narrator key + Ctrl + S" shortcut to describe the full screen.

3. Home page in Settings improvements

In the Settings app, the Home page isn't changing drastically, but you'll see some refinements in the Device info card to make it easier to understand.

In addition, the company has said that it has updated the Home page to improve the loading performance. You'll also find reliability improvements when downloading updates from Settings > System > Advanced.

4. About page in Settings tweaks

Now, in the About page, you'll notice some interesting changes. For starters, the company is reverting some previous improvements, and it now shows again the top cards to show key hardware specifications, such as processor, memory, graphics, and storage.

The change that really got me excited is the addition of graphics and storage details under the "Device info" section. This information should have been available on this page from the start. I'm not sure why it was so hard to include.

5. Accounts section in Settings improvements

In the Accounts section, the company is adding an update that includes an upgrade option for users with a Microsoft 365 Family plan connected to the operating system.

If you don't want to see this option, you'll have to turn off suggested content in Settings.

Finally, on the "Other users" page, there's an updated version of the dialog to change the account time to match the style of the Windows 11 design language.

6. Pen page in Settings changes

I haven't seen this yet, but the company also mentioned that there are some updates coming to the pen settings page, which now allows you to configure the new "Same as Copilot key" option to open the same app as the "Copilot" key.

7. File Explorer updates

The next cumulative update won't add any new visual changes to File Explorer, but you'll notice some fixes and the addition of a new accessibility feature.

For example, after installing this update, File Explorer will now let you use Voice Typing to rename a file.

Microsoft is also fixing a white flash bug when launching a new tab or window when you have the This PC as the default startup page. In addition, this rollout addresses a flash when changing the size of elements in the application.

Finally, this updated version of File Explorer comes with reliability changes to unlock files downloaded from the internet, making it easier to preview them.

8. Display new refresh rate support

The last change, but not the least. In this update, the system will be able to recognize displays reporting 1000Hz or more for refresh rates.

In addition, if you use a native USB4 monitor connection, the controller will now drop to the lowest power state when in sleep mode to conserve battery.

Furthermore, auto-rotation should now work more reliably after waking from sleep. HDR performance has also been improved for displays with non-compliant DisplayID 2.0 blocks. In addition, monitors that rely on DisplayID can now report their physical size more accurately through the WMI monitor APIs.

Final thoughts

The April 2026 Security Update isn’t the kind of release that makes headlines, but it is the kind that quietly shapes how Windows 11 feels to live with every day. These aren’t flashy features, and Microsoft isn’t trying to reinvent the OS here — instead, this update leans into the slow, steady work of making Windows more predictable, more secure, and a little less annoying in the places where it still stumbles.

What stands out is how much of this update focuses on the stuff most people never think about until it breaks: smarter protections, cleaner defaults, and small quality‑of‑life tweaks that smooth out the rough edges. It’s the kind of maintenance release that doesn’t demand attention but earns appreciation over time.

If Microsoft keeps stacking updates like this (incremental, thoughtful, and actually useful), Windows 11 may finally settle into the stable, polished rhythm people have been waiting for since launch. It’s not exciting, but it’s progress, and sometimes that’s exactly what an OS needs.

More resources

Explore more in-depth how-to guides, troubleshooting advice, and essential tips to get the most out of Windows 11 and 10. Start browsing here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

March is coming to an end, and by now, you already know that this is the time to look back on the new features and changes that Microsoft made available for Windows 11 through the Windows Insider Program during the second half of the month.

In addition to the improvements rolled out during the first half of March, the software giant made available previews for version 25H2, 26H1, 26H2, and for what we believe will eventually become version 27H2.

In the Dev and Beta Channels, devices received Windows 11 builds 26300.8142, 26220.8138, 26300.8085, and 26220.8079, while the Canary Channel saw builds 28020.1797 and 28020.1743 for version 26H1 and builds 29558 and 29553 in the second path of the channel.

Biggest improvements from the Windows Insider Program in March 2026

These are the most significant changes Microsoft has unveiled since the last roundup.

Pointer Indicator new feature

Starting with build 26300.8085, Windows 11 adds the Pointer Indicator feature to help low vision users locate and use the mouse pointer more easily.

When you enable this feature, the system will add a crosshair effect to the mouse pointer, and you can even customize the colors for the effect.

The feature is available from Settings > Accessibility > Mouse pointer and touch, and turning on the "Pointer Indicator" toggle switch.

Once the feature is enabled, you can turn the feature on or off using the "Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + X" keyboard shortcut.

Feedback Hub app redesign

In the servicing channels, Microsoft has recently made available a new version of the Feedback Hub app that introduces new design changes to match the style of Windows 11, as well as refinements to make it easier for users to submit different types of feedback.

First, the "Give Feedback" page now uses a streamlined template for submitting feedback on reports and feature requests, and it's now possible to send the development team positive feedback.

On the "My feedback" page, you can continue tracking your activities, and the community activities are available from the "Community feedback" page.

Shared audio feature

Microsoft is now also previewing the Shared audio feature with more granular controls and support for more devices in the Canary Channel with the release of build 28020.1743.

As part of the improvements, the system now provides separate volume sliders for each individual when two Bluetooth LE Audio devices are connected.

The main system volume controls appear in the Quick Settings flyout, and the hardware and keyboard controls continue to adjust audio for both listeners simultaneously.

In addition, the company is also adding an indicator in the Taskbar to signal that the audio is being shared.

Furthermore, this Share audio is now available for Samsung Galaxy Buds 4, Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, Sony WF-1000XM6, and the Xbox Wireless Headset.

File Explorer context menu update

Microsoft continues its efforts to improve the content menu in File Explorer. When right-clicking a specific file (such as ".exe", ".bat", or ".cmd"), the "Open" option will also display the icon of the app that supports the file.

This improvement appears in the Canary Channel, starting with the release of Windows 11 build 28020.1743.

Administrator Protection rollout

As part of the changes coming with build 26300.8142 and 26220.8138, Windows 11 is finally gaining the Administrator Protection feature, which adds an extra layer of security by creating an authorization dialog when an unsigned or untrusted app requests privilege elevation.

The feature may seem similar to User Account Control (UAC), but the new feature works differently. The UAC feature has been designed to prevent unwanted system changes by showing a consent dialog whenever an action requires more privileges.

During the process, the User Account Control feature creates two tokens at sign-in, including a standard user token and an administrator token. When an elevated action is needed, Windows 11 uses the administrator token. However, since both tokens share access to the user profile, this design can be exploited.

Administrator Protection fixes this limitation with a more advanced approach. Instead of relying on tokens tied to the active user, it generates an isolated, hidden system-managed account to handle elevation requests. When you're asked for consent for an operation, the system creates this temporary account on demand, uses it to perform the elevated action, and then discards it once the task is complete.

This feature is disabled by default, but administrators can configure it using Microsoft Intune or the Group Policy Editor. Regular users can enable the feature from the Windows Security app.

Touchpad new setting

On Windows 11, if you're using a laptop, it's now possible to choose the size of the right-click zone in the touchpad.

The new option is available from Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Touchpad, and the options include default, small, medium, and large.

According to the company, this setting only appears for touchpads that feature a pressable surface.

In addition, it's worth pointing out that some manufacturers may offer their own customization for this. As a result, if you're computer is using this customization, you'll also see a "Custom" entry in the Touchpad settings.

This setting is available in the Dev and Beta Channels, starting with build 26300.8142 and 26220.8138.

Task Manager changes

Microsoft also recently released an updated version of the Task Manager that provides better insights for the Neural Processing Unit (NPU).

After installing the latest preview builds in the Dev and Beta Channels, on the Processes, Users, and Details pages, you'll be able to add two new columns, including "NPU" and "NPU Engine."

On the Details page, you can now add columns for "NPU Dedicated Memory" and "NPU Share Memory" that give you deeper visibility into the NPU workloads.

The company also notes that if you have a GPU with integrated neural engines, they'll appear on the Performance page.

Finally, on the Processes and Details pages, you can now also add a new Isolation column to view which apps are running in an AppContainer.

Windows Protected Print Mode support

In the printer settings, Microsoft is now adding a new icon to indicate the printers that have support for the Windows Protected Print mode in the Settings app.

Windows Console major changes

The company also released two additional preview builds in the Canary Channel, including builds 29558 and 28020.1797, but only build 29558 introduced improvements.

In this release, the development team began testing changes for the classic Windows Host, which you typically use to interact with Command Prompt, PowerShell, and the Windows Subsystem for Linux.

The big news is that the Windows Console no longer updates as a separate component. Instead, the software giant is merging the improvements from the open-source Windows Terminal into the Windows Console.

As part of the new improvements, the Windows Console adds an optional Direct3D rendering path. The Find dialog now supports regular expressions, and thanks to Sixel, the Console can now render images.

Accessibility and the clipboard experience have been improved, and users who use PowerShell and WSL will notice more consistent snap-on-input behavior, and more.

More resources

Explore more in-depth how-to guides, troubleshooting advice, and essential tips to get the most out of Windows 11 and 10. Start browsing here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

On Windows 11, as March comes to an end, it's a good time to highlight the best features and improvements Microsoft rolled out in the first three months of the year.

In Q1 2026, the company has made three quality updates available for Windows 11 (excluding Out-of-band patches), introducing new features such as the ability to resume Android apps on Windows 11, the release of the completely overhauled Windows MIDI Services, and a new network speed test.

In addition, these updates delivered improvements for existing features, such as Quick Machine Recovery, Camera settings, desktop background, and more.

In this guide, I'll outline the changes now available to everyone on Windows 11.

Changes Microsoft shipped in the first quarter of 2026 for Windows 11

These are the most interesting improvements for existing experiences and new features that are now available on Windows 11.

Cross-device resume

During the first quarter of 2026, Microsoft expanded the Cross-Device Resume feature to more computers.

The feature lets you resume apps from your Android phone on your computer directly from the Taskbar. Currently, you can resume Spotify playback, work in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, or continue a browsing session.

The feature is available through Settings > Personalization > Taskbar and turning on the "Resume" toggle switch.

And the Android phone has to be connected via the Link to Windows app and the Phone Link app, and then, in Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mobile devices, you have to turn on the "Resume" feature on the mobile device.

Windows MIDI Services

Windows 11 also received MIDI improvements, including enhanced support for MIDI 0 (in-box) and 2.0, including full WinMM and WinRT MIDI 1.0 support with built‑in translation, shared MIDI ports across apps, custom port names, loopback, and app‑to‑app MIDI.

The company also made available performance improvements and bug fixes to improve the experience for musicians.

If you want to access the new MIDI improvements, Microsoft is offering the App SDK and Tool package as a separate download.

Windows Hello external sensors

Originally, the Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS) feature was only supported on built-in biometric sensors. However, now, you can connect and configure virtually any external supported Windows Hello ESS fingerprint reader from the "Sign-in options" settings page.

You can do this in Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and enable the "Enhanced sign-in security" option with an external supported device.

Device Info in Home

The Home page in the Settings app now includes a new "Device info" card designed to highlight the top hardware specifications, such as processor, memory, graphics, and storage.

The card also includes a link to access the "About" page.

Also, on the About page, the "Device info" section shows more hardware details, including graphics card and storage.

Quick Machine Recovery

Quick Machine Recovery isn't a new feature in 2026, but initially, it was only enabled by default in the Home edition of the operating system.

In 2026, Microsoft expanded this behavior to Windows 11 Pro, where the feature is now turned on by default as well, except on devices that are managed by an organization.

Speed network test

Windows 11 now includes a new network speed test you can access from the Taskbar.

You can access it by right-clicking the network icon in the Taskbar's System Tray or from the Wi-Fi or Cellular pages in the Quick Settings interface.

When you select the option, the web browser will open a Bing page to run a network test using your internet connection to diagnose connectivity and performance issues.

Camera new support

On the "Cameras" settings page, in the properties of a camera under the "Basic settings" section, the company has added new controls to manage the pan and tilt settings.

Sysmon native support

Sysmon (System Monitor) is not new to Windows 11, but it's been a tool you had to install manually as part of the Sysinternals suite. In 2026, Sysmon became a native feature of the operating system.

On Windows 11, Sysmon (System Monitor) is an advanced tool for network administrators to enhance the standard logging capabilities. While default Windows Event Logs might tell you a process started, Sysmon tells you exactly what that process did, where it came from, and who it talked to.

And you can now install it directly from the "Windows Features" page from Settings > System > Optional features > More Windows features.

After installation, you'll need to run the Sysmon -i command in PowerShell or Command Prompt.

If you have the Sysinternals version of Sysmon, you'll need to uninstall it before installing the new native version.

WebP image support for wallpapers

If you still set your desktop background images manually, you can now set WebP (.webp) images as wallpapers.

The support is available across the system, whether you use the "Set as background" option in the Taskbar or the "Background" settings page.

Final thoughts

If we look at the first few months of 2026, Microsoft didn't make big, flashy changes. However, instead focused on making Windows 11 a little more useful in everyday situations.

Features like cross-device resume, the built-in network speed test, and native Sysmon support show a clear effort to bring more tools directly into the system, so you don't have to rely as much on third-party apps. At the same time, smaller updates to things like Quick Machine Recovery, Windows Hello, and Settings help make the experience feel more complete and reliable.

None of these changes is groundbreaking on its own, but together they make the operating system easier to use. It's the kind of progress you notice over time, as everything works a little better.

More resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

As part of a broader push to fix long-standing pain points on Windows 11, Microsoft is rolling out a redesigned Feedback Hub app alongside upcoming platform changes expected later this year.

The new experience is more than a visual refresh. It introduces meaningful usability improvements to make feedback easier to submit, track, and act on. Something users have been asking for since the early days of the operating system.

What's new in the Feedback Hub app

The updated Feedback Hub brings a modern interface aligned with Windows 11's design language, but the most important changes focus on simplifying user interaction with the platform.

One of the biggest updates is the new "Give Feedback" page, which replaces the traditional Home experience. Instead of navigating multiple sections, users now submit feedback through a unified template that works for bug reports, feature requests, and even positive feedback.

Microsoft is also introducing a compliments option that lets you tell the development team what's working well (if applicable). This small addition signals a shift toward more balanced feedback, not just problem reporting.

The feedback creation process itself has been streamlined. Searching for existing issues and selecting categories is now faster and more intuitive, reducing duplicate submissions and improving visibility for common problems.

Another notable improvement is the addition of a built-in capture tool. Users can now take and edit screenshots directly within the app, making it easier to provide visual context when reporting issues.

Core features remain intact, including the ability to record steps and attach files. However, users now have more control over privacy, with the option to choose whether feedback is shared publicly with the community or kept private.

Better visibility into feedback and community activity

The "My feedback" page continues to track your submissions and activity, while the "Community feedback" section aggregates reports from other users.

From there, you can vote, comment, and follow the progress of specific issues when updates are available. This transparency has historically been inconsistent, so improvements here could significantly boost trust in the platform.

The app still includes Quests and Achievements, maintaining the gamification layer that encourages participation, though its long-term relevance remains debatable.

A much-needed reset for the Windows Insider Program

Alongside the redesigned app, the company is also signaling a broader reset for the Windows Insider Program, which has struggled with consistency and engagement for a long time.

The company says it plans to simplify enrollment across channels, improve access to new features, and deliver more stable, higher-quality preview builds.

More importantly, Microsoft is promising greater transparency around how feedback is used to shape the future of Windows, along with more opportunities for users to engage directly with the engineering team.

On a side note, I'm particularly excited about the promised improvements to feature availability. Installing preview builds week after week without actually getting access to the advertised new features has been a constant frustration.

These changes echo the early days of Windows 10, when preview builds arrived frequently, and feedback felt more directly tied to visible improvements.

Whether Microsoft can recreate that momentum remains to be seen, but the redesigned Feedback Hub is a clear attempt to rebuild that feedback loop.

More resources

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• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

We have already crossed the first half of the month of March, and it's now a good time to highlight the first wave of changes that Microsoft has made available on Windows 11 through the Windows Insider Program in the last two weeks.

So far in March 2026, the software giant has rolled out multiple visual refinements, performance improvements, platform changes, and some new features. For example, during the setup experience, it's now possible to customize the profile folder name. Microsoft added refinements to the policy to natively debloat the system. The Drag Tray feature has been renamed to Drop Tray, and much more.

In the Dev and Beta Channels, the company released builds 26300.8068, 26220.8062, 26300.7965, and 26220.7961, and in the Canary Channel, Insiders received builds 28020.1737 and 28020.1685, as well as build 29550 in the secondary path of the Canary Channel.

In this recap, I'll highlight the biggest changes available through the Windows Insider Program.

Biggest improvements from the Windows Insider Program in March 2026

These are the improvements that the software giant has rolled out since my last roundup of changes.

Initial setup with folder name option

Starting with builds 26300.8068 and 26220.8062, Microsoft began testing an updated version of the Out-of-box Experience (OOBE) that changes the "Name your device" page to allow you to set a custom name for the user folder.

This support isn't new, but now there's a setting to complete this process without having to resort to opening the Command Prompt shell.

Finally, the company also has been making changes to the feature within the Windows Recovery Environment. For example, the recovery page now includes recommendations to plug the computer before starting a restore process.

Improved debloat policy

For the Enterprise and Education editions of the operating system, Microsoft is now rolling out improvements to the "Remove Default Microsoft Store packages" policy, which lets you specify other apps using MSIX and APPX packages by adding their Package Family Names (PFNs).

The policy is available in the "App Package Deployment" section under "Windows Components."

In the "Remove Default Microsoft Store packages" policy, you have to use the "Specify additional package family names to remove" multi-text field setting.

Microsoft also notes that you'll have to use the Get-AppxPackage *Notepad* | Select-Object PackageFamilyName command to retrieve the Package Family Names to uninstall specific applications.

Point-in-time restore new settings

As part of builds 26300.8068 and 26220.8062, the Point-in-time restore feature has been updated, and the "Recovery" page now includes a new "Point-in-time restore" entry that lets you view and edit it.

Similar to the System Restore settings, the new entry allows you to change the frequency and retention settings for restore points.

You can also specify the reserved storage to store restore points, and you can even view the available restore points.

Furthermore, Microsoft has improved the messaging when using the "Point-in-time restore" feature in the Windows Recovery Environment.

Driver Policy changes

Also, since builds 26300.8068 and 26220.8062, the kernel introduces a new enforcement policy that removes the default trust for cross-signed drives.

Using this new process, third-party drivers from the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program (WHCP) will continue to be trusted by default, while a limited allow list of verified publishers and drivers from the legacy cross-signing program will remain allowed.

At the beginning, the feature will monitor the system for at least 100 hours and three system restarts. During this stage, Windows 11 will evaluate the system's drivers to determine whether they comply with the new policy.

If the drivers are compatible, Windows 11 will enable the enforcement automatically. If not, the operating system will continue in monitoring mode.

Accounts settings with Microsoft 365 upgrade option

On the Accounts page, if you're a Microsoft 365 Family subscriber, you'll now see an option to upgrade to another plan.

The company has noted that you can turn off the suggested content setting to prevent seeing this new option.

Drop Tray improvements

The Drag Tray feature has now been renamed to "Drop Tray" since the release of builds 26300.8068 and 26220.8062, and it's been relocated to the "Multitasking" settings page.

Furthermore, with the release of build 26300.7965, the feature received an update to make the peek view smaller, minimizing intrusive triggering of the flyout.

Pen settings changes

On the Pen settings, the page has been updated to include changes to the options for the pen tail button.

In addition, you'll now find a new "Same as Copilot key" option that enables the pen tail button to launch the same app as the "Copilot" key.

These are now available in the Canary, Dev, and Beta Channels.

Administrator Protection new feature

Starting with build 26300.7965, Microsoft began re-enabling the Administrator Protection feature, which improves the security of accounts with admin rights.

The feature sounds similar to User Account Control (UAC), but it works differently. The account control feature is designed to prevent unwanted system changes by showing a consent dialog whenever an action requires elevation.

During this process, the UAC feature creates two tokens at sign-in, including a standard user token and an administrator token. When an elevated action is required, the system uses the administrator token. However, since both tokens share access to the user profile, this design can be exploited as a potential security vulnerability.

In contrast, Administrator Protection addresses this limitation by creating an isolated, hidden system-managed account to handle elevation requests. During the prompt request, the system creates this temporary account on demand, uses it to perform the elevated action, and then deletes it once the task is complete.

You can manage this feature using Intune or Group Policy.

File Explorer with Voice Typing

In March, builds 26300.7965 and 26220.7961 introduced an updated version of File Explorer that lets you use Voice Typing to rename files.

This improvement is now available in the Canary, Dev, and Beta Channels.

Camera new settings

As part of the secondary path in the Canary Channel, build 29550 updated the "Cameras" settings to include new controls for pan and tilt under the "Basic settings."

Although these are not significant changes, Windows 11 build 29550 also updated other parts of the Settings app. For example, this update improved performance when loading the "Home" page and reliability when accessing the "Privacy & Security," "File Explorer," and "Wheel" pages.

Finally, the Canary Channel now also comes with Emoji version 16, which introduces a few new emojis.

🖥️ Which Windows 11 changes stand out to you this month?

Microsoft pushed a surprisingly varied batch of updates through the Insider Program in early March, touching everything from UI polish to system behavior to small quality‑of‑life tweaks that make Windows feel smoother in everyday use. Some changes are subtle, some are genuinely impactful, and together they paint a clear picture of where Windows 11 is heading next.

We’ve highlighted the top 10 improvements worth knowing about, and now we want to hear from you. Which changes actually move the needle for your workflow, and which ones feel like background noise? Tell us what you think Microsoft should prioritize as these features move toward a full release.

More resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

Today, on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, Microsoft is expected to begin the rollout of yet another Patch Tuesday update for Windows 11 in the third month of the year, making available some new features, changes, and security improvements.

In this cumulative update, the company introduces a new network speed test feature through the Taskbar. The Start menu gains a new option for those using a Microsoft account. In the Camera's settings, you can now control pan and tilt, Sysmon becomes a native tool, there are interface changes for the Settings, and more.

In this guide, I'll highlight the most significant changes in the March 2026 Security Update for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2, since both are identical.

Windows 11's new features arriving in March

Microsoft uses the Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR) technology to gradually roll out new improvements, so it may take some time before you see them.

1. Taskbar with Speed test "feature"

Microsoft is adding a new network speed test, which you can access from the Taskbar. According to the company, it's accessible by right-clicking the network icon in the System Tray or from the Wi-Fi or Cellular pages in the Quick Settings interface.

When you select the option, the web browser will open on a Bing page to perform the network test using your internet connection to diagnose connectivity issues and performance.

However, this doesn't qualify as a feature (in my opinion) since it's merely a link to Bing's internet testing tool that uses the Ookla testing tool. So, you can simply open "speedtest.net" to perform the connection test.

Another small change is happening in the overflow menu. Now, when using the uncombined option in the Taskbar, apps with multiple open windows will no longer shift all instances to the overflow menu. Instead, only the windows that overflow will be placed in the secondary menu.

2. Start menu new account option

The Start menu isn't getting another redesign, but it's getting a small tweak with the new link in the account manager menu that points to the benefits associated with your Microsoft account.

3. Camera new support for pan and tilt

On the "Cameras" settings page, in the properties of a camera under the "Basic settings" section, Microsoft is now adding new controls to manage the pan and tilt settings.

4. Sysmon native support

On Windows 11, the Sysmon (System Monitor) is a tool that has been used by network administrators to enhance the standard logging capabilities. While default Windows Event Logs might tell you a process started, Sysmon tells you exactly what that process did, where it came from, and who it talked to.

For the longest time, it has been part of the Microsoft Sysinternals suite and is widely considered the "gold standard" for free endpoint telemetry in threat hunting and incident response. However, starting with the March 2026 Security Update, Microsoft is making it a native tool on Windows 11.

And you can now install it directly from the "Windows Features" page from Settings > System > Optional features > More Windows features.

After installation, you'll need to run the Sysmon -i command in PowerShell or Command Prompt.

The company says that if you have the Sysinternals version of Sysmon, you'll need to uninstall it before installing the new native version.

5. Widgets new settings page

The Widgets dashboard experience remains unchanged, but starting with the March update, Microsoft is rolling out an update that introduces a new settings page to manage the feature. In the past, the experience would pop up an overlay dialog to configure the settings.

6. WebP image support for wallpapers

If you set your desktop background images manually instead of using the Stoplight feature, you'll be happy to hear that you can now set WebP (.webp) images as wallpapers.

The support is available across the system, whether you use the "Set as background" option in the Taskbar or the "Background" settings page.

7. Quick Machine Recovery for Windows 11 Pro

Although Quick Machine Recovery has been available for some time, it was only enabled by default in the Home edition of the operating system.

The change is that now Microsoft will turn on the recovery feature by default on Windows 11 Pro, as long as they are not managing devices.

8. Settings new dialogs

In this update, you'll also find that some dialogs have been updated in the Settings app to match the design language of Windows 11. You'll find some of these changes on the page to manage the storage and printer settings.

9 File Explorer changes

Finally, in File Explorer, the "Extract All" option will now light up and work with non-ZIP archive folders.

Other changes

Some additional improvements include the availability of Emoji version 16, which introduces new emojis, such as face with bags under eyes, fingerprint, leafless tree, root vegetable, harp, shovel, and splatter.

In Task Manager, the Windows Search process now includes a magnifier icon instead of a placeholder.

Finally, Microsoft brings Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) support to ARM64 devices.

The components can be installed from Settings > System > Optional features, or through Control Panel > Programs > Turn Windows features on or off.

For network administrators, this update introduces the first sign-in restore experience that integrates with the Windows Backup for Organizations.

Also, Windows 11 now supports Microsoft Entra ID group and role SID resolution. In addition, the operating system can translate Entra cloud group and role security identifiers into readable names.

Finally, with the March release, the company continues the gradual rollout of the Secure Boot certificates expiting in June 2026. If you have a device with original certifications issued in 2011, they will be updated for those released in 2023.

Install now or wait?

At the time of writing, there are no widespread issues affecting this update. However, installation errors and unexpected bugs have become fairly common with cumulative releases. As a result, you should take the necessary precautions before proceeding.

It's also wise to wait at least a couple of weeks before installing the update. This gives Microsoft time to identify, investigate, and fix any problems that may surface after the broader rollout begins.

💬Are any of these new features something you want in Windows 11?

Windows 11’s March 2026 update is shaping up to be one of the more substantial mid‑cycle refreshes, with nine new features and changes that touch everything from usability to system intelligence. Some of these upgrades feel long overdue, others are genuine quality‑of‑life wins, and a few hint at where Microsoft wants Windows to go next.

Which of the nine features are you actually excited for — and which ones feel like Microsoft still isn’t listening?

More resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

Windows 11 will soon support sharing audio to two separate headphones, speakers, earbuds, or hearing aids. The feature has been in testing among Windows Insiders since last October, and the list of supported devices for the preview expanded recently.

The feature relies on Bluetooth LE Audio broadcast, which is why Microsoft can't just flip a switch and have it work on any device. That technology makes it possible to stream a single audio source to multiple devices.

For example, a TV in a gym could stream audio to the earbuds of multiple attendees at once. Microsoft's blog post about the feature does not specify if Auracast is being used, but that appears to be the case. Auracast is the tech that makes it possible to stream audio to multiple Bluetooth devices.

Our friends at What Hi-Fi break down Bluetooth LE Audio, including Auracast. Bluetooth LE Audio is still a relatively new standard, and knowing if your device supports it is not straightforward.

While Bluetooth LE Audio requires Bluetooth 5.2 or later, not all Bluetooth 5.2 devices support the standard.

Below are the Windows 11 PCs that support the feature today (assuming they are in the appropriate preview channel):

• Surface Laptop, 13.8-inch and 15-inch | Qualcomm Snapdragon X
• Surface Laptop for Business, 13.8 and 15-inch | Qualcomm Snapdragon X
• Surface Pro, 13-inch | Qualcomm Snapdragon X
• Surface Pro for Business, 13-inch | Qualcomm Snapdragon X
• Surface Laptop, 13-inch | Qualcomm Snapdragon X
• Surface Laptop for Business, 13-inch | Qualcomm Snapdragon X
• Surface Pro, 12-inch | Qualcomm Snapdragon X
• Surface Pro for Business, 12-inch | Qualcomm Snapdragon X
• Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge | Qualcomm Snapdragon X

A smaller group of devices are also set to receive preview support soon:

• Samsung Galaxy Book5 360 | Intel Core Ultra Series 200
• Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro | Intel Core Ultra Series 200
• Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 | Intel Core Ultra Series 200

Shared audio began rolling out to Windows Insiders in the Dev and Beta Channels with Windows 11 Insider Build 26220.7051.

Microsoft notes that "more devices may be supported once [the feature is] available to general audiences."

If your PC and all connected speakers, earbuds, or hearing aids support the feature, you can try it by using the "Shared audio (preview)" option in quick settings.

Your Windows 11 desktop could soon change, though it won't look any different. The latest Windows Insider build adds support for setting .webp images as your desktop background.

Windows 11 Build 26220.7653 is available through the Beta Channel. It's a relatively minor build, so I'll take the chance to explain what WebP files are and why you may want to use them.

You've likely viewed a WebP file this week, or even today. The file format, which was developed by Google, has many advantages that make it a good choice for websites.

The WebP format supports both lossy and lossless image compression, giving people options to reduce file size while maintaining visual quality or preserve perfect image quality. WebP files also support transparency, which is important on the web.

You can even use a .webp file to replace a GIF, since the format supports animations.

Generally speaking, WebP files are smaller than PNGs or JPGs, which helps with website performance. The most popular web browsers all support WebP files, including Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari.

Of course, no file format is perfect — that's why there are so many of them. Some legacy pieces of software do not play nicely with WebP files.

Even viewing WebP files on your PC can be tricky. The Peek feature in PowerToys only added WebP support in April 2024. More notably, Adobe Photoshop did not fully support WebP files natively until 2022. Older versions of Photoshop require a plugin.

As the name suggests, WebP files are designed for the web. Those printing images still often prefer TIFF or JPEG files.

So, why would you want to set a WebP file as your desktop background on Windows 11? Honestly, the main benefits of WebP as a file format won't help you much on your PC's desktop.

The biggest reason is compatibility. If you save an image from the web that renders fine in your browser, you may later realize it fails to load in other apps because it's a WebP file. Now, that won't be an issue with background images on Windows 11.

Below is the full change log for the recent build from Microsoft.

Build 26220.7653: Changes and Improvements

Account Settings

We’re updating the design of dialogs in “Accounts > Other Users” based on modern WinUI framework with support for dark mode:

Please note that the visibility of the above dialog option depends on whether a domain joined work or school account is configured on the device.

Click to Do

The Copilot prompt suggestions in Click to Do will now load instantly. This change is not yet rolling out to Windows Insiders in the EEA (European Economic Area) or China.

Desktop Background

You can now set .webp images for your desktop background in Settings > Personalization > Desktop Background.

Fixes gradually being rolled out with toggle on*

Taskbar and System Tray

• Fixed an issue in the latest builds where, when the taskbar was set to autohide, it might invoke before interacting with the bottom of the screen, blocking the use of apps in that area.
• Fixed a recent issue which was causing the Start menu, notification center, and quick settings to not open on click sometimes, although using the keyboard shortcuts for each of these still worked.

Start menu

• Fixed a memory leak when opening the Start menu, which could lead to performance issues over time.
• Fixed an issue for Arabic and Hebrew users, where Start menu was opening on the wrong side of the screen when the taskbar icons weren’t centered.
• Fixed an issue where if you opened a folder of pinned apps in Start menu and tried to pan it with touch, it would dismiss Start menu.

Bluetooth

Fixed an issue causing Bluetooth device battery level to not show for some Insiders after the latest builds, even though the devices supported it.

Xbox full screen experience for PC

This build fixes some unexpected app and game behavior when using FSE. We’re continuing to validate scenarios and as such keeping the known issue active for now. Thank you Insiders that have been sharing feedback!

Login and Lock Screens

Fixed an issue which could cause the password icon to appear blank on the login screen.

Settings

• Fixed an issue causing Settings to crash when interacting with audio devices in the last two builds.
• Fixed an issue where the keyboard character repeat delay in Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Keyboard was backwards from how it was set in the backend.

Other

• Fixed a few issues with clipped text in msinfo32 when using a high display scaling.
• Fixed an issue impacting some Insiders where clicking on .appinstaller files to install MSIX packages was unexpectedly failing with an invalid argument error.
• Fixed an underlying issue which was causing Notepad to not display an underscore in text with certain fonts when your display was set to 125%.
• Fixed an underlying issue which could cause explorer.exe to hang when first logging into your PC, if certain apps were configured as startup apps. This could make the taskbar not appear.

FAQ

Where do you get your Windows 11 background images from? Let us know in the comments!

Although November is coming to an end fast, it gave Microsoft some time to begin the rollout of several significant features to Windows 11, and in this guide, we're going to take a look at them.

In addition to the improvements rolled out during the first half of November, in the last two weeks, Microsoft has made available previews for version 25H2 and 26H1.

In the Dev and Beta Channels, devices received Windows 11 build 26220.7271 as part of 25H2. Also, in the Canary Channel, we've seen build 28000.1199 for version 26H1, but it didn't include any significant changes beyond general improvements and fixes. In this guide, I'll highlight the biggest changes available through the Windows Insider Program.

Biggest improvements from the Windows Insider Program in November 2025

These are the most significant changes Microsoft has unveiled since the last roundup.

Xbox Full Screen Experience for all PCs

The Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE) isn't new, but it was originally only available for handheld gaming devices. Starting with build 26220.7271, the company began testing to bring the experience to every computer as another feature for the operating system.

The feature transforms the desktop into a console-like experience, where the Xbox app serves as the main interface, removing the complexities and resource overhead of the typical Windows experience. When using this feature, the system won't load the standard shell of Windows 11 and turn off unnecessary background processes, which, according to Microsoft, should reduce memory consumption by approximately 2GB.

Microsoft is rolling out this feature gradually, but when it becomes available on your device, you'll be able to enable it by going to Settings > Gaming > Full screen experience.

On this page, you will have to select the Xbox app and make sure to turn on the option to enter full-screen mode during startup.

Furthermore, there's an option to add an FSE button in the Task View experience.

The option to access the feature can also be found in the Game Bar experience and when using the "Windows key + F11" keyboard shortcut.

It's important to note that the feature is not only rolling out gradually, but the company is also requiring users to enroll in the Xbox Insider program before the feature becomes available on their devices.

Point-in-time Restore

The preview build 26220.7271 also introduced Point-in-time Restore, which is a feature designed to help you roll back your computer to an earlier point in time to recover from buggy updates, broken drivers, misconfiguration, malware, and more.

If the feature sounds familiar, it's because it's a modern version of System Restore. However, the new feature has been designed to be modern, predictable, and easier to manage for users and network administrators.

Point-in-time Restore uses Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) to create restore points that include the entire state of the operating system, apps, configurations, passwords, secrets, credentials, and, more importantly, your data.

The feature is enabled by default on devices with at least 200GB of storage and running the Home and Pro editions of the operating system.

If you want to manage the feature, open Settings > Recovery > Point-in-time, and turn on the "Point-in-time Restore" toggle switch.

Once the feature is enabled, you'll be able to control how often the feature creates restore points and how long the system should retain each restore point.

In addition, there's a slider to manage the maximum storage limit to store restore points.

By default, the system creates restore points once a day and keeps them for three days. A configuration that should be optimal for most users.

If you plan to use this feature, it's critical to understand that it is a comprehensive recovery solution, which could affect some of your files. The reason is that every restore point will roll back your device to a specific time, and anything that has been created, added, or changed will be deleted.

File Explorer context menu redesign

Microsoft is also adding changes to the context menu for File Explorer to continue the efforts to make it less cluttered.

The design retains the same design as the preview version, but in this update, the development team is grouping common actions in new submenus.

For example, there's a new "Manage files" submenu that houses the options like “Compress to ZIP file," "Copy as Path,” "Set as Desktop Background," "Rotate Right," and "Rotate Left."

If you use the OneDrive service, in this folder you'll now find the "OneDrive" submenu, which includes "Always Keep on this Device" and "Free Up Space."

The new changes will be available depending on the file type and where in the operating system you're accessing the context menu.

Furthermore, the company is testing out an option that preloads File Explorer in the background to speed up the launching process. If you don't want this behavior, you'll have to turn off the "Enable window preloading for faster launch times" option in the Folders Options page.

Voice Typing with Fluid Dictation

In this release, the Fluid Dictation feature previously available in Voice Access is now coming to Voice Typing.

The feature makes dictation smoother and smarter to reduce the manual editing time by automatically correcting grammar, punctuation, and filtering words as you speak.

Fluid Dictation comes turned on by default on Copilot+ PCs, and to access it, you only need to bring the focus to a text field and launch the Voice Access feature.

Microsoft Store app uninstall option

Although technically speaking, the Microsoft Store is an app, and not part of the operating system, I wanted to also mention that Microsoft is finally adding an "Uninstall" option for apps in the store.

The option is available through the app's context menu when browsing the "Library" page.

More resources

Explore more in-depth how-to guides, troubleshooting advice, and essential tips to get the most out of Windows 11 and 10. Start browsing here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

In a new post, Xbox explains how it has been working with the Windows team and ASUS to respond to player feedback on the Xbox Ally, from small quality-of-life fixes to larger feature requests.

The post also confirms that Default Game Profiles are available today for Insiders, giving players a way to reduce manual tweaking by automatically balancing frame rate and power use.

Right now, you have to adjust TDP and FPS limits manually for each game. Default Game Profiles are designed to cut down on that work and make the handheld easier to use. The update also improves input response, library loading, cloud gaming performance, and several other parts of the experience.

A full breakdown of what to expect

Default Game Profiles are a new preview feature that automatically sets a power target and FPS cap for each supported game. The profiles only apply when the Xbox Ally or Xbox Ally X is running on battery power, and are meant to reduce how often players need to adjust TDP or frame limits by hand.

When a supported game starts, the system applies a profile that increases power if the game is struggling to reach its target frame rate. This trades some battery life for smoother gameplay. The feature is currently available in 40 games during testing, and you can toggle it on or off in the Armoury Crate Command Centre.

The current list of first-party games includes:

• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
• Call of Duty: Warzone
• DOOM Eternal
• DOOM: The Dark Ages
• Forza Horizon 5
• Gears 5
• Gears of War: Reloaded
• Gears Tactics
• Halo: The Master Chief Collection
• Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
• Minecraft
• Sea of Thieves
• Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4

The update also improves gamepad response after logging in, which is something I have noticed on the Xbox Ally X, as inputs can take a moment to register. Loading large game libraries should now be faster as well.

Xbox mentions improvements to the Cloud Gaming page, with quicker loading and smoother navigation. There is also a new option to filter games by performance fit, showing how well each title is expected to run on the device. The update includes general bug fixes and performance improvements, too.

How to get the update right now

Default Game Profiles are available today through the Windows Insider Program. You need to enroll if you want to try new features before they roll out to everyone.

Before you start, make sure your handheld is fully updated to the latest Windows 11 build.

How to join the Windows Insider Program on the Xbox Ally:

1. On your Xbox Ally, go to Windows Settings.
2. Go to Windows Update.
3. Ensure that you’re sending Optional Diagnostic Data, it will tell you if you aren’t .
4. Select Windows Insider Program and follow the instructions.
5. You'll be prompted to restart.
6. Go back to Windows Update after restarting.
7. Select Check for Updates.

Once you've downloaded and installed the update, you should be able to try out the Default Game Profiles feature.

If you give it a whirl, drop into the comments below and let us know what you think!

The first half of November has come and gone, and in the first weeks, Microsoft has released several preview builds of Windows 11 that reflect virtually all the main changes of the Windows Insider Program.

In addition to the changes rolled out during the last half of October, in the last two weeks, the software giant has made available previews for version 25H2 and 26H1.

In the case of the Canary Channel, devices first received build 27982, which, as a preview, was not tied to any specific release of the operating system, and then the company pushed build 28000, which is part of the upcoming version 26H1.

Furthermore, in the Dev and Beta Channels, devices received Windows 11 build 26220.7070 and 26220.7262 as part of version 25H2. Microsoft appears to have no further plans to release experimental features for version 24H2. However, this should now affect users significantly, as versions 25H2 and 24H2 are the same operating system.

In this guide, I'll highlight the biggest changes available through the Windows Insider Program.

Biggest improvements from the Windows Insider Program in November 2025

These are the most significant changes Microsoft has unveiled since the last roundup.

Widgets board redesign

Starting with the release of Windows 11 build 26220.7070 in the Dev and Beta Channels, the company is introducing various changes to the Widgets board.

Although this isn't officially new in this preview, the "Discover" board now features a design inspired by the style elements on the "Discover" page in the Copilot experience on the web. However, it is actually the design that makes sense since the Discover board in the Widgets experience is curated by Coopilot.

In addition, you'll also notice a left rail that allows you to switch between the Discover and Widgets boards. Furthermore, the icons will now show a badge with the number of unseen alerts.

Also, according to the company, this update introduces a new design to manage the feature settings. Under the "Dashboards" section, you rearrange and set the board you want as the default, and you can also disable the "Discover" board.

In addition, you can still control notifications and prevent accidentally opening the Widgets experience when hovering over the Taskbar icon.

Microsoft also notes that clicking the Widgets icons in the Taskbar when the weather information is showing will open the dashboard that has been selected as the default.

Quick Machine Recovery changes

As part of the Quick Machine Recovery feature, on computers that have "Quick Machine Recovery" and "Automatically check for solutions" settings turned on, the feature will, by default, be configured to run the scan for fixes one time, instead of repeating scans in a loop.

If no resolution for the problem is available, the system will show you other recovery options to help you resolve the issue.

Smart App Control improvements

Smart App Control (SAC) isn't a new feature. It has been available for some time in the Windows Security app to help you lock your computer so that only trusted applications can run. However, starting with build 26220.7070, Microsoft is updating it to make it easier to use.

Originally, if the option was available on your computer, you could turn it on after a clean installation of Windows 11. However, if you wanted to turn it off, you had to perform a complete reinstallation of the operating system.

Starting with this preview, it's possible to turn Smart App Control on or off without the need for reinstallation.

The feature is available from Windows Security > App & Browser Control > Smart App Control.

Lock Screen new Widgets settings

Starting with build 27982, the company has finally brought the new "Widgets" options to the Lock Screen settings page, allowing you to manage the widgets that appear before you access the Sign-in page.

Similar to the settings available in the Stable Channel, the "Widgets" settings allow you to show or hide widgets in the Lock Screen, and you can also customize the different settings on each widget (if applicable).

This configuration allows you to show up to four widgets, and if you turn on the "Suggest widgets for your lock screen" option, the unused slots will be filled automatically.

Windows Share improvements

In the Canary Channel, you'll also notice that it's now possible to use the drag tray to share files with the mouse (or touch) from File Explorer or the desktop.

You only need to drag the file to the top of the screen, and then Drag Tray will appear with the related apps you can share the file with, and the "More" option will allow you to open the "Windows Share" interface.

Windows 11 version 26H1

Finally, Microsoft has also recently released build 28000 in the Canary Channel, officially marking the first preview of Windows 11 version 26H1.

As the version implies, the update is expected for release during the first half of 2026, but it's not a major release that will bundle new features. Instead, it's an update to prepare the operating system to support newer hardware, including the upcoming Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 and NVIDIA N1X processors, which are expected to come in new computers.

The company has also mentioned that experimental features will continue to be developed in the Dev and Beta Channels under the version 25H2 branch.

The company will also continue rolling out new features and changes through cumulative updates, a pattern we have already observed. In the near future, we may also hear about the next major feature update, perhaps version 26H2, or whatever name the company assigns it.

Experimental agentic features

As part of the ongoing process of making Windows 11 an agenetic OS, starting with the release of build 26220.7262, the software giant is adding new agenetic AI components to the operating system.

These new features allow apps, such as Copilot, to perform automated everyday tasks (such as organizing files, scheduling meetings, or sending emails), but functionality is still limited.

Furthermore, during the initial preview, Microsoft is using a separate Windows 11 session as the isolated space (agent workspace) for the AI to work. In the future, the company will offer lightweight and secure virtualization environments to perform AI tasks.

The experience is disabled by default, and you can enable it manually from Settings > System > AI components by turning on the "Experimental agentic features" toggle.

Microsoft has also published additional details about the current implementation and security risks when using agentic features.

It's important to note that the agentic features are currently available on Copilot+ PCs as well as on traditional computers.

Click to Do new context menu

Microsoft is also redesigning the menu to access the different AI actions from Click to Do. The new menu presents common tasks using icons for Copy, Save, Share, and Open.

In addition, the company is updating the Click to Do tutorial and adding a new "Launch Tutorial" button.

Haptic feedback for pens

If you have a digital pen that supports haptic feedback, after installing build 26220.7262, the pen will produce tactile responses during specific actions on the screen, including vibrations as you hover over the close button and as you snap or resize windows.

Narrator and Magnifier with HD Voices

Narrator and Magnifier now use on-device text-to-speech models to produce high-definition voices that use generative AI to deliver clearer, more natural-sounding speech.

According to the company, these voices are available in English (US), and they can help reduce listening fatigue and boost focus, especially during long reading sessions.

Furthermore, Narrator now supports structured math reading in the Word app, making equations more transparent and more intuitive for users with vision difficulties.

More resources

Explore more in-depth how-to guides, troubleshooting advice, and essential tips to get the most out of Windows 11 and 10. Start browsing here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

Microsoft has launched a new Windows 11 Insider build for both the Dev and Beta channels. This release is part of the upcoming 25H2 update cycle.

The headline feature here is the new console-style interface designed for handheld gaming PCs. It was previously limited to the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X, and it is now beginning to roll out to more devices, including the MSI Claw. The goal is to give Windows handhelds a simple, console-like launcher that works better with controllers.

There are other notable improvements too. The update includes an Ask Copilot option on the taskbar, Bluetooth LE shared audio, so two people can listen at once on supported Copilot+ devices, and upgrades to Windows on Arm app emulation.

Console-style handheld mode expands beyond Xbox Ally

Windows’ answer to the Steam Deck’s simple gaming interface is finally reaching more devices. It first appeared on the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X, and it is now being tested on the MSI Claw for Insiders.

This console-style mode gives Windows a large, game-focused launcher that works well with controllers. It creates a clean dashboard for browsing and launching games, and it reduces background system tasks to help performance.

It is not perfect, though. The user experience has been one of the biggest complaints for handhelds like the Xbox Ally. The installation process still feels very Windows-like, and you still end up installing desktop apps such as Microsoft Teams, which takes away from that console-style experience.

To get access right now, you'll need to go into Settings on your handheld, and make sure you're registered to one of the Insider channels listed above. You'll then get an update to Windows 11, and you're off to the races.

Everything new in Windows 11 Insider Build 26220.7051

For those who love AI, which I’m sure you all do (this is sarcasm), there is now an Ask Copilot button on the taskbar. It lets you search for apps, files, and settings like normal search, as well as use Copilot’s other tricks.

Microsoft does stress that Copilot does not get access to your files, and it can only see what regular Windows search sees. Honestly, any improvement to Windows search is a welcome one, because that feature has been subpar for years now.

Another new feature is shared Bluetooth audio, but only for Copilot+ PCs with Bluetooth LE audio. This lets two people connect different headphones to the same PC and share the same audio across both devices.

Perhaps the most exciting addition, though, is the improvement to Windows on Arm. Microsoft has upgraded its Prism emulator, which means more x64 Windows apps will now work on Arm laptops. That should mean better compatibility, and smoother performance overall.

FAQ

October is almost done, so it's now a good time to recap the new features and changes that Microsoft has been working on for Windows 11 in all the channels of the Windows Insider Program.

In addition to the changes rolled out during the first two weeks of October, in the last two weeks of this month, the company has made available even more previews for versions 25H2 and 24H2.

In the case of the Canary Channel, devices received build 27971 and 27975. In the Dev and Beta Channels, the company also rolled out builds 26220.6982 and 26120.6982, as well as builds 26220.6972 and 26120.6972 In this guide, I'll highlight the new changes and features that were released during the second half of October 2025.

Biggest improvements from the Windows Insider Program in October 2025

These are the most significant changes that Microsoft has unveiled over the last two weeks.

1. Copy & Search new feature

Starting with builds 26220.6982 and 26120.6982, Microsoft has introduced an improvement for the search experience known as "Copy & Search."

Whenever you copy text from any app, document, or website, a paste gleam appears in the search box available in the Taskbar. If you click the box, the copied text will be used to perform a search.

2. Voice Typing with new timing feature

If you use Voice Typing, the settings menu now shows a new "Wait time before acting" setting that lets you adjust the delay between speaking and action.

The options available include "Very Short," "Short," "Medium," "Long," "Extended," and "Very Long."

3. Proactive Memory Diagnostics

The Proactive Memory Diagnostics implementation isn't a new feature. Instead, it's a new toast notification that will appear when the system detects a Blue Screen of Death or unexpected restart.

If the system detects a problem, the notification will suggest running the legacy "Windows Memory Diagnostic" tool at the next reboot to check for memory issues.

4. Windows Search interface change

As part of the improvements to Windows Search home, Microsoft is now making the flyout larger to match the size of the new Start menu design for a more seamless experience.

5. About settings page new design

On the "About" page, the company is making some changes to improve structure and flow. For example, the cards with technical specifications are no longer available, and the company is adding control that shows the desktop, the current name, and an option to rename the computer.

Also, the frequently asked questions section has been renamed "Device insights" and is now a separate section from "Device info."

Finally, the "Windows specifications" details are listed under the "This operating system" section. Furthermore, the section with your device information is now called "This Device."

Even further, at the bottom of the page, you'll find a new entry to access the "Storage" settings.

Also, with the release of builds 26220.6982 and 26120.6982, the "Device info" card on the Home page now shows better details and improves layout and navigation.

Finally, when using the search feature in the Settings app, you'll now notice that the experience will show all the results for a specific query with a scrollbar instead of having to open the results page.

6. File Explorer with dark mode improvements

As part of builds 26220.6972 and 26120.6972, the development team has also rolled out improvements for the dark mode experience for the "Folder Options" page in File Explorer.

7. Mobile Device new settings integrations

In the Settings app, the ability to manage mobile devices has been available for some time, but now, the settings are integrated into the app, rather than having to open an external page.

This means that the next time you connect an iPhone or Android phone, you will be able to control the features and even remove the device from the Settings app.

8. Drag Tray disable option

In addition, Microsoft is adding an option to turn the Drag Tray feature on or off from the "Nearby sharing" page.

9. Start menu changes

The Start menu doesn't include significant changes, but in the account manager menu, the company added a new "View my benefits" option to open your Microsoft account page, which shows all your subscription benefits.

In addition to these preview builds, Microsoft also released builds 27975 and 27971, but neither introduced anything significant.

More resources

Explore more in-depth how-to guides, troubleshooting advice, and essential tips to get the most out of Windows 11 and 10. Start browsing here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

As we approach the first half of September 2025, it's time again to review the most significant changes that Microsoft has been working on for Windows 11 in the Windows Insider Program channels.

Currently, the software giant has made available six previews, some of which were part of the version 24H2 and 25H2, while others were not part of any specific development.

In the Canary Channel, we've seen builds 27943 and 27938. In the Dev and Beta Channels, the company rolled out the preview builds 26120.6682 and 26220.6682 as well as 26120.6682 and 26220.6682.

As part of the new features and changes in the Dev and Beta Channels, we've seen fluid dictation for Voice Access, Studio Effects for secondary cameras, a new hover-over menu for File Explorer, as well as improvements for Click to Do, Start menu, a new Advanced page that replaces the "For developers" settings, and more.

The Canary Channel has also been getting new features and visual changes, but they're nothing new since this branch is still catching up with improvements we've already seen in the other channels.

Here, I'll highlight the new visual changes and features that were released during the first half of September 2025.

1. Voice Access with fluid dictation

As part of builds 26120.5790 and 26220.5790, Windows 11 introduced the "fluid dictation" feature for Voice Access, which uses on-device Small Language Models (SLMs) to correct grammar, punctuation, and filler words as you dictate to minimize manual editing.

Since this feature uses on-device SLMs, it works offline, and no data is processed in the cloud. In addition, the feature works on any text box, excluding passwords and PIN fields.

If you want to turn on this feature, while in Voice Access, open the Settings menu from the top-right, select the "Manage options" menu, and choose the "Fluid dictation" option.

This feature is limited to Copilot+ PCs, and it's currently available for all English locales.

2. Studio Effects secondary cameras

Although Windows Studio Effects have been available for a while, the experience was limited to integrated cameras, but since builds 26120.5790 and 26220.5790, the company is expanding the enhancements to secondary cameras on Copilot+ PCs, including USB webcams and built-in rear cameras.

If you have another supported camera connected to your computer, from Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Cameras, you can now select that device, and from the "Advanced camera options" page, you can enable the "Use Windows Studio Effects" feature.

After enabling the feature, you'll have access to Studio Effects from the camera's settings page.

3. File Explorer new context menu

In this rollout, Microsoft also made available a new version of File Explorer that updates the "Home" page with a new context menu that appears when hovering over files, offering commands like "Open file location" and "Ask Copilot about this file."

These commands are available to users logged in with a Microsoft account, but the company plans to extend them to work and school accounts, as well as to European users, in the future.

In the Canary Channel, the development continues porting previously available features across the operating system. For example, in File Explorer, the preview build 27938 added the new "AI Actions" menu to the context menu.

As part of these actions, you'll find options such as "Bing Visual Search," "Blur Background," "Erase Objects," and "Remove Background."

Currently, these actions are supported for ".jpg," ".jpeg," and ".png" file types.

4. Click to Do improvements

Starting with the release of builds 26120.6682 and 26220.6682, Windows 11 has introduced several visual changes for Click to Do.

For example, Microsoft is currently testing a Copilot prompt box in the Click to Do context menu to facilitate easier interaction with the chatbot. Furthermore, using the Phi-Silica AI model, the menu will also display AI prompt suggestions you can use with Copilot.

In the context menu, the company is also testing the use of tags for new and popular actions to help you discover more AI actions.

If you're using Click to Do on a touch-enabled device, you'll now notice a new visual animation when using the right edge gesture for a clearer visual cue as you swipe.

Finally, the "Summarize" action will now generate more brief and concise summaries from selected text.

5. Advanced settings page

Microsoft also plans to replace the "For developers" page with the "Advanced" settings. The new page includes a design that matches the style of the operating system and adds new features, such as support for file versioning.

On the version available with builds 26120.6682 and 26220.6682, the page includes six sections that feature settings for the Taskbar, File Explorer, Terminal, Dev Drives, Virtual Workspace, and For Developers.

On the "File Explorer" page, you'll find the same settings as before, but now there's a new version control built into the file manager that allows you to control information such as the branch name, last commit author, last commit message, and more. (Currently, this feature only integrates with Git.)

On the "Virtual Workspace" page, you will only find an entry to access the Remote Desktop settings.

Finally, the existing and most specific settings for developers are located in the "For developers" section.

6. Xbox Controller integration with Task View

When using an Xbox Controller on Windows 11, a long press will now open the Task View, allowing you to switch between apps and games more easily.

As a result, now, short-pressing the Xbox button opens the Game bar, a long press of the Xbox button will open Task View, and pressing and holding the button will turn off the controller.

7. SCOOBE with Microsoft subscription reminder

The company is also updating the Second Chance Out-of-box Experience (SCOOBE), which will now include a reminder when your Microsoft 365 subscription needs attention.

8. Recent activity for AI request

As part of build 27938, the Settings app is introducing a new "Recent activity" setting on the "Text and image generation" privacy settings page, which will display requests from third-party apps to utilize AI features.

As always, these preview builds include other minor changes and fixes.

What are your thoughts on these changes coming to Windows 11? Let me know in the comments.

More resources

Explore more in-depth how-to guides, troubleshooting advice, and essential tips to get the most out of Windows 11 and 10. Start browsing here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

As August comes to an end, it's that time again to take a closer look at the new features and changes that Microsoft has made available for Windows 11 during the second half of the month through the various channels of the Windows Insider Program.

Since my last compilation of improvements, the software giant has released at least nine new preview builds in the Canary, Dev, and Beta Channels with changes that are not tied to any specific release of the operating system, and some others for version 25H2 and 24H2.

In the Canary Channel, we've seen builds 27928, 27924, and 27934. In the Dev Channel, the company rolled out the preview builds 26200.5761, 26200.5751, and 26220.5770. Finally, in the Beta Channel, we've seen 26120.5761, 26120.5751, and 26120.5770.

Currently, the previews in the Beta and Dev Channels are virtually identical, featuring new features such as the ability to resume Android apps on your PC, new battery iconography for the Lock Screen, AI actions for File Explorer, and various other visual changes and improvements.

In the Canary Channel, the company has been focusing on introducing some of the changes already available in other channels, such as porting legacy Control Panel features to the Settings app, replacing the "For developers" page with the "Advanced" page, and making other minor adjustments.

Here, I'll highlight the new visual changes and features that were released during the second half of August 2025.

Biggest changes from the Windows Insider Program in August 2025

1. Windows 11 resumes apps from Android

As part of this wave of changes, Windows 11 builds 26200.5761 and 26120.5761 introduce a new feature that allows you to pick up your apps where you left off on your Android phone from the Taskbar.

This feature works in conjunction with the mobile integration, using the "Link to Windows" app for Android and connecting it through the "Manage Devices" feature.

Once you turn on the "Allow this PC to access your mobile devices" option, when using an app on your Android phone, you'll notice a "Resume alert" notification in the Taskbar that allows you to continue the app on Windows 11.

If the app isn't available on your device, the "Resume alert" notification will provide the option to install it from the Microsoft Store.

2. Lock Screen new battery icon

Microsoft is also updating the battery icon that appears in the Lock Screen to align with the new design for the same icon available in the System Tray for the Taskbar.

When the battery is in good condition and plugged in, it'll show a green color. Then, it will turn yellow when the energy-saving mode is active, and you'll see a red icon when the battery is low.

This change is also available starting with the release of builds 26200.5761 and 26120.5761.

3. New keyboard shortcuts

Windows 11 now also includes new keyboard shortcuts to quickly type an En dash (–) or an Em dash (—) without having to open the Emoji Panel.

The shortcuts are as follows:

• En dash (–): Windows key + Minus
• Em dash (—): Windows key + Shift + Minus

This isn't a significant addition, but having these shortcuts available is convenient.

4. Windows Share pin option

Finally, as part of builds 26200.5761 and 26120.5761, the Windows Share interface is getting updated with an option to pin your favorite apps under the "Share using" section.

In addition, starting with builds 26220.5770 and 26120.5770, the company is updating the Windows Share interface with a new "Find apps" option that allows you to select the app that you want to share the content with.

Also, the list will show apps from the Microsoft Store that you can install on your computer.

5. File Explorer updated dark mode

When the company released preview builds 26200.5751 and 26120.5751 for versions 25H2 and 24H2, it also made an updated version of File Explorer available, featuring a couple of improvements, including long-overdue enhancements for the dark mode experience and fixes for the "Open with" context menu.

As part of the dark mode improvements, with these releases, Microsoft brought the dark color scheme for the copying files, confirming permissions, and deleting files and folders dialogs.

However, File Explorer still has many visual elements that are not compatible with dark mode, including the "Folder Options" page.

In the "Open with" menu, you'll notice that the icons have been updated to remove the accent colored backplate, allowing bigger icons that are now easier to read.

6. Click to Do new selection options

Microsoft has also been working on Click to Do for Copilot+ PCs, and it's now adding new selection options, including "Freeform Selection," "Rectangle Selection," and "Ctrl + Click."

• Freeform Selection: Allows you to use your finger or pen to draw around the items you wish to select.
• Rectangle Selection: Creates a rectangle selection.
• Ctrl + Click: Hold down the "Ctrl" key and click on each item to select multiple entities.

On Click to Do, the feature is getting an update that introduces two new actions, including "Convert to table with Excel" and "View Microsoft 365 Profile Cards."

The "Convert to table with Excel" action allows you to export a table in your current snapshot directly into an Excel file.

This feature is available for Copilot+ PCs with a Snapdragon processor and requires the latest version of Excel, which can be accessed with a Microsoft 365 subscription.

Finally, the "View Microsoft 365 Profile Cards" action displays a card with the person’s contact details from the organization or school when hovering over, for example, an email in a snapshot.

These actions are available starting builds 26220.5770 and 26120.5770 in the Dev and Beta Channels.

7. Legacy Control Panel features in Settings

We've seen these changes in previous builds, but it's worth pointing out that Microsoft continues the process of catching up with the Canary Channel with the improvements available in the other channels.

Starting with the release of Windows 11 build 27928, the company began porting legacy features from the Control Panel to the Settings app.

On the "Date & time" page, these changes include the ability to add multiple clocks to the Notification Center, change the time server, and the company is also bringing the "Format" settings to this section.

On the "Language & region" page, Microsoft is adding the option to enable "Unicode UTF-8 for worldwide language support," more regional format settings, and the ability to copy user settings.

You can learn more about these changes in my previous article, highlighting all these and other changes in the Windows Insider Program.

8. Narrator with Braille

In this wave of changes on builds 26220.5770 and 26120.5770, Microsoft is also adding a new Braille viewer in the Windows Narrator.

The new feature will allow you to view the output as it will be shown in a Braille display for teaching purposes.

This feature requires a special package that can be downloaded from Settings > Accessibility > Narrator > Use a Braille display with Narrator.

Once the package is installed, you can use the "Windows key + Ctrl + Enter" keyboard shortcut to launch the Narrator features, and use the "Narrator key + Alt + B" shortcut to access the Braille feature.

9. Advanced Settings page

As part of build 27924, the development team is replacing the "For developers" page with the "Advanced" page.

In addition to a new design that matches more closely the operating system design and the previous features available on this page, you'll find new features, including the ability to enable long paths, virtual workspaces, and Git integration.

It's worth noting that Microsoft also plans to bring these changes with the release of the September 2025 cumulative update for the operating system.

Additionally, alongside build 27924, the company began rolling out features that you are already familiar with, including Windows Recall, Click to Do, and an AI agent for the Settings app, to the Canary Channel.

More resources

Explore more in-depth how-to guides, troubleshooting advice, and essential tips to get the most out of Windows 11 and 10. Start browsing here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

Windows 11 users will soon have a seamless way to resume apps from their Android phone on their PC. Microsoft just released an Insider build of Windows 11 that includes support for Cross Device Resume.

If you're a Windows Insider in the Dev or Beta Channels, you may see the option to continue listening to a Spotify track on your computer. The feature is gradually rolling out, so you may not see it even if you're in the Dev or Beta Channels.

I've used Windows my entire life and since the death of Windows Phone, my smartphones have run Android. While both of those operating systems meet my needs, I am envious of the Apple ecosystem sometimes.

If you're fully invested in Apple software and hardware, it feels like your devices are an extension of a single platform. Microsoft has taken several steps over the years to replicate this, but there are some gaps.

Microsoft has quite a few ways to connect devices across platforms, including OneDrive, Microsoft Edge, and Link to Windows. If you have a Samsung phone and laptop, you'll enjoy even more connections. The new Cross Device Resume feature builds on that idea.

In addition to Cross Device Resume, Windows 11 Build 26200.5761 improves the battery icon on the lock screen and includes the following changes, as outlined by Microsoft.

Windows 11 Build 26200.5761: Changes and Improvements

Click to Do (Preview)

The following changes and improvements are rolling out for Click to Do on Copilot+ PCs:

• By pressing and holding two fingers anywhere on your screen (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. This new invocation method provides the ability to use touch with an accelerated entry point into Click to Do, like Win + Click when using a mouse or touchpad today.

Agent in Settings

The following changes and improvements are rolling out for agent in Settings on Copilot+ PCs:

• We now provide a direct navigation link to the corresponding settings page from the agent search results.

Automatic Super Resolution

The following changes and improvements are rolling out for Automatic Super Resolution (Auto SR) on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs:

• We have simplified the settings controls and added streamlined ways to configure Auto SR directly from toast notifications.

Input

• We’re adding a new keyboard shortcut to make it easier for you to insert an En dash (–) or Em dash (—) while typing anywhere in Windows. Going forward, pressing WIN + Minus (-) will insert En dash, and WIN + Shift + Minus (-) will insert Em dash. Note – if you have Magnifier running, WIN + Minus (-) will still zoom out Magnifier, rather than inserting an En dash.

Windows Share

• In the last few Dev and Beta flights, we have begun trying out the ability to pin your favorite apps in the Windows share window.

Windows 11’s Handoff clone

Microsoft has been testing this functionality for a while, though the feature was not always documented publicly. Back in February, Microsoft started testing the ability to resume OneDrive files on your PC. That functionality shipped to Windows 11 recently.

The tech giant then held a session during Build 2025 titled "Create Seamless Cross-Device Experiences with Windows for your app." That session was later deleted, but X user @phantomofearth managed to grab a screenshot before the removal.

Coss Device Resume bridges the gap between your phone and your PC by allowing you to pick up where you left off. The feature was originally limited to OneDrive files but will soon support other apps.

I confess I’m confused about why Microsoft chose Spotify to demonstrate this feature. Spotify already has built-in features that allow you to seamlessly continue to listen to content across devices.

I understand Cross Device Resume is an OS feature that developers can implement in apps lacking similar functionality. But demonstrating it with one of those apps would have had more impact.

Since the feature is new, we will likely see more developers adopt it over time. Microsoft invites developers to integrate Cross Device Resume into apps in its Windows Insider blog post. A document from the company outlines how to do so and provides resources for developers.

Windows 11 is set to add a new accessibility feature that will make it easier to keep track of your mouse. Hidden within Windows 11 Build 27913 is a mouse pointer crosshair feature that uses crossing lines to indicate where your cursor is.

The feature had been in testing previously, but Microsoft stopped including it when it shipped Windows 11 Build 26085 around a year and a half ago. Now, the option seems set to make a return to the operating system.

As pointed out by X user @phantomofearth, the mouse pointer crosshair is hidden. To use it right now, you have to use an app such as ViVeTool. The feature ID is 27829265.

The feature is new to the Canary Channel but can also be activated on the latest Dev and Beta Channel builds using the same ID.

If you like the look of the mouse crosshair feature, you don't have to wait until it makes its way through Insider testing. You can get the same functionality through PowerToys.

PowerToys

I'm happy to see the crosshair mouse feature in testing on Windows 11, but you don't need to wait to use it. PowerToys already has the functionality built in and is available for free.

PowerToys is a collection of utilities packaged together into a single app. It's one of my favorite Windows 11 apps and one I recommend to everyone.

One of the great things about PowerToys is that you can enable or disable its features. It's not as if installing the app leaves a bloated program running in the background. If you had every utility in PowerToys enabled, you'd also have a ton of shortcuts to memorize, so picking your favorites is a good idea.

Within PowerToys, there is a collection of mouse utilities, including the crosshair feature that's currently hidden in Windows 11's latest Insider build.

Officially known as "Mouse Pointer Crosshairs," the feature is found within the Input / Output section of the settings page in PowerToys. There, you can customize the shortcut to turn the feature on or off. It's also possible to have it activated whenever you start PowerToys.

You can fine-tune several aspects of Mouse Pointer Crosshairs, including the color, opacity, and thickness of the lines that point to your cursor. The radius of the center can also be set to the pixel.

While you're in that section of PowerToys, I suggest playing around with Find My Mouse and Mouse Highlighter. The former dims your screen and highlights a circle around your cursor. The latter leaves a highlighted circle wherever you click that remains in place for about one second.

During the second half of July 2025, Microsoft released another seven preview builds for Windows 11, for a total of over a dozen previews in a month. Some of which were part of the version 24H2, 25H2, and some others were not part of any specific branch.

In the Canary Channel, we've seen:

• 27913
• 27909
• 27902

In the Dev Channel:

• 26200.5710
• 26200.5722

In the Beta Channel:

• 26200.5710
• 26120.5722

Currently, the builds from the Dev and Beta Channels are virtually identical, even though they belong to two different versions. The Canary Channel also introduced three new builds that only included fixes and minor changes.

Although no new features were added to the previews in the Canary Channel, the company made available for download the ISO file for build 27902.

In this guide, I'll share the most significant features and changes available in the Windows Insider Program during the second half of July 2025.

Biggest changes from the Windows Insider Program in July 2025

In addition to fixes and other minor changes in the last seven builds, the software giant has been working on these changes.

1. Click to Do improvements

Starting with build 26200.5710 (Dev) and 26120.4741 (Beta), Windows 11 introduces an update that brings the ability to describe an image, chart, or graph from a Click to Do snapshot for Copilot+ PCs featuring AMD and Intel processors.

You can access this feature by opening Click to Do (Windows key + Q), right-clicking an object, and selecting the "Describe Image" action.

The feature was previously only available for Copilot+ PCs featuring Qualcomm Snapdragon processors.

In addition, since build 26120.5722 (Beta) and 26200.5722 (Dev), Click to Do includes an interactive tutorial with text and images that help new users learn more about how to get started with this feature.

You can always access this tutorial by opening Click to Do, and from the toolbar, open the main menu, and select the "Launch tutorial" option.

2. Windows Narrator with image description generation

Windows 11 now also includes an updated version of the Windows Narrator, which, similar to the Click to Do action, introduces a feature to generate detailed descriptions of images, charts, and graphs.

This feature was previously available for Copilot+ PCs featuring the Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, but now, it's available for Copilot+ PCs using Intel and AMD processors.

You can turn on this feature by using the "Narrator key + Ctrl + D" keyboard shortcut to have the feature read the contextual description of the image, which can contain people, objects, colors, text, and numbers.

This feature also expands to non-Copilot+ PCs, but it'll only generate basic image descriptions.

This feature has been available since build 26200.5710 (Dev) and 26120.4741 (Beta).

3. Lock Screen widgets discovery

As part of the Lock Screen settings improvements, since build 26200.5710 (Dev) and 26120.4741 (Beta), the company added a new "Discover widgets" option that will periodically update the Lock Screen with suggested widgets.

4. Recent activities privacy setting for AI features

If you want to review which third-party apps have access to the AI models available on Windows 11, the development team has now updated the "Text and image generation" page from the "Privacy & security" section with a new "Recent activity" to confirm that information.

Again, this Change was introduced with the rollout of build 26200.5710 and 26120.4741 in the Dev and Beta Channels, respectively.

5. Settings app with AI agent

We've seen the AI agent functionality coming to the Settings app in the past. In fact, Microsoft is planning to start the gradual rollout of this feature in the Stable Channel with the August 2025 Security Update.

However, starting with build 26200.5722 (Dev) and 26120.5722 (Beta), the feature is arriving for Copilot+ PCs featuring AMD and Intel processors.

This new feature allows you to use natural language to find and apply settings and fix issues automatically, without needing to open a specific page. I have previously written a guide explaining the feature and how to get started.

6. Second Change setup page update

The Second Chance Out-of-Box Experience (SCOOBE) experience is the page that seems to appear randomly after restarting or updating the system, and prompts you to enable the cloud back feature and tries to switch you to use Microsoft Edge.

In the past, each recommendation had its own page, but starting with build 26200.5722 and 26120.5722, Microsoft is combining the suggestions into a single page.

7. Windows Search with image grid results

In the last preview build for the Beta and Dev Channels, Windows 11 is also experimenting with a grid view to show results for images.

For example, when performing a search from the Windows Search interface, the left pane will show a group of up to size thumbnails in a grid view to speed up the process of finding the picture you want.

8. Notification Center calendar and clock for secondary monitors

On Windows 11 build 26200.5722 and 26120.5722, the company is improving the Notification Center interface so that you can access the fly out from secondary monitors, which also includes the full clock with seconds.

You can open the Notification Center fly out by clicking the time and date area in the System Tray that appears on the monitor you're intending to view the interface.

9. Task Manager with new processor usage mechanism

Finally, Microsoft is re-introducing the new view to show the processor usage in the Task Manager app in the Processes, Performance, and Users pages in the latest preview build available in the Beta and Dev Channels.

The new view will show the standard metrics used by industry standards and third-party tools. If you want to view the legacy metrics, on the "Details" page, right-click a column, choose the "Select a column" option, and select the "CPU utility" option.

This action will add another column on the page to view the legacy processor usage metrics.

These are the most interesting improvements that Microsoft has been working on since my last Windows Insider Program roundup. However, the software giant has also been rolling out smaller fixes and other minor changes.

More resources

Explore more in-depth how-to guides, troubleshooting advice, and essential tips to get the most out of Windows 11 and 10. Start browsing here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

Microsoft released several Windows Insider Builds near the end of last week. Those builds include new Copilot+ experiences for people with AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs as well as some other welcome changes.

Perhaps more interesting than the new “describe image” action in Click to Do is the fact that it has shipped to Insiders in stages.

Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel using Snapdragon X-powered PCs gained that feature in the previous build. But those with a Copilot+ PC running on an AMD or Intel chip had to wait until this build (26200.5710).

The feature itself seems quite useful and powerful. With it, you can get an overview of visual content. For example, you could ask the tool to summarize a chart or graph.

The same build also adds the ability to get detailed descriptions of images, charts, and graphs while using Narrator on Copilot+ PCs. Again, that rollout is for AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs since Snapdragon X devices got the feature back in April.

Below is what's new, improved, and changed, as listed in Microsoft's change log for the recent build.

New features, improvements

New Copilot+ PC experiences

New describe image action in Click to Do rolling out for AMD and Intel®-powered Copilot+ PCs

We are introducing a new “describe image” action in Click to Do to get detailed descriptions of images, charts and graphs for AMD and Intel®-powered Copilot+ PCs. This feature was introduced for Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs in the previous Dev Channel flight. This feature is useful to get a quick overview of the visual content. This feature is designed to improve accessibility and can be used by everyone in scenarios like getting a quick overview of a graph or a chart, generating alt text for artefacts you create, etc. When you use the action for the first time, the required models are set up, and the descriptions are generated locally on your device making sure your sensitive data stays on your PC.

Making visual content more accessible with image descriptions in Narrator

We are enhancing digital accessibility with the ability to get rich, detailed descriptions of images, charts, [and] graphs in Narrator by using the power of AI on Copilot+ PCs. In today’s digital world, images are everywhere—on websites, apps, and documents. But for blind and low-vision users, many of these visuals remain inaccessible due to missing or inadequate alt text. After beginning the rollout for this feature for Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, we are also now rolling this feature out for AMD and Intel®-powered Copilot+ PCs.

With this new feature that is beginning to roll out, Narrator will now generate richer image descriptions on your Copilot+ PC. Simply press Narrator key + Ctrl + D and Narrator will read out a contextual description of the image describing people, objects, colors, text, and numbers from the image. On non-Copilot+ PCs, this experience will continue to give you very basic image descriptions.

For example, for an image about stock performance, users will get the following detailed description. The image is a graph showing the stock prices of Microsoft Corporation, with the S&P 500 and NASDAQ Computer indexes. The graph shows a steady increase in Microsoft’s stock price over the period from June 18th to June 23rd.

The window also contains regenerate, like, dislike and copy button at the bottom.

To turn Narrator on, you can press “Ctrl + Windows key + Enter” on your PC or search for “Narrator” in Windows search box. When you try the image descriptions feature for the first time using Narrator Key + Ctrl + D, we download the models required for getting image descriptions. You can check the download status via Settings > Windows update.

If you are new to Narrator, you can find more information and learn about using Narrator from the complete guide to Narrator.

Also check out frequently asked questions about rich image descriptions in Narrator here.

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled to those with toggle on

General

• As part of our commitment to improving Windows performance, logs are now collected when your PC has experienced any slow or sluggish performance. Windows Insiders are encouraged to provide feedback when experiencing PC issues related to slow or sluggish performance, allowing Feedback Hub to automatically collect these logs, which will help us root cause issues faster. Use the Desktop > System Sluggishness category when filing feedback to allow Feedback Hub to automatically pick up these logs. These logs are stored locally (%systemRoot%\Temp\DiagOutputDir\Whesvc folder) and only sent to Microsoft via Feedback Hub when feedback is submitted.

Click to Do (Preview)

The following changes and improvements are rolling out for Click to Do on Copilot+ PCs:

• We are trying out a change that removes the search box in the top bar of Click to Do.

Lock screen

• We’re updating lock screen widgets experience for Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel, with widget suggestions to help you easily discover more widgets. This feature can be enabled or disabled with the “Discover widgets” toggle under Settings > Personalization > Lock screen. Please note this experience is still being refined and will change in future flights.

Settings

• You can now visit the Settings > Privacy & security > Text and image generation to see which third-party applications recently used generative AI models provided by Windows. This page gives you visibility into the specific apps leveraging local Windows provided generative AI models and allows you to control which apps are permitted to use them—putting you in charge of your device’s AI experience. The UI is present in this flight today, however the functionality will light up in a upcoming flight.

Copilot+ PC dichotomy

When covering the roadblocks to AI PC adoption, I recapped the disastrous Copilot+ PC launch. One factor that's hurt the Copilot+ PC branding is the staggered launch of features.

Despite several of the best Windows laptops having chips capable of powering the full Copilot+ PC experience, devices with Snapdragon X processors tend to get features first.

Qualcomm and Microsoft have not made an official statement specifying an exclusivity agreement, but there appears to be one in place. Even Windows Insiders with AMD or Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs gain access to features later than Insiders with Snapdragon X-powered Copilot+ PCs.

During the first half of July 2025, thus far, Microsoft has released at least six preview builds for Windows 11, four of which belong to the Canary and Beta Channels of the version 24H2 development. The company has also made available two preview builds in the Dev Channel as part of the version 25H2 development.

In the Canary Channel, we've seen:

• 27891
• 27898

In the Dev Channel:

• 26200.5670
• 26200.5702

In the Beta Channel:

• 26120.4520
• 26120.4733

In these previews, the software giant introduced a number of new features and visual improvements for Windows 11 version 25H2. However, this time around, devices in the Canary Channel received several overdue changes.

As part of the version 25H2 development, we've seen the company adding support for third-party providers for passkeys. In addition, as part of the builds for this version, Microsoft also added the Administrator protection security feature and a new Click to Do action to generate image descriptions.

In this guide, I'll highlight the most significant features and changes available in the Windows Insider Program during the first half of July 2025.

Top improvements from the Windows 11 Insider Program in July 2025

In addition to the slew of minor improvements in the last six preview builds, Microsoft has been working on these changes.

1. Quick Machine Recovery

On Windows 11 build 27898, Microsoft introduced the Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) feature that aims to reduce downtime during boot failures.

The recovery feature works by detecting and resolving boot problems through the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) and the Windows Update system.

In practice, if an issue occurs during the boot process due to a buggy update or another problem, the computer can connect to the internet and upload diagnostic logs, allowing Microsoft to download and apply targeted fixes.

QMR will come enabled by default on Windows 11 Home, but it can be configured manually on Windows 11 Pro.

To configure this feature, navigate to Settings > System > Recovery > Quick Machine Recovery.

On this new page, you can turn the feature on or off, and more importantly, you can manage the intervals the computer checks and restart the device to receive targeted fixes.

You can always confirm that the fix has been applied from the Settings > Windows Update > Update history.

Although this feature is new in the Canary Channel, Quick Machine Recovery has been available through the different Insider channels for some time.

Also, the company is expected to roll out this new recovery feature in the next Patch Tuesday update.

2. Adaptive Energy Saver

Microsoft is also working on a new "Adaptive" option for the Energy Saver mode.

The option uses the Optimized Experiences and Windows Health background services, and the basics of the new feature are to monitor the system telemetry and then turn on "Energy Saver" automatically as needed.

To turn on this feature, navigate to Settings > System > Power & battery, click on "Energy Saver," and select the "Adaptive" option.

Adaptive Energy Saver is available on laptops and desktop computers with a battery backup starting with build 27898. However, this feature has also been available in the Dev and Beta Channels for some time.

3. App permission dialog

In the operating system, Microsoft is also adding visual changes to the modal dialog that appears on the screen when an app requires special permissions, such as access to location, microphone, and camera.

As part of this redesign, the dialog will now appear at the center of the screen while dimming the rest of the background to bring more attention to the required action, similar to when an app requires elevation.

This change first arrived with the release of build 27898 in the Canary Channel, but it is also now available through Dev and Beta Channels.

4. Administrator Protection

On Windows 11, Administrator Protection is a new security feature that adds yet another layer of security that generates an authorization dialog when an unsigned or untrusted application requires elevation.

This feature may seem similar to the User Account Control (UAC) feature, but they both work differently. On the one hand, UAC aims to prevent unwanted system changes by generating a consent dialog whenever an action requires administrative privileges.

As part of the process, the User Account Control creates two tokens when the user logs in. One standard user token and another administrator token. When performing an action that requires elevation, the system will use the administrator token for the elevation.

The problem is that both of these tokens have access to the user's profile, which can be bypassed, posing a potential security vulnerability.

On the other hand, Administrator Protection is a more advanced approach that creates a separate, hidden system-managed account to create the isolated admin token.

Once you're prompted to consent to the elevation, the system will create a separate user account on demand, and then it'll get discarded after the action is complete.

You can enable this security feature from Windows Security > Administrator Protection by turning on the toggle switch and restarting the computer.

Administrator Protection has been in the Windows Insider Program for some time, but it was recently rolled out to build 26200.5702 in the Dev Channel.

5. Passkeys with external providers

Windows 11 now supports third-party passkey providers. Starting with build 26200.5670 in the Dev Channel, Microsoft announced a partnership with 1Password to integrate its passkey solution with the operating system.

This means that you can now create, save, and use passkeys in 1Password and use them with Windows Hello on Windows 11.

If you want to use this integration, you first have to install the latest version of 1Password (Beta), and then, on Settings > Accounts > Passkeys > Advanced options, you can enable the "1Password" plugin.

Once you complete the steps, you can use your saved passkeys from 1Password, or you can save new ones to the service.

When it comes to the time to authenticate, the prompt will let you choose the 1Password integration to continue.

6. Click to Do image description

If you have a Copilot+ PC, starting with build 26200.5702, the development team is updating Click to Do with a new action to describe images, charts, or graphs on a snapshot using AI.

If you're using the feature for the first time, the system will have to download an additional AI model to process the information on-device without the need for an internet connection.

You can try this feature by opening Click to Do on a screen with content, right-clicking the image, and selecting the "Describe Image" option.

Currently, this feature is available for Snapdragon Copilot+ PCs, but the company is expected to bring support for Intel and AMD in a future update.

These are the top features and changes that Microsoft has been working on since my last Windows Insider Program roundup. However, the company has also been pushing a number of smaller fixes and other features that were previously available in other channels.

Finally, even though the Dev Channel belongs to version 25H2 development, and the Beta Channel to version 24H2, the preview in these channels is virtually the same.

More resources

Explore more in-depth how-to guides, troubleshooting advice, and essential tips to get the most out of Windows 11 and 10. Start browsing here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

Microsoft is trying out a new feature for Windows 11 that is designed to adaptively enable energy saver mode based on your current usage of your PC. The feature is dubbed "adaptive energy saver," and will switch on battery saver mode regardless of your battery level, based on how you're using your PC.

"Adaptive energy saver is an opt-in feature that automatically enables and disables energy saver, without changing screen brightness, based on the power state of the device and the current system load" says Microsoft in the blog post announcing the feature.

On paper, it actually sounds like a good idea. Windows devices are notorious for having not great battery life, and so adaptively enabling energy saving mode could help increase the longevity of your laptop if you're only conducting tasks that don't require a lot of compute power.

Microsoft doesn't go into any technical details as to how this feature works, but I suspect it will essentially measure your current CPU and GPU usage, and weigh up whether you need extra power to complete the task you're currently working on. If not, it will enable energy saving mode.

If you're just writing emails and browsing the web, adaptive energy saver will likely kick in to save battery life. Alternatively, if you're trying to render a video or play a game, then it's likely adaptive energy saver will disable itself to give you as much performance as possible.

Notably, adaptive energy saver won't change your screen brightness, likely in an attempt to make the feature as subtle as possible in its operation. It would be annoying to have your screen constantly changing brightness whenever it enters energy saver mode adaptively. The icon on the Taskbar will still change to show when energy saver is active.

Additionally, the new adaptive energy saving mode is optional. It doesn't appear to be on by default, meaning you will need to head into Settings to turn on the feature yourself if you want your PC to adaptively enable energy saver while you use it. Otherwise, it will be set to the old school way of doing things.

Windows 11's current energy saver mode will automatically come on when your battery reaches a certain percentage, usually 20% or 30%. When enabled, energy saver mode lowers your screen brightness and reduces system load, including capping the power delivered to the CPU and GPU to prolong battery life.

Of course, given this feature is now only in testing with Windows Insiders in the Canary Channel, feedback will likely determine if this feature actually ships. Microsoft is known for trailing features in the Windows Insider Program that never see the light of day, and this could be one of them, pending feedback from users.

In recent years, Microsoft has changed how energy saver mode works on Windows 11, even bringing it to PCs without a battery in them. That means even desktop computers can enable energy saver mode these days, which helps reduce the amount of energy they are pulling from the wall.

Adaptive energy saver is only for PCs with a battery, so desktops won't be able to take advantage of this automatic mode. However, desktops can still choose to manually enable energy saver whenever they like, and can even set it to always be enabled, just like laptops can.

This new feature is now rolling out in preview as part of the Windows 11 build 27898 build that was released to the Canary Channel last week. Microsoft utilizes an A/B rollout system that means some users might not see it right away once they upgrade to the latest preview build.

Microsoft is adding a new feature to the Snipping Tool on Windows 11 that will allow users to create GIFs, meaning Windows is finally getting a built-in GIF maker after all these years.

The feature is now in early testing with Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels, and will likely roll out more broadly in the coming weeks. The feature is tied to the screen recording feature in Snipping Tool.

The user can select an area of the screen to record, and then select a new GIF button that will automatically turn the recorded video into a looping GIF format for sharing on social media or other places. The tool will also let you configure whether the GIF is in high or low resolution for additional space saving if necessary.

"GIF export is limited to videos that are 30 seconds or less. If your video is longer than 30 seconds, Snipping Tool will offer to export the first 30 seconds of your video instead," Microsoft warns.

Microsoft has added a number of new features to Windows 11 via the Snipping Tool in the last few months, including a new text extraction mode that makes it easy to copy and paste text from images you see online.

It also has a new visual search feature, which uploads your image to Bing to identify an item within the screenshot. These small quality of life improvements are always welcome, especially in a year where so many people will be upgrading to Windows 11 for the first time, as Windows 10's support window finally ends.

The Start menu on Windows 11 is about to get a major upgrade, and you can try it right now. Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel can now test the new Start menu in Windows 11.

The refreshed Start menu brings the "All" section forward, making it easier to access. There are two views for that section: category and grid view.

Category view is the default. It automatically groups apps, much like the experience you'd have on some smartphones.

Grid view sorts apps alphabetically and takes advantage of the Start menu’s expanded size.

The Start menu now adapts to your screen size, expanding to up to eight columns of pinned apps, six recommendations, and four columns of categories.

The Pinned and Recommended sections of the Start menu are responsive as well, meaning they'll shrink or expand depending on how much you have pinned to Start.

The Start menu on Windows 11 has received a fair bit of criticism over the years. Windows Phone and Live Tile enthusiasts disliked the shift to static icons.

Even those who liked the general interface were faced with a recommended section that could not be disabled. That feature gap is closed with the refreshed Start menu.

You can now turn off recommendations entirely. Previously, the recommended section remained even if you disabled its contents.

Our Senior Editor Zac Bowden went hands-on with the new Start menu before the experience was officially announced.

The Start menu also gained a powerful new tool for cross-device integration. People with connected Android or iOS devices can have content synced from their smartphone to an add-on of the Start menu.

That functionality, which works through Phone Link, is already generally available in most areas, though it will ship to the European Economic Area at a future date.

The same build of Windows 11 that brings the new Start menu to the Dev Channel also gives you the option to choose which Lock screen widgets appear. Microsoft outlines all the changes to the build in an Insider blog post.

Windows Insiders in the Canary Channel have a new build to install. The latest update bumps systems to Windows 11 Build 27871, and it includes some noteworthy changes and additions.

Starting with Build 27871, IT admins can control the energy saver settings on Windows 11 through group policies and Mobile Device Management configurations.

The update also marks the return of Phone companion for the Start menu in the Canary Channel. That feature went away temporarily but is now back for testing among Canary Channel Insiders.

Phone companion is an add-on to the Start menu that shows notifications from your mobile device. You can also mirror your Android device's screen to the Start menu with the feature, though that functionality is limited to specific phones.

Phone Link companion is part of the new Start menu experience unveiled by Microsoft last month.

Below is the change log for the latest Canary Channel Insider build, as shared by Microsoft.

What's new with Build 27871

Energy saver now available in Microsoft Intune

We are bringing the ability to manage energy saver in Windows 11 to Microsoft Intune to allow IT administrators to control the energy saver settings on Windows 11 PCs through group policies and Mobile Device Management (MDM) configurations.

This feature, when enabled, intelligently balances your battery use, so it can last longer between charges. It extends battery life by managing power usage efficiently. It limits background activity and reduces screen brightness, ensuring that devices consume less power while maintaining optimal performance. By automatically managing system processes and power usage, the energy saver group policy helps reduce overall energy consumption. This not only saves costs but also contributes to environmental sustainability.

IT administrators can activate the policy by using either method below:

• Local Group Policy Editor in Windows 11
• Microsoft Intune Admin Center

The path for the new policy configuration can be found at in Local Group Policy Editor by navigating to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Power Management > Energy Saver Settings and “Enable Energy Saver to Always Be On”.

Changes and Improvements

[Phone Link]

Phone companion for the Start menu is rolling out (again) for Windows Insiders in the Canary Channel along with the following improvements:

• Instantly see notifications from your mobile device apps — grouped by app for easy catch-up, right from your Start menu.
• Mirror your Android device’s screen with a single click from your Start menu. Simply click on your device’s icon or access the option from the footer menu to quickly launch device screen mirroring.
• Your iPhone© memories are now accessible from the Start menu. iCloud for Windows users can see recently synced photos and quickly access their iCloud photos all within the Start menu.

Note: Screen mirroring is only supported on certain Android devices. See Setting up and using phone screen in the Phone Link – Microsoft Support for more details on device support.

[Taskbar & System Tray]

• We have adjusted the needy state pill under apps on the taskbar that need attention to be wider and more visible.

Windows Insider Channels

The Canary Channel differs from Microsoft's other Windows Insider channels. Right now, the Canary Channel is on a different development track than the Beta Channel and Dev Channel.

The Canary Channel focuses on platform changes rather than surface level changes. As a result, some features ship to the Beta Channel and Dev Channel before they roll out to Canary Channel Insiders.

Microsoft notes this in the release notes for Canary Channel builds. If you want to try the latest features and provide feedback to Microsoft while those tools are in development, you should probably switch to a different channel.

While I understand why Canary Channel Insiders cannot use certain Windows 11 features, I find the situation frustrating. I'm not the only one to bring up the strange status of features like Windows Recall and Click to Do in the Canary Channel.

To get off the Canary Channel, you'll have to perform a clean install of Windows 11.

Microsoft unveiled a "new generation of Windows experiences" earlier this month. The tech giant announced new features for Copilot+ PCs, the Photos app, Paint, Snipping Tool, and Windows 11.

Only a couple of weeks after being announced, several of the features are already in testing among Windows Insiders. Select users in the Dev Channel and Beta Channel can now try AI actions in File Explorer and several other features.

The latest Dev Channel update, which brings systems to Build 26200.5603, also has a new visual experience for widgets. The improvements should make it easier to organize and personalize the widgets panel.

Those in the Beta Channel can test the same features by upgrading to Build 26120.4151.

The features are rolling out gradually, even among Insiders. If you want to enable AI actions in File Explorer manually, I explain how to do so below.

Here are the change logs for the latest Insider builds, as outlined by Microsoft.

Windows 11 Build 26200.5603 & Build 26120.4151: New features

Introducing AI actions in File Explorer

With AI actions in File Explorer, you can interact more deeply with your files by right-clicking to quickly take actions like editing images or summarizing documents. Like with Click to Do, AI actions in File Explorer allow you to stay in your flow while leveraging the power of AI to take advantage of editing tools in apps or Copilot functionality without having to open your file. AI actions in File Explorer are easily accessible – to try out AI actions in File Explorer, just right-click on a file and you will see a new AI actions entry on the content menu that allows you to choose from available options for your file.

Today, you can try one of four image actions for seamless editing or web searches with images:

• Bing Visual Search: Allows you to search the web using an image instead of text. Find similar images and products, get details about sites using the image, and identify landmarks, plants, and famous faces. From searching what you see on your screen, to shopping your preferred style, getting help with that homework problem, or translating text, getting answers is more intuitive than ever.
• Blur Background: Opens the Photos app which automatically finds the background in the photo, and with a single click, instantly highlights your subject and blurs out the background. You can also customize the effect by adjusting the Blur Intensity or use the Brush Tool to modify the areas being blurred.
• Erase Objects: With Photos by selecting or highlighting an unwanted element in your photo and Generative Erase makes it disappear.  It allows you to fix and remove distractions from your photos.
• Remove Background: With Paint allows you to alter any image automatically in just one click leaving a smooth cutout of the subject. Background removal can detect the subject from the entire canvas or using the selection tool.

These four image actions currently support these file types: .jpg, .jpeg, and .png.

Over the course of the coming weeks, we will begin to roll out new AI actions for Microsoft 365 files:

• Summarize: With Copilot you can generate summaries of various document types stored on OneDrive and SharePoint without the need to open them individually. Find the information you need quickly! Supported file types: .docx, .doc, .pptx, .ppt, .xlsx, .xls, .pdf, .rtf, .txt, .loop.
• Create an FAQ: Copilot can help you turn your OneDrive files into a neatly formatted, AI-generated Q&A list. Whether you’re building internal knowledge bases, prepping for meetings, or crafting quick-start guides, “Create an FAQ” distills complex information into clear, shareable FAQs in seconds. Supported file types: xlsx, .ppt, .pptx, .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt, .rtf, .aspx, .htm, and .html.

To see AI actions for Microsoft 365 files, you must be:

• For Summarize, you need to be Microsoft 365 subscriber with a Copilot subscription (Microsoft account and Microsoft Entra ID supported).
• For Create an FAQ, you need to be a commercial Microsoft 365 subscriber with a Copilot subscription (Microsoft Entra ID supported). Consumer support with a Microsoft account is coming later.
• Enrolled in the Microsoft 365 Insider Program. Your PC will need to be part of the Beta Channel update channel. Use these instructions to get setup today: Become a Microsoft 365 Insider on Windows.

Let us know what you think of these new AI actions in File Explorer!

Introducing Advanced Settings

Advanced settings are now available via Settings > System > Advanced with some new features. The Advanced page is a redesign of the For Developers page, intending to make its settings easier to find for a broader audience. With the redesign of this page, we’ve added additional settings: Enable long paths, Virtual workspaces, and File Explorer + version control.

Enable long paths allows you to remove MAX_PATH limitations from common Win32 file and directory functions. Virtual workspaces allow you to enable/disable virtual environments such as Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, and more. File Explorer + version control provides the ability to display Git information directly inside File Explorer. Simply select your repository folder and File Explorer will display information such as your branch, diff count, last commit message, and more.

Windows 11 Build 26200.5603 & Build 26120.4151: Changes and Improvements

Taskbar & System Tray

• In addition to the new grouping of the Accessibility flyout in quick settings, we are adding text descriptions for the assistive technologies like Narrator, Voice access, etc. for easy identification and learning by the users.

Search on the Taskbar

We are beginning to roll out some improvements for the Windows search box on your taskbar:

• When showing search results, we will provide a notice that your search results may be incomplete if Windows is still indexing your PC with a link to check your indexing status. You can dismiss this notice.
• We are also providing a status for files and folders on your PC so you can easily see if a file or folder is available when online (cloud) or available on your device.

Voice access

• We have temporarily disabled Chinese support in voice access to address some issues. We plan to begin rolling this change out again in a future flight soon.

Widgets

We’re trying out a new visual experience for the widgets board, with a more organized, personalized, and engaging feed. In addition, we are introducing Copilot-curated stories into the feed. These make it easy to get a multifaceted view on a single topic, connecting summaries, videos, and images from trusted MSN premium publishers. Some features, such as pinning and hiding, are still under development. Explore this experience and please share your feedback as we’ll continue to evolve the experience.

You can choose to return to the previous widgets board experience, by changing the ‘Copilot Discover (Preview)’ toggle in the Personalize MSN settings dialog (shown below).

Power & Battery

• We’re introducing User Interaction-Aware CPU Power Management, an OS-level enhancement that helps reduce power consumption and extend your battery life. After a period of inactivity on your PC, Windows now conserve power by automatically applying efficient power management policies. This happens seamlessly to save energy while you’re inactive, with full performance instantly restored the moment you get back to it. It’s another way we’re working to make your Windows experience both responsive and energy-efficient!
  • Please note: Actual savings depend on device segment, power mode and whether you’re plugged in or running on battery, according to manufacturer-defined Processor Power Management (PPM) settings.

Windows Share

• In the Windows share window, as part of the ability to quickly edit and enhance images while sharing, we have adjusted the UI so that now you can now select their compression scale from High, Medium, or Low Quality, instead of choosing from an entire scale ranging from 0-100.

Windows Backup

• We’re trying out different variations of the landing page when you launch the Windows Backup app.

Snipping Tool

• [ADDED] Last month, we announced Snipping Tool’s new text extractor feature — designed to minimize the number of steps it takes to copy text to your clipboard without having to take a screenshot of your screen. With this Windows update, we’re making it easier to jump directly into text extractor via Win + Shift + T. You can learn more about using text extractor here. You should be on Snipping Tool version 11.2503.29.0 or higher as well.

Settings

We are rolling out some small changes for your setting your browser defaults in Windows 11 via Settings > Apps > Default apps:

1. For Add new link/file types of ‘Set Default’ button, we have added additional types for the “Set Default” button. You can now set more types.
2. For one-click button of PDF for browser sets, we have added a new button for making your default browser also the default app for PDF files.

How to enable Windows 11 features

Microsoft often rolls out new features gradually. You can, however, enable many features by force.

To try AI Actions in File Explorer, you need to join the Windows Insider Program. Then, enroll your PC in the Dev or Beta Channel.

You then need to download ViVeTool and use the id "54792954,55345819" to enable the feature. X user phantomofearth highlighted the ID needed to enable the feature. They also shared a screenshot of AI Actions in File Explorer.

You need to be on the latest Dev or Beta build of Windows 11 to enable AI Actions in File Explorer.

Generally speaking, I recommend waiting until a feature rolls out to your system, especially if it's a minor addition. But if you're eager to test the latest features in Windows 11, there's a way to do so.

Microsoft unveiled a "new generation of Windows experiences" last week. Many of those features leverage AI-focused hardware, and Windows Insiders can already try some of them out.

A pair of Windows Insider builds shipped this week, giving select users a first glimpse at the next generation of Windows features. Those in the Beta Channel can jump to Windows 11 Build 26120.3964 while users in the Dev Channel can upgrade to Windows 11 Build 26200.5600.

Some of the features are available through both channels, such as Intelligent text actions in Click to Do rolling out to AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs.

Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs often get to use features first. For example, AI agent in the Settings app is limited to Windows Insiders with Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs at the moment.

Click to Do is an AI-powered feature that can perform contextual actions based on what appears on your screen. The tool is a main focus of the next wave of Copilot+ PC features.

Intelligent text actions within Click to Do are now available for testing by Windows Insiders with AMD or Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs.

Below are the changelogs for both builds, as outlined by Microsoft.

Beta Channel: New Copilot+ PC experiences

Introducing the new agent in Settings

Last week, we announced a change to Settings designed to help solve one of the most common frustrations we heard: finding and changing settings on your PC. With this update to Settings, you will be able to simply describe what you need help with like, “how to control my PC by voice” or “my mouse pointer is too small” and the agent will recommend the right steps you can take to address the issue. An agent uses AI on your PC to understand your intent and with your permission, automate and execute tasks on your behalf. This experience is rolling out to Windows Insiders on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs with support for AMD- and Intel-powered PCs coming soon. Please note that this experience works if your primary display language is set to English.

Intelligent text actions in Click to Do for AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs

We’re introducing more intelligent text actions to enhance your Click to Do experience even further on AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs. Use WIN key + mouse-click or WIN + Q to select a text block and then drag to select the text that you want. You’ll see options to Summarize, Create a bulleted list, or to help you Rewrite your text, so it sounds more causal, more formal, or more polished.

Click to Do leverages the capabilities of Phi Silica, the on-device Small Language Model (SLM) that is built right into Windows. Results from our local model will show directly inline and if you’re happy with the rewrites you can copy them directly to your clipboard for use anywhere.

The intelligent text actions are available when your default language is set to English, at least 10 words are selected, and you’re signed in with either a Microsoft account or Microsoft Entra account. You can learn more about using Click to Do here.

Beta Channel: Changes and Improvements

Click to Do (Preview)

• ⁠For Windows Insiders using French or Spanish as their primary language on their PC, Click to Do will temporarily only provide Summarize, Create a bulleted list, Refine as intelligent text actions. Rewrite and its options, including Refine, will return in a future update.

Dynamic Lighting

• Dynamic Lighting compatible devices can now be safely removed using the “Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media” taskbar icon.

Settings

We’re making it easy to find answers to common questions about your PC and Windows 11 with a dedicated FAQs section on the Settings > System > About page, providing quick and helpful insights for using your PC all in one place. Whether you’re curious about system configuration, performance, or compatibility, this experience ensures you get the information you need for the frequently asked questions for those topics. We hope these FAQs will help you make informed decisions about your PC with ease.

Dev Channel: New Copilot+ PC experiences

Intelligent text actions in Click to Do for AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs

We’re introducing more intelligent text actions to enhance your Click to Do experience even further on AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs. Use WIN key + mouse-click or WIN + Q to select a text block and then drag to select the text that you want. You’ll see options to Summarize, Create a bulleted list, or to help you Rewrite your text, so it sounds more causal, more formal, or more polished.

Click to Do leverages the capabilities of Phi Silica, the on-device Small Language Model (SLM) that is built right into Windows. Results from our local model will show directly inline and if you’re happy with the rewrites you can copy them directly to your clipboard for use anywhere.

The intelligent text actions are available when your default language is set to English, at least 10 words are selected, and you’re signed in with either a Microsoft account or Microsoft Entra account. You can learn more about using Click to Do here.

Dev Channel: Changes and Improvements

Click to Do (Preview)

• ⁠For Windows Insiders using French or Spanish as their primary language on their PC, Click to Do will temporarily only provide Summarize, Create a bulleted list, Refine as intelligent text actions. Rewrite and its options, including Refine, will return in a future update.

Dynamic Lighting

• Dynamic Lighting compatible devices can now be safely removed using the “Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media” taskbar icon.

Settings

• The new agent in Settings experience is currently beginning to roll out to Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel first and once the right ML models are set up for the Dev Channel, we will begin rolling this experience out in the Dev Channel with a future flight.
• We’re making it easy to find answers to common questions about your PC and Windows 11 with a dedicated FAQs section on the Settings > System > About page, providing quick and helpful insights for using your PC all in one place. Whether you’re curious about system configuration, performance, or compatibility, this experience ensures you get the information you need for the frequently asked questions for those topics. We hope these FAQs will help you make informed decisions about your PC with ease.

Your thoughts

The new Copilot+ PC and Windows features have caused some controversy. While it's possible to disable many features or simply not use them, there are people who would prefer not to have AI features on their PCs at all.

I enjoy it when Windows 11 gains new features, as long as it's possible to disable the features or remove them entirely.

How do you feel about the increasing number of AI capabilities shipping to Windows 11 PCs? Let us know in the comments below.