Windows 11 version 26H1 plays catch up with new features brought over from version 25H2

Microsoft has released a new Windows 11 preview build for Insiders in the Canary Channel that introduces a number of new features that were previously in testing on the Insider Dev and Beta Channels. While still not totally caught up feature wise, the Canary Channel now has most preview features that are in testing.

The new Canary Channel build is 28020.1362, and introduces features like the ability to run the new Xbox full screen experience on more handhelds devices, the improved context menu design in Click To Do, and updates to Windows Settings search so that it can show more configurable options in the search box and recommended page.

Other features like the new file share drag tray, the ability to use Windows Studio Effects on external webcams, better mobile device settings in Windows Settings, and the improved dark mode in File Explorer changes are all now rolling out in the Canary Channel as of this new preview build too.

For a long time, the Windows Insider Canary Channel has missed out on a number of features that were put into testing in the Insider Dev and Beta Channels. This is because active feature development takes place on the current shipping platform release, which is called Germanium and is the platform release that is currently being tested in said Dev and Beta Channels.

The Canary Channel is on a much newer version of the Windows platform, codenamed Bromine, which features under the hood architectural improvements and advancements, but because active feature development work doesn't take place on this newer platform release yet, it takes longer for new features to arrive.

That's why Insiders in the Canary Channel often have to wait weeks or even months before they get to try new features that were originally released in preview on lower-tier Insider channels. The good news is that it looks like Microsoft is slowly getting better at ensuring the Canary Channel remains up to date, and at some point soon, Bromine will become the platform where active feature development takes place.

The Bromine platform release will ship in 2026 as Windows 11 version 26H1, first on new Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 powered devices. It's likely that Bromine will eventually ship for everyone, but not until version 26H2 in the second half of next year.

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