The March Windows 11 Insider Update adds 9 fresh features and improvements worth knowing

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

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