Windows 10 20H1 build 18855 heads out to Skip Ahead Insiders

Microsoft Surface Pro 6
Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Image credit: Windows Central)

Microsoft is pushing out another fresh Windows 10 20H1 preview build to Skip Ahead Insiders today. The latest release moves the build number up to 18855, and it's largely made up of bug fixes and general improvements across the board. There are, of course, several known issues to be aware of as well.

Here's a look at all of what's new in Windows 10 20H1 build 18855.

General changes, improvements, and fixes for PC

  • Notepad now automatically restores unsaved content when Windows restarts for updates.
  • We've enabled microphone in Windows Sandbox, which among other things will improve several accessibility scenarios.
  • We've enabled microphone in Windows Sandbox, which among other things will improve several accessibility scenarios.
  • We've added functionality to configure the audio input device via the Windows Sandbox config file.
  • We've fixed an issue in which the Windows Sandbox time zone was not synchronized with the host.
  • We've enabled the Shift + Alt + PrintScreen key sequence in Windows Sandbox which activates the ease of access dialog for enabling high contrast mode.
  • We've enabled the ctrl + alt + break key sequence in Windows Sandbox which allows entering/exiting fullscreen mode.
  • We fixed a recent issue resulting in some Insiders experiencing bug checks upon lid close, monitor plug, or monitor unplug.
  • We fixed an issue resulting in preferred region settings getting reset on upgrade in the last few flights.
  • We fixed an issue resulting in the Chinese version of multiple games not working.
  • We fixed an issue in memcpy that caused some drivers to hard-hang the system on load; this could manifest as a hang on upgrade, depending on the system.
  • We fixed an issue from recent builds that could result in monitors being missing from the built-in Color Management application.
  • We fixed an issue causing Explorer.exe to crash for some Insiders when Jump list content was updated.
  • We fixed an issue where text scaling values did not persist across upgrades for Win32 applications.
  • Due to a Narrator reading reliability issue for the "Change how capitalized text is read" feature, the feature has been disabled starting in build 18855.
  • We fixed an issue that could cause the touch keyboard to crash when switching from IME-based languages to another language.

Known issues

  • Launching games that use anti-cheat software may trigger a bugcheck (GSOD).
  • While this flight contains some night light improvements, we're continuing to investigate reported issues in this space.
  • When performing Reset this PC and selecting Keep my files on a device that has Reserved Storage enabled, the user will need to initiate an extra reboot to ensure Reserved Storage is working again properly.
  • Some Realtek SD card readers are not functioning properly. We are investigating the issue.
  • Creative X-Fi sound cards are not functioning properly. We are partnering with Creative to resolve this issue.
  • We're investigating an issue preventing VMware from being able to install or update Windows Insider Preview builds. Hyper-V is a viable alternative if available to you.
  • If you install any of the recent builds from the Skip Ahead and switch to either the Fast ring or the Slow ring, optional content such as enabling developer mode will fail. You will have to remain in the Fast ring to add/install/enable optional content. This is because optional content will only install on builds approved for specific rings.

As always, you can check out the full release notes at the Windows Blog. Otherwise, if you're enrolled in the Skip Ahead ring, you can grab build 18855 from Windows Update now.

Dan Thorp-Lancaster

Dan Thorp-Lancaster is the former Editor-in-Chief of Windows Central. He began working with Windows Central, Android Central, and iMore as a news writer in 2014 and is obsessed with tech of all sorts. You can follow Dan on Twitter @DthorpL and Instagram @heyitsdtl