Hello Windows Insiders, today marks the release of Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5551 (KB5055617) to the Dev Channel. A gentle reminder: with the introduction of Build 26200.5510 on March 24th, the Dev Channel has advanced to the 26200 series builds. Consequently, the option to transition from the Dev Channel to the Beta Channel is no longer available. These builds are rooted in Windows 11, version 24H2 and will share numerous features and enhancements with the ongoing 26120 series builds in the Beta Channel. As we progress, expect to see various behind-the-scenes platform modifications, which may lead to different known issues compared to those in the Beta Channel.
New Copilot+ PC experiences
Find the settings you want more easily with the Windows search box
In our quest to enhance Windows Search on Copilot+ PCs, we are excited to introduce a new feature that allows users to type in their desired settings directly into the Windows search box on the taskbar. No longer will you need to recall the precise name of the setting. For instance, you can simply express your needs with phrases like “change my theme” or “about my PC.” Thanks to the impressive capabilities of the 40+ TOPS NPU integrated into Copilot+ PCs, these search enhancements will function even without an internet connection. For further insights into semantic search on Copilot+ PCs, click here.
FEEDBACK for Windows Taskbar Search: Please share your thoughts in the Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Desktop Environment > Search.
Making visual content more accessible with image descriptions in Narrator
We are committed to enhancing digital accessibility by introducing rich, detailed descriptions of images, charts, and graphs in Narrator, powered by AI on Copilot+ PCs. In an era where visuals abound across websites, apps, and documents, many remain inaccessible to blind and low-vision users due to insufficient or missing alt text.
With this new rollout, Narrator will now generate comprehensive image descriptions on your Copilot+ PC. By simply pressing the Narrator key + Ctrl + D, users will receive contextual descriptions of images, detailing elements such as people, objects, colors, text, and numbers. On non-Copilot+ PCs, the experience will continue to provide basic image descriptions.
For example, an image depicting stock performance will yield a description like: “The image is a graph showing the stock prices of Microsoft Corporation, alongside the S&P 500 and NASDAQ Computer indexes, illustrating a steady increase in Microsoft’s stock price from June 18th to June 23rd.”
This feature is currently available on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, with support for AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs on the horizon. To activate Narrator, press “Ctrl + Windows key + Enter” or search for “Narrator” in the Windows search box. The first time you utilize the image descriptions feature with Narrator Key + Ctrl + D, the necessary models for generating image descriptions will be downloaded. You can monitor the download status via Settings > Windows update.
If you are new to Narrator, comprehensive information and guidance can be found in the complete guide to Narrator.
For frequently asked questions about rich image descriptions in Narrator, click here.
FEEDBACK: Please share your feedback in the Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Accessibility > Narrator.
Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out to the Dev Channel with toggle on*
[Widgets]
- We are experimenting with the capability to read content such as full articles, slideshows, and videos directly within your MSN feed on the widgets board in Windows 11. We encourage you to try it out and provide feedback using the button at the top of your widgets board. Remember, you can manage the visibility of your MSN feed in the widgets board through the widget settings. This change is being rolled out to Windows Insiders across all channels.
The following improvements are for Windows Insiders in the European Economic Area (EEA) with the new lock screen widgets experience (previously referred to as “Weather and more”):
- Updates are being made to the new Widgets on Lock experience, including accessibility and craftsmanship enhancements. The Lock screen weather widget now supports customization. To configure your weather widget, navigate to Settings > Personalization > Lock screen and select the “Customize widget” option from the weather widget menu. More customizable widgets will be introduced in the future.
Fixes gradually being rolled out to the Dev Channel with toggle on*
[Recall (Preview)]
The following fixes are being implemented for Recall on Copilot+ PCs:
- Resolved an issue that could cause Settings to crash when adding an app to filter under Privacy & Security > Recall & Snapshots.
[File Explorer]
- Addressed an issue causing File Explorer Home to crash for certain Insiders following the latest flights.
- Fixed a problem where the Organize and New Folder options might not be visible in the Save Dialog when using dark mode.
[Taskbar]
- Rectified an issue that caused app icons in the taskbar to appear unexpectedly oversized after disconnecting from an external display and in other scenarios.
[Desktop icons]
- Updated the logic for apps pinned to the desktop, ensuring that packaged apps no longer display an accent-colored backplate (for instance, dragging and dropping Snipping Tool from the apps list in Start to the desktop). This adjustment should enhance the visibility of icons. Please note, you may need to create new shortcuts for this change to take effect if you already have items on your desktop.
[Input]
- If your touchpad was unresponsive in the previous flight, this issue should now be resolved.
[Graphics]
- Fixed an issue where using CopyPixels resulted in unexpected pixel inversion in certain cases.
- Resolved a problem where some JPG images were not displaying correctly, although they functioned properly in older builds.
Fixes for everyone in the Dev Channel
[General]
- We have rectified the issue that prevented Windows Sandbox from functioning in the last flight.
Known issues
[General]
- [IMPORTANT] Upon joining the Dev Channel on Windows 11, version 24H2, you will initially be offered Build 26200.5518. After installing that update, you will receive the most recent update available. This two-step process to access the latest 24H2-based flight in the Dev Channel is temporary.
- Following a PC reset under Settings > System > Recovery, your build version may inaccurately display as Build 26100 instead of Build 26200. This will not hinder your ability to receive future Beta Channel updates, which will rectify this issue.
- Quick Assist will not function for non-administrator users.
- [NEW] After installing this update, the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) may become non-functional, and the “Fix problems using Windows Update” option under Settings > Recovery may be inaccessible. These issues will be addressed in a forthcoming update.
- [NEW] Certain apps may appear blank post-update installation. Closing and relaunching the app may resolve the issue.
- [NEW] Some applications, such as Spotify, may fail to launch after this update. Uninstalling the update should allow these apps to function again. We are actively working on a solution. Please file feedback if you encounter this before uninstalling the update!
[Recall (Preview)]
- [REMINDER] You retain control and can opt to remove Recall at any time via “Turn Windows features on or off.” Removing Recall will delete entry points and binaries. Like any feature, Windows sometimes retains temporary copies of binaries for serviceability. These Recall binaries are non-executable and will be removed over time.
- [REMINDER] Ensure you update Microsoft 365 apps to the latest version to seamlessly return to specific documents.
The following known issues will be addressed in future updates for Windows Insiders:
- Some Insiders may face challenges where Recall cannot automatically save snapshots, and the setting cannot be activated in Settings. We are diligently working on a fix for this matter.
[Click to Do (Preview)]
- [REMINDER] The intelligent text actions are now moderated locally to ensure the safety of prompts and responses, replacing the previous cloud endpoint. With these intelligent text actions fully local, they are also accessible in Click to Do within Recall.
- [REMINDER] If any actions related to image entities are no longer visible, please ensure you have the latest updates for the Photos and Paint app from the Microsoft Store.
The following known issues will be resolved in future updates for Windows Insiders:
- In rare instances, Click to Do may fail to launch. A second attempt should successfully initiate Click to Do.
- There is an issue where images utilized with Click to Do image actions remain in your temp folder on your PC. This will be rectified in the next flight. You can manually clear your temp folder by navigating to C:Users{username}AppDataLocalTemp.
- We are investigating reports of the Click to Do icon incorrectly appearing on non-Copilot+ PCs. If you observe this on your non-Copilot+ PC, please provide feedback in the Feedback Hub.
[Improved Windows Search]
- [REMINDER] For enhanced Windows Search on Copilot+ PCs, it is advisable to connect your Copilot+ PC during the initial search indexing to ensure completion. You can verify your search indexing status under Settings > Privacy & security > Searching Windows.
[Task Manager]
- [NEW] Search and other options, such as filtering in Task Manager, are currently non-functional.
- After adding the new CPU Utility column, you may notice that the System Idle Process consistently displays as 0.
- The CPU graphs on the Performance page still utilize the previous CPU utility calculations.
Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel
- Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel receive updates based on Windows 11, version 24H2 through an enablement package (Build 26200.xxxx).
- Updates delivered to the Dev Channel are formatted to provide a preview of enhancements to servicing technology on Windows 11, version 24H2. For more information, visit this link.
- Many features in the Dev Channel are rolled out using Control Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and gradually expanding as we monitor feedback.
- For Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel eager to be among the first to receive features gradually rolled out to you, you can enable the toggle to access the latest updates as they become available via Settings > Windows Update*. Over time, we will increase feature rollouts to all users with the toggle activated. If you choose to keep this toggle off, new features will be gradually introduced to your PC as they are ready.
- Features and experiences included in these builds may never be released as we explore various concepts and gather feedback. Features may evolve, be removed, or replaced, and may not extend beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features could appear in future Windows releases when they are ready.
- Some features currently in development may not be fully localized, with localization occurring over time as features are finalized. If you encounter localization issues in your language, please report them via the Feedback Hub.
- Please note that certain accessibility features may not function with features like Recall and Click to Do during their preview phase with Windows Insiders.
- As the Dev and Beta Channels represent parallel development paths, there may be instances where features and experiences debut in the Beta Channel first.
- For a comprehensive overview of which build is in which Insider channel, please refer to Flight Hub.
Thank you for your continued engagement and feedback.
