Beta Channel Archives

Winsage

February 27, 2026

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7934 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7934 (KB5077242) has been released to the Beta Channel. Key updates include: - Enhanced security and performance for batch files with a new secure mode that ensures batch files remain unchanged during execution, improving performance and security. - Shared audio feature now includes individual volume sliders for each listener and a taskbar indicator for ongoing audio sharing sessions. - A new command for Narrator users allows reading the status bar contents in applications like Word and Excel. - The rollout of improved taskbar animations has been temporarily paused. - Reliability improvements for removing Windows Update files and windows.old files. - Enhanced typing reliability with the ADLaM keyboard. - The Paint app has introduced a freeform rotate feature for shapes, text, and selections. Insiders can access these updates through Settings > Windows Update, and features may be gradually rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology. A desktop watermark is displayed for Windows Insider pre-release builds.

Winsage

February 26, 2026

Windows 11 25H2: When Release Preview suddenly plays beta

Users of Windows 11 25H2 in the Release Preview channel experienced an unexpected transition to the Beta channel after installing Build 26200.7921, as the Release Preview option disappeared from the selection menu due to a server configuration issue. This change forced Windows Update to download version 26220.7872 without user consent. The distinction between the channels is significant, with Release Preview operating within the 26200 band and Beta in the 26220 band. On February 25, 2026, Microsoft restored the Release Preview channel, allowing users to revert to it through a manual update. The Insider Program has evolved into a complex system involving build bands, server-side feature gates, telemetry evaluation, and dynamic channel assignment, which can lead to misconfigurations. Best practices for participants include regularly checking for updates, managing automatic installations, and maintaining recovery snapshots.

Winsage

February 21, 2026

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7872 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7872 (KB5077231) has been released to the Beta Channel, featuring several changes and improvements. The context menu now aligns the “Open” verb with the icon of the file’s default application for .exe, .bat, or .cmd files. The ‘Device info’ Card on the Settings Home page has been refined for better clarity of device specifications, and essential hardware details are now prominently displayed at the top of the Settings > System > About page. Additionally, the animations for mousing over app groups on the taskbar have been enhanced. The updates are gradually rolled out, and users can opt to receive the latest updates via Settings > Windows Update. Features may evolve, be removed, or replaced based on feedback.

Winsage

February 18, 2026

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7859 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7859 (KB5077223) has been released to the Beta Channel, introducing new features and improvements. For Microsoft 365 Family subscribers, there is a new option to upgrade to a different 365 plan on the Accounts page in the Settings app, which can be disabled if a streamlined experience is preferred. Improvements include enhanced reliability for app icons in the system tray when the taskbar is set to autohide, resolution of an issue causing File Explorer windows and tabs to jump unexpectedly, improved reliability for sending larger files via nearby sharing, and increased reliability in configuring options in Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Wheel. Updates are based on Windows 11, version 25H2, and many features are being rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology. Users can opt to receive features sooner by enabling the toggle in Settings > Windows Update. Some features may not be released beyond the Insider program and may evolve or be removed based on feedback. Localization for some features may still be in development.

Winsage

January 28, 2026

Microsoft vows to make “behind-the-scenes platform changes” as it begins testing next phase of Windows 11

Microsoft is testing new builds in the Insider Dev Channel, advancing to the 26300 series. These builds will include features from the 26220 series, which will remain in the Beta Channel. The 26300 builds are expected to be finalized as version 26H2 this fall, while version 26H1 is set to launch in the spring for next-generation Arm devices. The upcoming version 26H1 is based on a newer platform, codenamed Bromine, while 26H2 will be built on an older platform version. Insiders can test the 26300 series builds by enrolling in the Insider Dev Channel and checking for updates in Windows Update.

Winsage

January 28, 2026

Windows 11 26H2: Expected features, platform changes, and potential release schedule

Windows 11 follows an annual feature update schedule, with the 26H2 update expected to launch in late 2026. This update will be the next major version after 25H2 and will continue to use the Germanium platform. It may function as an enablement package, activating existing features rather than introducing new ones. Anticipated features include increased AI capabilities in applications like Paint and Notepad, refined dark mode options, a revamped Run dialogue box, an AI-powered search feature, and the Xbox Full Screen experience. The build number will increase to 26300. The 26H2 update is projected for a September or October release in 2026.

Winsage

January 28, 2026

Microsoft Issues Several Windows Insider Preview Builds

The Windows Insider Program has shifted significantly, with new builds released across the Dev, Beta, and Release Preview channels. The Dev channel has advanced to the 26300 series builds, moving away from the 26200 series of the Beta channel. Users on the Dev channel will upgrade to Windows 11 version 25H2 build 26300.7674 with the installation of build KB5074170, which focuses on fixes without new functionalities. The Beta channel will receive cumulative update KB5074169, upgrading to Windows 11 version 25H2 build 26220.7670, also centered on fixes. The Release Preview build KB5074105 introduces new features for both 25H2 and 24H2 versions, elevating them to builds 26200.7701 and 26100.7701, respectively. Key improvements include multi-language support for the Agent in Settings, cross-device resume capabilities, enhanced MIDI support, customizable Narrator options, a new Devices card in Settings, easier toggling of Smart App Control, improved Voice Access and Voice Typing features, and expanded support for external fingerprint readers in Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-In Security.

Winsage

January 22, 2026

Windows 11 backgrounds are finally joining the modern era.

The latest Windows Insider build, 26220.7653, allows users to set .webp images as their desktop background on Windows 11 through the Beta Channel. The design of dialogs in "Accounts > Other Users" has been updated to use the modern WinUI framework and support dark mode, contingent on having a domain-joined work or school account. The Click to Do feature now loads Copilot prompt suggestions instantly, although this is not available to Insiders in the European Economic Area or China. Various fixes have been implemented, including resolving issues with the taskbar, Bluetooth device battery level display, login screen password icon, and Settings crashing when interacting with audio devices. Additionally, issues related to Notepad, explorer.exe, and msinfo32 have been addressed.

Winsage

January 16, 2026

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7653 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7653 (KB5074157) has been released to the Beta Channel. Changes and Improvements: - The "Accounts > Other Users" dialog has been redesigned using the WinUI framework and now supports dark mode. - Copilot prompt suggestions in Click to Do will load instantly, but this change is not available for Insiders in the EEA or China. - Users can now set .webp images as their desktop background. Fixes: - Taskbar autohide issue resolved. - Start menu memory leak fixed and issues with incorrect opening side for Arabic and Hebrew users addressed. - Bluetooth battery level display issue resolved. - Fixed unexpected app behavior in Xbox full-screen experience. - Login screen password icon issue fixed. - Resolved crash in Settings when interacting with audio devices. - Fixed keyboard character repeat delay settings discrepancy. - Addressed clipped text issues in msinfo32 and installation errors with .appinstaller files. - Notepad font display issue corrected. - Fixed explorer.exe hang issue upon logging in. Known Issues: - Some applications may exhibit unexpected behavior in Xbox full-screen experience. - Investigating visibility issues of apps in the system tray for some Insiders. - Addressing display issues on secondary monitors showing black screens. - Working on a fix for Microsoft 365 Copilot prompt box functionality when the app is not running. Reminders: - Updates are based on Windows 11, version 25H2. - Features are rolled out gradually using Controlled Feature Rollout technology. - Features in development may not be released to the public and can evolve or be removed.

Winsage

January 12, 2026

Windows 11 Insider Build 26220.7535 Adds Narrator Copilot Features and Removal Policy

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7535 (KB5072046) to the Dev and Beta Channels, focusing on accessibility enhancements and improvements for managing Copilot features. The update introduces Copilot-powered image descriptions via the Narrator feature, allowing users to generate detailed descriptions of images on all Windows 11 devices. This functionality is available on Copilot+ PCs without cloud data transmission and is also extended to non-Copilot+ systems, though it is currently unavailable in the European Economic Area. Additionally, a new Group Policy option titled Remove Microsoft Copilot App allows administrators to uninstall the Copilot app under specific conditions. The build also includes a refresh of the Windows Spotlight desktop icon and various bug fixes addressing issues in the Start menu, File Explorer, printing dialog, Snipping Tool, and Windows Update. Known issues remain, including interaction problems in the Start menu and crashes in Settings. The features in this build are being rolled out gradually and may change before general release.