Beta Channel Archives

Winsage

August 29, 2026

Install Windows 11 on Steam Deck OLED: 12 Steps [2026]

The Steam Deck OLED has limitations in running certain Windows applications and games, particularly those with kernel-level anti-cheat systems. Valve has provided an official Windows driver bundle for the OLED model since 2024, and by 2026, a community-developed process for dual-booting Windows 11 alongside SteamOS has emerged. Running Windows 11 may be necessary for games that do not perform well on SteamOS, especially competitive titles. The Steam Deck OLED requires specific prerequisites for dual-booting, including a fully charged device, updated SteamOS, sufficient free storage, a Windows 11 license, and a USB flash drive for installation. Users must follow a detailed installation process that includes updating SteamOS, creating a recovery drive, downloading Windows 11, and configuring the system for dual-booting. Common pitfalls include skipping the recovery drive and under-allocating storage for Windows. Battery life on Windows is shorter than on SteamOS, and users should be aware of this when deciding to dual-boot. The dual-boot setup does not void the warranty, and it is possible to revert to a SteamOS-only setup later.

Winsage

August 18, 2026

Microsoft Vows To Fix Windows 11’s ‘Cluttered And Sluggish’ Right-Click Menu

Microsoft has released an update in its Insider Experimental Preview build for Windows 11, specifically Build 26340.9212, featuring a redesigned right-click menu in File Explorer that is more aesthetically pleasing and organized intuitively. This update includes a customizable dropdown menu for app extension options, addressing a banding issue with image previews, and introducing various enhancements such as updated "Get Started" screens, a modernized Magnifier tool, and upgraded Emoji 17.0 designs. Additional changes include new entry points for the Camera Roll Backup feature, the removal of the deprecated Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line, and the discontinuation of the Drag Tray. The update aims to improve performance and user interface experiences, particularly in File Explorer.

Winsage

August 18, 2026

Microsoft is working on a major WinRE enhancement for IT admins in Windows 11

Microsoft has introduced updates in Windows 11 Insider Preview builds, including the removal of the Drag Tray experience and the discontinuation of the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) tool. The Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) has been upgraded to improve connectivity options, allowing users to automatically utilize eligible saved Wi-Fi profiles, including those with certificate-based authentication. Previously, WinRE's networking capabilities were limited, requiring manual connections for certain networks. This enhancement is currently being rolled out to Windows 11 Beta Insiders and is expected to be available to broader Windows 11 version 26H2 users later this year.

Winsage

August 8, 2026

Windows 11 Brings Back Popular Feature

Microsoft is testing a freely movable taskbar in the latest insider versions of Windows 11, allowing users to reposition it to the top, left, or right edges of their screens. This feature, previously available in Windows 10, was missing in Windows 11, leading to user criticism. Insiders can currently move the taskbar, and initial screenshots show that the Start menu adjusts accordingly. While there is no official release timeline, the feature's presence in the Beta channel indicates development is progressing, with speculation that it may be included in the upcoming Windows 11 26H2 update.

Winsage

August 2, 2026

Windows 11: Movable and Smaller Taskbar in Beta Test

Microsoft is expanding the testing of its redesigned taskbar for Windows 11 to the Beta Channel of the Windows Insider Program with the release of Beta Build 26220.9022 on July 31, 2026. This update allows selected participants to reposition the taskbar along any edge of the screen—top, left, right, or bottom—and introduces a more compact variant that reduces icon size and overall height. Users can adjust their taskbar position through the Settings menu under Personalization, and Windows will adapt associated flyouts and animations accordingly. The implementation aims to restore flexibility lost when Windows 11 was launched, where the taskbar was fixed to the bottom of the screen. However, some features remain under development, and limitations exist for alternative positions, including incomplete touch gestures and a simplified search box. The compact taskbar feature currently only supports reduced height at the top or bottom positions. Microsoft is also exploring taskbar positioning across multiple monitors but has not guaranteed different positions for each screen. The recent updates include renewed certificates for the Windows Insider Program and additional builds, with the timeline for stable release of these taskbar adjustments still uncertain.

AppWizard

July 26, 2026

13 years on, unfinishable survival game Project Zomboid is getting a major update with an expanded Kentucky map, animal husbandry, and revised crafting

Project Zomboid's Build 42 update is set to launch on July 29th, after two years of development. This update is described as one of the broadest in the game's history and includes new features such as animal husbandry, an overhaul of crafting and building systems, newly designed areas, enriched backstories, an enhanced lighting system, and a refined user interface. Existing saves from Build 41 will not be compatible with Build 42, and players wishing to continue in Build 41 must join the "legacy41" beta channel.

Winsage

July 21, 2026

Windows 11 Start menu changes trickle into Beta, movable taskbar still MIA

Microsoft is rolling out updates to the Windows 11 Beta channel, specifically Build 26220.8925, which includes adjustable size options for the Start menu and renames the "Recommended" section to "Recent." Users can select between small and large menu sizes, access a redesigned settings page, and hide their name and picture. The ability to reposition the taskbar is still not available, as it remains in experimental builds, despite user demand. Windows 11 has higher system requirements than Windows 10, needing a minimum of 4 GB of RAM compared to 2 GB for Windows 10. Users are expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of support for older PCs that previously ran Windows 10 effectively.

Winsage

June 28, 2026

Microsoft Weekly: 5 years of Windows 11, more support for Windows 10, and expensive Xbox

Microsoft's Windows 11 celebrated its fifth anniversary on June 24, 2026, and is undergoing regular updates to improve user experience, particularly addressing search functionality. Microsoft has extended the Extended Security Updates program for Windows 10 for an additional year. A non-security update for Windows 11, KB5095093, was released, introducing enhancements such as point-in-time restore capabilities and accessibility improvements. In the Windows Insider Program, new builds were released across various channels, including accessibility features and improvements to File Explorer. Microsoft has discontinued the AI-powered browsing history search feature in Edge due to user feedback. PowerToys version 0.100.1 has been updated with improvements and bug fixes. In gaming, Microsoft announced a price increase for Xbox consoles effective August 1, 2026, with the Xbox Series X|S models seeing price hikes. The 2TB Xbox Series X will be discontinued, but new accessibility programs are being introduced. Valve's upcoming Steam Machine console is priced at ,049 for the 512GB configuration. Rockstar Games announced that Grand Theft Auto VI will launch at .99 for the base edition and .99 for the ultimate edition. NVIDIA announced new titles for its GeForce NOW streaming service, while Steam is hosting its annual Summer Sale until July 9, and the Epic Games Store is offering free games and deals.

Winsage

June 26, 2026

Windows Update Will Start Showing New Insider Channel System to all Windows 11 Users

The Windows Insider Channel system is expanding to all Windows 11 users via Windows Update, allowing non-Insiders to join the program. The previous Canary, Dev, and Beta Channels will be replaced by the Experimental and Beta Channel options. The Experimental Channel will introduce new features first and allow user feedback to shape developments, while the Beta Channel will provide early access to upcoming features but will discontinue controlled feature rollouts. Microsoft recently released five new builds across the Beta and Experimental Channels, including a new taskbar size setting in the Experimental build 26300.8758 to enhance taskbar customizability.

Winsage

June 19, 2026

Microsoft Announces New Insider Builds, a Bit of 26H2 News

Microsoft has released five new Windows Insider Preview builds and updates for Windows 11 version 26H2. Devices in the Experimental channel will soon update to version 26H2, which can be checked in Settings > System > About or using the winver command. Users in the Beta channel can switch to Experimental via Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program, and can revert back to Beta without reinstalling Windows. PCs on Experimental for versions 24H2 or 25H2 will be upgraded to 26H2, with both versions currently supported. Snapdragon X2-based PCs running Windows 11 on Arm will remain on version 26H1 and will not receive an update to 26H2, but may have a future release potentially called Windows 12. The latest builds are: - Beta (25H2): Build 26220.8690, enhancing reliability of Start, Taskbar, Settings, and virtualization. - Experimental (24H2/25H2?): Build 26300.8697, updating to 26H2 with improvements to File Explorer Copy dialog in Dark mode and reliability enhancements. - Beta (26H1): Build 28020.2308, with minor bug fixes and improved HD Audio driver reliability. - Experimental (26H1): Build 28120.2315, offering similar improvements as the Beta update. - Experimental (Future Platforms, Including Canary 29600 series): Build 29613.1000, enhancing Settings > System > Sounds based on user feedback.