Desktop Spotlight Archives

Winsage

December 16, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28020.1362 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28020.1362 has been released to the Canary Channel. Key updates include: - Full screen experience (FSE) for handheld devices is now available on more devices, enhancing gaming through the Xbox app. - The Click to Do context menu has been redesigned for easier access to actions like Copy and Save. - Enhancements to the agent in Settings for quicker modifications and more search results. - Windows Studio Effects now supports additional cameras beyond integrated ones. - Drag Tray feature supports multi-file sharing and intelligent app suggestions. - Dark mode improvements in File Explorer for consistency across various dialogs. - Users can manage mobile devices from the Settings under Bluetooth & Devices. - New context menu options for Windows Spotlight backgrounds. - More keyboard settings transitioned to Settings, including character repeat delay and cursor blink rate. - Updates to Game Pass branding in Settings. - New OneDrive icon in Accounts and Homepages within Settings. - Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) will perform a one-time scan for solutions. - Virtual Workspaces can now be activated in Advanced Settings. - Various fixes for issues in File Explorer, Settings, Taskbar, Start menu, internet connectivity, display and graphics, login and lock screens, Narrator, Windows Update, Task Manager, and app responsiveness. Additionally, Paint version 11.2511.281.0 introduces a collapsible toolbar feature.

Winsage

November 18, 2025

Windows Insider Program Releases Copilot Actions, New Release Preview Builds

The Windows Insider Program has introduced Copilot Actions, an AI feature in the Copilot app for Windows 11, allowing users to specify tasks for an AI agent to perform. This feature is currently experimental and requires the latest version of the Copilot app (1.25112.74 or higher) to access. Additionally, new Release Preview builds for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2 have been released, transitioning users to build 26200.7296 (25H2) or 26100.7296 (24H2) with cumulative update KB5070311. Key features in these builds include Windows Studio Effects for USB webcams, enhancements to Click to Do, improvements in the Agent in Settings, updates to File Explorer, Desktop Spotlight enhancements, Drag Tray improvements, Settings updates, Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security for external fingerprint sensors, Share enhancements for OneDrive files, mobile device management improvements, Quick Machine Recovery updates, and Widgets enhancements. A new Canary build for Windows 11 version 26H1 (build 28000.1199) is also available, but it does not introduce new features or significant changes.

Winsage

September 20, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.6690 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.6690 (KB5065786) has been released for Dev Channel users on Windows 11, version 25H2. This update includes new features and improvements, such as: - A translation feature in Click to Do powered by Microsoft Copilot, allowing users to translate on-screen text. - An option to share screens with Copilot when hovering over an app on the taskbar. - New options in Desktop Spotlight for accessing background information. - A refreshed account management experience in Settings, renaming "Email & accounts" to "Your accounts." Fixes include: - Resolution of an issue causing File Explorer to become unresponsive with UNC server names. - A fix for installation failures leading to error 0x80070002. - Resolution of audio issues from recent updates. - Fix for the "Add an optional feature" option not loading under certain conditions. Known issues include: - Swipe visuals appearing on the incorrect display when launching Click to Do. - Media controls not appearing on the lock screen. - New animations on taskbar previews temporarily disabled. - Unexpected text in search results. - Camera preview failures with certain external webcams when using Windows Studio Effects. - Issues with Xbox Controllers via Bluetooth causing bugchecks. Windows Insiders are encouraged to provide feedback and report any issues encountered.

Winsage

March 1, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27802 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27802 has been released to the Canary Channel, with no plans for SDKs for the 27xxx series builds. Key updates include improved battery iconography, featuring colored icons to indicate charging states (green for optimal charging, yellow for energy-saving mode below 20%, and red for critically low battery). Users can display battery percentage in the system tray by toggling the option in Settings. New features include file sharing from taskbar jump lists and changes to the Desktop Spotlight icon interaction model. Several fixes have been implemented, including resolving installation errors and issues in File Explorer, Taskbar, Input, Lock Screen, Administrator Protection, Audio, and Remote Desktop. Known issues include potential loss of Windows Hello PIN on Copilot+ PCs transitioning to the Canary Channel, bugchecks in certain games and printing applications, and display issues with new battery icon colors. Insiders are reminded that features in the Canary Channel may change and that a clean installation is required to exit this channel.

Winsage

February 28, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27802 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27802 has been released to the Canary Channel. Key updates include new battery iconography with colored icons indicating charging states (green for charging, yellow for energy-saving mode, and red for critically low battery), an option to display battery percentage in the system tray, and the ability to share files directly from taskbar jump lists. Changes also include improvements to the Desktop Spotlight icon interaction and various bug fixes across different components, such as File Explorer and audio issues. Known issues include potential problems with Windows Hello PIN, certain games causing bugchecks, and printing from specific applications leading to errors. Users transitioning to the Canary Channel may face issues that require a clean installation to exit the channel.

Winsage

December 16, 2024

Windows 11 will finally support this highly requested webcam feature

Windows 11 is introducing a multi-app camera feature in Build 26120.2702, allowing multiple applications to access the same camera simultaneously. This functionality aims to improve accessibility for the Hard-of-Hearing community by enabling video streaming to both a sign language interpreter and the audience at the same time. Users can access this feature through new configuration options in the Settings app, which will also include options for basic camera features and troubleshooting. Additionally, Microsoft is adding API support for third-party passkey providers in this build. Windows 11 Build 22635.4655 included minor updates, such as improvements to the Start menu's recommended websites filtering, experiments with the lock screen's hotspot, changes to the Desktop Spotlight icon interaction, and a visual preview in the Windows share window for shared links or web content.

Winsage

December 13, 2024

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.4655 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.4655 (KB5048753) has been released to the Beta Channel. Key updates include: - Enhanced filtering for recommended websites on the Start menu. - New interaction model for the lock screen's spotlight feature, allowing users to explore images further. - Changes to the Desktop Spotlight icon, enabling users to learn more about their background images. - A visual preview of links and web content in the Windows share window. - A fix for an issue with window previews not appearing on the taskbar. Additionally, Microsoft Edge Game Assist (Preview) is introduced, providing a gaming-centric browsing experience that integrates with the Game Bar and shares browser data across devices. Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel will receive updates based on Windows 11, version 23H2, with features gradually rolled out using Control Feature Rollout technology. Features may evolve or be removed based on feedback, and localization issues may be addressed over time.

Winsage

December 13, 2024

KB5048753: Windows 11 gets better Start menu filter, new Edge gaming assist, and more

Microsoft has released a new build for Windows 11 Insiders in the Beta channel, identified as build 22635.4655 under KB5048753. Key enhancements include improved Start menu filtering for recommended websites, a new Edge Game Assist feature, and updates to Spotlight functionality. Changes include enhanced filtering for recommended websites in the Start menu, new treatments for the lock screen's top right hotspot allowing users to learn more about spotlight images, and updates to the Desktop Spotlight icon interaction model. The Windows share window now displays a visual preview of links and web content. Fixes include resolving an issue with window previews not displaying for certain open apps in the taskbar. The Microsoft Edge Game Assist (Preview) feature allows users to access browser data while gaming, providing tips and guides relevant to the games being played, and sharing the same browser data as Edge on the PC.

Winsage

September 3, 2024

One of the best tools for updating your Windows wallpaper is about to get an update

Microsoft is developing new flyouts for Windows Spotlight, which will enhance user experience by providing more options for discovering information about daily wallpapers tailored to user interests. Users must be part of the Beta Channel Insider program and enable the feature via Vivetool to access these new options. Currently, three flyout variants are being tested: a compact flyout menu without search links, a minimized flyout that cannot be expanded, and the existing flyout associated with Windows Spotlight.

Winsage

September 2, 2024

Microsoft is making the Desktop Spotlight feature hog less of your screen

Microsoft is updating the Windows Spotlight interface to enhance user experience by allowing users to minimize UI elements, which will enable a cleaner view of the wallpaper images. The new Desktop Spotlight will offer three variants, including a reduced flyout option that removes search links. Users will still have the option to retain the traditional layout if they prefer the existing search functionalities. The update aims to improve the presentation of images while providing flexibility in user preferences.