Experimental Channel Archives

Winsage

September 21, 2026

Windows 11 will soon reduce glare on your screen without ruining your photos or videos

Windows 11 is set to enhance its accessibility features, particularly with the Magnifier tool, introducing a new contrast theme that reduces glare without altering the colors of photos, videos, and charts. Users can activate this feature via the Magnifier toolbar and customize their preferences in the Accessibility settings. The Cloud rebuild feature will allow users to restore their PC to a clean state with options to sanitize drives during the process. IT administrators can also initiate a Cloud rebuild remotely. Live Captions will receive an update to include a setting that excludes audio from screen readers. Issues with Hyper-V related to sharing host folders with Linux VMs have been resolved. Additionally, a problem with File History backups failing has been fixed. Many of these updates have already been released to Insiders in the Beta Channel, and changes regarding Cloud rebuild are active in the Experimental Channel.

Winsage

September 19, 2026

Announcing new builds for 18 September 2026

New Windows 11 Insider Preview builds have been released for the Beta and Experimental channels. Notable new features include: - A new animation for the Mouse indicator in the Experimental channel, which can be activated through accessibility settings and kept visible until the escape key is pressed. - A new contrast theme toggle in the Magnifier, also in the Experimental channel, designed to reduce screen glare without altering the appearance of images, charts, and videos. - Updates to the Cloud rebuild feature in the Experimental channel, allowing users to restore their Windows 11 PC to a clean state and sanitize device drives during the process. IT administrators can now configure and initiate Cloud rebuild remotely via the Recovery CSP.

Winsage

September 19, 2026

Windows 11 is getting a better way to find your mouse cursor, and we tried it

Microsoft has released a modernized version of the Mouse Indicator in Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26340.9502 on September 18, 2026. This update features a new animation that can be activated through Accessibility settings, allowing users to keep the indicator on until they press the Esc key. Users can choose to activate the Mouse Indicator with a single or double Ctrl press. The previous version displayed a simplistic circle around the pointer briefly, while the new version offers a smoother, more dynamic animation. The feature is currently available only in the Insider build for the Experimental channel, and users can enable it by navigating to Settings > Accessibility > Mouse pointer and touch > Mouse indicator.

Winsage

September 17, 2026

Microsoft Confirms Windows 11 Speed Fixes Are Coming to All Users

Windows 11 users have experienced delays in File Explorer and the Start menu since the operating system's launch in 2021. Recent reports from Windows Insiders indicate significant improvements in system responsiveness, confirmed by Marcus Ash from Microsoft, who stated that these enhancements will be rolled out to all users by fall 2026. Recent cumulative updates have addressed issues like File Explorer lag and Start menu stuttering, with specific updates (KB5120998, KB5095093, and KB5089573) improving responsiveness and reducing micro-stutters. Enhancements to the taskbar, Start menu, and context menus are also being developed, including taskbar repositioning and streamlined context menus. Users on the 25H2 version can expect these improvements through cumulative updates before the 26H2 update this fall. Keeping Windows Update active will ensure access to these enhancements.

Winsage

September 9, 2026

Windows 11 is finally testing automatic theme switching, a basic feature that’s required a third-party app for years

Windows 11 will introduce automatic switching between dark mode and light mode, as revealed in the latest Windows Insider build. Users previously relied on third-party applications for scheduling transitions, but the new feature will allow automatic adjustments based on location and time. Key functionalities include scheduling auto mode, changing modes only when the PC is idle, and the option to turn on location services for automatic scheduling. The feature aims to simplify the user experience by integrating it directly into Windows 11.

Winsage

August 22, 2026

Announcing new builds for 21 August 2026

New Windows 11 Insider Preview builds are being rolled out for users in the Beta and Experimental Channels, addressing an issue with the Feature Flags list. Notable new features include: 1. Modernized Autoplay experience: The AutoPlay dialog has been updated to streamline the selection process for connecting devices. It features a refreshed interface built with WinUI, supports dark mode, and is more responsive to text scaling and display settings. 2. Accessibility setting - "Open apps maximized": This new feature automatically maximizes app windows upon opening, benefiting users of screen readers, magnification tools, and those working in tablet mode. Users can enable it in Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects.

Winsage

August 21, 2026

Microsoft Issues Three New Windows Builds to Windows Insider Program

Microsoft has announced that users in the Windows Insider Program enrolled in the Beta, Experimental, or Experimental (26H1) channel should update their systems. The latest Experimental build resolves the issue of an empty Feature Flags list for Insiders in the Experimental channel. Notable features in the new builds include a modernized Autoplay experience with a new dialog built with WinUI, supporting Light and Dark modes, text scaling, and seamless notifications. Additionally, a new accessibility setting ensures that all applications open in a maximized state, found under Accessibility > Visual effects in the Settings app.

Winsage

August 19, 2026

Microsoft finally fixing File Explorer and the Context Menu

Microsoft is transforming its File Explorer and context menu to improve user experience and address quality concerns. CEO Satya Nadella has acknowledged the need to regain user loyalty, as File Explorer has faced issues like feature bloat and performance instability. The updated context menu, currently in the Experimental Windows Insider Channel, aims to reduce clutter and sluggishness, allowing users to access essential functions easily and customize their experience. Microsoft has also reintroduced the movable Taskbar and options to restore the Windows 10 context menu style, indicating a shift towards prioritizing user preferences.

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

Announcing new builds for 17 August 2026

New Windows 11 Insider Preview builds have been released for the Beta and Experimental Channels. All new builds include renewed Windows Insider flight certificates, replacing those that expired on August 11, 2026, to ensure compatibility with software and future updates. There is an ongoing issue with the Feature Flags settings page appearing empty for Insiders in the Experimental channel, which is expected to be resolved in the next build. Notable new features include a redesigned Context Menu in File Explorer, aimed at improving speed and customization, and support for Emoji 17.0, which introduces new emojis and design adjustments for existing ones.