Narrator Archives

Winsage

May 20, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.4151 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.4151 (KB5058486) has been released to the Beta Channel for users on Windows 11, version 24H2. This marks the transition from Build 22635.5305, the last update for version 23H2. All Beta Channel Insiders will be automatically upgraded to the latest version. New features include AI actions in File Explorer, allowing users to perform tasks like editing images or summarizing documents directly from the context menu. Currently supported image actions are Bing Visual Search, Blur Background, Erase Objects, and Remove Background, with support for .jpg, .jpeg, and .png file types. New AI actions for Microsoft 365 files, such as Summarize and Create an FAQ, will be introduced soon, requiring a Microsoft 365 subscription and enrollment in the Microsoft 365 Insider Program. Advanced settings have been redesigned and are now accessible via Settings > System > Advanced, including options for enabling long paths, managing virtual workspaces, and displaying Git information in File Explorer. Changes and improvements include added text descriptions for assistive technologies in the Accessibility flyout, notifications for incomplete search results in the Windows search box, and a new visual experience for the widgets board. User Interaction-Aware CPU Power Management has been introduced to reduce power consumption during inactivity. Fixes include resolving issues with core Windows surfaces in safe mode, maximizing File Explorer, and loading Bluetooth information in Settings. Known issues involve incorrect build version display post-PC reset, bugcheck issues with Xbox Controllers, and ongoing investigations into various features. Updates for Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel will be based on Windows 11, version 24H2, and features may not be widely released as they are subject to testing and feedback.

Winsage

May 19, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5603 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5603 (KB5058488) is being released to the Dev Channel. New features include AI actions in File Explorer, allowing users to edit images and summarize documents via right-click options. Four image actions are available: Bing Visual Search, Blur Background, Erase Objects, and Remove Background, supporting .jpg, .jpeg, and .png file types. Upcoming AI actions for Microsoft 365 files include generating document summaries and creating FAQs, requiring a Microsoft 365 subscription with Copilot. Advanced settings have been redesigned for easier access, introducing features like Enable long paths and Virtual workspaces. Improvements include updates to the taskbar, search functionality, and accessibility features. Known issues involve problems with Xbox Controllers and various features in File Explorer and Narrator.

Winsage

May 13, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3964 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3964 (KB5058496) has been released for the Beta Channel, specifically for Windows 11, version 24H2. Users on version 23H2 can choose to upgrade to version 24H2 with this build. The update introduces a new AI-powered agent in Settings for easier navigation and task automation, currently available for Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, with support for AMD and Intel PCs coming soon. Enhanced intelligent text actions have been added to Click to Do for AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs, allowing users to summarize, create bulleted lists, or rewrite text. A dedicated FAQs section has been added to the Settings > System > About page. Several fixes have been implemented, including improvements to the Start menu, File Explorer, and voice access. Known issues include problems with PC reset display and Xbox Controller connectivity. Entra ID support for AI features in Paint and Notepad has been rolled out for IT-managed PCs.

Winsage

May 13, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5600 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5581 (KB5058493) has been released to the Dev Channel. New features include enhanced intelligent text actions in Click to Do for AMD and Intel™-powered Copilot+ PCs, allowing users to Summarize, Create a bulleted list, or Rewrite text. These features are available when the default language is English and at least 10 words are selected. For users with French or Spanish as their primary language, only Summarize, Create a bulleted list, and Refine options are temporarily available. Improvements include the ability to safely remove devices compatible with Dynamic Lighting and the introduction of a FAQs section in Settings to help users find information about their PC. Fixes have been made to the Start menu, File Explorer, Voice Access, Taskbar, Windows Spotlight, and Live captions. Known issues include problems with the PC reset option and Xbox Controller connectivity. Entra ID support for AI features in Paint and Notepad has been rolled out for IT-managed PCs, allowing access to tools like Cocreator and Generative Fill in Paint, and summarization or rewriting in Notepad. Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel receive updates based on Windows 11, version 24H2, and features may evolve or be removed based on feedback.

Winsage

May 7, 2025

A New Start Menu and More Major Upgrades Are Coming to Windows 11

Microsoft announced significant upgrades for Windows 11, including enhancements to the Start menu, Copilot AI, and utilities like Paint and the Snipping Tool. The Start menu will become larger, more customizable, and user-friendly, allowing users to view all apps at once, hide recommended shortcuts, and increase the size of the pinned apps panel. A "phone companion" feature will be integrated into the Start menu. These changes are expected to roll out to the Windows Insider channel within the next month. File Explorer will introduce AI actions for document summarization and image editing directly from the right-click menu. Notepad will gain AI text generation and summarization features, along with lightweight formatting options like bold, italic, lists, and Markdown support. Copilot Vision will allow users to interact with AI regarding on-screen content. Some features will debut on Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon chipsets, including an AI agent in Settings to assist users with adjustments and the Click to Do feature for scheduling meetings and launching Immersive Reader mode. The Photos app will introduce a relight feature for dynamic lighting control. Paint will gain capabilities for creating custom stickers from text prompts and an AI-powered object select tool. The Snipping Tool will receive enhancements like intelligent screenshot cropping, text extraction, and a color picker. The Narrator on Copilot+ PCs will be upgraded to provide rich descriptions of images.

Winsage

May 6, 2025

Microsoft Reveals New Windows 11 Start Menu and Upcoming Copilot+ Features

Microsoft has announced upcoming features for Windows 11, including a redesigned Start Menu, enhancements to Click to Do, and improvements in Windows Search. Key features for Windows Insiders using Qualcomm-powered Copilot+ PCs include an AI Agent in Settings, new Click to Do actions for scheduling and messaging, dynamic lighting controls in Photos, a Paint sticker generator, object selection in Paint, an improved Snipping tool, and rich image descriptions in Narrator. Additional features for all Windows Insiders include a new Start Menu with a phone companion sidebar, AI actions in File Explorer, updates to Notepad, Copilot improvements, and a Microsoft Store AI Hub. Notably, Copilot+ PC experiences will not be available in all markets until later, with some features expected to arrive in the European Economic Area in 2025.

Winsage

April 26, 2025

Windows 11 KB5055627 update released with 30 new changes, fixes

Microsoft has released the KB5055627 preview cumulative update for Windows 11 24H2, which introduces new features and bug fixes. This update is part of optional non-security preview updates and does not include security updates. Users can install it via Settings under Windows Update or download it directly from the Microsoft Update Catalog. The update elevates Windows 11 24H2 systems to build 26100.3915 and includes features such as Recall (preview), Click to Do (preview), improved Windows Search, Narrator enhancements, Phone Link, interactive Widgets, curated views in File Explorer, updated Settings for app recommendations, and Windows Studio Effects. It also addresses bugs related to blue screen errors, DHCP Client connectivity issues, Windows Hello functionality, and provides estimated offline times for updates. Notable issues include potential installation blocks for Citrix components and download issues for Roblox players on Windows Arm devices, with workarounds available.

Winsage

April 12, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5551 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5551 (KB5055617) has been released to the Dev Channel. The Dev Channel has advanced to the 26200 series builds, and the option to switch to the Beta Channel is no longer available. This build is based on Windows 11, version 24H2, and shares features with the 26120 series in the Beta Channel. New features include enhanced Windows Search on Copilot+ PCs, allowing users to search for settings using phrases. Narrator now provides detailed image descriptions powered by AI for improved accessibility on Copilot+ PCs. Improvements are being rolled out for widgets, including the ability to read content directly from the MSN feed. Fixes include resolving crashes in Settings, File Explorer, and issues with app icons in the taskbar. Known issues include problems with Windows Recovery Environment and certain apps failing to launch post-update. The Dev Channel updates are based on Windows 11, version 24H2, and features may evolve or be removed based on feedback. Users can enable a toggle to receive updates more quickly.

Winsage

April 11, 2025

The new Windows 11 Beta update makes widgets better than ever before

Microsoft's latest update for Windows 11 Beta introduces the ability to read MSN articles directly from the Widgets feed, allowing users to access full articles, slideshows, and videos without using a browser. Users can customize the visibility of the MSN feed on their Widgets board. The update also enhances Copilot+ PCs with an AI-powered semantic search bar for natural language queries and improves the Narrator feature, which now analyzes screen content to provide descriptions of images and visual elements for visually impaired users.

Winsage

April 11, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3863 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3863 (KB5055613) has been released to the Beta Channel for Windows 11, version 24H2. This update includes new features such as natural language search functionality in the Windows search box for Copilot+ PCs, allowing users to find settings easily. Additionally, the Narrator feature has been enhanced to provide detailed descriptions of images for accessibility. Other updates include improvements to widgets, fixes for issues in Settings, File Explorer, Taskbar, Desktop Icons, Input, and Graphics. Known issues include non-functionality of Quick Assist for non-administrator users and problems with the Windows Recovery Environment. Users can provide feedback through the Feedback Hub.