new builds Archives

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 11, 2026

Microsoft Issues New Windows 11 Release Preview Builds

Microsoft has released new builds for Windows 11, versions 24H2 and 25H2, available for download from the Release Preview channel, specifically builds 26100.9539/26200.9539. The rollout is structured into two phases: a gradual rollout, which allows features to reach devices incrementally, and a normal rollout, which releases updates to all eligible devices simultaneously. Enhancements in this update include improvements to File Explorer, Wi-Fi support in the Windows Recovery Environment, support for Emoji 17.0, a new Tips widget, various personalization, Bluetooth, and accessibility improvements, and the ability to remap the Copilot key to Right Ctrl or Context Menu. The last updates for versions 24H2 and 25H2 were released in mid-August, and Microsoft introduced its first 26H2 build to the Release Preview channel two weeks ago. There is speculation about the potential release of Windows 11 version 26H2 in October, possibly coinciding with upcoming Patch Tuesday updates.

Winsage

September 9, 2026

Announcing new builds for 8 September 2026

New Insider Preview builds for Windows 11 are being released for the Beta and Experimental channels, featuring enhancements aimed at improving user experience. 1. Cross-device resume improvements: Users can now continue browsing on their PC from where they left off on their phone, with options to open the webpage in the PC's default browser or install the phone's browser if not already present. 2. Narrator: The Narrator feature has been upgraded to include math reading and navigation support, enhancing accessibility for users who are blind or have low vision, especially in STEM fields. 3. Magnifier: The Magnifier tool now allows each display to maintain its own zoom level, enabling users to set different zoom percentages for multiple screens, improving comfort and clarity when working across different resolutions.

Winsage

September 1, 2026

Microsoft Releases Two New 26H1 Builds to the Windows Insider Program

Participants in the Windows Insider Program can now install new builds in the Beta (26H1) and Experimental (26H1) channels, specifically Beta build 28020.2818 and Experimental build 28120.2824. Key updates include: - Personalization enhancements with DIB image support for desktop backgrounds and improvements to the Background settings page, including slideshow support across multiple displays. - Windows Recovery Environment (WRE) enhancements allowing automatic reuse of saved Wi-Fi profiles. - Temporary removal of the modernized Print Management experience for refinement, while traditional tools remain accessible. - File Explorer improvements that retain the state of sections on the Home page. - Magnifier user interface updates with improved icons and spacing. - Inclusion of Emoji 17.0. - Taskbar reliability improvements. - The Experimental build introduces first launch reliability for the new WinUI-based Run dialog.

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.

AppWizard

August 21, 2026

Set Up Google Play Games on PC: 12 Steps [2026]

Google Play Games Beta on PC allows users to play a selection of Android games on Windows machines, syncing with existing Play Store accounts. As of August 2026, it is in beta and available in over 100 countries, focusing on curated titles that meet Google's certification for PC compatibility. The platform features a rapid update cycle, requiring users to uninstall older versions before installing new ones. System requirements include Windows 10, a minimum of four physical CPU cores, 8GB of RAM, and an SSD with at least 10GB of free space, with hardware virtualization enabled. The installation process consists of twelve steps to confirm compatibility and download the installer. Google Play Games on PC offers a streamlined experience compared to third-party emulators like BlueStacks and LDPlayer, which allow broader access to titles but may lack the same level of certification and account synchronization.

AppWizard

August 19, 2026

New Android Auto Update: Google Releases Version 17.5 for All Users

Google has rolled out Android Auto 17.5, available to both beta and stable users through the Google Play Store. The update lacks a detailed changelog, indicating a focus on behind-the-scenes improvements. Users have reported issues related to the new AI-powered assistant, Gemini, which is set to replace Google Assistant next month, including difficulties with basic tasks and crashes. A bug requires users to unlock their phones to use Android Auto. Users can manually download Android Auto 17.5 using APK installers. Future features include support for widgets and video apps like YouTube, with video functionality available only to YouTube Premium users. The update will continue to roll out over the coming weeks.

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.

Winsage

August 14, 2026

Microsoft Issues New Release Preview Channel Builds

The Windows Insider Program has released two new builds in the Release Preview Channel, introducing several enhancements for Windows 11. Key updates include: - Taskbar: Users can position and resize the Taskbar on any side of the screen. - Start Menu: The Start menu is now resizable and features a Recent section, replacing the Recommended section, with independent toggles for Pinned, Recent, and All items. - Windows Search: A streamlined home view allows users to choose whether to display web and Store results. - File Explorer: Improvements focus on performance and touch scrolling for smoother navigation. - Design: Updated progress indicators appear during startup, sign-in, restart, shutdown, and update installations. - Windows Share: A suggested app interface has been introduced for improved sharing options. - Administrator Protection: This feature returns but is disabled by default. - Additional Minor Updates: Enhancements have been made across multiple desktops, display settings, Task Manager, Setup, Windows Update, and more. Further refinements include: - File Explorer: Improvements in file size displays, middle-click support, and enhanced file thumbnails. - Windows Search: Adjustments for better accommodation of typos and partial app names, with results based on user Settings. - Additional Minor Changes: Updates across Start, Widgets, Touchpad, Windows Hello, and other components.