Preview build Archives

Winsage

May 16, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27858 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27858 has been released to the Canary Channel. A new system tray icon for the emoji and more panel has been introduced, allowing users to access emojis, GIFs, and Kaomojis, with customization options available. Several fixes have been implemented, including resolving black screen issues during upgrades, enhancing accessibility in File Explorer, updating desktop icon logic, fixing voice typing initiation issues, resolving explorer.exe crashes related to snap layouts, addressing taskbar icon resizing problems in tablet mode, fixing night light functionality, and resolving MIDI device recognition issues. Known issues include potential problems with Windows Hello PIN and biometrics on new Copilot+ PCs and unresponsive pen input on certain devices. Insiders are reminded that builds in the Canary Channel are early development versions and may change. A clean installation is required to exit the Canary Channel, and a desktop watermark will be present in pre-release builds.

Winsage

May 14, 2025

Windows 11’s Patch Tuesday for May finally brings Recall into the mix

Microsoft's Recall feature is set to debut after a delay due to security concerns. The update for Windows 11, released on May 13th, includes AI-driven tools to enhance user interactions and productivity. Key features integrated from the April 25th Preview update include: - Recall (preview): Allows users to retrieve information from various applications, websites, and documents using AI for quick searches based on content descriptions, with options to save snapshots of activities and manage them through Windows Hello. - Click to Do (preview): Enables immediate action on items displayed on the screen using a keyboard shortcut for editing or summarizing content. - Improved Windows Search: Enhanced search capabilities allow natural language queries to locate documents and settings. - Phone Link: Facilitates interaction between Windows PCs and mobile devices for calls, messages, and content sharing. - Widgets: Web developers can create interactive widgets with customization options for lock screen widgets. Additional updates include improvements to File Explorer, accessibility enhancements, and new settings management options for app recommendations. The update for Windows 10 focuses on a fix for Secure Boot Advanced Targeting (SBAT) and Linux Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) to improve detection of Linux systems. Detailed patch notes and download links are available through the Microsoft Update Catalog.

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 6, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3950 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3950 (KB5055653) has been released to the Beta Channel for Windows 11, version 24H2. Insiders on version 23H2 can opt to upgrade to version 24H2 with this build. Key changes include the introduction of energy saver management in Microsoft Intune, allowing IT administrators to manage energy settings on Windows 11 PCs. Other updates involve UI experiments in Recall, taskbar enhancements, and graphics improvements for HDR capabilities. Fixes include resolving keyboard focus issues in the taskbar, startup sound playback issues, and scaling problems after sleep/resume. Known issues involve bugs with Xbox Controllers and live captions crashing. Insiders are reminded to keep their devices updated for optimal performance and access to features.

Winsage

May 6, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5581 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5581 (KB5055651) has been released to the Dev Channel, introducing new features, improvements, and fixes. Key updates include: - Energy Saver in Microsoft Intune: IT administrators can manage energy saver settings on Windows 11 PCs through group policies and MDM configurations, optimizing battery usage by limiting background activities and reducing screen brightness. - Taskbar Improvements: The needy state pill for apps has been redesigned, and administrators can allow users to unpin specific pinned apps. - Graphics Enhancements: Improved management of HDR capabilities, including refined wording for HDR settings and independent toggling of Dolby Vision mode. - Fixes: Resolved issues with taskbar keyboard focus, startup sound playback, scaling after sleep, and cumulative update errors. - Known Issues: Users may experience discrepancies in build version display after PC resets and issues with Xbox Controllers causing bugchecks. - Recall (Preview): Users can opt to remove Recall at any time, and intelligent text actions are now moderated locally. - Windows Search: For optimal performance, devices should be connected to power during initial search indexing. - Task Manager: Users may see the System Idle Process showing as 0 after the addition of a new CPU Utility column. Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel receive updates based on Windows 11, version 24H2, with features rolled out gradually.

Winsage

April 29, 2025

Windows 11 stops being prudish about cursing

Microsoft is loosening its profanity censorship in Windows 11's Voice Typing feature, allowing users to dictate curse words without censorship. This change is currently available to Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel, who can disable the profanity filter. In the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.394 release notes, Microsoft announced a new setting that lets users control the profanity filter. Users can activate this feature by pressing Windows + H and toggling the filter in the settings.

Winsage

April 28, 2025

Windows profanity filter finally gets a ******* off switch

Microsoft is introducing a toggle feature in Windows 11 that allows users to disable the profanity filter in voice typing. This feature is part of the latest Insider Preview Build, specifically build 26120.3941, available in the Beta Channel. The update aims to enhance user expression by allowing unfiltered language. Additionally, the update includes improvements to Copilot+ PCs, customizable shortcut buttons on supported pens, and refinements to the “Improved Windows Search” feature for OneDrive users. Users must activate the toggle in Windows Update to access these features, but there is no guarantee they will be included in the production environment.

Winsage

April 27, 2025

Microsoft to now allow use of swear words in voice typing after ‘top customer feedback’

Microsoft has introduced a feature in the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build that allows users to include swear words in voice typing by disabling the 'profanity filter.' This change was made in response to customer feedback, as previously, swear words were obscured by asterisks. The update aims to provide a more authentic voice typing experience and promote unrestricted expression.

Winsage

April 26, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.5305 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.5305 (KB5055636) has been released to the Beta Channel for users on Windows 11, version 23H2. This update is the last for the Beta Channel based on version 23H2, as all Insiders will soon transition to version 24H2, which is currently available as an optional upgrade in the Beta Channel. New features include a profanity filter setting for voice typing that allows users to manage profanity masking. Administrators can now allow users to unpin specific pinned apps on the taskbar using a new PinGeneration option. Fixes include resolving a crash issue in File Explorer when using touch, fixing a problem with the Windows Spotlight flyout, addressing a character insertion issue in password fields when using the touch keyboard, and correcting a display issue in the Settings app. A known issue involves some Insiders experiencing a bug with Xbox Controllers via Bluetooth, which can be resolved by uninstalling a specific driver in Device Manager. Updates for Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel will continue based on version 23H2 through an enablement package, and features may be gradually rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology. Features may evolve or be removed based on feedback.