Release Preview Archives

Winsage

March 13, 2026

Microsoft is Rebranding Windows 11’s Drag Tray Feature to ‘Drop Tray’

Microsoft has released three new preview builds of Windows 11 for Insiders in the Canary, Dev, and Beta Channels. - Canary Build 28020.1737: Introduces a feature allowing male users to configure their pen tail button to launch the same application as the Copilot keyboard key, also present in the 25H2 build 26100.8106 and the 24H2 build 26200.8106. - Dev Channel (26300.8068) and Beta Channel (26220.8062) Updates: - The Drag Tray feature has been rebranded as the Drop Tray, with settings moved to System > Multitasking. - Pen users can set their pen tail button to launch the same application as the Copilot keyboard key. - Users can now select a custom name for their user folder during Windows setup, adhering to standard naming conventions. - A new interface for point-in-time restore allows local administrators to view or modify default restore settings and see available restore points.

Winsage

March 12, 2026

Windows 11’s March Optional Update is Now Available for Release Preview Insiders

The March optional update for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2, identified as KB5079387, has been released for Insiders on the Release Preview Channel. Key enhancements include: - Narrator improvements: Enhanced reliability for setting up Natural Voices, access to rich image descriptions via shortcuts, and instant on-device descriptions for Copilot+ PC users. - Settings improvements: Increased reliability for downloading updates in the Settings menu. - Smart App Control improvements: Users can toggle this security feature on or off without a clean installation. - Modern pen setting experience: Digital pen users can configure the pen tail button to launch the same application as the Copilot key. - Display improvements: Enhanced reliability of auto-rotation after sleep and external monitors connected via USB4 can operate at a low power level during sleep. - File Explorer improvements: Ability to rename files using Voice Typing and sort permissions entries in Advanced Security Settings by ‘Principal’. - Windows Recovery Environment improvements: x64 applications are expected to perform better on ARM64 devices. The update will be available to non-Insiders as an optional update in the last week of March, with a broader public rollout expected in April.

Winsage

February 26, 2026

Windows 11 25H2: When Release Preview suddenly plays beta

Users of Windows 11 25H2 in the Release Preview channel experienced an unexpected transition to the Beta channel after installing Build 26200.7921, as the Release Preview option disappeared from the selection menu due to a server configuration issue. This change forced Windows Update to download version 26220.7872 without user consent. The distinction between the channels is significant, with Release Preview operating within the 26200 band and Beta in the 26220 band. On February 25, 2026, Microsoft restored the Release Preview channel, allowing users to revert to it through a manual update. The Insider Program has evolved into a complex system involving build bands, server-side feature gates, telemetry evaluation, and dynamic channel assignment, which can lead to misconfigurations. Best practices for participants include regularly checking for updates, managing automatic installations, and maintaining recovery snapshots.

AppWizard

February 23, 2026

WhatsApp might be the next Android app to support Resume on Windows 11 PCs

WhatsApp is likely to integrate with Microsoft's Cross-Device Resume feature, which has previously supported applications like OneDrive, Office, Edge, and Spotify. This integration may allow users to access recently-opened chats and potentially facilitate seamless voice call handoffs between devices. Currently, support for WhatsApp is becoming available in the Windows 11 settings, but the feature is not yet fully functional. Additionally, WhatsApp is testing voice and video call capabilities in its web client, enhancing its desktop and mobile platform synergy.

Winsage

February 22, 2026

Opinion: Windows 11 isn’t the disaster some claim – and it’s time to say so

Windows 11 has faced challenges, including a comprehensive list of top issues identified in 2025, but it is not uniquely unstable compared to earlier versions like Windows 95, 98, XP, 7, and 10. Recent headlines have highlighted various problems such as printer malfunctions and performance issues, but these are often exaggerated due to increased visibility. Historically, Windows has experienced similar cycles of instability, and the perception of widespread failure today is amplified by rapid documentation of minor issues. User trust in Windows has eroded, with skepticism about performance stemming from cumulative updates and the personal impact of issues on over a billion users. The focus should shift to improving predictability and transparency regarding updates rather than solely counting bugs. Windows 11's frequency of out-of-band updates is comparable to that of Windows 7 and 10, with improved mechanisms for addressing problems quickly. Gamers continue to adopt Windows 11 due to enhanced CPU scheduling, improved GPU performance, and features like Auto HDR and DirectStorage. Microsoft is committed to further improving the gaming experience. The scale of Windows operations, with over a billion users and multiple concurrent releases, contributes to occasional anomalies. Despite criticisms, most Windows 11 systems operate without significant issues, performing adequately for daily tasks and gaming. Microsoft has announced plans for enhancements, including bug fixes, performance improvements, and security upgrades, indicating that Windows 11 remains a solid choice for users.

Winsage

February 18, 2026

Releasing Windows 11 Builds 26100.7918 and 26200.7918 to the Release Preview Channel

Windows 11 Builds 26100.7918 and 26200.7918 (KB5077241) have been released for Insiders in the Release Preview Channel, covering versions 24H2 and 25H2. The update features a gradual rollout method for updates and includes various new features and enhancements: - Emoji 16.0 introduces a selection of new emojis. - Windows Backup for Organizations now includes a first sign-in restore experience. - Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) is activated for non-domain joined Windows Professional devices. - A built-in network speed test is accessible from the taskbar. - Taskbar improvements enhance the visual experience of the overflow area. - A new entry point in the account menu directs users to the Microsoft account benefits page. - Windows supports Microsoft Entra ID group and role SID resolution. - Users can control pan and tilt for supported cameras in the Settings app. - Sysmon functionality is now included natively in Windows for capturing system events. - Widget Settings now opens as a full-page experience in the Widgets app. - Users can set .webp image files as their desktop background. - The search process icon in Task Manager has been updated. - Storage Settings dialogs have been modernized, and performance for scanning temporary files has improved. - Enhancements have been made to Windows Update Settings for better responsiveness. - Reliability improvements have been implemented for the login screen and Nearby Sharing. - The Windows print service has been optimized for smoother performance during high-volume tasks. - File Explorer has received several improvements, including an extract all option for non-ZIP archive folders and enhanced reliability for displaying devices on the Network page. - Performance enhancements have been made to reduce resume-from-sleep time on heavily loaded systems. - Minor visual issues related to the taskbar, Windows Security pop-up credential fields, and the print dialog have been addressed.

AppWizard

January 31, 2026

Windows 11 Moves Closer To Android App Continuity

Microsoft is enhancing Windows 11's cross-device capabilities, allowing users to transition Android app activities to their PCs. This feature enables users to resume activities like music playback, document editing, and web browsing directly on their Windows computer. Initially limited to OneDrive activities, the functionality now includes resuming Spotify playback, editing Microsoft Office documents, and restoring browsing sessions from mobile devices using Microsoft Edge. This feature has been in testing since August and is included in the latest Windows 11 Release Preview update. The approach is similar to Apple's Handoff feature. The update also includes expanded support for MIDI 2.0, improvements to voice typing, enhanced fingerprint sensor compatibility for Windows Hello, and broader language support for the new Settings Agent.

AppWizard

January 29, 2026

I couldn’t be happier, as Windows 11’s cross-device resume update offers more for Android

Microsoft is releasing new Windows 11 builds (versions 24H2 and 25H2) in the Release Preview Channel, enhancing features for Android users. The update expands the Cross-Device Resume feature to include popular applications like Spotify, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The mobile Copilot app is also being improved for devices from manufacturers such as Samsung, Vivo, HONOR, and OPPO. The integration between Windows and Android is being strengthened, allowing users to access mobile applications on desktops and facilitating file sharing through Phone Link.

AppWizard

January 29, 2026

Windows 11 is getting close to resuming your Android apps like Apple Handoff

Microsoft is enhancing its Cross-Device Resume feature, initially introduced in 2025, which allows users to transition seamlessly between Android devices and Windows PCs. The recent rollout of Windows 11 builds 26100.7701 and 26200.7701 includes significant enhancements to this feature, such as resuming Spotify playback from phone to PC and continuing browsing sessions and work in Microsoft Office applications. Specific Android phone users, including those from Vivo, HONOR, OPPO, Samsung, and Xiaomi, can continue browsing sessions from their respective browsers and edit online files opened in the Microsoft Copilot app on their phones on their PCs. The update also allows toggling Smart App Control without a clean installation and introduces a Device card on the Settings home page.

Winsage

January 28, 2026

Microsoft Issues Several Windows Insider Preview Builds

The Windows Insider Program has shifted significantly, with new builds released across the Dev, Beta, and Release Preview channels. The Dev channel has advanced to the 26300 series builds, moving away from the 26200 series of the Beta channel. Users on the Dev channel will upgrade to Windows 11 version 25H2 build 26300.7674 with the installation of build KB5074170, which focuses on fixes without new functionalities. The Beta channel will receive cumulative update KB5074169, upgrading to Windows 11 version 25H2 build 26220.7670, also centered on fixes. The Release Preview build KB5074105 introduces new features for both 25H2 and 24H2 versions, elevating them to builds 26200.7701 and 26100.7701, respectively. Key improvements include multi-language support for the Agent in Settings, cross-device resume capabilities, enhanced MIDI support, customizable Narrator options, a new Devices card in Settings, easier toggling of Smart App Control, improved Voice Access and Voice Typing features, and expanded support for external fingerprint readers in Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-In Security.