Windows 11 build Archives

Winsage

December 1, 2025

Microsoft Warns: Windows 11 Agentic Features May Hallucinate

Windows 11 will introduce "Experimental agentic features" with the installation of Build 26220.7262, which users must manually enable. These features are in an experimental phase and may affect device performance. Microsoft warns of potential security vulnerabilities, particularly from emerging attack techniques like cross-prompt injection, which can lead to harmful commands being executed. The agents operate within an "Agentic Workspace" with scoped, auditable accounts, but unlike Windows Sandbox, they persist across sessions, increasing the attack surface. By default, agents have read and write access to common folders, which presents additional vulnerabilities. Microsoft is working on improving security measures, including more granular permissions and defenses against prompt injection.

Winsage

November 19, 2025

Windows 11’s November Insider update brings new features and reveals a new version

Microsoft has unveiled several preview builds for Windows 11 in November 2025, including versions 25H2 and 26H1. The notable updates include: - Windows 11 build 26220.7070 introduces a redesigned Widgets board with a new "Discover" section, improved navigation, and alert badges on icons. - The Quick Machine Recovery feature now scans for fixes only once and offers alternative recovery options if no solution is found. - Smart App Control can now be toggled on or off without reinstalling Windows 11. - New widget options have been added to the Lock Screen settings, allowing customization of displayed widgets. - A drag tray feature in the Canary Channel simplifies file sharing from File Explorer or the desktop. - Build 28000 in the Canary Channel is the first preview of Windows 11 version 26H1, focusing on compatibility with newer hardware. - New agentic AI components are being integrated into Windows 11, allowing applications like Copilot to automate tasks. - Haptic feedback capabilities have been introduced for digital pen users. - The Narrator and Magnifier features now use high-definition voices for improved clarity and support structured math reading in Word.

Winsage

November 19, 2025

New Windows 11 AI agents can work in the background but create new security risks

Microsoft has introduced "experimental agentic features" in the latest Windows 11 build for Windows Insider Program testers, which includes a feature called Copilot Actions. These agentic features are designed to autonomously perform tasks such as organizing files, scheduling meetings, and sending emails, acting as an "active digital collaborator" to enhance user productivity. The features are currently optional, off by default, and available only in early test builds. To address potential risks, Microsoft has implemented a strategy where AI agents operate under separate user accounts, ensuring they cannot make significant system changes without user approval. Agents maintain activity logs for accountability, and users can supervise their operations.

Winsage

November 18, 2025

Windows Insider Program Releases Copilot Actions, New Release Preview Builds

The Windows Insider Program has introduced Copilot Actions, an AI feature in the Copilot app for Windows 11, allowing users to specify tasks for an AI agent to perform. This feature is currently experimental and requires the latest version of the Copilot app (1.25112.74 or higher) to access. Additionally, new Release Preview builds for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2 have been released, transitioning users to build 26200.7296 (25H2) or 26100.7296 (24H2) with cumulative update KB5070311. Key features in these builds include Windows Studio Effects for USB webcams, enhancements to Click to Do, improvements in the Agent in Settings, updates to File Explorer, Desktop Spotlight enhancements, Drag Tray improvements, Settings updates, Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security for external fingerprint sensors, Share enhancements for OneDrive files, mobile device management improvements, Quick Machine Recovery updates, and Widgets enhancements. A new Canary build for Windows 11 version 26H1 (build 28000.1199) is also available, but it does not introduce new features or significant changes.

Winsage

November 17, 2025

Windows 11 KB5068861 won’t install, File Explorer SMB search not working on network shares, and other issues

Windows 11 users are facing installation issues with the KB5068861 update from the November 2025 Patch Tuesday release, which addresses 63 critical security vulnerabilities. Errors reported include 0x80070306, 0x800f0983, and 0x800f081f. Affected users can wait for an optional release or use the Media Creation Tool, which downloads the same patch. Some users have reported a malfunctioning SMB search feature after the update. The installation errors have prompted reports of specific error codes, and attempts to resolve them through SFC scans or health checks have been largely ineffective. Downloading the .msu package from the Microsoft Update Catalog is recommended, followed by an installation attempt. If unsuccessful, the Media Creation Tool can be used while retaining user data. The November 2025 Update includes enhancements like a revamped Start menu, improved battery icons, and performance improvements, particularly for gamers. However, some users have encountered Bluetooth connectivity issues, especially on AMD PCs, with a temporary fix involving adjustments in Device Manager. The KB5068861 update has also caused a bug affecting search functionality over shared networks, leading to slower search results or empty listings for businesses. This issue arises from a breakdown in communication between the Windows client and the server’s search index. Users can restore functionality by restarting the Windows Search service or rebuilding the index. Additionally, the remote search functionality over SMB is compromised, preventing the Windows client from utilizing the server’s index. Users may need to uninstall the update to restore functionality, which requires disabling the Sandbox feature first. Specific DISM commands can be used to identify and remove the update, or it can be uninstalled through the Settings menu.

Winsage

November 13, 2025

Tested: The Task Manager bug that slowed your PC is gone in Windows 11 Build 26200.7171

Microsoft has released the Windows 11 November 2025 Update (Build 26200.7171/26100.7171 or newer), which fixes an issue where the Task Manager did not close properly when the Close (X) button was clicked. This problem, first observed after the October optional update (KB5067036), caused multiple invisible instances of the Task Manager to accumulate, consuming 20-25 MB of RAM and 0 to 1.5% of CPU resources, leading to performance degradation. Microsoft confirmed that the October update inadvertently caused this issue while attempting to fix a grouping problem within the Task Manager. The November update (KB5068861) resolves the bug, restoring the expected functionality of the Task Manager. Users can check for lingering instances by opening the Task Manager and observing if multiple instances appear after closing and reopening it.

Winsage

November 2, 2025

Windows 11 Build 26220.7051 released with “Ask Copilot” feature

Windows 11 Build 26220.7051 is being rolled out to testers in the Insider Program, introducing new features including the 'Ask Copilot' feature on the taskbar, which allows users to search the internet, local files, and AI resources using text and voice commands. Users can activate it via Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Ask Copilot. A new full-screen experience for Xbox is now available to all handheld device owners, which can be enabled through Settings > Gaming > Full screen experience. The update also includes "shared audio" support for Bluetooth, allowing audio streams to be transmitted to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. ARM PCs will see improved performance with expanded support for more 64-bit x86 applications under emulation. These features will roll out to all users in the coming weeks, with early access available through the Beta or Dev Channel of the Windows Insider Program.

Winsage

November 1, 2025

Windows 11 tests shared Bluetooth audio support, but only for AI PCs

Microsoft is testing a "shared audio" feature on Copilot+ PCs that utilizes Bluetooth LE Audio broadcast technology, allowing simultaneous audio streaming to two Bluetooth devices. This feature is part of Windows 11 Build 26220.7051 (KB5067115) and can be activated through quick settings. Currently, it is compatible with select PCs, including various models of Surface laptops and Surface Pro devices, and will expand to additional devices in the future, such as Samsung Galaxy Book models. Users will need compatible audio accessories to utilize the feature, which is being rolled out to Windows Insider Program participants in the Dev and Beta channels.

Winsage

October 31, 2025

Force enable new Start menu in Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2 if it doesn’t turn on automatically

Windows 11 has introduced a redesigned Start menu with a new categories layout and a revamped Phone Link panel. This update is part of Windows 11 Build 26200.7019 or newer and is being rolled out gradually. Users can enable the new Start menu by downloading Windows 11 KB5067036 or newer, using the ViVeTool package, and executing specific commands in the Command Prompt. The new Start menu features a single-page layout with a collapsible Pinned apps section, a Recommended section that can be hidden, and an All apps section with multiple layout options including Category, Grid, and List. The Category layout organizes apps into niches like Productivity and Tools, although users cannot currently create new categories.

Winsage

October 12, 2025

Windows 11 will soon support dark mode for Run dialog box

Windows 11 Build 26120.6780 (KB5067103) was released on October 10, 2023, to Beta Channel testers, integrating dark mode into the Run dialog for the first time. Users can now experience the Run dialog in dark mode, featuring a deep black top border and a gentle grey interface. Dark mode enhancements have also been extended to other components, including the file transfer dialog, confirmation prompts for file deletions, and the Recycle Bin's delete confirmation. Microsoft is not rewriting these legacy dialogs in modern frameworks like XAML or WinUI due to performance concerns. The Control Panel and its applets have not yet adopted dark mode, and updating all dialog boxes remains challenging due to the nature of Win32 UI. Additionally, the update includes improvements to the Settings app for Copilot+ PCs, introducing agentic actions that allow for quick adjustments to recently modified settings. However, these features are not available for users without a Copilot+ PC.