Windows 11 preview build

Winsage
July 25, 2025
Microsoft Edge has introduced a new shortcut for creating tab groups in its dropdown menu. Users have reported challenges with the "Settings and more" menu, particularly regarding visibility and the need to scroll to access options. Concerns about context menu inconsistencies in Windows have been raised since at least 2015. Microsoft has made improvements to user interface elements but still faces criticism for certain design choices. Recent testing of rounded context menus in Windows 11 did not make it to the final product, as the company opted for a traditional design instead. Implementing changes in Windows can be complex due to its extensive legacy. There is a call for more customization options in context menus to improve user experience.
Winsage
July 12, 2025
In preview build 27898 of Windows 11, Microsoft introduces features such as the automatic shrinking of Taskbar items when there are many pinned applications, a revamped pop-up system for application permissions, and the ability to add custom words to the speech-to-text dictionary. The upcoming Windows 11 25H2 update is expected to launch in the coming months and will share a servicing branch with the 24H2 version, featuring a unique deployment strategy where necessary code is installed but remains inactive until the official update is applied.
Winsage
June 16, 2025
A glitch in Windows 11 Preview Build 26200.5651 has caused the Windows Vista boot sound to play instead of the standard Windows 11 sound. Microsoft is aware of this issue and is working on a fix. Users have expressed nostalgia for the Vista sound. Additionally, Windows 11 users in the European Economic Area can now export their Windows Recall data using a one-time "export code" during setup, which is necessary for accessing encrypted data. Forgetting this code will result in losing all snapshots.
Winsage
April 23, 2025
Windows 11 Preview Build 26120.3872 (Beta Channel) introduces advancements in Copilot+ PC functionalities and addresses issues with the OneDrive syncing app. Users can register for updates and access the Insider Preview by activating the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” option. Notable enhancements include the ability to add custom words to the dictionary through voice commands and an improved guided tour for Voice Access. Additional updates allow users to disable cloud content searches, gain control over widget notifications, and fix Start menu crashes. Not all Copilot+ PCs will receive these updates immediately, with a focus on Snapdragon X Elite devices, though features will eventually be available for AMD and Intel-powered devices. The new accessibility features are available to all users immediately.
Winsage
April 22, 2025
Windows 11 Preview Build 26120.3872 (Beta Channel) introduces new Copilot+ PC features and addresses significant user issues. Users can access updates by enabling “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” and checking for updates. Key improvements include the ability to add custom words to the dictionary through voice access and an improved voice access tour. Additional updates feature options to disable cloud content searches, refined widget notification controls, and a fix for the Start menu crash when creating folders. Not all Copilot+ PCs will receive these features at the same time, with a focus on Snapdragon devices first, while accessibility features are available immediately to all users.
Winsage
April 8, 2025
Microsoft has introduced a feature called "taskbar icon scaling" in a recent beta build of Windows 11, allowing users to reduce the size of taskbar icons to fit more pinned or open applications. This feature is currently being tested in the Windows Insider Beta channel and is expected to be available in the public version of Windows 11 soon. Additionally, changes to the Start menu may be revealed in an upcoming preview build, although there is no guarantee they will be activated.
Winsage
April 3, 2025
Microsoft is developing an update for the Start menu in Windows 11 that will integrate the pinned and recommended sections with the apps list into a single interface. The new design will allow users to pin more applications and automatically display all pinned apps. This update was discovered in a recent Windows 11 preview build, and while Microsoft has not officially announced it, it may coincide with the company's 50th anniversary and the Microsoft Build conference in May. Current criticisms of the Start menu include its lack of customization options and the separation of the apps list, which requires an additional click to access. The update aims to address these issues by merging the apps list with the pinned section, similar to the design in Windows 10.
Winsage
March 21, 2025
Microsoft has released Windows 11 Preview Build 27818 to Insiders on the Canary Channel, optimizing the extraction process for zipped files in File Explorer. The update improves performance when unzipping large archives with many small files. Additionally, the update removes the "suggested actions" feature for clipboard items, which was related to Skype, as Microsoft plans to retire Skype on May 5.
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