Windows 11 preview build Archives

Winsage

April 23, 2025

Copilot+ PCs are leveling up — Windows 11 beta reveals new AI upgrades, but there’s a catch

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

Copilot+ PCs are leveling up — Windows 11 beta reveals new AI upgrades, but there’s a catch

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

Back to basics: Microsoft tests overhauled Start menu in Windows 11 beta builds

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

Windows 11 is getting a big Start menu overhaul with better layout customization and more — here’s a first look

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 30, 2025

An even better Microsoft Account bypass for Windows 11 has already been discovered

Microsoft has removed a command line that allowed users to bypass the requirement of connecting to the internet and signing into a Microsoft Account during the setup of Windows 11. Users have discovered a new workaround by entering the command "start ms-cxh:localonly" in the command prompt, which enables the creation of a local account without an internet connection. This method allows users to set up their local account similarly to Windows 10 and proceed directly to preparing their desktop and configuring privacy settings, eliminating the need for a restart. The effectiveness of this workaround has been confirmed on Windows 11 preview build 26200, but there are concerns that Microsoft may try to eliminate such bypasses in the future.

Winsage

March 21, 2025

Windows 11’s File Explorer will soon unzip files faster

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.

Winsage

March 19, 2025

Mysterious Windows 11 “actions” menu appears in latest preview build — here’s what it’s for

Microsoft has begun rolling out a new Windows 11 preview build for Dev Channel testers, introducing a new "Actions" menu in the Settings app. This feature allows users to manage which applications can present suggested actions in the operating system. Currently, contextual suggestions appear only in the Click To Do feature, available exclusively on Copilot+ PCs. The Actions menu provides an overview of applications using this functionality, enabling users to toggle their visibility. Access to these features is limited to Copilot+ PCs, which require a neural processing unit (NPU) capable of 40+ TOPS. Microsoft plans to introduce more proactive Copilot features across the Windows 11 interface later this year, allowing the AI assistant to suggest actions based on user engagement. The new settings menu for suggested actions aligns with potential integration of third-party applications into the Copilot experience.

Winsage

March 18, 2025

Mysterious Windows 11 “actions” menu appears in latest preview build — here’s what it’s for

Microsoft has released a new preview build of Windows 11 for Dev Channel testers, introducing an undocumented "Actions" menu in the Settings app. This feature allows users to manage which applications can present suggested actions throughout the operating system. Currently, contextual suggestions appear only in the Click To Do feature, which is exclusive to Copilot+ PCs that have a Neural Processing Unit (NPU). Microsoft plans to introduce more proactive Copilot features later this year, which will suggest actions and tasks based on users' ongoing work. The new Actions menu is designed to enhance user interaction with the operating system, especially if third-party applications can participate in the Copilot experience.

Winsage

February 21, 2025

New Windows 11 preview build improves privacy for European users

Microsoft's latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Build, 26120.3281 (KB5052086), introduces several privacy-focused changes. The Location History API has been removed, meaning Windows will no longer retain location data locally. Additionally, the update removes "account-based content" from File Explorer sections for users of Entra ID, aligning with GDPR regulations and affecting only customers in the European Union. Other features include improved OneDrive document resumption between devices and updates to the Recall feature, which will delete existing Recall snapshots.

Winsage

December 4, 2024

Microsoft rolls out fresh set of fixes for Windows 11 Insiders in the Canary Channel

Microsoft has released Windows 11 preview build 27758 for Insiders in the Canary Channel, focusing on various fixes and user experience enhancements. Key improvements include: - Fix for context menus in File Explorer opening off-screen. - Adjustments to ensure Mica background aligns with new window sizes. - Narrator no longer crashes upon launch when using natural voices. - USB audio devices will not go to sleep after one minute of inactivity. - Resolved unexpected mute/unmute sounds in certain headsets. - Settings app crash issue when selecting a default audio device is fixed. - Elimination of an unexpected black line at the top border of windows. Windows Recall on Copilot+ PCs is not included in this build, and switching to the Dev Channel requires a complete OS reinstallation. There is hope for the rollout of Windows Recall before the holiday season.