Windows Insiders Archives

Winsage

May 23, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.4161 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.4161 (KB5058515) has been released to the Beta Channel for Windows 11, version 24H2. This update includes new features such as the Microsoft 365 Text Action in Click to Do, allowing users to draft content in Word by selecting recognized text. Lock screen widget personalization is now available globally, enabling users to customize their lock screens. The update introduces support for multiple dashboards in Widgets, enhancing organization and access to favorite widgets. Improvements include recommendations from the Microsoft Store in the "Open with..." dialog and a new PC-to-PC migration experience in the Windows Backup app. Various fixes have been made to the Start Menu, Task Manager, Narrator, and Voice Access. Known issues include incorrect build version display post-PC reset and Bluetooth issues with Xbox Controllers. Users are encouraged to provide feedback through the Feedback Hub.

Winsage

May 23, 2025

Windows 11 Notepad gets AI-powered text writing capabilities

Microsoft is piloting an AI-driven text generation feature called "Write" in Notepad for Windows Insiders using version 11.2504.46.0. The feature allows users to create content from prompts, either starting from scratch or enhancing existing text. Users can access it by right-clicking, selecting "Write" from the Copilot menu, or using the Ctrl + Q shortcut. After entering instructions, AI-generated text can be incorporated into documents or discarded. A Microsoft personal account is required to use the feature, which utilizes AI credits from Microsoft 365 subscriptions. Microsoft has also introduced other AI features in Notepad, including a text rewriting tool named "Rewrite," a character counter, spell-check, and autocorrect. Additionally, new AI capabilities have been rolled out for Paint and Snipping Tool users in the Windows Insider program, including a sticker generator and enhanced screenshot tools.

Winsage

May 22, 2025

Microsoft Notepad can now write for you using generative AI

Microsoft is testing updates to Notepad and Paint for Windows Insiders, focusing on integrating artificial intelligence into these applications. Notepad's new Write feature assists users in generating text based on prompts and enhances existing content with AI support. Users can insert new text or select existing text for reference, and the AI-generated text can be accepted, discarded, or refined. Notepad also includes features like Summarize, which condenses content, and Rewrite, which modifies tone and structure. Paint is receiving AI enhancements, including a Sticker generator for creating custom stickers by describing designs and an Object select tool for smart selections in images. The Snipping Tool is improving with a Perfect screenshot button that resizes screenshots intelligently and a new Color picker for precise color selection. To use Notepad's Write feature, users must sign into their Microsoft accounts, which will operate under a credits system. Pricing for these credits has not been disclosed.

Winsage

May 22, 2025

Paint, Snipping Tool, and Notepad updates with new features begin rolling out to Windows Insiders

Windows 11 has rolled out updates for Paint, Snipping Tool, and Notepad for users in the Canary and Dev Channels. Paint (version 11.2504.451.0) introduces three features: 1. A sticker generator that creates custom stickers based on user prompts, accessible via the Copilot menu. 2. An object select tool that uses AI to isolate and edit elements within images. 3. A new welcome experience that guides users through the app's features. Snipping Tool (version 11.2504.38.0) adds: 1. A perfect screenshot feature that captures content precisely without needing cropping or resizing. 2. A color picker tool that allows users to inspect or select color codes from their screen. Notepad (version 11.2504.46.0) features: 1. An AI write feature that helps users draft text based on prompts, with options to keep or discard generated content. Access to the sticker generator, object select, and AI features requires signing in with a Microsoft account, and some features are exclusive to Copilot+ PCs.

Winsage

May 21, 2025

Windows 11 Introduces Enhanced Administrator Protection to Strengthen Security Against Elevated Privilege Attacks

Microsoft has launched Administrator Protection for Windows 11, a feature designed to enhance cybersecurity by preventing privilege escalation attacks. This feature creates a security boundary around administrative operations, reducing the attack surface for cybercriminals. It introduces a hidden, system-managed local user account that generates isolated admin tokens, preventing user-level malware from compromising elevated processes. Administrator Protection eliminates auto-elevation functionality, requiring users to explicitly authorize administrative actions. It utilizes a System Managed Administrator Account (SMAA) that generates non-persistent admin tokens for specific tasks, which are discarded after use. The feature is currently available to Windows Insiders in the Canary channel and will expand to the Dev channel, with broader deployment expected in the 24H2 release. Compatibility challenges may arise in complex development environments, such as with Visual Studio.

Winsage

May 20, 2025

Microsoft revives DOS-era Edit in a modern shell

Microsoft has reintroduced Edit, a text editor originally from the MS-DOS era, as an open-source tool available on GitHub. It weighs under 250 KB and is designed for the modern command line, featuring mouse support, Unicode compatibility, and various editing functionalities like word wrap and Find & Replace. Edit will be integrated into Windows 11, with a preview version available for Windows Insiders. The application is noted for its speed and stability, providing a practical solution for text file edits directly from the command line.

Winsage

May 20, 2025

Microsoft’s new AI tool lets you edit images and summarize docs right in File Explorer

Microsoft has introduced a new feature called AI actions in File Explorer, available in the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Build. This feature provides AI-driven commands for various file types, currently focusing on JPG and PNG images. Users can access AI actions by right-clicking on files, which offers commands such as Bing Visual Search, Blur Background, Erase Objects, and Remove Background. Future enhancements will include two commands for Microsoft 365 files: Summarize, which generates AI-based summaries of files in OneDrive and SharePoint, and Create an FAQ, which converts OneDrive files into Q&A lists. The image-related commands are available to all Windows insiders, while the Microsoft 365 features require specific subscriptions.

Winsage

May 20, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.4151 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.4151 (KB5058486) has been released to the Beta Channel for users on Windows 11, version 24H2. This marks the transition from Build 22635.5305, the last update for version 23H2. All Beta Channel Insiders will be automatically upgraded to the latest version. New features include AI actions in File Explorer, allowing users to perform tasks like editing images or summarizing documents directly from the context menu. Currently supported image actions are Bing Visual Search, Blur Background, Erase Objects, and Remove Background, with support for .jpg, .jpeg, and .png file types. New AI actions for Microsoft 365 files, such as Summarize and Create an FAQ, will be introduced soon, requiring a Microsoft 365 subscription and enrollment in the Microsoft 365 Insider Program. Advanced settings have been redesigned and are now accessible via Settings > System > Advanced, including options for enabling long paths, managing virtual workspaces, and displaying Git information in File Explorer. Changes and improvements include added text descriptions for assistive technologies in the Accessibility flyout, notifications for incomplete search results in the Windows search box, and a new visual experience for the widgets board. User Interaction-Aware CPU Power Management has been introduced to reduce power consumption during inactivity. Fixes include resolving issues with core Windows surfaces in safe mode, maximizing File Explorer, and loading Bluetooth information in Settings. Known issues involve incorrect build version display post-PC reset, bugcheck issues with Xbox Controllers, and ongoing investigations into various features. Updates for Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel will be based on Windows 11, version 24H2, and features may not be widely released as they are subject to testing and feedback.

Winsage

May 19, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5603 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5603 (KB5058488) is being released to the Dev Channel. New features include AI actions in File Explorer, allowing users to edit images and summarize documents via right-click options. Four image actions are available: Bing Visual Search, Blur Background, Erase Objects, and Remove Background, supporting .jpg, .jpeg, and .png file types. Upcoming AI actions for Microsoft 365 files include generating document summaries and creating FAQs, requiring a Microsoft 365 subscription with Copilot. Advanced settings have been redesigned for easier access, introducing features like Enable long paths and Virtual workspaces. Improvements include updates to the taskbar, search functionality, and accessibility features. Known issues involve problems with Xbox Controllers and various features in File Explorer and Narrator.

Winsage

May 17, 2025

Microsoft is bringing back Windows 10’s second hand display after backlash

Microsoft removed the clock display from the flyout menu of Windows 10’s taskbar calendar to eliminate the seconds display, which was consuming additional processing resources. In response to user backlash, Microsoft plans to reintroduce the seconds display with the upcoming cumulative update for Windows 10, designated as Windows 10 22H2 Build 19045.5912 (update KB5058481), which is currently available to Windows Insiders and expected to roll out to all users later this month.