NewApp Digest
search bot

Windows Insiders

Announcing new builds for 17 August 2026
Winsage
August 18, 2026

Announcing new builds for 17 August 2026

New Windows 11 Insider Preview builds have been released for the Beta and Experimental Channels. All new builds include renewed Windows Insider flight certificates, replacing those that expired on August 11, 2026, to ensure compatibility with software and future updates. There is an ongoing issue with the Feature Flags settings page appearing empty for Insiders in the Experimental channel, which is expected to be resolved in the next build. Notable new features include a redesigned Context Menu in File Explorer, aimed at improving speed and customization, and support for Emoji 17.0, which introduces new emojis and design adjustments for existing ones.
Windows Server 2022 reaches end of mainstream support in 60 days
Winsage
August 17, 2026

Windows Server 2022 reaches end of mainstream support in 60 days

Microsoft has announced that the mainstream end date for Windows Server 2022 is set for October 13, 2026, after which it will enter extended support until October 14, 2031. Windows Server 2022 became generally available in September 2021 and is part of the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) offering, which guarantees a decade of support. Microsoft recommends upgrading to Windows Server 2025, which will be generally available in November 2024, and will reach its end of support on November 13, 2029, with five years of extended support until November 14, 2034. A free 180-day trial of Windows Server 2025 is available. Additionally, hotpatching for Windows Server 2022 will be extended until October 2027 for Datacenter: Azure Edition systems. The free Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) program has been extended by an additional year, and Windows 11 23H2 Enterprise and Education editions will end updates on November 10, 2026, with a recommendation to upgrade to Windows 11 25H2.
Windows 11 is dangerously close to letting you move the taskbar
Winsage
August 15, 2026

Windows 11 is dangerously close to letting you move the taskbar

Windows 11 users can now reposition the taskbar to the top or either side of the screen in the latest Insider Preview builds. This feature is currently available to Windows Insiders in the Release Preview Channel, with a broader rollout expected with the September Patch Tuesday update. Additional enhancements include a more customizable Start menu, improved Windows Search, and a faster File Explorer. Users can choose between small or large Start menu sizes, recent items are highlighted, and search functionality has been refined for better clarity. File Explorer now launches more quickly and supports touch scrolling. Updated progress indicators and enhanced security features for administrators are also included in the updates.
Fixing Windows 11 now does not excuse letting it become a mess for decades
Winsage
August 10, 2026

Fixing Windows 11 now does not excuse letting it become a mess for decades

Windows 11 is undergoing enhancements, with many features currently exclusive to Windows Insiders and still in the mockup phase. Microsoft is overhauling the Windows 11 interface, integrating WinUI into components like the Start menu and File Explorer. Windows Insider participants must update their systems to a new build by August 11, 2026, to avoid expiration of builds and ensure automatic updates. Lenovo's latest BIOS update for the Legion Go gaming handheld has made some devices inoperable, prompting users to avoid the update. The modernization of Windows has been criticized for not being prioritized earlier, despite significant user feedback. The Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S is currently in short supply, and the Dell XPS 14 has a price reduction of 0.
Windows Insiders have one week to update their PCs, or else
Winsage
August 5, 2026

Windows Insiders have one week to update their PCs, or else

Windows Insiders are advised to update their PCs to a recent build due to the release of new Windows Insider builds featuring a renewed flight certificate, which expires on August 11, 2026. The latest Experimental build includes this renewed certificate, and users must update to avoid receiving a warning message about their build expiring. Microsoft has provided a chart listing the minimum required builds for various channels, with specific builds available by July 31, 2026. Failure to update will result in the cessation of automatic updates and a warning message on the desktop. Users can update their devices through Settings > Windows Update.
Windows Insiders have one week to update their PCs before test builds start expiring
Winsage
August 5, 2026

Windows Insiders have one week to update their PCs before test builds start expiring

Windows Insiders are advised to update their PCs to the latest build within the week due to a renewed flight certificate that expires on August 11, 2026. This update is necessary for all Insider channels, including Experimental and Beta. The latest Insider build includes a renewed flight certificate to ensure devices remain on supported builds and continue receiving updates. A chart outlines the minimum builds required for various channels, with specific builds available by July 31, 2026. Failure to update will result in a warning message about the build's expiration, and automatic updates will stop once the certificate expires. Users should check Settings > Windows Update to install the latest build.
Microsoft is testing deeper Phone Link integration in Windows 11, but do you actually use it?
Winsage
August 3, 2026

Microsoft is testing deeper Phone Link integration in Windows 11, but do you actually use it?

Windows Insiders can access new features in Windows 11 Insider Build 26300.9032, available through the Experimental Preview Channel. Key updates include: - Windows Search: Introduces customizable options for integrating personal or work/school Microsoft accounts and OneDrive in search results. It can automatically expand indexing based on user activity, which can be managed in Settings > Privacy & security > Search. - Phone Link: Users can now preview recent messages or notifications by hovering over them in the Start menu, enhancing visibility into mobile activity. This feature is gradually rolling out and requires a minimum Phone Link build of 1.26021.3.0. - Settings App: Improved search functionality for quicker navigation to relevant settings. - Adaptive Hibernate Policy: Enhancements for instant-on resumes from Modern Standby and better battery preservation based on battery levels. - Start Menu: A fix for an issue causing crashes when dragging apps. - Taskbar: Resolved an issue where hovering over app window previews in an overflow state dismissed them. - File Explorer: Home now retains the state of sections, and improvements have been made for reliability when dragging files to disconnected network drives. Issues with files on DFS mapped drives being misidentified have also been addressed. - Windows Spotlight: Changes to enhance reliability on the lock screen. - Storage: Fixes for File History automatic backups to network shares that displayed false "invalid credentials" errors.
Microsoft wants Windows 11’s right-click menu to work the way it should, by giving users more control
Winsage
August 2, 2026

Microsoft wants Windows 11’s right-click menu to work the way it should, by giving users more control

Microsoft is redesigning the context menu in Windows 11 to address complaints about its sluggishness and clutter. The new design will feature a more compact layout that enhances loading speed and offers full customization options. Users will be able to prioritize frequently used actions, hide seldom-used entries, and rearrange items in the menu. This initiative is part of the broader Windows K2 project aimed at improving the operating system's performance and user experience. The redesigned context menu is currently functional in internal testing, but no timeline for its public rollout has been announced.
Search