Hello Windows Insiders,
Today marks the release of new Windows 11 Insider Preview builds for both the Beta and Experimental Channels. This update also serves as a reminder regarding the renewed flight certificates and the ongoing issue with the Feature Flags settings in the Experimental channel.
Renewed Windows Insider flight certificates
As a gentle reminder, all new builds come equipped with renewed Windows Insider flight certificates, which replace those that expired on August 11, 2026. These flight certificates are periodically updated to ensure that Insider devices remain on supported builds and continue to receive future Windows Insider Preview updates. Devices that do not transition to a newer build with a current certificate may face compatibility challenges with various software, including anti-cheat applications. For further details, please refer to the certificate renewal FAQ.
Experimental Feature Flags
We are currently investigating a situation that results in the Feature Flags settings page appearing empty for Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel. We anticipate resolving this issue in the next Experimental build and will keep you updated through our blog.
New builds this week
We are excited to announce the release of new Windows 11 Insider Preview builds today. To view the release notes, please select your channel below:
For those on other specific build versions, here are today’s new builds and their corresponding release notes:
Notable new features:
[File Explorer]
Release channel: Experimental
Introducing the new, redesigned Context Menu in File Explorer
- We are beginning to roll out an updated context menu experience in File Explorer, crafted to feel faster, cleaner, and more customizable to your workflow. The new design minimizes top-level clutter, ensures commonly used actions are easily accessible, and introduces a new Settings experience that grants you greater control over what appears in the menu. As we refine this experience based on Insider feedback, our aim is to make right-click actions feel more responsive, predictable, and personal.
[Emoji]
Release channel: Experimental
- We are thrilled to announce the addition of support for Emoji 17.0, featuring new emoji such as the distorted face, fight cloud, and hairy creature. To explore these new emoji, simply press the Windows key plus Period (.) to open the emoji panel and insert them from there.
- In conjunction with this update, we have also made slight adjustments to the design of some existing emoji to enhance consistency across platforms. This includes updates to the saluting face, face with peeking eye, goose, lotus, and kissing cat emoji.
Thank you,
Stephen and the Windows Insider Program team
