Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.2702 (KB5048761) to the Dev Channel. Changes in Dev Channel builds and updates are documented in two categories: new features, improvements, and fixes that are gradually rolled out for Insiders who have opted in to receive the latest updates (via Settings > Windows Update) and new features, improvements, and fixes rolling out to everyone in the Dev Channel. For more information, see the Reminders section at the bottom of this blog post.
New features gradually being rolled out to the Dev Channel with toggle on*
Windows Camera Advanced Configurations
A new advanced camera options page is being introduced. Users can access this feature by navigating to a camera under Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Cameras and clicking the edit button for advanced camera options.
This page will offer two configurations for your camera:
- Multi-app camera: This option allows multiple applications to access the camera stream simultaneously. It was developed with the Hard-of-Hearing community in mind, enabling video streaming to both a sign language interpreter and the audience concurrently.
- Basic camera: This setting enables basic camera functionality for improved debugging and is recommended as a last resort when the camera is not functioning correctly. This feature was developed in collaboration with Microsoft support agents.
In a future build, a third option will be introduced, allowing users to select different media types such as resolution and frame rate, with the default setting being “Let Windows Choose” for an optimal experience.
FEEDBACK: Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Devices and Drivers > Device Camera or Webcams.
Passwordless Improvements
In line with Microsoft’s vision for a passwordless future, we are launching API support for third-party passkey providers on Windows. Microsoft has been collaborating with passkey manager partners to develop this capability, aiming to enhance login security for all Windows users.
WebAuthn Plugin Authenticator APIs
We are releasing updates to WebAuthn APIs to support a plugin authentication model for passkeys. In the coming months, Windows customers will have the option to choose a third-party provider alongside the native Windows passkey provider while maintaining the familiar Windows Hello user experience. Messages in WebAuthn flows will be forwarded to the plugin, and responses will be returned to the WebAuthn client applications. This model allows plugins to utilize Windows Hello as a user verification mechanism, facilitating a seamless passkey experience. Users can expect additional updates to the passkey flows and Settings alongside these new capabilities.
Developers of third-party passkeys are encouraged to integrate with Windows 11 to support customers on their passkey journey. For implementation details, visit this link.
FEEDBACK: Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Security and Privacy > Passkey.
Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out to the Dev Channel with toggle on*
[Start menu]
- We are enhancing the filtering for recommended websites on the Start menu based on feedback from Windows Insiders, ensuring that the highest quality sites are displayed according to your browsing history. We encourage continued feedback regarding any recommendations that may seem inappropriate.
[Settings]
- The ability to change time zones is once again available under Settings > Time & Language > Date & Time for standard (non-admin) users.
Fixes gradually being rolled out to the Dev Channel with toggle on*
[Input]
- Resolved an issue where enabling pointer trails could render the mouse cursor invisible, accompanied by a black box.
- Mitigated an issue where the ALT or Shift key might become stuck after the Windows Hello prompt appeared for some Insiders.
- Fixed an issue that could cause the mouse cursor to stutter unexpectedly during movement.
[Graphics]
- Addressed an underlying issue that could lead to some games appearing oversaturated when using Auto HDR.
Fixes for everyone in the Dev Channel
[Rollback]
- Resolved the issue that displayed an “Your organization used App Control for Business to block this app” dialog when rolling back from Build 26120.2510 to an earlier build, due to an incorrect policy enforcement affecting certain third-party apps.
Known issues
[General]
- [NEW] After performing a PC reset under Settings > System > Recovery, your build version may incorrectly display as Build 26100 instead of Build 26120. This will not affect your ability to receive future Dev Channel updates that will rectify this issue.
[Recall]
The following known issues will be addressed in future updates for Windows Insiders:
- Recall can be enabled or disabled from “Turn Windows features on or off.” We are currently caching the Recall binaries on disk while testing add/remove functionalities. A future update will completely remove these binaries.
- Some users may encounter a message prompting them to “Make sure Recall is saving snapshots,” even when the Settings page indicates that saving snapshots is enabled. A device reboot should resolve this issue.
- Ensure that Microsoft 365 apps are updated to the latest version to facilitate seamless access to specific documents.
[Click to Do]
The following known issues will be fixed in future updates for Windows Insiders:
- Occasionally, additional context may be provided when utilizing more intelligent text actions powered by Phi Silica.
- The intelligent text actions leverage the capabilities of Microsoft’s secure cloud to enhance text results by ensuring that prompts and responses are safe and appropriate. This data is automatically deleted, and local moderation will be implemented in the future to replace this cloud endpoint.
- At times, Click to Do may not highlight any information on-screen if there is no content on a connected external monitor in extended mode.
Microsoft Edge Game Assist (Preview)
Windows Insiders are invited to explore Microsoft Edge Game Assist (Preview). This innovative tool serves as the first in-game browser designed to deliver a rich, gaming-centric browsing experience. It provides access to your browser data from both PC and mobile devices, appearing on top of your game within Game Bar. Game Assist is tailored for PC gaming, offering tips and guides relevant to your gameplay. It also shares the same browser data with Edge on your PC, ensuring that your favorites, history, cookies, form fills, and more are always accessible while you play. For more details and to get started with Game Assist, check out the accompanying blog post!
Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel
- Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel receive updates based on Windows 11, version 24H2 via an enablement package (Build 26120.xxxx).
- Updates delivered to the Dev Channel are formatted to provide a preview of enhancements to servicing technology on Windows 11, version 24H2. For further information, visit this link.
- Many features in the Dev Channel are rolled out using Control Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and gradually expanding as we monitor feedback.
- For those in the Dev Channel eager to be the first to receive features gradually rolled out to you, ensure the toggle is set to receive the latest updates via Settings > Windows Update. Over time, we will increase the rollout of features to all users with the toggle activated. If the toggle is off, new features will be rolled out to your PC over time as they become ready.
- Features and experiences included in these builds may not ultimately be released, as we experiment with various concepts and gather feedback. Features may evolve, be removed, or replaced without ever being released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features may appear in future Windows releases when they’re ready.
- Some features currently in development may not be fully localized; localization will occur over time as features are finalized. Please report any localization issues in your language via Feedback Hub.
- It is important to note that some accessibility features may not function with features like Recall and Click to Do while in preview with Windows Insiders.
- As the Dev and Beta Channels represent parallel development paths, there may be instances where features and experiences debut in the Beta Channel first.
- For a comprehensive overview of which build is in which Insider channel, please refer to Flight Hub.
Thanks,
Amanda & Brandon
