Hello Windows Insiders, today marks the release of Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3653 (KB5053658) to the Beta Channel for users on Windows 11, version 24H2. This update introduces a variety of features, improvements, and fixes, all meticulously documented for your convenience. Insiders who have opted in for the latest updates can access these enhancements through Settings > Windows Update.
New features gradually being rolled out to the Beta Channel with toggle on*
Introducing quick machine recovery
The latest Insider Preview build unveils the Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) feature, a significant addition to the Windows Resiliency Initiative announced at Ignite 2024. This innovative feature is designed to tackle common boot issues by automatically detecting and applying fixes from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). This proactive approach minimizes system downtime and reduces the need for manual intervention. Upon encountering a critical boot failure, devices will connect to the network and send diagnostic data to Microsoft, enabling targeted remediations via Windows Update. IT administrators are encouraged to enable and customize this feature, which is set to be enabled by default for home users. Windows Insiders can begin testing QMR today and share their feedback through the Feedback Hub app by selecting Recovery and Uninstall > Quick Machine Recovery. A test remediation package will soon be available, allowing users to experience the quick machine recovery process firsthand.
Introducing speech recap in Narrator
In our ongoing efforts to enhance the Narrator experience, we are excited to introduce speech recap. This new feature allows users to keep track of what Narrator has spoken, providing quick access for reference. With speech recap, users can easily access spoken content, follow along with live transcription, and copy what Narrator last said using simple keyboard shortcuts.
To open the speech recap window, simply use Narrator key + Alt + X, which will display the last 500 strings spoken by Narrator. The text in this window refreshes each time Narrator starts, allowing users to utilize standard reading commands and arrow keys to navigate the content. For those needing to save or share a recently spoken phrase, the shortcut Narrator key + Control + X allows for instant copying to the clipboard.
This feature proves beneficial in various scenarios, such as recalling hints heard when opening new windows, copying error codes, or incorporating Narrator speech into training materials.
Live transcription of Narrator speech is particularly useful for Assistive Technology trainers and educators supporting students with visual impairments. To view live transcriptions, simply open the speech recap window and position it on your screen as needed. This feature allows for real-time transcription of Narrator audio, enhancing accessibility for all users.
The keyboard shortcuts for Narrator follow a straightforward pattern, making them easy to remember:
- Control + Windows key + Enter = Turn Narrator on/Off
- Narrator key + X = Re-hear what Narrator said last
- Narrator key + Control + X = Copy what Narrator said last
- Narrator key + Alt + X = Open Speech recap window for history and live transcriptions
FEEDBACK: Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Accessibility > Narrator.
Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out to the Beta Channel with toggle on*
[General]
- We are previewing a new, streamlined UI for unexpected restarts that aligns more closely with Windows 11 design principles. This update aims to enhance user productivity by simplifying the experience while retaining essential technical information. For Windows Insiders, this will appear as a “green screen” and is currently rolling out to users on Windows 11, version 24H2 and higher across Beta, Dev, and Canary Channels.
[Copilot on Windows]
- Launching Copilot on Windows is now simplified with the Win + C shortcut. Users can personalize their Copilot experience through the “Customize Copilot key on keyboard” option found in Settings > Personalization > Text input.
- To initiate a conversation with Copilot, press and hold the Copilot key for two seconds. For devices without the Copilot key, the Win + C combination serves the same purpose. Conversations can be ended by pressing the Esc key, and if there is no interaction for several seconds, Copilot will automatically conclude the session. Additionally, users can press and hold Alt + Spacebar to engage with Copilot using their voice, ensuring seamless interaction without disrupting ongoing tasks. This feature is supported in the latest Copilot app update (version 1.25033.139.0 and higher), which is gradually rolling out across Insider Channels via the Microsoft Store.
- Developers can also implement the same trigger for press to talk in their applications that support the Copilot key, although this functionality is not yet available in the enterprise-focused Microsoft 365 Copilot app.
- Both Win + C and press to talk features are being rolled out gradually, so not all Insiders will receive the update simultaneously. We are keen to collaborate with our Insiders to ensure an optimal Copilot experience for all Windows users.
[Click to Do (Preview)]
Click to Do is currently available in preview for Windows Insiders on Windows 11, version 24H2 in the Dev and Beta Channels on Copilot+ PCs.
- On Copilot+ PCs, Click to Do can now be accessed from the Start menu, with options to pin it to Start and the taskbar.
- Click to Do now supports intelligent text actions in Spanish and French, in addition to English. Further language support will be rolled out in future updates. These text actions are currently available on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, with plans to extend support to AMD and Intel®-powered devices soon.
- A new text action allows users to create bulleted lists, currently available in English, Spanish, and French on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, with broader support coming soon.
- We are also providing policies for managing Click to Do in commercial environments, with detailed information available for IT administrators.
[Windows Share]
- When sharing links or web content through the Windows share window, users will now see a visual preview of the content.
- The Windows share window now includes capabilities for quick image editing while sharing. Users can crop, rotate, and apply filters to images, as well as compress them for easier sharing. This feature supports local images stored on the PC in various formats, including .jpg, .jpeg, .dib, .png, .tif, .tiff, and .bmp.
[Other]
- To enhance security and user experience, we are removing the bypassnro.cmd script from the build. This change ensures that all users exit setup with internet connectivity and a Microsoft Account.
Fixes gradually being rolled out to the Beta Channel with toggle on*
[Taskbar]
- Addressed an issue where taskbar icons were not resizing appropriately when using the PC in tablet mode.
[File Explorer]
- Resolved an issue that caused File Explorer to hang when the search indexer was unresponsive.
- Fixed a problem where the date for files and folders in Home might appear blank unexpectedly.
- Improved the reliability of launching File Explorer.
- Corrected an issue that prevented searches from executing when disconnected network drives were present.
- Fixed a crash in File Explorer when moving or renaming certain files.
[Windowing]
- Resolved an explorer.exe crash related to snap layouts that occurred when dragging a window or hovering over the maximize button.
[Windows Update]
- Fixed an issue that prompted users to reboot for a cumulative update that was already installed.
- Addressed a situation where an installed cumulative update might not appear in Settings > Windows Update > Update History.
[Settings]
- Fixed a crash in Settings for some Insiders when navigating to System > Power & Battery in the latest flights.
- Resolved an issue where text in the Advanced Camera Options under Bluetooth & devices > Cameras might not load correctly.
Known issues
[General]
- [REMINDER] Upon joining the Beta Channels on Windows 11, version 24H2, users will initially receive Build 26120.3360. After this update, the most recent version will be offered. This two-step process to access the latest 24H2-based flight in the Beta Channel is temporary.
- Following a PC reset under Settings > System > Recovery, the build version may inaccurately display as Build 26100 instead of Build 26120. This will not hinder future Beta Channel updates, which will rectify this issue.
[Recall (Preview)]
- [REMINDER] Ensure that Microsoft 365 apps are updated to the latest version to utilize the feature for jumping back into specific documents.
The following known issues will be addressed in future updates for Windows Insiders:
- Some Insiders may encounter difficulties with Recall, specifically regarding automatic snapshot saving and the inability to enable the setting in Settings. A fix is underway.
- Recall can be toggled from “Turn Windows features on or off.” We are currently caching the Recall binaries on disk during testing, with plans to remove them in a future update.
[Click to Do (Preview)]
- [REMINDER] The intelligent text actions are now moderated locally to ensure the safety of prompts and responses, replacing the previous cloud endpoint. These actions are also available in Click to Do in Recall.
- [REMINDER] If actions on image entities are not appearing, please ensure that the latest updates for the Photos and Paint apps are installed from the Microsoft Store.
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.
[Improved Windows Search]
- [REMINDER] For enhanced Windows Search on Copilot+ PCs, it is advisable to plug in your device during the initial search indexing. The search indexing status can be checked under Settings > Privacy & security > Searching Windows.
[File Explorer]
- We are actively working on a fix for an issue causing File Explorer Home to crash for some Insiders. Users can still navigate folders by launching File Explorer to a different location, such as through search or the Run dialog.
[Task Manager]
- After the addition of the new CPU Utility column, users may notice that the System Idle Process consistently displays as 0.
- The CPU graphs on the Performance page are still utilizing the previous CPU utility calculations.
[Widgets]
Further details regarding Widgets will be shared in subsequent updates.
Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel
- Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel on Windows 11, version 24H2 will receive updates based on Windows 11, version 24H2 via an enablement package (Build 26120.xxxx).
- Many features in the Beta Channel are rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time as we monitor feedback.
- For those eager to receive features gradually rolled out to you, you can enable the toggle for 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 never reach general release, as we continually test different concepts and gather feedback. Features may evolve, be removed, or replaced, and may not be released beyond Windows Insiders. Some features could appear in future Windows releases when they are fully developed.
- Some features currently in development may not be fully localized, with localization occurring over time as features are finalized. Please report any localization issues 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.
Thank you for your continued engagement and feedback.
