Hello Windows Insiders, today marks the release of Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3964 (KB5058496) for the Beta Channel, specifically tailored for those on Windows 11, version 24H2. A gentle reminder that the last update to the Beta Channel was Build 22635.5305, which was based on Windows 11, version 23H2. As we transition, all Insiders in the Beta Channel will soon be upgraded to version 24H2. However, for those currently on version 23H2, there is an option to upgrade to version 24H2 with today’s build if desired.
Changes in Beta Channel builds and updates are categorized into two sections: new features, improvements, and fixes that are gradually rolled out for Insiders who have opted in for the latest updates via Settings > Windows Update, and those rolling out to all users in the Beta Channel. For further details, please refer to the Reminders section at the end of this update.
New Copilot+ PC experiences
Introducing the new agent in Settings
Last week, we unveiled an enhancement to Settings aimed at alleviating a common pain point: locating and modifying settings on your PC. With this update, users can simply articulate their needs, such as “how to control my PC by voice” or “my mouse pointer is too small,” and the agent will provide tailored recommendations to resolve the issue. This AI-powered agent understands your intent and, with your consent, can automate tasks on your behalf. Currently, this feature is available for Windows Insiders on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, with support for AMD and Intel™-powered PCs on the horizon. Please note that this feature is functional only if your primary display language is set to English.
FEEDBACK: Please share your thoughts in the Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Settings > All other settings.
Intelligent text actions in Click to Do for AMD and Intel™-powered Copilot+ PCs
We are excited to introduce enhanced intelligent text actions to elevate your Click to Do experience on AMD and Intel™-powered Copilot+ PCs. By using WIN key + mouse-click or WIN + Q, you can select a block of text and drag to highlight your desired content. Options will appear to Summarize, Create a bulleted list, or Rewrite your text, allowing for a more casual, formal, or polished tone.
Click to Do utilizes the capabilities of Phi Silica, the on-device Small Language Model (SLM) integrated into Windows. Results from our local model will appear inline, and if you’re satisfied with the rewrites, you can easily copy them to your clipboard for use elsewhere. The intelligent text actions are accessible when your default language is set to English, at least 10 words are selected, and you are signed in with either a Microsoft account or Microsoft Entra account. More information on using Click to Do can be found here.
FEEDBACK: Please provide feedback in the Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Desktop Environment > Click to Do.
Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out to the Beta Channel with toggle on*
[Click to Do (Preview)]
- For Windows Insiders using French or Spanish as their primary language, Click to Do will temporarily offer only Summarize, Create a bulleted list, and Refine as intelligent text actions. The Rewrite option and its features will return in a future update.
[Dynamic Lighting]
- Dynamic Lighting compatible devices can now be safely removed using the “Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media” taskbar icon.
[Settings]
- A dedicated FAQs section has been added to the Settings > System > About page, making it easier to find answers to common questions about your PC and Windows 11. This section aims to provide quick insights on system configuration, performance, and compatibility, ensuring you have the information needed for informed decision-making.
Fixes gradually being rolled out to the Beta Channel with toggle on*
[Start menu]
- Resolved several crashes affecting Start menu reliability for Insiders in recent flights.
[File Explorer]
- Addressed a deadlock that could occur when loading File Explorer Home, which caused it to hang.
- Fixed an issue where Shared by and Activity information was missing in the tooltip when hovering over recent documents in File Explorer Home.
- Corrected an issue that could lead to explorer.exe crashing when closing File Explorer.
[Voice Access]
- Fixed a problem that caused voice access crashes when using Spanish.
[Taskbar]
- Resolved an issue where keyboard focus could become stuck on the taskbar frame when navigating with Tab and Shift + Tab, potentially leading screen readers to announce “pane”.
- Fixed a flickering issue with media controls in preview windows for apps in the taskbar that support it.
[Windows Spotlight]
- Fixed an issue where the Windows Spotlight flyout for “learn more about this picture” might get stuck above other app windows when using it as your desktop background.
[Live captions]
- Resolved an issue causing live captions to crash in the previous build.
[Other]
- Improved color selections in MMC when items are selected, both generally and in contrast modes.
- Fixed an underlying issue that could cause some applications, such as Word, to hang when attempting to print.
Known issues
[General]
- 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 hinder your ability to receive future Beta Channel updates, which will rectify this issue.
- We are addressing an issue where core Windows surfaces, such as File Explorer and the Start menu, are unable to load in safe mode following the previous flight.
- [NEW] The option to reset your PC under Settings > System > Recovery is currently non-functional in this build.
[Xbox Controllers]
- Some Insiders are encountering a bugcheck issue when using their Xbox Controller via Bluetooth. To resolve this, open Device Manager, select “View” and then “Devices by Driver.” Locate the driver named “oemXXX.inf (XboxGameControllerDriver.inf)” and uninstall it.
[Recall (Preview)]
- [REMINDER] You maintain control and can remove Recall at any time via “Turn Windows features on or off.” This action will delete entry points and binaries, though Windows may keep temporary copies for serviceability, which will eventually be removed.
- [REMINDER] Ensure that your Microsoft 365 apps are updated to the latest version to seamlessly return to specific documents.
[Click to Do (Preview)]
- [REMINDER] Intelligent text actions are now moderated locally to ensure prompt safety and have replaced the cloud endpoint. These actions are also available in Click to Do within Recall.
- [REMINDER] If actions on image entities are not appearing, please check for the latest updates for the Photos and Paint app from the Microsoft Store.
The following known issues will be addressed in future updates for Windows Insiders:
- [NEW] Image actions may not be visible in Click to Do.
- [NEW] Insiders on AMD or Intel™-powered Copilot+ PCs may experience extended wait times on their first attempt to perform intelligent text actions in Click to Do after a new build or model update.
[Improved Windows Search]
- [REMINDER] For optimal Windows Search performance on Copilot+ PCs, it is advisable to connect your device during the initial search indexing. You can check your search indexing status under Settings > Privacy & security > Searching Windows.
[Start menu]
- We are investigating reports that clicking on your profile picture does not open the Account Manager for some Insiders following the last flight.
[Task Manager]
- After the addition of the new CPU Utility column, you may notice that the System Idle Process consistently shows as 0.
- The CPU graphs on the Performance page are still utilizing the previous CPU utility calculations.
[Narrator]
- [NEW] We are looking into an issue where richer image descriptions with Narrator on Copilot+ PCs are not functioning as expected.
[Voice Access]
- [NEW] We are investigating an issue where support for more descriptive and flexible language on Copilot+ PCs is not performing as intended.
Entra ID support for AI features in Paint and Notepad
We are pleased to announce the rollout of Entra ID support for AI features in Paint (version 11.2503.381.0 and higher) and Notepad (version 11.2503.16.0 and higher) for Windows Insiders on IT-managed PCs across the Canary, Dev, and Beta Channels. This update allows commercial customers to access AI features that were previously exclusive to consumers. In Paint, Entra ID enables access to Cocreator, which generates images by merging a sketch with a text prompt, and Generative Fill, which adds new elements to selected areas of a canvas based on descriptive input. These tools are designed to enhance visual exploration and expedite creative workflows. In Notepad, Entra ID facilitates quick summarization or rewriting of text content.
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).
- Updates delivered to the Beta Channel are formatted to provide a preview of enhancements to servicing technology on Windows 11, version 24H2. For more information, visit this link.
- Many features in the Beta Channel are rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and gradually expanding as we monitor feedback.
- For those in the Beta Channel eager to be the first to access features gradually rolled out to you, you can enable the toggle 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 you choose to keep this toggle 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 be released, as we explore various 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 ready.
- Some features under active development may not be fully localized, and localization will occur over time as features are finalized. If you encounter localization issues in your language, please report them via the Feedback Hub.
- Please be aware that certain 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, check out Flight Hub.
Thanks,
Amanda & Brandon