Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5603 (KB5058488) 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 enabled the toggle for the latest updates (accessible via Settings > Windows Update), and new features, improvements, and fixes rolling out to all users 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*
Introducing AI actions in File Explorer
With the introduction of AI actions in File Explorer, users can now engage more interactively with their files. By simply right-clicking, you can quickly perform tasks such as editing images or summarizing documents. This feature, akin to Click to Do, allows you to maintain your workflow while harnessing AI capabilities for editing tools or Copilot functionality without needing to open the file. To explore AI actions, right-click on any file to find a new AI actions entry in the context menu, presenting various options tailored for your file.
<figure id="attachment177881″ aria-describedby=”caption-attachment-177881″ class=”wp-image wp-image–caption alignnone”><figcaption id="caption-attachment177881″ class=”wp-caption-text”>File Explorer with context menu expanded on a file showing new AI actions highlighted in a red box.
Currently, you can utilize one of four image actions for seamless editing or web searches:
- Bing Visual Search: Search the web using an image rather than text, enabling you to find similar images, products, and details about sites using the image. This feature enhances your ability to shop, solve homework problems, or translate text more intuitively.
- Blur Background: This action opens the Photos app, which automatically identifies the background in your photo, allowing you to highlight your subject and blur the background with a single click. You can also customize the effect by adjusting the Blur Intensity or using the Brush Tool.
- Erase Objects: Utilize the Photos app to select or highlight unwanted elements in your photo, allowing Generative Erase to make them disappear, effectively removing distractions.
- Remove Background: With Paint, alter any image in just one click, producing a smooth cutout of the subject. This feature can detect the subject from the entire canvas or through the selection tool.
These four image actions currently support the following file types: .jpg, .jpeg, and .png. In the coming weeks, new AI actions for Microsoft 365 files will be rolled out:
<figure id="attachment177883″ aria-describedby=”caption-attachment-177883″ class=”wp-image wp-image–caption alignnone”><figcaption id="caption-attachment177883″ class=”wp-caption-text”>A summary of a document in File Explorer via the Summarize Microsoft 365 action.
- Summarize: With Copilot, generate summaries of various document types stored on OneDrive and SharePoint without opening them individually, allowing for quick access to needed information. Supported file types include .docx, .doc, .pptx, .ppt, .xlsx, .xls, .pdf, .rtf, .txt, and .loop.
- Create an FAQ: This feature helps transform your OneDrive files into a neatly formatted, AI-generated Q&A list, perfect for building internal knowledge bases or preparing for meetings. Supported file types include .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx, .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt, .rtf, .aspx, .htm, and .html.
To access AI actions for Microsoft 365 files, you must meet the following requirements:
- For Summarize, a Microsoft 365 subscriber with a Copilot subscription is required (both Microsoft account and Microsoft Entra ID are supported).
- For Create an FAQ, a commercial Microsoft 365 subscriber with a Copilot subscription is necessary (Microsoft Entra ID supported). Consumer support with a Microsoft account will be available later.
- Enrollment in the Microsoft 365 Insider Program is required, with your PC part of the Beta Channel update channel. Follow these instructions to get set up: Become a Microsoft 365 Insider on Windows.
We welcome your feedback on these new AI actions in File Explorer!
Introducing Advanced Settings
Advanced settings are now accessible via Settings > System > Advanced, featuring a redesign aimed at making settings easier to locate for a wider audience. This redesign introduces additional settings, including Enable long paths, Virtual workspaces, and File Explorer + version control. The Enable long paths feature removes MAX_PATH limitations from common Win32 file and directory functions. Virtual workspaces allow users to enable or disable virtual environments such as Hyper-V and Windows Sandbox. The File Explorer + version control feature displays Git information directly within File Explorer, providing details such as branch, diff count, and last commit message when selecting your repository folder.
<figure id="attachment177884″ aria-describedby=”caption-attachment-177884″ class=”wp-image wp-image–caption alignnone”><figcaption id="caption-attachment177884″ class=”wp-caption-text”>Advanced settings page for File Explorer.
Windows Advanced settings is here! We restructured the For Developers page and added new features such as File Explorer with version control
Easily view your Git information directly in columns within File Explorer!pic.twitter.com/QukvK76Bw1
— Kayla Cinnamon@ #MSBuild (@cinnamon_msft) May 19, 2025
FEEDBACK: Please file feedback on GitHub at microsoft/WindowsAdvancedSettings.
Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out to the Dev Channel with toggle on*
[Taskbar & System Tray]
- In addition to the new grouping of the Accessibility flyout in quick settings, text descriptions for assistive technologies like Narrator and Voice access have been added for easier identification and learning.
<figure id="attachment177885″ aria-describedby=”caption-attachment-177885″ class=”wp-image wp-image–caption alignnone”><figcaption id="caption-attachment177885″ class=”wp-caption-text”>Accessibility flyout via quick setting showing text descriptions for assistive technologies like Narrator, Voice access, etc.
[Search on the Taskbar]
- Improvements are being rolled out for the Windows search box on your taskbar, including a notice indicating that search results may be incomplete if Windows is still indexing your PC, along with a link to check indexing status. This notice can be dismissed.
- A status indicator for files and folders on your PC will now show whether a file or folder is available online (cloud) or on your device.
<figure id="attachment177886″ aria-describedby=”caption-attachment-177886″ class=”wp-image wp-image–caption alignnone”><figcaption id="caption-attachment177886″ class=”wp-caption-text”>Windows search box improvements for search results highlighted in red boxes.
[Voice access]
- Chinese support in voice access has been temporarily disabled to address certain issues, with plans to reintroduce this change in a future flight.
[Widgets]
A new visual experience for the widgets board is being tested, featuring a more organized, personalized, and engaging feed. Additionally, Copilot-curated stories will be included, offering a multifaceted view on topics through summaries, videos, and images from trusted MSN premium publishers. Some features, such as pinning and hiding, are still under development. We encourage you to explore this new experience and share your feedback as we continue to refine it.
<figure id="attachment177887″ aria-describedby=”caption-attachment-177887″ class=”wp-image wp-image–caption alignnone”><figcaption id="caption-attachment177887″ class=”wp-caption-text”>The new visual experience for the widgets board.
You can revert to the previous widgets board experience by changing the ‘Copilot Discover (Preview)’ toggle in the Personalize MSN settings dialog.
<figure id="attachment177888″ aria-describedby=”caption-attachment-177888″ class=”wp-image wp-image–caption alignnone”><figcaption id="caption-attachment177888″ class=”wp-caption-text”>Toggle for Copilot Discover (Preview) in a red box.
[Power & Battery]
- We are introducing User Interaction-Aware CPU Power Management, an OS-level enhancement designed to reduce power consumption and extend battery life. After a period of inactivity, Windows will seamlessly apply efficient power management policies, conserving energy while ensuring full performance is restored immediately upon user interaction.
[Windows Share]
- In the Windows share window, the UI has been adjusted to allow users to select their compression scale from High, Medium, or Low Quality, simplifying the sharing process.
<figure id="attachment177889″ aria-describedby=”caption-attachment-177889″ class=”wp-image wp-image–caption alignnone”><figcaption id="caption-attachment177889″ class=”wp-caption-text”>New drop-down menu for compression scale of high, medium, or low when sharing images in the Windows share window.
[Windows Backup]
- We are experimenting with different variations of the landing page when launching the Windows Backup app.
[Snipping Tool]
- [ADDED] The Snipping Tool’s new text extractor feature has been enhanced to minimize the steps required to copy text to your clipboard without needing to take a screenshot. Users can now jump directly into text extractor via Win + Shift + T, provided they are on Snipping Tool version 11.2503.29.0 or higher.
[Settings]
We are rolling out minor changes to setting your browser defaults in Windows 11 via Settings > Apps > Default apps:
- For Add new link/file types of ‘Set Default’ button, additional types have been added for the “Set Default” button.
- For one-click button of PDF for browser sets, a new button has been introduced to make your default browser also the default app for PDF files.
<figure id="attachment177890″ aria-describedby=”caption-attachment-177890″ class=”wp-image wp-image–caption alignnone”><figcaption id="caption-attachment177890″ class=”wp-caption-text”>Browser default settings page showing new set default button for PDF files.
Fixes gradually being rolled out to the Dev Channel with toggle on*
[General]
- Addressed an issue where core Windows surfaces were unable to load in safe mode (including File Explorer and the Start menu) following the latest flights.
[Start menu]
- Resolved an issue that caused the Start menu to appear blank for some Insiders in the previous flight.
[File Explorer]
- Fixed a problem where clicking the new tab button while File Explorer was maximized would unmaximize the window.
[Settings]
- Corrected an issue related to loading Bluetooth information that could lead to crashes in Settings and Quick Settings.
- Resolved a problem preventing users from switching active hours from manual to automatic in Settings > Windows Update.
- Addressed an issue causing Settings > Personalization > Lock screen to crash for some Insiders.
Known issues
[General]
- After performing a PC reset under Settings > System > Recovery, your build version may incorrectly display as Build 26100 instead of Build 26200. This will not hinder your ability to receive future Beta Channel updates, which will resolve this issue.
- The option to reset your PC under Settings > System > Recovery is non-functional in this build.
[Xbox Controllers]
- Some Insiders are experiencing issues with their Xbox Controller via Bluetooth, leading to bugchecks on their PCs. To resolve this, open Device Manager, navigate to “View” and select “Devices by Driver.” Locate the driver named “oemXXX.inf (XboxGameControllerDriver.inf)” and uninstall it.
[Click to Do (Preview)]
The following known issues will be addressed in future updates to Windows Insiders:
- Windows Insiders on AMD or Intel™-powered Copilot+ PCs may experience delays during the first attempt to perform intelligent text actions in Click to Do after a new build or model update.
[Improved Windows Search]
- [REMINDER] For improved Windows Search on Copilot+ PCs, it is advisable to plug in your Copilot+ PC during the initial search indexing to ensure completion. Check your search indexing status under Settings > Privacy & security > Searching Windows.
[Start menu]
- We are investigating reports that clicking your profile picture does not open the Account Manager for some Insiders following the last couple of flights.
[File Explorer]
The following are known issues for AI actions in File Explorer:
- [NEW] Narrator scan mode may not function correctly in the action result canvas window for the Summarize AI action when reading bulleted lists. A workaround is to use Caps + Right key for navigation.
- [NEW] When the Windows display language is set to a right-to-left language, the action result canvas displays text from left to right for AI actions related to Microsoft 365 files.
[Task Manager]
- After adding the new CPU Utility column, the System Idle Process may consistently show as 0.
- The CPU graphs in the Performance page are still utilizing the old CPU utility calculations.
[Narrator]
- We are investigating an issue where the richer image descriptions on Copilot+ PCs with Narrator are not functioning as expected.
[Voice Access]
- We are looking into an issue where support for more descriptive and flexible language on Copilot+ PCs does not operate as intended.
[Widgets]
- [NEW] Until we finalize support for pinning in the new widgets board experience, pinning will revert you back to the previous experience.
Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel
- Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel receive updates based on Windows 11, version 24H2 through an enablement package (Build 26200.xxxx).
- Many features in the Dev Channel are rolled out using Control Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and gradually expanding as feedback is monitored.
- For those in the Dev Channel eager to be among the first to receive features gradually rolled out to you, 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 turned on. If you 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 without being released beyond Windows Insiders. Some features may appear in future Windows releases when they are ready.
- Some features in active development previewed with Windows Insiders may not be fully localized, with localization occurring over time as features are finalized. Please report any localization issues in your language via the Feedback Hub.
- Be aware that some accessibility features may not work 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
