Hello Windows Insiders. Today marks the release of the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27881 to the Canary Channel, accompanied by downloadable ISOs available here. Notably, we will not be providing SDKs for the 27xxx series builds at this time.
What’s new with Build 27881
New profanity filter setting for voice typing
In response to user feedback, we are pleased to introduce a new setting for voice typing that allows you to manage the profanity filter. When activated, the filter will mask profane words with asterisks, maintaining the current functionality. However, if you choose to turn it off, voice typing will transcribe profanity just like any other word.
To modify this setting, simply open voice typing (Win + H), click on the settings icon, and toggle the profanity filter option in the menu.
FEEDBACK: We encourage you to submit your thoughts via the Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Input and Language > Voice Typing (Windows key plus H).
Introducing speech recap in Narrator
Our commitment to enhancing Narrator continues with the introduction of a new feature—speech recap. This tool is designed to help users keep track of what has been spoken, providing quick access for reference. With speech recap, users can easily access spoken content, follow live transcriptions, and copy the last spoken phrases using straightforward keyboard shortcuts.
To open the speech recap window, use Narrator key + Alt + X, where you can find the last 500 spoken strings. The text in this window refreshes each time Narrator starts, allowing you to use standard reading commands and arrow keys to navigate and copy the desired text.
For quick copying of the last spoken phrase, simply use Narrator key + Control + X. This feature can be particularly useful in various scenarios, such as referencing hints or copying error codes.
Live transcription of Narrator speech is beneficial for Assistive Technology trainers and educators supporting students with visual impairments, as well as professionals who are hard of hearing. To view live transcriptions, use the same command to open the speech recap window and position it as needed on your screen.
- 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 share your feedback in the Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Accessibility > Narrator.
Changes and Improvements
[General]
- To ensure security and up-to-date software, Insider Preview builds in the Canary Channel are signed with security certificates renewed annually. This year, we’ve made the change early, and we recommend installing the latest build to avoid expiry notifications. The new expiration date is now set for 8/11/2026.
[Taskbar & System Tray]
- The needy state pill under apps on the taskbar requiring attention has been redesigned to be wider and more visible.
<figure id="attachment177946″ aria-describedby=”caption-attachment-177946″ class=”wp-image wp-image–caption alignnone”><figcaption id="caption-attachment177946″ class=”wp-caption-text”>Wider needy state pill UI showing for Microsoft Teams on the taskbar indicating the app needs attention.
- Accessibility features in the quick settings flyout have been improved by grouping assistive technologies by vision, hearing, motor, and mobility for easier identification.
<figure id="attachment177995″ aria-describedby=”caption-attachment-177995″ class=”wp-image wp-image–caption alignnone”><figcaption id="caption-attachment177995″ class=”wp-caption-text”>New grouping by vision, hearing, motor, and mobility in the Accessibility flyout in quick settings.
[Search on the Taskbar]
- Enhanced support for web search providers in Windows Search for the EEA, improving discoverability.
[Windows Share]
- The Windows share window now includes the ability to quickly edit and enhance images while sharing, featuring in-line editing capabilities such as cropping, rotating, and applying filters. Additionally, users can compress images to reduce file size for easier sharing. This feature is applicable only to local images stored on your PC, supporting formats like .jpg, .jpeg, .dib, .png, .tif, .tiff, and .bmp.
<figure id="attachment177756″ aria-describedby=”caption-attachment-177756″ class=”wp-image wp-image–caption alignnone”><figcaption id="caption-attachment177756″ class=”wp-caption-text”>New edit button in the Windows share window when sharing local images.
<figure id="attachment177757″ aria-describedby=”caption-attachment-177757″ class=”wp-image wp-image–caption alignnone”><figcaption id="caption-attachment177757″ class=”wp-caption-text”>The image editing experience from the Windows share window with a picture of the dog Kilo.
- Users can now share directly to apps that support sharing in Windows when right-clicking on local files in File Explorer or on the desktop.
<figure id="attachment177359″ aria-describedby=”caption-attachment177359″ class=”wp-image wp-image–caption alignnone”>
[Settings]
- A new FAQs section on the Settings > System > About page has been introduced to provide quick answers to common questions about your PC and Windows 11, enhancing user experience and decision-making.
<figure id="attachment177996″ aria-describedby=”caption-attachment177996″ class=”wp-image wp-image–caption alignnone”>
- The dialog for renaming printers under Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners has been updated to align with Windows 11 visuals.
<figure id="attachment177820″ aria-describedby=”caption-attachment177820″ class=”wp-image wp-image–caption alignnone”>
[Input]
- A small design change to the touch visual when dragging your finger on the screen has been introduced, featuring animated bubbles. We invite touch PC users to provide feedback on this update under Input and Language > Touch Input and Gestures in the Feedback Hub.
[Other]
- The command pnputil /enum-drivers now includes a new field that enumerates driver package catalog attributes, indicating the driver type and whether it is attestation-signed.
Fixes
[General]
- Resolved an issue affecting some Insiders in the previous build where text displayed incorrectly in various Windows components, including Task Manager.
- Addressed a problem preventing some users from booting into safe mode, resulting in a message indicating their PIN was unavailable.
[File Explorer]
- Fixed a crash issue in File Explorer when tapping the View button with touch.
[Start menu]
- Resolved a crash issue that affected the Start menu on launch for some Insiders in recent builds.
[Taskbar]
- Fixed a focus issue that caused keyboard focus to be set to widgets on login, leading to unexpected widget invocation.
- Addressed flickering media controls in preview windows for supported apps on the taskbar.
- Corrected a focus issue when using Tab and Shift + Tab to navigate the taskbar, which could lead to focus being stuck on the taskbar frame.
- Fixed an issue where the shortcut WIN + CTRL + was not functioning to cycle between open app windows on the taskbar.
[Input]
- Resolved an issue where typing Japanese with the touch keyboard could stop functioning after switching back from an English keyboard.
- Fixed a problem preventing voice typing from starting from the touch keyboard when using the Chinese (Simplified) narrow layout.
- Addressed an issue where pressing the key to change pages in the Symbols section of the touch keyboard could unexpectedly insert a character into password fields.
[Settings]
- Fixed an issue preventing users from switching active hours from manual to automatic in Windows Update.
- Adjusted the placement of the intensity and color boost sliders under Settings > Accessibility > Color Filters for better visibility during adjustments.
[Voice access]
- Resolved crashes occurring in voice access when using Spanish.
[Other]
- Fixed an issue where a clean installation of Windows using installation media would generate an empty Windows.old folder.
- Addressed an error message encountered by some Insiders when opening Group Policy Editor.
Known issues
[General]
- [IMPORTANT NOTE FOR COPILOT+ PCs] Users joining the Canary Channel on a new Copilot+ PC from other channels may experience loss of Windows Hello PIN and biometrics, resulting in error 0xd0000225. Recreating the PIN can be done by clicking “Set up my PIN”.
- We are investigating an issue where the taskbar fails to display acrylic material after upgrading to the latest Canary builds, causing unexpected UI colors.
- [NEW] The “Reset this PC” option under Settings > System > Recovery will not function after upgrading to Build 27881. Users can still utilize the “Go back” option or download the ISO for Build 27881 to reinstall Windows.
[Settings]
- [NEW] An issue is under investigation that may cause Settings to crash when accessing microphone properties under Settings > System > Sound.
Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Canary Channel
- The builds released to the Canary Channel represent early platform changes and should not be viewed as aligned with any specific Windows release. Features may evolve, be removed, or never reach general availability.
- Many features in the Canary Channel utilize Control Feature Rollout technology, initially targeting a subset of Insiders before broader deployment based on feedback.
- Some features may debut in the Dev and Beta Channels prior to appearing in the Canary Channel.
- Localization for features in active development will occur over time, and we encourage reporting any localization issues via the Feedback Hub.
- To exit the Canary Channel, a clean installation of Windows 11 is required. Insiders cannot switch to a channel with lower build numbers without a clean install due to technical requirements.
- The desktop watermark in the lower right corner of the desktop is standard for these pre-release builds.
- For a comprehensive overview of build statuses across Insider channels, please visit Flight Hub.
Thank you, Amanda & Brandon
