Microsoft has recently delivered Windows 11 Build 27686 to Insiders in the Canary Channel, marking a significant step forward in the operating system’s evolution. This latest build comes packed with a variety of enhancements aimed at improving user experience and system performance.
What you need to know
- Windows 11 Build 27686 has been rolled out to Insiders in the Canary Channel.
- The tech giant has introduced several additional features to this build.
- A key highlight is the new ability to set your Power Mode based on whether your PC is plugged in or running on battery, all accessible through the Settings app.
- Furthermore, users can now enable HDR video streaming even when HDR is turned off.
This new feature simplifies the management of power modes, allowing users to easily switch settings without navigating through the Control Panel. The integration into the Settings app reflects Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to streamline user interactions and enhance accessibility.
On August 15, 2024, Microsoft unveiled the details of this build, followed by the rollout of additional features the very next day. The introduction of the power mode option is particularly noteworthy, as it caters to users who frequently alternate between plugged-in and battery usage. Additionally, the ability to enable HDR video streaming while keeping HDR disabled opens up new possibilities for media consumption, allowing for a tailored viewing experience without compromising performance in other applications, such as gaming.
<h2 class="article-bodysection” id=”section-windows-11-build-27686″>Windows 11 Build 27686
Windows Sandbox Client Preview
- This build also introduces the updated Windows Sandbox Client Preview, now available through the Microsoft Store. This preview includes features such as runtime clipboard redirection, audio/video input control, and the ability to share folders with the host during runtime. Users can access these features via the new “…” icon located at the upper right of the app. Additionally, an early version of command line support is included, with commands subject to change over time. For further details, users can utilize the ‘wsb.exe –help’ command.
General
- As Microsoft continues to innovate, some features previously available to Insiders in the Canary Channel may temporarily disappear as newer builds are tested. However, these features are expected to return over time.
- Optimizations have been made to enhance battery life for PCs running Build 27686 and above. Users are encouraged to provide feedback via the Feedback Hub, particularly if they are not experiencing the expected battery performance. When submitting feedback, it’s advisable to use the “Start recording” button to capture additional logs for analysis.
Settings
- In response to user feedback, a new detach virtual hard disk (VHD/VHDx) button has been added to the Settings app, simplifying the process of detaching these disks as needed. This option can be found under Settings > System > Storage > Disks & Volumes.
- Improvements are also being rolled out to the Power & battery settings, allowing users to set their Power Mode for both plugged-in and battery scenarios, along with other user interface enhancements.
- For users with HDR displays, the new option to enable HDR video streaming even when HDR is off can be found under Settings > System > Display > HDR.
Networking
- To facilitate future enhancements in network performance, devices may periodically conduct background network tests to gather diagnostic data. These tests will consume a minimal amount of data (up to 10MB/day) and will only run on Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections that are not marked as metered. This feature is exclusive to PCs in the Canary Channel running Build 27686 and higher.
Storage
- In a significant update, the FAT32 size limit for formatting disks from the command line has been increased from 32GB to an impressive 2TB, providing users with greater flexibility in managing their storage needs.
