The latest Insider build of Windows 11 has arrived, marking the beginning of the new year with the KB5072046 update, which elevates the operating system to build 26220.7535. This update is accessible to Insiders enrolled in the Dev and Beta channels, bringing with it a host of enhancements and features, particularly those related to Microsoft Copilot.
Noteworthy Enhancements
Among the most significant changes is the introduction of a new feature for Narrator, powered by Copilot. This enhancement allows users to generate AI-driven descriptions for images quickly. Notably, this feature is available across all Windows 11 devices, although users in the European Economic Area (EEA) will find it unavailable due to regulatory restrictions.
Microsoft elaborates on this development, stating:
Last year, we introduced rich image descriptions in Narrator on Copilot+ PCs—making it possible for blind and low-vision users to hear detailed, AI-generated descriptions of images, charts, and graphs.
Narrator can now work with Copilot on all Windows 11 devices to further understand images and visual elements on your screen. You can press Narrator key + Ctrl + D to describe the focused image or press Narrator key + Ctrl + S to describe the full screen. Copilot opens with the image ready, allowing you to enter your own prompt and generate a description tailored to what you want to know. Importantly, the image is only shared after you choose to describe it. You remain in control at every step.
On Copilot+ PCs, Narrator continues to provide instant, on-device image descriptions using local AI. Press Narrator key + Ctrl + D/S, and Narrator immediately reads a rich description—highlighting people, objects, colors, text, numbers, and layout. When you want more detail or follow-up insights, simply select Ask Copilot to continue exploring.
In a move to enhance user control, Microsoft has also introduced a policy allowing system administrators to uninstall the Microsoft Copilot App from managed devices. This option can be enabled through a new policy titled RemoveMicrosoftCopilotApp, which applies under specific conditions:
- Both Microsoft 365 Copilot and Microsoft Copilot are installed.
- The Microsoft Copilot app was not installed by the user.
- The Microsoft Copilot app has not been launched in the last 28 days.
When this policy is activated, the Microsoft Copilot app will be uninstalled once, although users retain the option to reinstall it if they wish. This policy is available for Enterprise, Pro, and EDU SKUs, and can be enabled via the Group Policy Editor under User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows AI -> Remove Microsoft Copilot App.
Additional Fixes and Improvements
The release notes also highlight various fixes being rolled out globally:
[Start menu]
- Resolved an issue where the edge of the warning dialog shown during shutdown was truncated by the Start menu’s edge.
[File Explorer]
- Addressed a problem causing explorer.exe to crash for some Insiders when invoking the context menu on the desktop.
[Input]
- Fixed a black flash issue that occurred when using a pen to ink in the Snipping Tool.
[Print]
- Corrected an issue leading to two print dialogs appearing instead of one.
- Adjusted the color of the close button in the print dialog for consistency with other windows.
- Fixed truncation issues with text on the Printers and Scanners page in Settings.
[Windows Update]
- Resolved a problem that caused the Windows Update settings page to hang while loading.
For those seeking further details, additional information is readily available through official channels.
