Microsoft has unveiled a new Windows 11 update, specifically tailored for Canary insiders, with Build 27754 now ready for download. This update introduces a series of enhancements, including a refined Windows Hello experience, improved taskbar features, and various other updates aimed at streamlining user interaction.
Modernized Windows Hello
In its ongoing commitment to security and user experience, Microsoft has made significant strides in enhancing Windows Hello. Following the introduction of advanced passkey features in September 2023, the latest update brings a fresh look to the Windows Hello interface, aligning it with modern design principles. The emphasis is on creating an authentication process that is both intuitive and seamless.
The updated visuals for Windows Hello are crafted to ensure quick and clear communication, appearing prominently on the Windows Sign-in screen and throughout various authentication flows, including passkeys and the Microsoft Store. This redesign aims to facilitate a smoother transition between authentication options, allowing users to select passkeys and devices with greater ease.
This revamped experience will also extend to the new administrator protection feature, currently in preview for Windows 11, version 24H2 and higher, available to Windows Insiders in the latest Canary Channel builds. For further insights into administrator protection, interested users can refer to a dedicated blog post detailing Microsoft’s investments in adminless experiences showcased at Microsoft Ignite.
Changes and Improvements
General Enhancements:
- Users can now hold Shift and CTRL while clicking on a jump list item in the Start menu or taskbar to launch that item as an administrator, mirroring the functionality of Shift + CTRL clicking the app icon directly.
Taskbar & System Tray Updates:
- The previews that appear when hovering over taskbar apps have been updated, along with improved animations based on feedback from Insiders.
- A simplified system tray design is being tested, featuring a condensed date/time display and a notifications bell icon that reflects Do Not Disturb status. Users can revert to the traditional display format through settings adjustments.
Fixes:
General:
- Resolved an issue related to the application of policy for the Digital Markets Act in EEA regions in Build 27749.
- Addressed a problem where a failed update could lead to a duplicate Windows entry in the boot menu.
File Explorer:
- Fixed an issue causing RAW images taken in portrait mode to incorrectly display as landscape in thumbnails.
- Improved the search box functionality in File Explorer to prevent it from extending beyond the window’s edge.
Taskbar & System Tray:
- Corrected an issue affecting secondary monitors for users with a left-aligned taskbar, where widget text could overlap with the date and time display.
Input:
- Resolved a problem that could cause the mouse to unlock from a game window on multi-monitor systems after using the Game Bar.
Other Fixes:
- Addressed issues causing certain remote access applications to crash in the latest Canary builds.
- Fixed a bug that led to SYSTEM THREAD EXCEPTION NOT HANDLED errors for some Insiders.
- Resolved an issue where running sfc /scannow would consistently show errors.
- Fixed a problem that could cause Registry Editor to become unresponsive after accessing license information in the About section.
Known Issues
General:
- [IMPORTANT NOTE FOR COPILOT+ PCs] Users transitioning to the Canary Channel on a new Copilot+ PC from other channels may encounter issues with Windows Hello PIN and biometrics, receiving error 0xd0000225. Recreating the PIN is possible through the “Set up my PIN” option.
- Investigations are underway regarding reports of rollbacks (error code 0xc190010) during the installation of the latest Canary builds.
- [NEW] Reports of accent-colored window borders and shadows not displaying correctly are being investigated.
- [NEW] Users have reported seeing window launching animations even when the animation setting is disabled, which is also under review.
Desktop:
- Efforts are being made to resolve an issue where desktop backgrounds may not display correctly on systems with multiple monitors, resulting in large black areas.
For a comprehensive overview of the changes and improvements, users can refer to the official Windows Insider blog, which details the full changelog.
