Microsoft has announced the rollout of new Release Preview channel builds for Windows 11 Insiders. The updates, specifically builds 26100.7296 and 26200.7296 associated with KB5070311, pertain to the Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 versions, respectively. These recent builds introduce several enhancements aimed at improving graphics, display functionalities, and overall user experience across various applications including File Explorer, Settings, and Widgets. Below is a comprehensive overview of the updates:
Phased Rollout Process
The following enhancements may not be immediately accessible to all users, as they will be part of a gradual rollout.
Copilot+ PC Innovations
- [Click to Do]
- New! The Click to Do context menu has received a refined design for easier access to essential actions, including Copy, Save, Share, and Open.
- New! When large images or tables are rendered on your screen, the context menu will automatically open, facilitating quicker access to required actions.
- [Agent in Settings]
- New! The search results menu has been enhanced to display a broader range of results, simplifying the process of locating and adjusting settings.
- New! The introduction of Recommended settings allows users to swiftly modify recently adjusted settings directly from the inline agent option.
- New! A dialog will now appear when further adjustments to settings are not possible, accompanied by an explanation and options for modifications.
- [File Explorer] New! As part of the Copilot+ experience, the placeholder text in the File Explorer Search Box has been updated to emphasize the upgraded Windows Search capabilities.
General Windows 11 Enhancements for All Corresponding Devices
- [Desktop Spotlight] New! When setting Windows Spotlight as your desktop background through Settings > Personalization > Background, the context menu now offers two options: Learn more about this background and Next desktop background.
- [Drag Tray] For users utilizing the Drag Tray:
- New! The Drag Tray now facilitates multi-file sharing, showcases more relevant apps, and simplifies the process of moving files to desired folders.
- New! Users can toggle the Drag Tray from Settings > System > Nearby sharing.
- [Keyboard] New! Performance enhancements for keyboard backlighting on supported HID-compliant keyboards now ensure clear visibility in low-light environments while optimizing power consumption.
- [File Explorer]
- New! A more uniform dark mode appearance has been integrated into File Explorer, with updates to key actions like copy, move, and delete dialogs to improve visual accessibility.
- New! Efforts to consolidate share options within the context menu are underway and will start with a limited group of devices as we assess the best approach.
- Fixed: Resolved an issue where thumbnails for certain video files would fail to display when containing certain EXIF metadata.
- Fixed: An occasional appearance of an outdated white toolbar in File Explorer has been corrected.
- Fixed: Addressed an issue where the icon next to the Open entry for files would generically display instead of matching the default application for that file type.
- [Settings]
- New! The settings for keyboard character repeat delay and rate, as well as cursor blink rate, have transitioned from the Control Panel to Settings. Users can now find these settings under Settings > Accessibility.
- New! A Device Card is now accessible from the Settings homepage, displaying key specifications and usage information for your PC. This feature is available when logged in with a Microsoft account and is currently only available in the U. S.
- New! The layout of About in Settings has been revamped for better organization of device information and navigation features.
- Fixed: Resolved issues causing Settings to become unresponsive when navigating to the Network & Internet section.
- [Windows Hello] New! Enhanced sign-in security now supports peripheral fingerprint sensors. Users can enroll compatible ESS fingerprint readers via Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
- [Windows Share] New! You can now share OneDrive files through other applications, accessible via the Share using option when selecting Copy link, contingent upon being signed into a Microsoft account.
- [Mobile Device Settings] New! Users can now manage mobile devices through Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Mobile, including features such as utilizing their device as a connected camera.
- [Game Pass] Updates to Game Pass references in Settings reflect new branding and associated benefits.
- [Taskbar & System Tray]
- New! Animations have been updated for app group previews on the taskbar, enhancing the user experience during app transitions.
- Fixed: The taskbar’s “Automatically hide” setting addressing unexpected configurations.
- Fixed: Resolved issues with voice access functionality when interacting with taskbar elements.
- [Recovery] For devices with both “quick machine recovery” and “automatically check for solutions” settings activated, Quick Machine Recovery will now conduct a one-time scan, helping improve recovery processes.
- [Widgets]
- New! Users can set a default dashboard within Widget Board settings, enhancing consistency across navigation experiences.
- New! Dashboard icons in the Widget navigation bar now feature numerical badges to indicate alerts, automatically clearing when exiting a dashboard.
- [OneDrive] The updated OneDrive icon can now be found within Accounts and Homepages under Settings.
- [Input] Pens with haptic feedback will now provide tactile sensations during specific interactions within the UI, enhancing user experience.
- [Lock and Login Screens]
- Fixed: Improved performance during the initial login process for new accounts.
- Fixed: Addressed memory leak issues potentially arising when a slideshow is set as the lock screen background.
- [Display and Graphics]
- Improved: Enhanced performance when applications request monitor support modes, aimed at reducing stutters on high-resolution displays.
- Fixed: Resolved brightness slider issues on all-in-one PCs where it reverted to its original setting unexpectedly.
- Fixed: Addressed an issue where certain games would display an error message about unsupported graphics cards despite compatible hardware.
- [Smart Cards] Fixed: Resolved an error during logon involving ECC Smart Card Credential with STATUS_NOT_SUPPORTED (0xc00000bb).
- [Advanced Settings] Users can now enable Virtual Workspaces in Advanced Settings, facilitating the management of virtual environments such as Hyper-V and Windows Sandbox. Access this feature via Settings > Systems > Advanced.
1 Availability of Drag Tray is gradually rolled out and may vary across devices and markets. Please consult KB5058499 for detailed information.
2 Availability of this feature is dependent on device compatibility and market; it is currently not available within the European Economic Area.
Routine Rollout Updates
This standard update addresses quality issues with the following highlights from the KB update:
- [Security] Fixed an issue with the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS) that could result in instability due to access violations.
To read the official Microsoft blog post regarding these updates, kindly visit here.
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