Latest Windows 11 Build 26120.3000 Features New Battery Indicator and More

Microsoft has unveiled a fresh preview build of Windows 11, designated Build 26120.3000, now accessible to Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel. This update incorporates several notable enhancements, including a revamped battery indicator and a gamepad keyboard functionality. Below, we detail the significant updates and fixes associated with this build:

New Features Rolling Out Gradually in the Dev Channel (Toggle On Required)

Enhanced Battery Iconography in Windows 11

The latest build introduces redesigned battery icons that effectively convey the battery status of your device at a glance. Key modifications consist of color-coded icons denoting charging status, simplified overlays that do not obstruct the progress bar, and a toggle option to display battery percentage.

When the battery icon displays in green, it indicates that the device is charging efficiently. A yellow icon signals energy-saving mode activation, which occurs automatically when the battery level falls to 20% or below. If the icon turns red, it means the battery is critically low, and you should connect your device to a power source immediately. These updated battery indicators will appear in the system tray, quick settings flyout, and the Settings menu, with plans to extend visibility to the Lock screen in future updates.

Additionally, users can access detailed battery information by hovering over the battery icon in the system tray or by navigating to Settings > System > Power & Battery, where adjustments to the energy saver mode threshold can also be made.

In response to user requests, the option to display battery percentage in the system tray is now available. To activate this feature, go to Settings > Power & Battery and switch on the “Battery Percentage” option.

[Note: This feature is being gradually rolled out to Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel, and may not be available to all users immediately as feedback is monitored prior to wider release.]

Improvements and Features in Development (Toggle On Required)

[Input]

The temporary suspension of the Gamepad keyboard layout has ended, and it is now being reintroduced for the touch keyboard. This feature allows users to navigate and input text using an Xbox controller, complete with button accelerators (e.g., using the X button for backspace and the Y button for space) and vertically aligned keyboard keys for streamlined navigation.

[Narrator]

Several enhancements have been made to Narrator’s scan mode. New shortcuts (I for list items, Comma (, ) and Period (.) for navigation) allow rapid traversal through lengthy documents and web pages, enhancing accessibility and usability. To utilize these features, enable Narrator with Win + Ctrl + Enter, turn on scan mode by pressing Caps Lock + Spacebar, and apply the new shortcuts as needed.

[Taskbar Search]

Improved support for web search providers specifically for the EEA has been integrated into Windows Search, featuring clearer provider attribution within the tabs.

[Miscellaneous]

The feature for suggested actions when copying phone numbers or future dates has been deprecated in this update.

Fixed Issues in the Current Build

General Fixes

Resolved an issue that caused significant performance declines due to repeated background crashes for some users in the previous build.

File Explorer Fixes

Fixed an issue where users could not navigate by entering paths in the address bar.

Addressed issues with the address bar overlapping content while in full-screen view (F11).

Enhanced context menu launch performance for cloud file interactions.

Improved consistency in displaying thumbnails for cloud files within search results.

Fixed a problem where searching might disrupt keyboard focus in the search box.

Other Fixes

Resolved an issue causing scanners not to be recognized by scanning applications despite being connected.

Fixed an issue where 2-in-1 devices unexpectedly altered screen orientation upon waking from sleep.

Known Issues in the Current Build

General Known Issues

Following a PC reset under Settings > System > Recovery, the build version may incorrectly display as Build 26100 instead of Build 26120. This will not hinder future Dev Channel updates.

A recurring 0xc0e90001 error may occur when booting into Windows Recovery (WinRE) on Arm64 PCs, which will be addressed in the next build.

Recall Feature

Several known issues related to the Recall feature will be remedied in subsequent updates. Users may receive prompts to ensure that snapshots are being saved correctly; a reboot can resolve discrepancies.

It is essential to keep Microsoft 365 apps updated to access specific document snapshots properly.

Click to Do Feature

Some users may notice additional context prompts due to the intelligent text actions powered by Phi Silica. These features are designed to optimize results, ensuring safe and appropriate outputs, which will be moderated locally in the future.

Live Captions & Real-Time Translation

Several users may experience crashes upon the initial launch of live captions; restarting the feature should resolve the issue.

Switching languages while audio is playing or with the microphone enabled might lead to crashes; users are advised to pause audio to avoid this issue.

File Explorer Issues

Minimizing File Explorer may not render the window correctly upon restoration.

[NEW] Investigations into delayed closure of File Explorer when using the X button are ongoing, affecting other title bar functionalities as well.

Improved Windows Search

The search box on the taskbar does not yet replicate the UI enhancements seen in File Explorer; improvements are expected in future updates.

In rare instances, the search functionalities may become unresponsive and a reboot might be necessary.