Major Update for Windows 11 25H2: Experimental Agentic Settings and More in Build 26220.7262

Microsoft Releases Windows 11 Insider Build 26220.7262

Microsoft has rolled out an unusual Monday build, Windows 11 Insider Build 26220.7262 (KB5070303), now available for testing. This build introduces a range of enhancements and features aimed at improving user experience, including upgrades to Narrator and Magnifier, new experimental settings, and bug fixes affecting Task Manager.

Enhancements to Narrator and Magnifier

The latest update brings high-definition voices to both Narrator and Magnifier for English (United States), leveraging Azure’s latest on-device text-to-speech technology. These advanced voices utilize generative AI, resulting in a more natural tone and pacing for improved clarity and expressiveness.

Users can now expect a less tiring listening experience during prolonged sessions while engaging with their content. Though currently limited to English, this innovative feature enables users to customize their auditory experience by adjusting voice speed and easily switching between voices.

How to Enable HD Voices in Narrator

Navigate to Settings → Accessibility → Narrator.
Select the add a natural voice button.
Download your desired HD voice.
Modify settings to switch voices or adjust speed as needed.

Currently, users can choose from two HD voice options: one male voice (Andrew) and one female voice (Ava).

Enabling HD Voices in Magnifier

Open Settings → Accessibility → Magnifier.
Select the add a natural voice button.
Download your chosen voice.
Use Magnifier settings to switch voices or alter speed.

New features in Windows 11 build 262207262

Introducing Math Support in Narrator

This build marks the first phase of Math reading capabilities in Narrator, providing a more intuitive experience for users with visual impairments. Math expressions within Microsoft 365 applications, such as Word, can now be read in a structured manner, enhancing accessibility in STEM education and professional settings.

To test this feature, activate Narrator (press Win + Ctrl + Enter) and open a Word document containing mathematical equations. Utilize standard Narrator commands to hear the equations read aloud in a more coherent format. Future updates will further refine this feature and broaden its applicability.

New Experimental Feature Settings

The build also introduces an Experimental Agentic Features toggle in the Settings app under System → AI Components. This feature allows the use of advanced agentic capabilities in Windows, fostering a more interactive user experience. For a detailed overview, refer to the Experimental Agentic Features – Microsoft Support.

Additional Changes and Updates

Click to Do: The context menu for Click to Do has been refined for easier access to common commands like Copy, Save, and Share. Additionally, it will now pop up automatically when large images or tables are displayed on the screen.
Image Object Selection Update: The Image Object selection feature is temporarily disabled. Improvements have been made to the tutorial mode, including a new Launch Tutorial button for better user onboarding.
Input Enhancements: Haptic feedback will be provided by compatible pens during specific interactions with the system UI, enhancing user engagement through tactile responses.
File Explorer Adjustments: Modifications to File Explorer’s AI actions are being implemented, which may temporarily impact the availability of certain image and summary features. Also, the option to open new folders in tabs has been temporarily disabled due to functionality issues.

Fixed Issues

In this release, several bugs have been addressed:

General: Resolved mouse and keyboard functionality issues within WinRE/Advanced Startup.
Taskbar: Fixed a fault that incorrectly notified some users about their camera eligibility for Recall.
Task Manager: Rectified a bug where Task Manager processes didn’t terminate correctly upon closing, which previously caused unexpected restarts of the application.
Settings: Restored functionality for Virtual Workspaces options in Settings, which were previously malfunctioning.

Known Issues

Despite these improvements, some issues persist:

Taskbar & System Tray: Ongoing investigations focus on unresponsive Start menus and missing app icons in the system tray.
File Explorer: Users may notice glitches in the copy progress dialog during dark mode, such as improper display of the scrollbar and missing footer elements.
.NET Framework and Visual Studio: ARM64 users may experience crashes with Visual Studio or. NET-dependent applications. It’s advisable to perform a Windows Update to install the latest. NET Framework version to mitigate these issues.

For further details, you can access the official announcement post.

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