New Features in Windows 11 Dev Build 26120.2200 (KB5044376) Including Tray Indicator

Microsoft wraps up the week with the release of two new preview builds: one designated for the Beta Channel and another for the Dev Channel. The Dev Channel has been updated to version 26120.220 (KB5044376), introducing a new Windows Studio Effects indicator, enhancements in dynamic lighting, and multiple bug fixes related to the Start menu, taskbar, and Settings application.

Below is the full changelog:

Gradual Rollout of Changes and Improvements to the Dev Channel

[Windows Studio Effects]

Windows Studio Effects offers AI-driven enhancements for both audio and camera functionality on devices featuring a Neural Processing Unit (NPU). Users can now access Studio Effects directly from the Quick Settings menu in the system tray. A new icon will appear in the system tray whenever an application is in use that employs a Studio Effects-enabled camera, allowing you to click the icon to open the Studio Effects settings in Quick Settings. Hovering over the icon will also show a tooltip identifying the application using the camera.

A Studio Effects icon will now be displayed in the system tray for any applications utilizing a compatible camera.

[Dynamic Lighting]

If no compatible devices are connected, the Dynamic Lighting settings page will display a placeholder message, and the Brightness and Effects controls will be disabled.

New options for the Wave effect have been added, including Forward, Backward, Outward, and Inward directions, in addition to adding a Forward direction option for the Gradient effect.

Fixes Being Rolled Out to the Dev Channel

[Start Menu]

Resolved an issue where clicking or tapping a letter in the All apps section of the Start menu would cause the list to malfunction.

[Taskbar]

Corrected a problem that caused explorer.exe to crash for some Insiders when hovering over particular open applications on the taskbar.

[Settings]

Fixed an issue where a blank entry appeared in the Privacy & Security section, leading to a crash of the Settings app when clicked.

[Input]

The mouse setting “Show location of pointer when I press the CTRL key” has been improved so that the visible circles are now DPI-aware, preventing them from being too small on high-DPI displays.

Various fixes applicable to all users in the Dev Channel.

[Other]

Fixed: The Windows Kernel Vulnerable Driver Blocklist file (DriverSiPolicy.p7b) has been updated to include drivers susceptible to Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) attacks.

Fixed: HTML Applications (HTA) optional components (OC) are now supported in ARM64 Windows PE.

Fixed: Live kernel debug files are no longer created when they shouldn’t be.

Fixed: Some UI elements may not be visible while running specific applications.

Fixed: Resolved a stop error that occurred during system shutdown.

Fixed: Errors generated when executing the sfc /scannow command have been addressed.

Fixed: This update improves the accuracy of free space estimates in the Windows Disk Cleanup app.

Below is a list of known issues:

[Start Menu]

[NEW] An unexpected amount of spacing between items in the Start menu apps list may be present.

[Dev Drive]

[NEW] We are addressing a fundamental issue that may cause Dev Drives to be inaccessible within WSL.

For further details, you can view the announcement post here.

Source