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