New Windows 11 Release Preview Builds Allow Customization of Hardware Indicator Locations and More

Microsoft Unveils New Windows 11 Builds for Insiders

Today, Microsoft has released two new builds for Windows Insiders, specifically for users on the Release Preview channel. These builds, numbered 26100.6713 and 26200.6713, showcase upcoming features slated for general release later this month in the September 2025 non-security updates. Alongside the usual performance enhancements, these updates introduce a range of exciting new features, including hardware indicator customization, AI capabilities in File Explorer, enhancements to the Windows Share UI, and the debut of Emoji 16.0.

Highlights of the New Features

Here’s a detailed look at the key features rolling out in the latest builds:

Click to Do
- Table Detection: The new Click to Do feature can now recognize tables. Users can highlight a simple table and easily export it to Excel, copy, or share it. This function is accessible by pressing Win + Click on any application with a table. Currently, this is available for Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, with support for AMD and Intel systems expected soon. An active Microsoft Excel installation and a Microsoft 365 subscription are prerequisites for the “Convert to table with Excel” option.
- Action Tags: The Click to Do context menu now showcases trending and popular action tags, simplifying access to the latest AI-driven functionalities.
- Summarize Action: Click to Do introduces enhanced summaries for text entities, optimizing clarity for a better user experience.
Settings Enhancements
- Agents Navigation: Users can now access corresponding settings directly from agent search results on their Copilot+ PCs.
Desktop Customization
- Hardware Indicator Positioning: Users can now reposition on-screen hardware indicators (brightness, volume, etc.) via Settings > System > Notifications.
Taskbar Improvements
- IT administrators can now apply pinning policies without needing to restart the explorer.exe process, allowing users to see taskbar updates within approximately eight hours after policy application.
File Explorer AI Actions
- New AI capabilities allow users to edit images or summarize documents directly within File Explorer. Simply right-click (or use Shift + F10) to access AI actions.
- Image Actions: New AI features for.jpg, .jpeg, and.png files include Visual Search, Blur Background, Erase Objects, and Remove Background functionalities.
- Summarizing Documents: The Summarize action is now seamlessly integrated for faster document processing within Microsoft 365.
- Context menu enhancements include improved visibility for packaged app icons and overall performance optimizations for loading cloud files.
Windows Share Functionality
- Users can now pin their favorite applications within the Windows share window for easier access.
Emoji Updates
- The release of Emoji 16.0 features new entries such as the Face with Bags Under Eyes, Fingerprint, and more, enriching cultural representation within the emoji set.
Advanced Settings Redesign
- The Advanced settings page has undergone a redesign to enhance usability, offering key options, including version control for Git directly in File Explorer.
Gaming Optimizations
- New Xbox controller features improve gaming experience on Windows 11 with quick access to the Game Bar and Task View.
Administrator Protection
- This new feature protects admin rights with just-in-time privileges but is disabled by default.

Bug Fixes and Improvements

In addition to the new features, several bug fixes have been implemented:

Input Method Fixes: Issues with character display in the Chinese Input Method Editor (IME) have been resolved.
Windows Hello Enhancements: Problems related to PIN setup and operation in safe mode have been addressed.
General Performance Enhancements: Various improvements have been made to the Settings app and overall system performance.

For the complete announcement and more details on these updates, visit the official Windows Insider Blog.

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