Microsoft Unveils Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27744 for Canary Channel Users

Microsoft has launched the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27744 for users in the Canary Channel. A notable aspect of this release is that every user will experience the same feature rollout, rather than being divided into different experiences, enhancing the overall testing environment.

What’s New in Build 27744

Enhanced Processor Feature Support in Prism

This build introduces significant updates to Prism, Microsoft’s emulator designed for Windows on Arm. This enhancement allows a broader range of 64-bit x86 (x64) applications to operate under emulation through additional CPU feature support.

The expanded capabilities of Prism are currently in limited use with Windows 11 version 24H2, facilitating the operation of applications like Adobe Premiere Pro 25 on Arm. With Build 27744, any x64 application can utilize these enhancements, potentially enabling previously unsupported games and creative software to be used effectively.

From a technical standpoint, the virtual CPU for x64 emulation now supports advanced extensions to the x86 instruction set architecture—including AVX, AVX2, BMI, FMA, and F16C—making it compatible with many applications that have come to expect these features. For verification, users can utilize tools such as Coreinfo64.exe.

It is important to note that only x64 applications can access these CPU features in this preview. If an application is 32-bit or utilizes a 32-bit helper for CPU feature detection, it will not recognize the new capabilities of Prism.

Microsoft encourages feedback from Insiders interested in exploring app and game compatibility with this early Prism preview, as they continue to refine emulation for Windows on Arm.

Key Changes and Improvements

Start Menu Enhancements

• The “All apps” section has been simplified to just “All” in the Start menu.

New Input Features

• A new Gamepad keyboard layout is being introduced for the on-screen keyboard, allowing Xbox controller users to navigate and input text more effectively. This includes button accelerators—like the X button for backspace and Y button for the spacebar—and a vertical alignment of keys for optimized controller navigation.

Improvements to Task Manager

• The Disconnect and Logoff dialogs in Task Manager now support dark mode and improved text scaling.

• Performance section now includes type labels for listed disks.

Settings Updates

• The detach virtual hard disk (VHD/VHDx) feature that was previously removed has returned under Settings > System > Storage > Disks & Volumes.

Fixes Implemented in This Build

General Fixes

• Resolved issues where users with older NVIDIA GPUs (such as the GTX 970 and Quadro K620) faced unresponsive black screens or GPU errors in Device Manager.

Input Fixes

• Fixed an issue that prevented the Emoji Panel and Clipboard History from opening in certain Windows applications, including Registry Editor.

• Addressed a bug that caused clipboard history to fail displaying copied items.

Windows Sandbox Fixes

• Improved performance issues regarding Windows Sandbox that affected some Insiders.

Graphics Fixes

• Corrected an issue where the dynamic refresh rate was locked at 60Hz upon first boot.

Other Notable Fixes

• Addressed a bugcheck error (PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA) encountered by some Insiders since Build 27723.

• Fixed remote desktop connection (mstsc.exe) crashes observed in previous builds.

• Resolved a crashing issue related to msmpeg2vdec.dll in recent updates.

• Fixed an issue preventing queries for JPG rotation info via APIs like PowerShell.

• Addressed a state issue with the Get-WindowsCapability command requiring a reboot.

• Resolved compatibility issues with desktop background slideshow and mica effects.

• Fixed detection problems with certain applications not recognizing connected scanners.

Known Issues

General Issues

• Microsoft is actively investigating reports of rollback errors (0xc190010) during the installation of the latest Canary builds.

Desktop Issues

• We are addressing a newly reported issue where desktop backgrounds may incorrectly display with multiple monitors, resulting in large black areas.

Important Reminders for Canary Channel Insiders

• Feature release in the Canary Channel often utilizes Control Feature Rollout technology, initially targeting a select group of Insiders and expanding as feedback is monitored.

• Some updates may debut in the Dev and Beta Channels before making their way to the Canary Channel.

• Features under active development may lack full localization, which will be applied as they near completion.

• Switching from the Canary Channel: A clean installation of Windows 11 is necessary to remove yourself from this channel, as Insiders cannot revert to a channel with a lower build number without reinstallation.

• The desktop watermark in the lower right corner is typical for pre-release builds.

For more in-depth information, you can read the official blog post here.

Source & Images