Windows 11 Update: Context Menu Changes, Enhanced Accessibility Features, and More in Build 27881

Microsoft Unveils Windows 11 Preview Build 27881 for Canary Channel Insiders

Microsoft has rolled out a new update for Windows 11, specifically targeting Canary Channel Insiders. The latest preview build, Build 27881, introduces a range of enhancements including improved voice typing, a speech recap feature for Narrator, updates to the context menu, and several minor taskbar refinements.

Key Features of Build 27881

One of the standout features in this update is the revamped voice typing system, which now includes a toggle option for profanity filtering. Users can enable or disable this feature, allowing greater freedom when dictating content. To access this feature, press Win + H, then click on the Settings icon and select Filter Profanity.

Additionally, Narrator has received a notable enhancement with the introduction of the Speech Recap functionality. This feature enables users to view a complete transcript of the last 500 strings of spoken content. Users can access this by pressing Narrator Key + Alt + X and can even export the transcript by pressing Narrator key + Ctrl + X to copy it to the clipboard.

Additional Noteworthy Changes

Other updates included in Build 27881 are as follows:

Renewed security certificates to enhance system integrity.
A new taskbar notification for apps that need user attention, marked by a renewed “needy state” pill.
A restructured accessibility flyout, categorizing features more effectively.
A built-in image editor now integrated into the Share UI, simplifying the sharing process with compatible applications.

The Settings app has also been updated with a new section dedicated to frequently asked questions regarding your PC’s specifications, alongside a redesigned user interface for renaming printers.

Bug Fixes in Build 27881

In addition to these new features, Microsoft has addressed several bugs:

General Fixes

Resolved a character display issue in Windows, which affected non-English characters in areas like Task Manager.
Fixed problems that prevented some users from booting into safe mode, providing clearer messages about PIN availability.

File Explorer Enhancements

Addressed a crashing issue in File Explorer when using the touch interface.

Start Menu Fixes

Fixed a crash issue affecting the Start menu launch for certain users.

Taskbar Improvements

Resolved an issue with keyboard focus incorrectly defaulting to widgets upon login.
Fixed flickering media controls in compatible application previews on the taskbar.
Corrected a problem with keyboard navigation between taskbar applications.
Addressed functionality issues with the WIN + CTRL + Tab shortcut for switching between application windows.

Input and Accessibility Fixes

Resolved issues affecting Japanese input with the touch keyboard.
Rectified voice typing initiation problems in the Chinese (Simplified) narrow layout.
Fixed unexpected character insertion into password fields when changing pages in the touch keyboard’s Symbols section.

Settings Fixes

Resolved an issue that restricted users from switching active hours in Windows Update.
Adjusted accessibility settings for better visual functionality.

Voice Access Fixes

Fixed crashes affecting voice access when using Spanish.

Other Fixes

Addressed an issue with clean installations of Windows generating an empty Windows.old folder.
Provided a fix for Administrative Templates errors in Group Policy Editor.

Known Issues to Address

It’s important to note some known bugs still being investigated:

A persistent issue where the taskbar does not appropriately display its acrylic material following the update.
The “Reset this PC”feature may not function after upgrading to Build 27881, although users can revert to the previous build or reinstall via ISO.
Possible crashes when accessing microphone properties in the Settings app under Sound.

For more detailed information, made sure to check out the official announcement post.

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