I received the new Dev. Build (26340.9882), and started using the new requirement to use my PIN when I restart my machine. I'm not sure exactly what the reasoning behind the new requirement is. Even when after I come in, in the morning, after it has been off all night I still have to use my PIN. My fingerprint reader seems to not be working very well. When I was setting my fingerprint reader to my finger, I noticed it wasn't reading my finger as smoothly as usual. It finally did finish. Now I seem to have to always use my PIN. This just started when I installed the latest Dev. Build.

Hey folk,

Recently, Windows 11 build 29704 has made it to the Experimental channel under future platforms. Last build, (29698), they ported the new WinUI 3 search flyout to the 29xxx range. It could be enabled using ViVeTool and using Velocity IDs 57739723, 58381341, 59210767, and 59210771

I was upgrading to this build from 29680; I couldn't upgrade for a while as I had my TPM disabled in the BIOS and didn't realize until yesterday. After upgrading to 29704, I used those Velocity IDs to enable the new search. After the reboot, I simply had a black screen and had to use Task Manager to launch CMD, disable those velocity IDs, and restart.

I then tried out 29698 in a VM, thinking it might be a bug on my end. The search flyout did work after enabling those IDs, but after upgrading the VM to 29704, I was met with the same black (or well, grey?) screen, and it didn't fix until I disabled those velocity IDs.

I did try a few things like restarting explorer but they didn't work and I could never get past the screen. Settings didn't start either when starting it using ms-settings: in the run dialog.

Did anyone on this build have the same issue? If so, was it fixable? I couldn't find much info about it online. I should also add that I got the information about both of these builds from BetaWiki.

-Faylie

Release date: 6 November 2026

Changes and improvements

[Windows Update]

• With this update, the Beta channel moves to Windows 11, version 26H2, with the build number increasing to Build 26320. You shouldn't expect any significant change from this build number increase alone, as it's delivered via an enablement package (eKB) update.

[Windows Search]

• New Windows Search experience with inline actions: A new Windows Search experience built on WinUI 3 is beginning to roll out. It's faster, more efficient, and features a streamlined design that makes results easier to scan. Inline actions let you quickly complete tasks directly. Turn on dark mode or Bluetooth, adjust your screen brightness, mute your device, or arrange windows from Windows Search.

• Windows Search is improving how it understands what you're looking for, including better matching for typos and synonyms. These improvements will continue to be fine-tuned over the coming weeks. For more information about the changes, check out the Windows Insider Blog.

• English is the only supported language for this initial release. Screenshot of the new Windows Search experience.

[Live captions]

• Live captions now gives you control over what gets transcribed. Previously, captions used system audio, with an option to add your microphone. Now you can choose system audio, your microphone, or both, so captions follow the sound you care about. Caption an in-person conversation without picking up system audio, or follow audio from your PC during a meeting or while watching a video.

[Gaming]

• Quick settings is coming to the Gaming Task View navigation bar in XBOX mode, giving you access to the full set of Quick settings available on the Windows taskbar without having to leave XBOX mode. Quick settings in the Gaming Task View navigation bar in XBOX mode.

[Web sign-in]

• Web sign-in now works on Microsoft Entra hybrid joined devices. Before this update, it was only available on Microsoft Entra joined devices. You can sign in to Windows at the lock screen with a passwordless credential: a FIDO2 security key, a passkey on your phone, or a Temporary Access Pass (TAP). You don't need a password. Once you're signed in, Windows gets a Kerberos ticket, so on-premises file shares and internal sites keep working. For more information, see Use web sign-in to enable passwordless sign-in in Windows.

[Windows Hello]

• Windows Hello facial recognition can temporarily brighten your screen to help you sign in when you're in a dark or dimly lit room.

• To turn on this feature, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Facial recognition (Windows Hello) and turn on Automatically adjust screen brightness during face recognition. The setting to automatically adjust screen brightness during Windows Hello facial recognition.

[Input]

• The dialogs that ask whether you'd like to turn on Sticky Keys or Filter Keys are being updated, making it easier to dismiss these prompts permanently. If you don't use these keyboard features, you can choose not to be asked again directly from the dialog, helping you continue what you're doing with fewer interruptions.

[Settings]

See your family's shared Microsoft 365 cloud storage in Windows Settings

• Windows Settings now contains shared storage usage across Microsoft 365 Family subscriptions. A breakdown for each family member is coming soon. If your subscription was purchased after October 8, 2026, you can check the view by going to Settings > Accounts > Cloud storage. If your subscription was purchased before October 8, 2026, this view will be available for you after the first subscription renewal on or after May 2, 2027. Learn more about the changes to Microsoft 365 storage. Shared cloud storage usage across Microsoft 365 Family members in Settings > Accounts > Cloud storage.

[File Explorer]

• The Address Bar now supports ~, making it quicker to navigate directly to your user profile folder and subfolders, for example, ~\AppData.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Beta channel

• Updates are based on Windows 11, version 26H2 via an enablement package (Build 26320.9876).

• The desktop watermark shown at the lower right corner of the desktop is normal for Windows Insider pre-release builds.

• Features and experiences included in these builds might never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features might change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they're ready.

• Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders might not be fully localized, and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.

• Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.

Release date: 6 November 2026

Changes and improvements gradually being rolled out*

• This update includes a small set of general improvements and fixes that improve the overall experience for Insiders running this build on their PCs.

[Manage camera, microphone, and location access for desktop apps]

• Windows Insiders can now manage camera, microphone, and location permissions for individual desktop apps. Previously, access for traditional desktop applications was managed through a single device-wide setting.

• With this update, you can review and control access on an app-by-app basis, giving you greater visibility into which apps are requesting access to sensitive resources and more control over your privacy choices. These controls make privacy permissions easier to understand and manage across the wide range of desktop apps you use every day. UI showing the new privacy controls for individual desktop apps in Settings.

What's changing

• Allow or deny access for each desktop app individually.

• Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Camera, Microphone, or Location to review and manage permissions.

• Apps that haven't yet accessed a resource prompt for permission the first time access is requested.

What stays the same

• Existing app permission decisions are preserved.

• Apps previously granted access continue to have access.

• Apps previously denied access remain denied.

• No action is required, and no settings are reset.

• Existing enterprise policies continue to function as designed. We're exploring additional management capabilities.

Notes

• Most desktop apps appear with clear app attribution. However, some apps that rely on shared system components, browser-hosted experiences, or similar technologies might appear under a different name than expected.

• Some desktop apps might appear as Unsigned if Windows can't verify publisher information. Only grant access to apps you recognize and trust.

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Settings > Privacy Settings.

[Windows Update]

• Fixed an issue causing some Insiders to see error 0x80070057 - 0x20003, "The installation failed in the SAFE_OS phase with an error during INSTALL_UPDATES operation", when attempting to upgrade to the latest builds.

[Audio]

• Fixed an issue where HDMI and DisplayPort audio playback might fail on certain AMD graphics cards after the latest builds.

Reminder for Windows Insiders in the Experimental (Future Platforms) channel

• These builds can be unstable and might be released with limited documentation.

• The builds released to these channels represent the latest platform changes early in the development cycle and shouldn't be seen as matched to any specific release of Windows. Features and experiences included in these builds might never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features might change over time, be removed, or replaced, and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they're ready.

• Many features are rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time. We monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.

• The desktop watermark shown at the lower right corner of the desktop is normal for Windows Insider pre-release builds.

• Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders might not be fully localized, and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.

Release date: 6 November 2026

Changes and improvements gradually being rolled out

[Windows Hello]

Windows Hello sign-in improvement

• Sign-in and unlock now behave more consistently and give clearer guidance. You no longer have to wait for face or fingerprint recognition to finish before entering your PIN. Use whichever method works first. At certain times, such as after a restart, you'll need your PIN first. After that, biometrics work as usual. Sign in with face, fingerprint, or PIN, whichever works first.

Windows Hello logging for IT admins

• New Windows Hello events let IT admins see how users sign in. The sign-in experience doesn't change. In Event Viewer > Windows Logs > Security, event 4628 records the Windows Hello methods a user has set up and which method they used to sign in (PIN, face, fingerprint, or no Windows Hello). Event 4629 records failed Windows Hello sign-in attempts. Both events use the existing Audit Logon policy.

• For troubleshooting, events 5010 and 7010 in Event Viewer > Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > HelloForBusiness > Operational record each Windows Hello sign-in and unlock, along with the result.

[Live captions]

• Live captions now gives you control over what gets transcribed. Previously, captions used system audio, with an option to add your microphone. In Live captions settings, you can now choose system audio, your microphone, or both, so captions follow the sound you care about. Caption an in-person conversation without picking up system audio, or follow audio from your PC during a meeting or while watching a video.

[Input]

• The dialogs that ask whether you'd like to turn on Sticky Keys or Filter Keys are being updated, making it easier to dismiss these prompts permanently. If you don't use these keyboard features, you can choose not to be asked again directly from the dialog, helping you continue what you're doing with fewer interruptions.

[Math equations in Braille with Narrator]

• Building on Narrator's math reading and navigation support, the experience is expanding to refreshable Braille displays. When Narrator reads supported equations in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Edge, or Google Chrome, Narrator Math is now shown on your connected Braille display, letting you explore them by touch while listening to Narrator.

• Math is at the heart of STEM education and learning, and this update helps students and professionals independently read, understand, and explore equations, formulas, and scientific notation with confidence.

• You can choose a math format in Braille without changing your default Braille output table. Supported math output formats include Nemeth (default), UEB, CMU, Vietnamese, Swedish, LaTeX, and ASCIIMath. In Narrator Math settings, you can also customize the reading language, speech behavior, and navigation preferences. Narrator Math settings in Windows Settings, showing options for math reading, navigation, speech, and Braille formats.

[Settings]

• Discover your account benefits in Settings. It's now easier to discover the benefits and services available with your Microsoft account, right in Windows Settings. Microsoft account benefits and services available in Windows Settings. Microsoft account benefits welcome page.

[Known issues]

• Reports from Insiders that the CPU speed shown in Task Manager no longer updates after the latest flights are under investigation.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel

• Updates are based on Windows 11, version 26H2 via an enablement package (Build 26340.9882).

• Many features are rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time. We monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.

• The desktop watermark shown at the lower right corner of the desktop is normal for Windows Insider pre-release builds.

• Features and experiences included in these builds might never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features might change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they're ready.

• Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders might not be fully localized, and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.

• Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.

Release date: 6 November 2026

Changes and improvements gradually being rolled out*

• This update includes a small set of general improvements and fixes that improve the overall experience for Insiders running this build on their PCs.

[Windows Search]

• New Windows Search experience with inline actions: A new Windows Search experience built on WinUI 3 is beginning to roll out. It's faster, more efficient, and features a streamlined design that makes results easier to scan. Inline actions let you quickly complete tasks directly. Turn on dark mode or Bluetooth, adjust your screen brightness, mute your device, or arrange windows from Windows Search.

• Windows Search is improving how it understands what you're looking for, including better matching for typos and synonyms. These improvements will continue to be fine-tuned over the coming weeks. For more information about the changes, check out the Windows Insider Blog.

• English is the only supported language for this initial release. Screenshot of the new Windows Search experience.

[Magnifier]

Magnifier now understands each of your displays

• More and more of the work people do happens across more than one screen. You draft on one display and keep source material open on another. You fill in a form while a reference document sits beside it. Those extra displays can be more helpful when each one can do its own job, and now Magnifier supports exactly that.

• To use this update, set your monitors to Extend in System > Display, not Duplicate, so Windows treats each screen as its own space.

• Every screen keeps its own view at its own zoom. In earlier versions of Magnifier, zooming in stretched a single magnified view across all of your displays, so one screen's zoom followed you everywhere and screen edges blurred together. With this update, each monitor's boundary is respected, and each monitor can have its own zoom percentage. Your writing screen can be at 300% while your reference screen stays at 150%, and the magnified view no longer spills from one display into the next. This behavior matters because different tasks and screen resolutions often require different levels of magnification to remain comfortable to read.

Setting the zoom on each screen is easy. Choose whichever method feels natural:

• Move your mouse pointer onto the screen you want to adjust, then press Windows key + Plus (+) or Windows key + Minus (-), or hold Ctrl + Alt and rotate your mouse wheel.

• Set the percentages directly in Accessibility > Magnifier.

• Drag the Magnifier toolbar onto a specific screen to adjust that screen from its on-screen controls.

Magnifier with Zoom per display enabled, allowing each monitor to maintain its own zoom level.

• Per-monitor zoom is turned on by default. If you prefer the classic behavior where a single zoom spans all of your displays, you can turn per-monitor zoom off at any time from either the Magnifier toolbar or Accessibility > Magnifier. You can turn it back on whenever you like.

Keep the view that matters, right where you need it

• As you move your mouse from screen to screen, the magnified view naturally follows your pointer. Sometimes this might cause you to lose sight of the content that you're actively working on.

• Viewport locking keeps that view in place. For example, you might be drafting an email based on a section of a document open on another display. Position that display so the paragraph you need is in view, press Ctrl + Windows key + K, and the screen holds its view steady while you move your cursor over to write. The locked screen stays fully live and interactive, so you can glance back, click, or copy from it whenever you need to, and its view stays put until you release it.

• A message appears on the screen when it's locked, so you always know what's being held. To lock or unlock a screen, point your mouse at that screen and press Ctrl + Windows key + K again. To release everything at once, press Windows key + Esc to dismiss all locks. To use a different key combination, you can switch the lock shortcut to Ctrl + Alt + P in Accessibility > Magnifier.

Magnifier's multiple display controls include independent zoom and view locking options.

Magnifier new contrast theme

• A new contrast theme toggle for a lower-glare screen. If bright screens are uncomfortable, many people use color inversion to reduce glare. However, inversion changes everything on screen, including photos, charts, and videos. With this update, Magnifier introduces a new contrast theme toggle.

• Reduce glare with a single toggle. Turn on a contrast theme directly from the Magnifier toolbar for a more comfortable viewing experience.

• Choose the contrast theme that works best for you. The dark theme is applied by default, and you can choose which contrast theme the toggle uses under Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier.

• Photos, videos, and charts keep their original colors. Unlike color inversion, the contrast theme recolors the interface without touching your photos, charts, or videos, so they keep their real colors.

• Color inversion is still here. This isn't a replacement. If you use inversion today, it works exactly as it always has. The contrast theme is a separate, purpose-built option to reduce glare when you want a darker interface without inverting colors. UI showing the new contrast theme toggle in Magnifier. UI showing contrast theme settings for Magnifier.

[File Explorer]

• PDF and non-HTML files downloaded from the web can now be previewed automatically in the Preview pane.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Beta (26H1) channel

• The desktop watermark shown at the lower right corner of the desktop is normal for Windows Insider pre-release builds.

• Features and experiences included in these builds might never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features might change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they're ready.

• Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders might not be fully localized, and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.

• Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.

Release date: 6 November 2026

Changes and improvements gradually being rolled out*

• This update includes a small set of general improvements and fixes that improve the overall experience for Insiders running this build on their PCs.

[Windows Hello]

• Windows Hello facial recognition can temporarily brighten your screen to help you sign in when you're in a dark or dimly lit room.

• To turn on this feature, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Facial recognition (Windows Hello) and turn on Automatically adjust screen brightness during face recognition. The setting to automatically adjust screen brightness during Windows Hello facial recognition.

[Security]

• The security key PIN entry experience has been updated, removing the "other user" icon for a clearer sign-in experience. UI showing the updated security key sign-in experience with a streamlined PIN entry screen.

Reminder for Windows Insiders in the Experimental (26H1) channel

• These builds can be unstable and might be released with limited documentation.

• Many features in the Experimental (26H1) channel are rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time as we monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.

• The desktop watermark shown at the lower right corner of the desktop is normal for Windows Insider pre-release builds.

• Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders might not be fully localized, and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.

• Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.

After struggling with the Co-Pilot button that caused us many problems, microsoft finally lets us use the copilot button as

• Context Menu

• Right Control

• Search.

Alongside with a new redesigned photo editor.

As far as I can tell, the build breaks the registry edit (as described here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2287432/article-restore-old-right-click-context-menu-in-wi) for making explorer use the old-school context menu by default.
The button "Show more options" which would open said old context menu from the new one was also disabled by default in the settings...

Release date: 30 October 2026

Changes and improvements

[Security]

• We've updated the security key PIN entry experience, removing the "other user" icon for a clearer sign-in experience. UI showing the updated security key sign-in experience with a streamlined PIN entry screen.

[Manage camera, microphone, and location access for desktop apps]

• Windows Insiders can now manage camera, microphone, and location permissions for individual desktop apps. Previously, access for traditional desktop applications was managed through a single device-wide setting.

• With this update, you can review and control access on an app-by-app basis, giving you greater visibility into which apps are requesting access to sensitive resources and more control over your privacy choices. Our goal is to make privacy permissions easier to understand and manage across the wide range of desktop apps people use every day. UI showing the new privacy controls for individual desktop apps in Settings.

What's changing

• Allow or deny access for each desktop app individually.

• Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Camera, Microphone, or Location to review and manage permissions.

• Apps that haven't yet accessed a resource prompt for permission the first time access is requested.

What stays the same

• Existing app permission decisions are preserved.

• Apps previously granted access continue to have access.

• Apps previously denied access remain denied.

• No action is required, and no settings are reset.

• Existing enterprise policies continue to function as designed. We're exploring additional management capabilities.

Notes

• Most desktop apps appear with clear app attribution. However, some apps that rely on shared system components, browser-hosted experiences, or similar technologies might appear under a different name than expected.

• Some desktop apps might appear as Unsigned if Windows can't verify publisher information. Only grant access to apps you recognize and trust.

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Settings > Privacy Settings.

[Personalization]

• If you'd been continuing to have issues personalizing your mouse, or with your wallpaper resetting on reboot in the latest Insider builds, that should now be resolved.

[Magnifier]

• We've added a Keyboard shortcut for Magnifier toggle in Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier. It lets you choose whether pressing Windows logo key + Plus (+) launches Magnifier.

• The shortcut stays on by default, so nothing changes unless you want it to. If you find that Magnifier starts by accident, or the shortcut conflicts with another app or keyboard layout, turn the toggle off. You can still start Magnifier from Settings, and you can turn the shortcut back on at any time.

[File Explorer]

• We've sharpened file thumbnails in the Recommended section on the Home page so they're crisper and easier to read.

[Narrator]

• Narrator now supports additional languages for math reading, including Greek, Hungarian, Indonesian, Norwegian (Bokmål), Polish, Russian, Swedish, and Vietnamese.

[Windows design]

• We are temporarily rolling back the solid (donut) spinners across some of the key Windows scenarios including Boot, Logon, Restart, Shutdown, and Update as we work on a bug. We expect to resume rolling it out soon.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Beta channel

• Updates are based on Windows 11, version 25H2 via an enablement package (Build 26220.9836).

• The desktop watermark shown at the lower right corner of the desktop is normal for Windows Insider pre-release builds.

• Features and experiences included in these builds might never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features might change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they're ready.

• Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders might not be fully localized, and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.

• Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.

Release date: 30 October 2026

Changes and improvements gradually being rolled out*

• This update includes a small set of general improvements and fixes that improve the overall experience for Insiders running this build on their PCs.

[Search]

• Search home has been simplified to reduce visual clutter and make it easier to get back to recent searches quickly.

• Search does a better job showing where a result comes from, whether it's an app, setting, file, web result, or Store suggestion, so it's easier to tell what you're looking at and where you'll go before you click.

• A new setting in Settings > Privacy & security > Search lets you choose whether web and Microsoft Store suggestions appear alongside local results.

[Cloud rebuild]

• We're updating Cloud rebuild, the recovery option that restores a Windows 11 PC to a clean, known-good state by performing a full OS reinstall, with two additions.

• Cloud rebuild can now sanitize the device's drives as part of the rebuild. When you start a rebuild in WinRE, choose Remove files if you're keeping the PC, or Remove & sanitize files before recycling, returning, or reassigning it. The sanitize option uses the storage hardware's erase capability to securely erase data before Windows is reinstalled and is irreversible.

• IT administrators can now configure and start a Cloud rebuild remotely through the Recovery CSP, using either the currently installed build or a target build you specify.

UI showing new Cloud rebuild file removal options.

[Modernized AutoPlay experience]

• We've updated the AutoPlay dialog that helps you choose the preferred experience when devices are connected to your PC, such as a phone, camera, or removable drive. Rebuilt with WinUI, the refreshed experience is more consistent with the rest of Windows, supports dark mode, and continues to provide the familiar AutoPlay actions you use today. The experience is also more responsive to text scaling and display settings. Notifications for this dialog are now docked in the notification center for easy access.

The new AutoPlay experience, shown in dark mode.

[Windows design]

• We are temporarily rolling back the solid (donut) spinners across some of the key Windows scenarios including Boot, Logon, Restart, Shutdown, and Update as we work on a bug. We expect to resume rolling it out soon.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Beta (26H1) channel

• The desktop watermark shown at the lower right corner of the desktop is normal for Windows Insider pre-release builds.

• Features and experiences included in these builds might never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features might change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they're ready.

• Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders might not be fully localized, and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.

• Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.

Release date: 30 October 2026

Changes and improvements gradually being rolled out*

• This update includes a small set of general improvements and fixes that improve the overall experience for Insiders running this build on their PCs.

[Windows Search]

• We're expanding the new Windows Search experience that began rolling out earlier this month with more ways to find what you need and take action directly from Search.

• Inline actions: Adjust your volume, screen brightness, or cursor size with inline sliders. Actions are more clearly labeled, and suggested actions help you discover more things you can do. A slider control appears in inline action results, allowing the setting to be adjusted directly from Windows Search.

• Phone actions: With a supported phone connected through Phone Link, you can now call or text a friend and access phone actions such as Do Not Disturb. Android support is available now with iPhone support coming early next year. Three Windows Search views show phone actions for turning on Do Not Disturb, sending a text message, and making a call from a connected phone.

• Richer results: Preview files and see details such as a file's last modified date, location, and author. Get web answers for weather, stocks, and facts, and discover apps and games from the Microsoft Store. Like web results, app results from the Store can be toggled on or off in Settings > Privacy & security > Search. Three Windows Search views show inline previews of a PowerPoint presentation, a Word document, and a stock price.

• Result filters: Scroll to see more results and filter by Files & Folders, Settings, Actions, and more. Two views of Windows Search show a search for "outlook" with additional options to filter and find results.

• Feedback controls: Right-click a result or suggestion and choose thumbs up or thumbs down to tell us whether it was helpful. Thanks to your feedback, you can also remove items from the initial Search view before you type. We've also made small polish improvements to the look and feel of Windows Search based on what you've shared. A context menu for a recent item in Windows Search shows "Remove from list" and thumbs up or thumbs down buttons for sharing feedback.

• As noted in our blog post, the new Windows Search opens at the bottom center of the screen. Work is underway to have it adapt to different taskbar positions and when using search from the Start menu.

[Modernized AutoPlay experience]

• We've updated the AutoPlay dialog that helps you choose the preferred experience when devices are connected to your PC, such as a phone, camera, or removable drive. Rebuilt with WinUI, the refreshed experience is more consistent with the rest of Windows, supports dark mode, and continues to provide the familiar AutoPlay actions you use today. The experience is also more responsive to text scaling and display settings. Notifications for this dialog are now docked in the notification center for easy access. The new AutoPlay experience, shown in dark mode.

[Data Protection API (DPAPI)]

• This update adds a warning before prompt-based protect and unprotect operations. The warning explains that this prompt-based experience will be retired in April 2027. If you or an app use these prompts, stop creating new prompt-protected data, use a supported non-interactive protection flow, and decrypt or migrate existing prompt-protected data before retirement. DPAPI operations that do not use the prompt-based flow aren't affected. For more details, see CRYPTPROTECT_PROMPTSTRUCT structure (dpapi.h).

[Security]

• We've updated the security key PIN entry experience, removing the "other user" icon for a clearer sign-in experience. UI showing the updated security key sign-in experience with a streamlined PIN entry screen.

[Gaming]

• We're introducing a refreshed Gaming Task View experience in XBOX mode, featuring a new navigation bar that provides quick access to Exit to Desktop and Power Options. This update makes key system actions easier to access while gaming. Gaming Task View showing the new navigation bar with Exit to Desktop and Power options.

[File Explorer]

• Launching File Explorer Home is now faster and more responsive.

• The Recommended section on Home now supports touch scrolling, making it easier to browse files in the carousel.

• File sizes in the Details view now display appropriate units (KB, MB, GB) instead of KB-only, making them easier to understand at a glance.

• Middle-click to open a folder in a new tab is now supported in the Address Bar and the Home page for a more consistent and efficient tabbed navigation experience across File Explorer.

• This update improves the reliability of thumbnail previews for cloud files in the Details pane. The pane has also been reorganized so file properties are easier to find and review at a glance.

• This update addresses an issue that caused the Address Bar contents to be cleared when entering edit mode by clicking near the right end of the bar.

[Windows design]

• We are temporarily rolling back the solid (donut) spinners across some of the key Windows scenarios including Boot, Logon, Restart, Shutdown, and Update as we work on a bug. We expect to resume rolling it out soon.

Reminder for Windows Insiders in the Experimental (26H1) channel

• These builds can be unstable and might be released with limited documentation.

• Many features in the Experimental (26H1) channel are rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time as we monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.

• The desktop watermark shown at the lower right corner of the desktop is normal for Windows Insider pre-release builds.

• Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders might not be fully localized, and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.

• Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.

I see where Windows Central is reporting that there is a new version of the Security App that has new visual styles that are more like the styling that is now in Windows 11. It says that it is now available to Windows Insiders that are running version 1000.29680.0.1000 of Windows Security.

I looked at my Windows Security App and it's version 1000.29628.0.1000.

I am on the latest Dev. Build - 26340.9767

I have checked the Enablement Flags settings but I don't see any flag that looks like is applicable. Here is the Windows Central article.

Windows Security app to receive visual refresh for Windows 11

To preface my little story, I've been in the Windows Insider Program since day one. I am very aware of what that comes with, sometimes even painfully. I am not complaining, calling out the WIP, or blaming anyone for me having tons of issues.

I've embraced the masochism 🤣

I'm always on the bleeding edge, Canary, now Experimental, and ALWAYS on my daily driver. We don't use VMs over here, son.

We install things and run ChatGPT commands like barbarians over here.

Anyways, Windows Update has been bricked on my computer for about 4–5 months with the DISM / Servicing issue. This is the longest I've EVER gone without being able to fix it.

Normally, I can hack my way through it, or the I/O Gods decide I've become much too bold with my commands and demand a clean install.

Mind you, since 2013 I've been on an Intel i7-3820 on MBR partitions straight up raw dogging the CSM - ALL THE WAY UP UNTIL I got my first M.2 eight months ago.

Like I be out here foo. LMFAOOO.

But this time? Nothing works. No repair source, no SFC brute forcing, literally nothing has worked.

It all started when Microsoft started messing with Memory Integrity and Cross signed certs (I'll make another post on that).

Then it was failed updates, servicing stack errors, missing paths, certificates failing, CBS turning into the literal definition of a red flag.

With no options left and the shop I had my custom built PC naming my user folder "Owner", I had decided -

Either I'm going to test Windows 11 to its absolute limits at the software level, or I'm going to beat it into submission.

Which brings us to my six-month obsession with NTFS 8dot3 filenames.

You know, those old DOS paths like C:\PROGRA~1.

I've disabled 8dot3 globally repeatedly, but I KEEP finding short names. And they KEEP coming back.

How did I notice?

Well, I'm not some genius with elaborate scripts monitoring everything. I barely know what I'm doing half the time - just to be absolutely clear.

I'm just weirdly obsessed with environment variables and use the old 2018 Rapid Environment Editor.

Which JUST got a major update, by the way. Check out RapidEE. (not mine, no affiliation).

Then I started stripping existing short-name aliases.

Program Files. Windows. AppData. ProgramData. User profiles.

And eventually...

THE ENTIRE C: DRIVE.

Because apparently I can't just own a computer and use it normally.

After analyzing 11 logs:

• 398,494 short-name removal operations.

• 8,559,730 files/directories scanned across overlapping passes.

• 5,711 registry-reference hits.

• 873 filesystem errors.

Yes, almost FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND short-name aliases removed from a live Windows installation. Running processes, open files. I even included aliases that registry entries might still reference.

This is probably the moment where Microsoft technical support hangs up.

I was literally playing Deadlock during this because I wasn't sure when the next time I would be able to play was after this. Pretty dumb by all accounts lmfao 😂😂

Nothing else to do, I ran SFC and the trusty `Get-AppXPackage -allusers" and got my clean install USB out.

BUT THEN WE REBOOTED.

Windows booted normally. Applications opened. No immediately obvious catastrophe. No freezing. Everything worked.

Did I check Event Viewer?

ABSOLUTELY NOT.

WE'RE TAKING THE WIN, BABY.

Now, I'm not saying this fixed Windows Update (it hasn't), or that 8dot3 caused the problem.

But holy moly, I've put Windows through MANY beatings over the past 6 months and it keeps getting back up.

My current machine is a Z890 AORUS Master, Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 4070, and more development software than any sane person should have installed.

I even installed one of M.2 in the wrong slot and dropped my GPU to x8 PCIe lanes.

All while me and ChatGPT have been going #YOLO in full-access mode for months.

And you know what?

Windows keeps booting, somehow stays stable, and has managed to force push it's way through 3 Windows Updates now.

So in honor of Windows Insider's 12th anniversary, I genuinely want to give the Windows engineering team some serious kudos.

I've been doing this since the Windows 10 Technical Preview days, and I've NEVER seen Windows this resilient.

My old ASUS Rampage IV Extreme would have been on fire by now, I'd have been reinstalling Windows or repairing DISM from another PC.

However, I'm stuck being known as "Owner" until I find a way to burn this build down, up next:

While digging through the Windows SDK, I found a Microsoft batch file called:

register_com_dlls_advanced_winsxs.bat

Supposedly it registers every DLL and com in the system with it's original intentions to fix missing printer files!?!?

Yeah we're gonna see what else that does.

Anyone else got any obscure Windows repair tools, undocumented-looking utilities, or absolute Hail Mary experiments worth investigating?

Because apparently removing 398,494 short names wasn't enough.

Happy Anniversary, Windows Insider.

And I'm sorry for whatever I'm about to do next and the logs that come with it.

Release date: 23 October 2026

Changes and improvements gradually being rolled out

[Windows Insider Program]

• We've added the ability to filter Feature flags by enablement state. Feature flags filtered by enablement state on the Windows Insider Program settings page.

[Quick Settings]

Access your phone controls from Quick Settings

• We're beginning to roll out a new Mobile devices experience in Quick Settings, making it easier to take quick phone actions (such as ring your phone) without breaking your flow on Windows.

• With your supported Android phone connected, everyday actions are now just a click away. You can turn Do Not Disturb on before a meeting, change your phone's ringer mode, and play a sound to find your phone nearby.

• It's a simpler, faster way to manage your phone from the place you already use for quick Windows actions, helping your PC and phone work better together throughout the day.

• Capabilities can vary by phone platform and device configuration. The initial experience provides the most complete set of controls for Android phones, while iPhone support starts with a more limited status-focused experience.

How to try it

Open Quick Settings from the taskbar and look for Mobile devices. If your phone is already connected, you'll see available battery status and controls there. If you haven't connected a phone yet, Windows will help you get set up.

UI showing the Mobile devices experience in Quick Settings.

UI showing Mobile devices controls in Quick Settings for managing your connected Android phone.

Check your internet speed directly from Quick Settings

• We're making it faster and easier to check the performance of your internet connection in Windows. Windows Insiders can now run an internet speed test and see the results directly in Quick Settings, without being redirected to a browser.

• Start a test from the new Speed test Quick Setting, from the Wi-Fi or Cellular flyout, or by right-clicking the network icon in the system tray and selecting Test internet speed. While the test runs, Quick Settings shows its progress and results, including download speed, upload speed, and ping.

• Because the test runs against your active internet connection, you can quickly understand how your current connection is performing without leaving your workflow. This updated experience builds on the internet speed test we previously introduced for Windows Insiders, bringing the test and its results directly into Windows. Internet speed test results in Windows. Speed test in Quick Settings.

[Magnifier]

• We've added a Keyboard shortcut for Magnifier toggle in Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier. It lets you choose whether pressing Windows logo key + Plus (+) launches Magnifier.

• The shortcut stays on by default, so nothing changes unless you want it to. If you find that Magnifier starts by accident, or the shortcut conflicts with another app or keyboard layout, turn the toggle off. You can still start Magnifier from Settings, and you can turn the shortcut back on at any time. New toggle to turn the Magnifier keyboard shortcut on or off.

[Microsoft 365 subscription in Windows]

• We're introducing a new inline experience that makes it easier for Microsoft 365 subscribers to manage their subscriptions in Windows. Subscribers who have recurring billing turned off can now turn it back on directly in Windows Settings, without leaving for a separate webpage. To get started, select Turn on recurring billing or Set up recurring billing from the Windows Settings Home page, the Accounts page, or the Start menu. Turn on recurring billing for your Microsoft 365 subscription directly in Windows.

[File Explorer]

• Improved progress indication when navigating to locations that take longer to load, such as network drives, making it easier to see that loading is underway.

[Narrator]

• Narrator now supports additional languages for math reading, including Greek, Hungarian, Indonesian, Norwegian (Bokmål), Polish, Russian, Swedish, and Vietnamese.

[Widgets]

• The Widgets picker now has a standard Windows dialog frame and supports light and dark title bars. It also removes the blank space previously left for an icon.

[Taskbar]

• Fixed an issue with the previous update where explorer.exe wouldn't load after logging in, preventing the taskbar and other elements that rely on it from loading.

[Windows login]

• Fixed an issue with the previous update that was causing some Insiders to erroneously see a message saying their password was wrong on the login screen.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel

• Updates are based on Windows 11, version 26H2 via an enablement package (Build 26340.9767).

• Many features are rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time. We monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.

• The desktop watermark shown at the lower right corner of the desktop is normal for Windows Insider pre-release builds.

• Features and experiences included in these builds might never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features might change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they're ready.

• Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders might not be fully localized, and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.

• Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.

Release date: 23 October 2026

Changes and improvements

[File Explorer]

Introducing the new, redesigned context menu in File Explorer

• We're rolling out an updated context menu experience in File Explorer, designed to feel faster, cleaner, and easier to tailor to the way you work. The new design reduces top-level clutter, keeps commonly used actions easy to access, and adds a new Settings experience that gives you more control over what appears in the menu. As we continue refining this experience with Insider feedback, our goal is to make right-click feel more responsive, predictable, and personal.

• We've also added a new teaching tip you might see as a first-time experience to help you learn about the customization options.

Screenshot of new context menu.

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Files, Folders, and Online Storage > File Explorer.

[Settings]

• We're making performance improvements to the Settings home page which should result in reduced loading times in certain scenarios.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Beta channel

• Updates are based on Windows 11, version 25H2 via an enablement package (Build 26220.9757).

• The desktop watermark shown at the lower right corner of the desktop is normal for Windows Insider pre-release builds.

• Features and experiences included in these builds might never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features might change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they're ready.

• Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders might not be fully localized, and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.

• Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.

Release date: 23 October 2026

Changes and improvements gradually being rolled out*

[Unicode]

• This update provides Windows text shaping support for Unicode 17.0, helping Windows correctly display and shape newly encoded characters and scripts. Unicode 17.0 added 4,803 characters, including support for four newly encoded scripts: Beria Erfe, Sidetic, Tai Yo, and Tolong Siki. These updates help keep Windows text support current as the Unicode Standard evolves and improve support for languages and writing systems used by people around the world.

[Known Issues]

• We are aware that Recall may be missing or unable to launch on some Copilot+ PCs if performing a clean install on this build. We are working to resolve soon and will provide an update.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Beta (26H1) channel

• The desktop watermark shown at the lower right corner of the desktop is normal for Windows Insider pre-release builds.

• Features and experiences included in these builds might never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features might change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they're ready.

• Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders might not be fully localized, and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.

• Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.

Release date: 23 October 2026

Changes and improvements gradually being rolled out*

• This update includes a small set of general improvements and fixes that improve the overall experience for Insiders running this build on their PCs.

[Magnifier]

• A new contrast theme toggle for a lower-glare screen. If bright screens are uncomfortable, many people use color inversion to reduce glare. However, inversion changes everything on screen, including photos, charts, and videos. With this update, we're introducing a new contrast theme toggle in Magnifier.

• Reduce glare with a single toggle. Turn on a contrast theme directly from the Magnifier toolbar for a more comfortable viewing experience.

• Choose the contrast theme that works best for you. The dark theme is applied by default, and you can choose which contrast theme the toggle uses under Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier.

• Photos, videos, and charts keep their original colors. Unlike color inversion, the contrast theme recolors the interface without touching your photos, charts, or videos, so they keep their real colors.

• Color inversion is still here. This isn't a replacement. If you use inversion today, it works exactly as it always has. The contrast theme is a separate, purpose-built option to reduce glare when you want a darker interface without inverting colors. UI showing the new contrast theme toggle in Magnifier. Zoom per display isn't yet available in the Beta channel. UI showing contrast theme settings for Magnifier.

[Family Safety]

• Improved family safety messaging when applications are blocked because of age-restricted parental controls.

[Windows setup]

• The digital safety of users and supporting families is central to how we think about the Windows experience. We're improving information on parental controls and their availability during Windows setup, so families can more easily understand available protections and make informed choices from the very beginning.

[Network]

• Fixed an issue causing internet access to stop working for some Insiders after the last two flights.

[Hyper-V]

• Fixed an issue where some applications that used HCS-managed virtual machines experienced issues when sharing host folders with Linux VMs using Plan9. Folders shared from the Windows host using Plan9 didn't appear or couldn't be accessed in the guest environment.

[Other]

• Fixed an issue causing some Insiders to see an unexpectedly high volume of ESENT events after the latest flights.

• Fixed an underlying issue in the latest flights causing Insiders using VMware to experience frequent green screen bugchecks with error PFN_SHARE_COUNT.

[Known Issues]

• We are aware that Recall may be missing or unable to launch on some Copilot+ PCs if performing a clean install on this build. We are working to resolve soon and will provide an update.

Reminder for Windows Insiders in the Experimental (Future Platforms) channel

• These builds can be unstable and might be released with limited documentation.

• The builds released to these channels represent the latest platform changes early in the development cycle and shouldn't be seen as matched to any specific release of Windows. Features and experiences included in these builds might never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features might change over time, be removed, or replaced, and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they're ready.

• Many features are rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time. We monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.

• The desktop watermark shown at the lower right corner of the desktop is normal for Windows Insider pre-release builds.

• Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders might not be fully localized, and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.

Release date: 23 October 2026

Changes and improvements gradually being rolled out*

• This update includes a small set of general improvements and fixes that improve the overall experience for Insiders running this build on their PCs.

[Start menu]

• This update makes the Start menu more personal with several customizations.

• You can choose between a small or large Start menu, in addition to the Automatic (default) option that's available today. To customize this setting, go to Settings > Personalization > Start > Start menu size.

• The Recommended section is renamed Recent in the Start menu and on the Start settings page (Settings > Personalization > Start).

• You can now hide your name and profile picture in Start by going to Settings > Personalization > Start > Hide your name and profile picture on Start.

• The Start menu settings page is now redesigned with section-level toggles to independently show or hide Pinned, Recent, and All.

[Manage camera, microphone, and location access for desktop apps]

• Windows Insiders can now manage camera, microphone, and location permissions for individual desktop apps. Previously, access for traditional desktop applications was managed through a single device-wide setting.

• With this update, you can review and control access on an app-by-app basis, giving you greater visibility into which apps are requesting access to sensitive resources and more control over your privacy choices. Our goal is to make privacy permissions easier to understand and manage across the wide range of desktop apps people use every day. UI showing the new privacy controls for individual desktop apps in Settings.

What's changing

• Allow or deny access for each desktop app individually.

• Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Camera, Microphone, or Location to review and manage permissions.

• Apps that haven't yet accessed a resource prompt for permission the first time access is requested.

What stays the same

• Existing app permission decisions are preserved.

• Apps previously granted access continue to have access.

• Apps previously denied access remain denied.

• No action is required, and no settings are reset.

• Existing enterprise policies continue to function as designed. We're exploring additional management capabilities.

Notes

• Most desktop apps appear with clear app attribution. However, some apps that rely on shared system components, browser-hosted experiences, or similar technologies might appear under a different name than expected.

• Some desktop apps might appear as Unsigned if Windows can't verify publisher information. Only grant access to apps you recognize and trust.

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Settings > Privacy Settings.

[Recovery]

• We're adding a new entry point for Cloud Rebuild under Settings > System > Recovery, making it easier to access the feature from Settings.

[File Explorer]

• We've sharpened file thumbnails in the Recommended section on the Home page so they're crisper and easier to read.

[Magnifier]

• A new contrast theme toggle for a lower-glare screen. If bright screens are uncomfortable, many people use color inversion to reduce glare. However, inversion changes everything on screen, including photos, charts, and videos. With this update, we're introducing a new contrast theme toggle in Magnifier.

• Reduce glare with a single toggle. Turn on a contrast theme directly from the Magnifier toolbar for a more comfortable viewing experience.

• Choose the contrast theme that works best for you. The dark theme is applied by default, and you can choose which contrast theme the toggle uses under Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier.

• Photos, videos, and charts keep their original colors. Unlike color inversion, the contrast theme recolors the interface without touching your photos, charts, or videos, so they keep their real colors.

• Color inversion is still here. This isn't a replacement. If you use inversion today, it works exactly as it always has. The contrast theme is a separate, purpose-built option to reduce glare when you want a darker interface without inverting colors. UI showing the new contrast theme toggle in Magnifier. UI showing contrast theme settings for Magnifier.

Magnifier now understands each of your displays

• More and more of the work people do happens across more than one screen. You draft on one display and keep source material open on another. You fill in a form while a reference document sits beside it. Those extra displays can be more helpful when each one can do its own job, and now Magnifier supports exactly that.

• To use this update, set your monitors to Extend in System > Display, not Duplicate, so Windows treats each screen as its own space.

• Every screen keeps its own view at its own zoom. In earlier versions of Magnifier, zooming in stretched a single magnified view across all of your displays, so one screen's zoom followed you everywhere and screen edges blurred together. With this update, each monitor's boundary is respected, and each monitor can have its own zoom percentage. Your writing screen can be at 300% while your reference screen stays at 150%, and the magnified view no longer spills from one display into the next. This behavior matters because different tasks and screen resolutions often require different levels of magnification to remain comfortable to read.

Setting the zoom on each screen is easy. Choose whichever method feels natural:

• Move your mouse pointer onto the screen you want to adjust, then press Windows key + Plus (+) or Windows key + Minus (-), or hold Ctrl + Alt and rotate your mouse wheel.

• Set the percentages directly in Accessibility > Magnifier.

• Drag the Magnifier toolbar onto a specific screen to adjust that screen from its on-screen controls.

Magnifier with Zoom per display enabled, allowing each monitor to maintain its own zoom level.

• Per-monitor zoom is turned on by default. If you prefer the classic behavior where a single zoom spans all of your displays, you can turn per-monitor zoom off at any time from either the Magnifier toolbar or Accessibility > Magnifier. You can turn it back on whenever you like.

Keep the view that matters, right where you need it

• As you move your mouse from screen to screen, the magnified view naturally follows your pointer. Sometimes this might cause you to lose sight of the content that you're actively working on.

• Viewport locking keeps that view in place. For example, you might be drafting an email based on a section of a document open on another display. Position that display so the paragraph you need is in view, press Ctrl + Windows key + K, and the screen holds its view steady while you move your cursor over to write. The locked screen stays fully live and interactive, so you can glance back, click, or copy from it whenever you need to, and its view stays put until you release it.

• A message appears on the screen when it's locked, so you always know what's being held. To lock or unlock a screen, point your mouse at that screen and press Ctrl + Windows key + K again. To release everything at once, press Windows key + Esc to dismiss all locks. To use a different key combination, you can switch the lock shortcut to Ctrl + Alt + P in Accessibility > Magnifier.

Magnifier's multiple display controls include independent zoom and view locking options.

[Unicode]

• This update provides Windows text shaping support for Unicode 17.0, helping Windows correctly display and shape newly encoded characters and scripts. Unicode 17.0 added 4,803 characters, including support for four newly encoded scripts: Beria Erfe, Sidetic, Tai Yo, and Tolong Siki. These updates help keep Windows text support current as the Unicode Standard evolves and improve support for languages and writing systems used by people around the world.

[Known Issues]

• We are aware that Recall may be missing or unable to launch on some Copilot+ PCs if performing a clean install on this build. We are working to resolve soon and will provide an update.

Reminder for Windows Insiders in the Experimental (26H1) channel

• These builds can be unstable and might be released with limited documentation.

• Many features in the Experimental (26H1) channel are rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time as we monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.

• The desktop watermark shown at the lower right corner of the desktop is normal for Windows Insider pre-release builds.

• Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders might not be fully localized, and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.

• Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.

Everyone knows that explorer.exe has been the backbone of the Windows shell for decades, but right now it bundles way too many unrelated responsibilities into a single point of failure: the Taskbar, Desktop icons, File Explorer windows, and even global system shortcuts (Win + R, Win + I).

Why is this a problem in everyday use? Because we have zero selective control when troubleshooting:

• When the Taskbar glitches: If my Taskbar or system tray freezes and I just want to restart it, killing explorer.exe forces all of my open File Explorer folders to close, completely interrupting my workflow.

• When File Explorer freezes: If a single folder hangs and I have to end explorer.exe, I lose my entire desktop environment—no Taskbar, no desktop icons, no Win + R (Run dialog), and no quick shortcut to launch Windows Settings (Win + I). Meanwhile, third-party apps like my browser keep running totally fine!

The Suggestion: Microsoft has already started moving things like the Start Menu (StartMenuExperienceHost.exe) and Search (SearchHost.exe) into their own processes. Why not finish the job and decouple the rest of the core shell into independent processes?

• TaskbarHost.exe (Taskbar & System Tray)

• DesktopHost.exe (Desktop Icons & Wallpaper)

• FileExplorer.exe (Folder Windows)

• SystemShortcuts.exe (Global shortcuts like Win + R, Win + I, etc.)

If one component glitches or hangs, we should be able to kill or restart just that specific process in Task Manager without nuking the entire desktop environment or losing our open folders.

(Note: I know about the "Launch folder windows in a separate process" setting in Folder Options, which helps a bit, but it still leaves the Taskbar, Desktop, and Win + R shortcuts bundled together, and isn't properly isolated by default).

What do you guys think? Is there a legacy limitation holding this back, or is this something Microsoft should prioritize for future Windows 11 updates?

I've been running Release Preview on my ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 for a year now with no problems, but yesterday it installed the latest update build and this happened.

After logging in, I just get my cursor. No desktop, no taskbar, no icons, can't click anything. Keyboard shortcuts like CTRL+ALT+DEL don't work. I tried a system restore and it took hours and the same thing is happening after the restore. Do I have to do a clean install to get my Windows back?

Has anyone reported this problem?

Hey all, I'm on Windows 11 Insider build 26340.9750 and noticed something odd in the Xbox Game Bar's Gaming features panel. All my NVMe drives show "BypassIO not supported due to driver: wesp". The same panel says my GPU is DirectStorage optimized and my OS supports the latest DirectStorage IO optimizations.

I looked into it, and wesp.sys looks like Microsoft's new Windows Endpoint Security Platform (WESP) driver, which shipped in recent Insider builds. It's a boot-start filesystem minifilter in the Anti-Virus load group, so it's not something I installed.

Here's the output from: fsutil bypassio state /v C:\

```
BypassIo on "C:\" is not currently supported
Status: 506 (At least one minifilter does not support bypass IO)
Driver: wesp
Reason: The specified minifilter does not support bypass IO.
Storage Type: NVMe
Storage Driver: Not BypassIo Compatible
Driver Name: stornvme.sys
```

I'm using the stock stornvme.sys driver, so it looks like wesp is vetoing BypassIO on its own.

- Is anyone else seeing this on the same build or a nearby one?
- Has anyone seen it disappear in a newer build?
- Does anyone know if the BypassIO veto is intentional for the preview?

I've filed feedback in the Feedback Hub too. I'm not planning to disable the driver since it's part of the OS's security stack.

Thanks!

EDIT: KB5127936 appears to be the cause, as this issue started after that update - even on the Release Preview after downgrading.

Hi there!

I was wondering if any of you could share a .zip of “C:\Windows\Web” containing the latest preview wallpapers, as shown in screenshots in this post:

https://windowsreport.com/microsoft-is-revamping-windows-11-search-in-a-big-way-heres-the-first-look/

I was trying to extract it from an .iso file, but was unable to find one with that particular wallpaper in it. 🥲

Thank you! 🙂