Microsoft has just dropped the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Builds for the Dev and Beta Channels, and they’re brimming with new features, improvements, and fixes. Let’s dive into the details of these builds and see what’s in store for your new Windows experience.
Dev Channel: Build 26200.5518
The Dev Channel is leading the charge with Build 26200.5518, introducing some interesting updates:
- Taskbar Icon Scaling: When your taskbar gets crowded with pinned or open apps, the icons will now automatically scale down to a smaller size. This ensures you can keep more apps visible and accessible without diving into a secondary menu. You can customize this feature to suit your preferences—whether you want smaller icons always, only when the taskbar is full, or never.
- Drag Tray for File Sharing: Sharing files just got easier! A new drag tray appears at the top of your screen when you drag a file from File Explorer or your desktop. Drop the file into one of the displayed apps or choose “More…” to open the Windows share window.
- Accessibility Enhancements: Mouse-related settings are now more accessible under Settings > Accessibility. You can also adjust hover activation time for windows and customize pen and touch actions for right-click functionality.
- Copilot+ Features: The Recall and Click to Do features are getting smarter. You can now send selected text or images directly to the Copilot app for further actions. Note: This feature isn’t available in the European Economic Area (EEA).
Beta Channel: Build 26120.3671
The Beta Channel isn’t far behind, with Build 26120.3671 bringing its own set of improvements:
- Taskbar Icon Scaling: Like the Dev Channel, the Beta Channel now supports taskbar icon scaling, making multitasking more efficient.
- Quick Machine Recovery (QMR): Part of Microsoft’s Windows Resiliency Initiative, this feature automatically detects and fixes boot issues via the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). It’s enabled by default for home users and customizable for IT admins.
- Speech Recap in Narrator: A new feature lets users access and copy spoken content for quick reference, complete with live transcription and handy keyboard shortcuts.
Shared Features and Fixes
Both channels benefit from shared updates, including:
- Improved Windows Search: Semantic indexing is rolling out to enhance search functionality, making it easier to find documents, images, and settings.
- Bug Fixes: From smoother app installations to resolving login issues, these builds are tackling pesky bugs to improve overall stability.
Whether you’re on the cutting edge with the Dev Channel or prefer the polished updates of the Beta Channel, these builds have a little something for everyone. So, what are you waiting for? Update your system, explore the new features, and share your feedback via the Feedback Hub.
Happy testing, Insiders!
