Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.6760 (Beta Channel)

Releasing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.6760 (KB5065793) to the Beta Channel for Windows Insiders on Windows 11, version 24H2.

New features gradually being rolled out to the Beta Channel with toggle on

[Taskbar & System Tray]

• We are introducing the ability to do built-in network speed test accessible from the taskbar. You can launch it via the Wi-Fi and Cellular Quick Settings pages or by right-clicking the network icon in the system tray. The tool opens in your default browser and supports testing Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Cellular connections. This feature helps assess network performance and supports troubleshooting.

[Get Started/Microsoft 365 Copilot]

• We're adding a new Microsoft 365 Copilot page to the Get Started experience for managed commercial devices that are managed with an active Microsoft 365 subscription. This experience is designed to help users discover and engage with Microsoft 365 Copilot more easily, providing quick access to key features and helpful guidance directly within the Get Started flow.
  

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out to the Beta Channel with toggle on

[Windows Search]
The following changes and improvements are rolling out for improved Windows Search on Copilot+ PCs:

• For Insiders with Copilot+ PCs, we're updating the File Explorer Search Box placeholder text to raise awareness of the improved Windows Search experience introduced earlier this year. Learn more in our January blog post.
  

[File Explorer]

• New! StorageProvider APIs for cloud providers to integrate with File Explorer Home. Developer documentation available here.
  

[Emoji]

• We are temporarily turning off Emoji 16.0 and will bring it back in a future release.
  

[Voice access]

• We are introducing a new 'Wait time before acting' setting in voice access, allowing users to configure the delay before a voice command is executed. This provides greater flexibility for users with varying speech patterns, enabling more accurate recognition whether speaking slowly or quickly.  To set this up, navigate to voice access settings > Wait time before acting, and choose the option that best fits your preferences.
  

Fixes gradually being rolled out to the Beta Channel with toggle on

[General]

• Fixed an underlying issue which was leading to some screen readers no longer being able to read screen content after the latest flights.

[Click to Do (Preview)]
The following fixes are rolling out for Click to Do on Copilot+ PCs:

• Fixed an issue where Click to Do may unexpectedly invoke sometimes when pressing WIN + P.

[Taskbar & System Tray]

• Fixed an issue in the latest builds where the battery icon could get out of sync with the actual charging state (for example, it would show that you weren't plugged in when you were).

[File Explorer]

• Fixed an issue where when you customized a folder's view (for example, sorting files by name or changing the icon size), those settings only applied to the specific navigation path. If you opened the same folder from another app (like a browser), the settings wouldn't carry over, leading you to need to manually reapply them every time. This was particularly noticeable with the Downloads folder, if you had turned off Group By Date.

[Lock and Login screens]

• Fixed an issue in the latest build where the media controls might not be displayed on the lock screen although media was playing in an app that supports these controls.

[Windows Update]

• Fixed an underlying issue which could lead "Update and shutdown" to not actually shut down your PC after.

[HEADING=2][Settings][/HEADING]

• Fixed an issue causing Settings to crash for some Insiders when accessing drive information under Settings > System > Storage. This also impacted accessing the drive information from the properties when you right clicked a drive in File Explorer.
• Fixed an issue causing the placeholder text in the Settings search box to potentially appear vertically misaligned.

Fixes for everyone in the Beta Channel

[Networking]

• Fixed an issue where you might not be able to connect to shared files and folders if you were using the Server Message Block (SMB) v1 protocol on NetBIOS over TCP/IP NetBIOS (NetBT) after the latest updates.
  

[For Developers]

• There was an issue where PIX on Windows was unable to play back GPU captures on the latest OS versions. This was addressed by a new PIX release late last week.
  

[Video Playback]

• Fixed an issue that affected playback of protected content in certain Blu-ray, DVD, and digital TV apps that used Enhanced Video Renderer with HDCP
  

Microsoft released KB5065789 (OS Build 26100.6725) for Windows 11 24H2.

See the very long list of Highlights included in the gradual rollout of the update.

The summary below includes the quality improvements and new features, in the non-security update. 

• [Hyper-V] Fixed: This update addresses an issue that affects starting Hyper-V virtual machines with Trusted Platform Module (TPM) on ARM64 devices running supported versions of Windows. This can occur after installing KB5064081.
  
• [Input]
• Fixed: An issue where some characters didn't display correctly when using the Chinese Input Method Editor (IME).
• Fixed: This update addresses an issue where certain Chinese characters appeared as empty boxes in some text fields, such as those used in Connection Manager Administration Kit, when a character limit was set.
  
• Fixed: Addresses an issue in File Explorer where tooltips in the Recent section displayed certain extended Unicode characters—such as Chinese characters from Extension B through Extension F and other four-byte characters—as square boxes or unreadable symbols.
• [Networking (known issue)] Fixed: This update addresses an issue where you might not be able to connect to shared files and folders if you're using the Server Message Block (SMB) v1 protocol on NetBIOS over TCP/IP NetBIOS (NetBT). This can happen after installing update KB5065426.
  
• [Servicing] Fixed: This update addresses an issue that disrupted Windows Update for customers using Windows Server Update Services (WSUS).
• [Windows Hello] Fixed: This update addresses an issue that affects Windows Hello PIN setup with error 0x80090010 on devices joined to Microsoft Entra ID domains after installing Windows updates released on or after KB5060842.
  

Update:  To get the update, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. The link to download the update can be found in the Optional updates available section.

AI-powered Auto-Categorization now available in Microsoft Photos

Update to the Microsoft Photos app, now rolling out on Windows 11 across all Windows Insider channels. This release brings a powerful new feature on Copilot+ PCs that leverages AI to organize photos into categories for easier recall.

Auto-Categorization

Auto-Categorization automatically detects and organizes your photo collection into meaningful categories like screenshots, receipts, identity documents, and notes using AI. It's designed to save time, reduce clutter, and make your photo library easier to navigate.

How Auto-Categorization works:

• Smart sorting into categories: Photos are automatically grouped into predefined folders based on visual content, such as handwritten notes, printed documents, or receipts.
• Language-agnostic recognition: The AI model can identify document types regardless of the language in the image. For example, a Hungarian passport will still be categorized as "Passport," even if the text isn't in English.
• Explore your organized photo library with Auto-Categorization in Photos.
• Use the Left Nav or Search bar to find categorized images instantly.
• Change categories manually or provide feedback to improve accuracy.

NOTE: Auto-Categorization is available on Copilot+ PCs and categories are limited to four categories (screenshots, receipts, identity documents, and notes).

Other fixes and improvements

• Super Resolution is now available across Snapdragon, AMD and Intel® powered Copilot+ PCs and will prompt you to download the model package.

Please make sure to update your app to version 2025.11090.25001.0 or higher via the Microsoft Store. This update is currently rolling out, so it (and above-mentioned features and improvements) may not be available right away. As always, we love getting your feedback so please share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (Win + F) under Apps > Photos.

That is most certainly the kind of threat that would scare a mother into complying.

I would think that part of the problem in catching the blackmailer is the method of payment.  If it is in person, police would have the chance of catching the person.  However, if it is electronic payment, the account was likely created with false identity so extremely difficult to trace.

Thanks, v_v.  I edited my post.

Minor correction:

This release is actually 33.9.0.1.

v_v

Question/Request: is anyone here familiar enough with US law enforcement to help Karen file a new police report. She did one years ago for fraud, but the threats with violence she is getting now would be a different case (in my mind).

Excample:
"You will not only be worried about losing your job but you will be served with the blood of your son to drink
I dare you not to make the payment then you will regret taking me for granted
$3000 and I will leave your life forever
I do not care what you think about this but you will not be able to handle what is coming
The investigator, institution and authorities will not save you, the rebels are everywhere and you are too small to stop it
If you want take this threats to the authorities or FBI but you will still lose your son before the end of this year, this is a fact if you don't make the payment "

If you are or know of anyone who can help het with this, please let me know.

PS I have reached out to 2 old friends who were active in law enforcement back when I knew them, but my emails and DMs are falling on def ears.

Adobe is releasing an update with new features, feature enhancements, and bug fixes for Acrobat and Acrobat Reader.

Update or Complete Download
Adobe Acrobat and Reader are being updated to version 25.001.20744.  Updates should become available via the internal updater or checks can be manually activated by choosing Help/Check for Updates.

Reader DC and other versions are available here: https://get.adobe.com/reader/

Note: UNcheck any pre-checked additional options presented with the update. They are not part of the software update and are completely optional.

Release Notes

Pale Moon has been updated to version 33.9.0.1.  This is a minor but critical update to address important usability and stability issues.

Mac and FreeBSD builds are not ready yet but will be updated as well as soon as the maintainer has those platforms ready for release.

Release Notes