Windows 11 Insider DEV Channel

[Corrine]

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7051 (Dev & Beta Channels)

Starting today, the same Dev Channel updates based on Windows 11, version 25H2 are being offered to Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel as a recommended update.

If you are an Insider in the Dev Channel, you now have a window to switch from the Dev Channel to the Beta Channel if you would like. This window will only be open for as long as the same 25H2-based updates are being released across both the Dev and Beta Channels. After the Dev Channel is moved forward to a higher build number, the opportunity to switch between these channels will close. When the Dev Channel jumps ahead, things might not be as stable as the Dev Channel is today, so you are highly encouraged to evaluate which channel you would like to be in during the time in which the window to switch is open.

For more information, see the Reminders section at the bottom of the referenced blog post.

New features gradually being rolled out with toggle on

Introducing Ask Copilot in taskbar
With the new Ask Copilot in taskbar, Copilot becomes a natural part of how you use your PC, ready to help, guide and collaborate the moment you need it.

This opt-in experience gives you one-click access to Copilot Vision and Voice, enabling more natural interaction in your flow. Whether through text, voice, or guided support with Copilot Vision, you can engage on your terms, in the way that works best for you. You're always in control. As you type, results appear and update instantly, making it easier than ever to find what you need.

To get started go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Ask Copilot to enable the experience. You can also manage whether the Copilot app launches automatically at sign-in using the "Auto start on log in" toggle in the Copilot app settings.

Ask Copilot in taskbar complements the familiar Windows Search experience, so you can continue using Search as you always have from Start while trying out this new experience.

Ask Copilot uses existing Windows APIs to return apps, files, and settings—just like Windows Search—and does not grant Copilot access to your personal content. For more details, you can learn about privacy and control options for Microsoft Copilot here.

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Desktop Environment > Ask Copilot in taskbar.

Full screen experience
Following the initial launch of the full screen experience (FSE) on the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, today's preview to Windows Insiders expands availability to additional Windows 11 handheld devices currently in market.

Designed with console-style navigation in mind, the Xbox PC app paired with the full screen experience delivers a clean, distraction-free interface for handheld gaming. You'll get smooth task switching and optimized performance, with background processes minimized and non-essential tasks deferred—so gameplay stays responsive and uninterrupted.

How to enable FSE:
On supported devices, go to Settings > Gaming > Full screen experience, then select Xbox as your home app. Once enabled, you can access FSE from Task View and Game Bar or configure your handheld to enter full screen experience on startup.

Availability:

• Currently available on ASUS ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X
  
• Preview rolling out to MSI Claw models today
• Additional OEMs enabling their handhelds in the coming months

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Gaming and Xbox > Gaming Handhelds.

Shared audio (preview)

• In this update, we are beginning rollout of shared audio (preview), a new experience built on Bluetooth® LE Audio broadcast technology, for Copilot+ PCs. Shared audio allows two family members to watch movies together while traveling, or two students to share music while studying.
  
• To get started, access the "Shared audio (preview)" tile in quick settings, select two supported paired and connected accessories and click "Share" to begin.
• For more information about shared audio (preview), including details about compatible PCs and accessories, visit Extending Bluetooth® LE Audio on Windows 11 with shared audio (preview).
  

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out with toggle on

[Prism]

• We are enabling the feature update to Prism, our emulator for Windows on Arm, that makes it possible for more 64-bit x86 (x64) applications to run under emulation by adding support for more CPU features under emulation. This support will be made available to any 64-bit x86 (x64) application under emulation by default, and 32-bit x86 applications can be opted in to the support using the emulation settings in the Properties window.
  
• Please submit any feedback on compatibility issues or performance regressions through the Feedback Hub (Win + F) under Apps and the specific app you're seeing issues with (if you don't see the app listed, use "All other apps") to help us to ensure that this updated Prism provides a great experience.

Fixes gradually being rolled out with toggle on

[General]

• Fixed an underlying issue leading to keyboards or other USB devices not working for a small number of Insiders after the latest flights.

[Start menu]

• Fixed an issue where interacting with a folder or its contents in Start menu could result in the folder becoming invisible.

[File Explorer]

• Made some underlying changes to help responsiveness of File Explorer when navigating in network locations.
• Made some more underlying improvements to help reduce the launch time of File Explorer.
• Fixed an issue where "Open" in File Explorer's context menu wasn't showing the right icon for .exe, .cmd & .bat files (was showing a generic executable icon, instead of the default app for that file type).
• Fixed an issue where you might see your desktop icons move when interacting with files, such as opening or renaming them.
• Fixed a couple issues where tooltips were not showing up as expected when using navigating Home with a keyboard.

[Lock and login screens]

• Fixed a memory leak when your lock screen was set to slide show, which could lead to performance or reliability issues over time when unlocking your PC.
• Fixed an issue which could cause logging into be very slow the first time when logging into a new account.

[Settings]

• Fixed an issue where the search box in Settings could become overlapped with the minimum and maximize buttons in the title bar.

[Other]

• Fixed an issue where after the latest updates, screen readers might unexpectedly say "legacy window" without reading out the window contents when interacting with certain apps.
• Fixed an issue where after the latest updates, text might not render correctly when editing content within a multiline text box in certain apps.
• Fixed an issue where protected content playback might fail on some machines after the latest updates.
• Fixed an issue which could cause ethernet upload speeds to be significantly lower on some PCs after the latest updates.

[Corrine]

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7051 (Dev & Beta Channels) updated.

Rolling out Quality Update 26220.7052 to Windows Insiders in the to test the servicing pipeline.

[Corrine]

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7070 (Dev & Beta Channels)

The same Dev and Beta Channel updates based on Windows 11, version 25H2, are being offered to Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel.  See the linked blog post about information switching between channels.

New features gradually being rolled out with toggle on

Widgets
Choose your default dashboard in an updated Widget Board Settings 

• Launching the Widget Board when it's showing live weather content will now open the first dashboard in your navigation bar instead of your most recently used dashboard for a more predictable Widget Board experience.
• To modify your default dashboard, navigate to the new full-page Widgets Settings experience by clicking the gear icon at the bottom of your Widget navigation bar and re-arrange your desired default dashboard to the top position.

See numbered badges on the Widget Board navigation bar 
Badges on the dashboard icons in the Widget navigation bar will now show numbers corresponding to the number of alerts from that dashboard. Navigation bar badges clear automatically when you leave a dashboard, making it easy to track what's new.

FEEDBACK: Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Desktop Environment > Widgets

Changes and Improvements for everyone

[Recovery]

• We're updating Quick Machine Recovery in Windows – Microsoft Support make getting back to a working PC clearer and faster. The experience in both Windows Settings and the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) has been streamlined so options are easier to find and use. On PCs with the settings "quick machine recovery" and "automatically check for solutions" both enabled, QMR now runs a one‑time scan by default instead of repeating scans in a loop. If a fix isn't available right away, you won't be left waiting; QMR will quickly point you to the most appropriate recovery options to get you back up and running.
  

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out with toggle on

[Smart App Control]

• We're updating Smart App Control (SAC) so you will now be able to switch SAC off or on without any clean install requirement. To make changes, go to Windows Security > App & Browser Control > Smart App Control settings.
• When it's on, it helps block untrusted or potentially harmful apps. You can learn more about SAC App & Browser Control in the Windows Security App – Microsoft Support.
  

[File Explorer]

• We are re-enabling people icons under the "Activity" column in File Explorer Home detailed here.
  

[File Explorer]

• We are temporarily turning off the integration supporting the StorageProvider APIs for cloud providers as detailed here.
  
• We are temporarily turning off support for frequently used and recently downloaded recommended files in File Explorer as detailed here.
  

Fixes gradually being rolled out with toggle on

[General]

• Fixed an underlying issue which was causing interacting with the desktop to unexpectedly open Task View recently for some people.

[File Explorer]

• Fixed an issue where Shift + Click (or middle clicking) on File Explorer in the taskbar wasn't opening a new File Explorer instance.
• Fixed an issue where the File Explorer active tab title might not display bolded until you hovered your mouse over it.

[Taskbar]

• Fixed an issue which could lead to the "Automatically hide the taskbar" setting unexpectedly turning off, after seeing a message saying "a toolbar is already hidden on this side of your screen".

[Settings]

• Fixed an issue which could lead to Settings hanging when trying to navigate to the Network & Internet section.