Windows 11 Insider Beta Channel

[Corrine]

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7934 (Beta Channel)

New features gradually being rolled out with toggle on

[Enhanced security and performance for batch files]
We are giving administrators and Application Control for Business policy authors additional controls over the processing of batch files and CMD scripts. Starting with this release, administrators may enable a more secure mode for processing batch files that ensures they do not change during execution by adding a value to the registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor named LockBatchFilesInUse (DWORD, value 0 or 1). Policy authors may also use the LockBatchFilesWhenInUse application manifest control documented here to enable this mode.

This enhances the performance and security of batch file processing when code integrity is enabled, as signature validation will only required to be performed a single time, instead of per statement executed in the batch file.

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Developer Platform > Command Line.

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out with toggle on

[Shared audio (preview) gets more control]

• Shared audio (preview) was first announced last fall, and allows 2 people to share audio between their two capable Bluetooth LE Audio headphones, speakers, earbuds, or hearing aids. With this update Windows now provides individual sliders for each listener which adjusts their volume without affecting the other. You can continue to adjust volume for both listeners at the same time through the main volume controls available through Quick Settings or on-device and keyboard controls.
  
• You'll also see a new taskbar indicator while you're sharing, giving a quick reminder that audio is still being shared. Clicking the indicator is a fast path to open sharing settings to change volume or stop sharing.
• The LE Audio accessory ecosystem also continues to grow. In addition to the accessories announced before, we're excited to share that the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro, Sony WF‑1000XM6, and Xbox Wireless Headset all have support for shared audio!
  

• Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F)under Devices and Drivers > Bluetooth – Audio quality, glitches, choppiness and stuttering.
  

[Narrator]

• Narrator users can now use a new command Narrator key + \ to read contents of status bar in Apps such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc. For example, in Microsoft Word, users can use this to read count of pages or words in a document. In Microsoft Excel, users can select a few data cells and hear sum or average of the data in the selected cells without having to change your focus.
  

[Taskbar]

• We temporarily paused the rollout of the improved animations when your taskbar is set to autohide, and improved reliability of loading taskbar components in safe mode. Thanks, Insiders, for sharing feedback!
  

[Storage]

• Improved reliability of removing Windows Update files / windows.old files via Settings > System > Storage.

[Input]

• Improved reliability of typing when using the ADLaM keyboard.

Paint App update rolling out

• With Paint version 11.2601.391.0, we're excited to introduce freeform rotate, a highly requested feature that gives you more control when editing your artwork. You can now rotate shapes, text, and any active selection to any angle. To get started, open Paint and select a shape, text, or selection. When the object is active, use the rotate handle above it to rotate freely in any direction. For more precise control, you can also choose Custom rotate from the Rotate menu and enter a specific angle. Try using freeform rotate in your artwork to adjust elements exactly the way you want and add more flexibility to your creative workflow.
  

• FEEDBACK: Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Apps > Paint.
  

[Corrine]

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7934 (Beta Channel)

[UPDATE 3/4/26]: Rolling out standalone Update Build 26220.7935 (KB5082255). This update does not include anything new and is designed to test the servicing pipeline for builds in the Beta Channel. A restart will be required.

[Corrine]

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7961 (Beta Channel)

New features gradually being rolled out with toggle on

[Administrator Protection]
Administrator protection is being re-enabled and aims to protect free floating admin rights for administrator users, allowing them to still perform all admin functions with just-in-time admin privileges. This feature is OFF by default and can be enabled via OMA-URI in Intune or via group policy.

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out with toggle on

[Sharing]
Based on feedback we're making some refinements to drag tray, using a smaller peek view to reduce accidental invocation and make it easier to dismiss when interacting near the top of the screen.

[File Explorer]

• You can now use voice typing (Windows key plus H) when renaming files in File Explorer.
• Removed white flash when launching new File Explorer windows or tabs when File Explorer was set to open to This PC. Also removed white flashes when resizing elements of File Explorer.
• Improved reliability of unblocking files downloaded from the internet in order to preview them in File Explorer.
  

[Corrine]

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7961 (Beta Channel)

New features gradually being rolled out with toggle on

[Administrator Protection]
Administrator protection is being re-enabled and aims to protect free floating admin rights for administrator users, allowing them to still perform all admin functions with just-in-time admin privileges. This feature is OFF by default and can be enabled via OMA-URI in Intune or via group policy.

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out with toggle on

[Sharing]
Based on feedback we're making some refinements to drag tray, using a smaller peek view to reduce accidental invocation and make it easier to dismiss when interacting near the top of the screen.

[File Explorer]

• You can now use voice typing (Windows key plus H) when renaming files in File Explorer.
• Removed white flash when launching new File Explorer windows or tabs when File Explorer was set to open to This PC. Also removed white flashes when resizing elements of File Explorer.
• Improved reliability of unblocking files downloaded from the internet in order to preview them in File Explorer.
  

[Corrine]

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.8062 (Beta Channel)

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out with toggle on

[Policy-Based Removal of Preinstalled Microsoft Apps]

• We have updated the "Remove Default Microsoft Store packages" policy for Windows ENT/EDU to include a dynamic app removal list. IT administrators can now remove MSIX/APPX apps by adding their app package family name (PFNs) to a dynamic list.
• To access the policy in Group Policy settings, open the local Group Policy Editor (gedit.msc) and navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > App Package Deployment > Remove Default Microsoft Store packages from the system.
  
• To remove an app via the dynamic list, add its app family package name to the multi-text list under "Specify additional package family names to remove."
• To find app family package names, run the Get-AppxPackage command in a terminal. For example, here's a command to get the package family name for Notepad:
• Get-AppxPackage *Notepad* | Select-Object PackageFamilyName

• The dynamic list is currently unavailable in the corresponding Intune CSP. When this feature becomes generally available, you can search for Remove Default Microsoft Store packages settings in the Settings picker.
  
  • Known Limitation – OMA-URI and Multi-Entry Validation: OMA-URI cannot be used to validate multi-entry ADMX multi-Text policies; therefore, validation for the dynamic list must be done via Settings Catalog in Intune or Group Policy. Given that the Intune setting is not yet available in WIP, you will need to test using Group Policy.
    
• For information on the generally available policy, visit Policy-based in-box app removal.
  

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Developer Platform > App Deployment.

[Windows Setup Experience]

• Expanding on our work which started rolling to Insiders last fall, you can now choose a custom name for your user folder on the Device Name page when going through Windows setup. This most recent update now makes it easier to choose a custom name. The naming option is available during setup only. If you skip this step, Windows will use the default folder name and continue setup as usual.
• Note: User folder names must follow standard Windows naming requirements.
  

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Install and Update > Initial out of box setup.

[Windows Driver Policy update]

• The Windows kernel has historically allowed 3rd party kernel drivers from the now- deprecated cross-signed root program and the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program (WHCP). The WHCP program is a major step up in security compared to the cross-signed driver program, requiring driver compatibility testing, identity vetting and verification and virus scanning.
• Starting with this update, the Windows kernel will enforce a new policy removing default trust for cross-signed drivers. The policy allows 3rd party drivers from the WHCP program by default, with an allow list of trustworthy publishers and drivers from the cross-signing program.
• The feature is enabled in audit mode for a minimum of 100 hours and 3 reboots. If Windows determines that the drivers loaded during this time are compatible with the new policy, the feature is enabled. Otherwise, the system stays in audit mode.
• After enablement, while unlikely, some users running in enforcement mode may see cross-signed drivers blocked.

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Security and Privacy > Application Control.

[Point-in-time restore updates]:

• When you launch point-in-time restore, local admins will see a settings dialog (behind a User Account Control (UAC) prompt) where they can view or change the default restore settings.
• This experience also now shows a list of restore points available on the device.

Updated messaging in the WinRE restore experience:

• Added a recommendation to plug your device into a power source during the restore.
• The OS version number is now shown in a 4-part format (instead of 2-part).

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Recovery and Uninstall > Point-in-time restore.

[Drag Tray > Drop Tray]

• Expanding on our work last week, Drag Tray has been now renamed to Drop Tray. We're also moving the corresponding settings for Drop Tray from Nearby Sharing to now be under System > Multitasking.
  

[Input]

• Pen settings: we have made refinements to the Pen settings page including small changes to the options for the pen tail button. A new option, "Same as Copilot key", enables the pen tail button to launch the same app as the Copilot key.
  

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Devices and Drivers > Bluetooth – Keyboards, Mice, and Pens.

[File Explorer]

• We are stopping the rollout of refinements to the context menu to work on some further improvements. We will bring this back in a future release.
  

[Other]

• Improved reliability of setting and using preferred display language.
• Removed extraneous unexpected error from sfc/scannow.
  

[Corrine]

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.8079 (Beta Channel)

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out with toggle on

[Input]

• Improved explorer.exe reliability when closing the input flyout. 
• Improved reliability of configuring fluid dictation option in voice typing (Windows key plus H) settings.

[Network and Sharing]

• We fixed an issue where the Network and Sharing Center could incorrectly display two active Wi-Fi connections after switching from one Wi-Fi network to another. The Network and Sharing Center now correctly reflects a single active Wi-Fi connection when you connect to a new network.

[Corrine]

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.8138 (Beta Channel)

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out with toggle on

[Administrator Protection]

• After resuming the rollout of Administrator Protection as enabled by IT admins, we are also now rolling out the ability to enable Administrator Protection in Settings under Privacy & security > Windows Security > Account protection and switching the toggle to on. A restart will be required.
  

[Touchpad]

• We're adding a new setting in Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Touchpad so you can choose how large the right-click zone size is (this is the portion in the bottom-right of your touchpad where pressing a single finger will result in a right-click), between default, small, medium, and large. Note – this setting only appears for touchpads that have a pressable surface for this. Some manufacturers may provide customization for this in their own apps – if you've customized your setting using an app like this, a "Custom" entry will be added to the dropdown, which preserves that value. 

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Input and Language > Touchpad.

[Task Manager]
We're making a few improvements to Task Manager:

• We're updating Task Manager to provide better insight into NPU usage for PCs that include an NPU. New optional NPU and NPU Engine columns are now available on the Processes, Users, and Details pages. The Details page also adds NPU Dedicated Memory and NPU Shared Memory optional columns to give you deeper visibility into how workloads are using NPU resources. Additionally, if there are neural engines that are part of a GPU, they will now appear on the Performance page, providing a more complete view of AI‑related system activity.
  
• We're also adding a new optional Isolation column to the Processes and Details pages, allowing you to see which apps are running in an AppContainer. 
  

When these changes are available for you, you can add the columns to your view by right clicking one of the column headers in Task Manager and check the option for this.

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Desktop Environment > Task Manager.

[Accessibility]

• Addressed an issue impacting the use of Braille for Insiders in the last few flights.

[Display Language]

• Addressed an issue resulting in Windows displaying in English for some Insiders rather than their preferred language. 

[Corrine]

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26300.8142 (Dev Channel)

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out with toggle on

[Administrator Protection]

• After resuming the rollout of Administrator Protection as enabled by IT admins, we are also now rolling out the ability to enable Administrator Protection in Settings under Privacy & security > Windows Security > Account protection and switching the toggle to on. A restart will be required.
  

[Touchpad]

• We're adding a new setting in Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Touchpad so you can choose how large the right-click zone size is (this is the portion in the bottom-right of your touchpad where pressing a single finger will result in a right-click), between default, small, medium, and large. Note – this setting only appears for touchpads that have a pressable surface for this. Some manufacturers may provide customization for this in their own apps – if you've customized your setting using an app like this, a "Custom" entry will be added to the dropdown, which preserves that value. 

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Input and Language > Touchpad.

[Task Manager]
We're making a few improvements to Task Manager:

• We're updating Task Manager to provide better insight into NPU usage for PCs that include an NPU. New optional NPU and NPU Engine columns are now available on the Processes, Users, and Details pages. The Details page also adds NPU Dedicated Memory and NPU Shared Memory optional columns to give you deeper visibility into how workloads are using NPU resources. Additionally, if there are neural engines that are part of a GPU, they will now appear on the Performance page, providing a more complete view of AI‑related system activity.
  
• We're also adding a new optional Isolation column to the Processes and Details pages, allowing you to see which apps are running in an AppContainer.
  

Once these changes are available to you, you can add any of the new columns by right‑clicking a column header in Task Manager and selecting them from the menu.

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Desktop Environment > Task Manager.

[Windows Protected Print Mode]

• We are adding a new icon to show where a printer supports Windows Protected Print Mode in print settings.
  

[Accessibility]

• Addressed an issue impacting the use of Braille for Insiders in the last few flights.

[Corrine]

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.8148 (Beta Channel)

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out with toggle on

[Windows Protected Print Mode]

• We are adding a new icon to show where a printer supports Windows Protected Print Mode in print settings.
  

[Input]

• Users will be able to feel haptic feedback effects on compatible input devices while performing certain actions, such as aligning objects in PowerPoint, window snapping, resizing, or hovering over the Close button. These haptic effects can be configured in Settings under Bluetooth & devices > Mouse > Haptic signals.

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Input and Language > Mouse.

[Xbox mode]

• Xbox full screen experience is now Xbox mode
• We've added an improved first run experience when entering Xbox mode

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

[Other]

• Improved performance of launching startup apps after boot (apps which display under Settings > Apps > Startup).
• Fixed an issue resulting in certain apps not being able to sign in recently, citing an internal connection issue when internet was actually connected.
• Fixed an underlying crash impacting some Insiders' ability to print with the latest flights.

[Corrine]

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.8165 (Beta Channel)

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out with toggle on

[Storage]

• We're increasing the size limit for formatting FAT32 volumes via the command line from 32GB to 2TB.
• Improved the performance when navigating to see storage on large volumes via Settings > System > Storage > Advanced Storage Settings > Disks & Volumes.
• Updated Settings > System > Storage, so rather than seeing a UAC prompt immediately when you go to the page, you'll only see it when going to view temporary files.

[Network]

• Fixed issue causing Settings > Network & Internet > Data Usage to show large unrealistic values in recent Insider builds.

[Windows Security app]

• We have recently started to roll out enhancements to the Windows Security app > Device security > Secure Boot experience, which shows green, yellow, and red icon badges as well as new text that reflects your device's Secure Boot state and certificate status. Microsoft is updating Secure Boot certificates on consumer devices and some business PCs, and you can now check your certificate status with this new feature. This experience is disabled by default on enterprise IT managed devices and servers.
  

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Apps > Windows Security.
[Feedback Hub]
The new Feedback Hub, bringing a refreshed, modernized experience, is also now available as an app update today for Insiders in Beta.

What's new in Feedback Hub

• Simpler feedback submission flow: Feedback is now submitted using a single unified template, with the added ability to search categories. The feedback form itself has been modernized enabling for faster iteration and future improvements.
  
• Simpler navigation: My Feedback now lives directly in the navigation pane, and Community feedback (formerly All feedback) makes it easier to discover and engage with feedback from others. The Announcements page has been removed to focus more on giving and exploring feedback. You can still find announcements on the Windows Insider Blog.
  
• New compliment feedback type: Call out what's working well.
  
• Private or public feedback: Choose whether your feedback is visible to the Insider community.
  
• New focused feedback experience: A new smaller Feedback Hub surface, making it easier to provide quick, in-the-moment feedback. You can expand to the full Feedback Hub experience by pressing the button in the upper right corner.
  
• Improved screenshot capture and review tooling: Making it easier to capture and include visuals when sharing feedback.
  

Feedback: Your feedback helps shape what comes next, so try out the new experience and share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Apps > Feedback Hub.

[Corrine]

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.8271 (Beta Channel)

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out with toggle on

[Settings]

• Based on feedback, we're providing clarity regarding location options in Settings > Privacy & Security > Location. When Location services is turned off, options like Default location and Allow location override are unavailable because apps and services aren't receiving location info. To make that clearer, these options will now appear disabled (greyed out) until Location services is turned back on.
  
• We have improved the reliability of navigating to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
  

[File Explorer]

• We have updated iconography placement in the File Explorer search box to be more consistent across different PCs.
• Improved File Explorer reliability.
• Improved navigation pane usage for Voice Access users.

[Windows Hello]

• Improved reliability and performance of Windows Hello fingerprint after your PC wakes from sleep.

[Input]

• Improved performance of opening clipboard history.

[Fonts]

• We've made some font improvements, including updating the Leelawadee UI font family for the Thai, Lao, Khmer, and Lontara scripts to help improve glyph sequencing, positioning, and rendering for these scripts.