Microsoft just released another Windows 11 gradual upgrade to testers in the Canary channel. The latest update is rolling out with the 26227 build number and it brings the all-new Copilot for Windows app, a bunch of new emojis from the Emoji 15.1 library, Reply suggestions in Phone Link for Android, a new Linked Devices page inside settings, and many more.
The anticipated Windows 11 24H2 upgrade is already available to all channels in the Windows Insider Preview Program. Today’s upgrade is another big leap forward, especially for those in the Canary channel, thanks to a set of new features included in the 26227 build.
Moving to the features list, then one of the leading highlights of this update is the all-new Copilot for Windows app. Teased earlier this month at the company’s annual Surface event, the Copilot app is now making its way to existing Windows 11 PCs, starting with the Canary channel. For those eager to try out the new app, a workaround is available. Follow this guide to get started.
The next big change coming with this update is the addition of 30 new Emojis from the Emoji 15.1 library, another change is the revamped Linked Devices page in Settings, where you can easily manage PCs and Xbox consoles that you are signed in to with your Microsoft account, Suggested Replies in Phone Link for Android is another new addition coming with Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26227.
Here’s the complete list of changes, improvements, and fixes coming with today’s incremental upgrade.
Windows 11 Preview Build 26227 – Changes and Improvements
- Copilot in Windows
- As part of this update, we’re also evolving the Copilot* experience on Windows as an app that will be pinned to the taskbar. This enables users to get the benefits of a traditional app experience, including the ability to resize, move, and snap the window – feedback we’ve heard from users throughout the preview of Copilot in Windows. This model also allows Microsoft to more agilely develop and optimize the experience based on user feedback.
- As part of the Copilot experience’s evolution on Windows to become an app that is pinned to the taskbar, we are retiring the WIN + C keyboard shortcut. For new devices that ship with a Copilot key, this key will open Copilot. For existing devices without that key, using the WIN + (number position for Copilot pinned to your taskbar) is a great way to open Copilot.
- Emoji
- We’re adding support for Emoji 15.1 which introduces a small number of brand-new emoji such as head shaking horizontally and vertically, phoenix, lime, brown mushroom and broken chain. Other changes for Emoji 15.1 include Unicode’s decision to revert family combinations to symbol-like shapes. Windows has chosen to stay with our existing style that use people in family combinations. We are also supporting the new directionality updates for person/man/woman walking, kneeling, with cane, running, manual wheelchair and motorized wheelchair. You can now select right facing or the original left facing orientation for these emoji.
- Settings
- We are beginning to roll out a new Linked devices page under Settings > Accounts that allows you to manage PCs and Xbox consoles that you are signed in to with your Microsoft account. This settings page will only show on the Home and Pro editions of Windows 11 and if you’re signed into Windows with your Microsoft account.
Windows 11 Preview Build 26227 – Fixes
- General
- Fixed an issue believed to be the underlying cause of some Insiders noticing stutters in some animations recently (dropping frames), particularly with Task View.
- Fixed an underlying issue which could lead to some apps not starting on startup even though they were enabled as startup apps in Settings. It would show as Suspended in Task Manager, but not appear in the taskbar.
- Fixed an underlying issue which could lead to the pop up asking for permission to use location not appearing, which could lead to app issues without location access.
- Windowing
- Fixed an issue related to showing tabs in Alt + Tab, which could lead to frequent explorer.exe crashes if you had a very large number of tabs.
- Widgets
- Fixed the issue causing the WIN + W keyboard shortcut to not work correctly and open the Widgets board.
- Other
- Fixed explorer.exe crashes impacting live captions and voice access.
If you’ve joined the Insider Preview Program and running on Windows 11, then you’ll receive the preview build. You can simply head over to Settings > Windows Update > click on Check for Updates. You can simply download the update on your PC.
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