This week’s Windows 11 Preview updates are now available to Canary and Dev channel. In the Canary channel it is available with build 26010 and in the Dev channel it is available with build 23601. Both Windows 11 Preview updates come with some new features and improvements.
Windows 11 Preview Build 26010
Let’s first talk about the Windows 11 build 26010 in the Canary channel. It brings a new updated Widgets board settings that gives more option to customize the board. In the board you can easily personalize your feeds. Here are other improvements.
[General]
- The Tips app is removed after updating to Build 26002 and higher. The Tips app is deprecated.
[Copilot in Windows]
- We are trying out the ability to “undock” Copilot in Windows with Windows Insiders. Just click the new icon to unpin the Copilot panel at the top right in the header. While undocked, Copilot can appear above or below other apps in Windows while maintaining its fixed position on the desktop. This allows users to access Copilot while minimizing disruption to other user activities. Additionally, can resize the Copilot window for a more comfortable experience. Simply click-and-drag the edge of the Copilot window to adjust the width to your needs.
[Taskbar & System Tray]
- After trying out a scrollable view of quick settings with some Windows Insiders in the Canary Channel starting with Build 25967, we’re beginning to roll this out again with some slight refinements. This new scrolling view of quick actions allows you to rearrange the set of quick settings and provides better usability and discoverability for the user.
[Task Manager]
- The Task Manager settings page now has Mica material.
[Settings]
- Optional features previously listed under Settings > Apps has moved to its own page under Settings > System.
Windows 11 Preview Build 23601
The new Windows 11 preview build to Dev channel brings a bunch of changes to Windows 365 Boot, and also to Windows 365 switch. This includes new personal mode for Windows 365 boot, customize company logo and name, Fail fast mechanism, Manage local PC settings through Windows 365 Boot and more.
It brings more suggestions in the Cast feature and the Cast flyout that appear on pressing Windows + K. The new Widget board that we shared about in the Canary build is also available in the Dev channel update. Here are other improvements.
[General]
- Starting early next week, Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel on Build 23601 will be prompted to reboot to install Windows Configuration Update (KB1234567). Windows Configuration Updates are what we use to new features via Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR) technology. Windows Configuration Update (KB1234567) does not enable any new features as we’re testing the delivery of these updates via our servicing pipeline, and the reboot prompt to install them. After rebooting to install this update, it will be listed under “Other Updates” under Settings > Windows Update > Update History.
[Copilot in Windows]
- We are trying out the ability to “undock” Copilot in Windows with Windows Insiders. Just click the new icon to unpin the Copilot panel at the top right in the header. While undocked, Copilot can appear above or below other apps in Windows while maintaining its fixed position on the desktop. This allows users to access Copilot while minimizing disruption to other user activities. Additionally, can resize the Copilot window for a more comfortable experience. Simply click-and-drag the edge of the Copilot window to adjust the width to your needs.
- We are trying out a change where when swiping from the right edge of the desktop on a touch display will open Copilot instead of notifications.
[Windows Share]
- The Windows share window now supports sharing with WhatsApp under the “Share using” section. If you don’t have WhatsApp installed, you can choose to install it from Windows share window directly. Over time, we plan to try this experience out with other apps as well.
[Nearby Sharing]
- We are introducing the ability to quickly give your device a more friendly name to identify sharing to and from with nearby share under Settings > System > Nearby sharing. This change originally began rolling out with Build 23545, but we are re-rolling it out with improvements to the experience. Let us know what you think.
[Narrator]
- Narrator users can now use voice access to open applications, dictate text and interact with elements on the screen using their voice. Narrator users can use voice access to give Narrator commands using their voice . For e.g., “speak faster”, “read next line”, etc. To get started, search for “voice access” in Windows search and set it up.
The new preview updates are available to Insiders in the Canary or Dev channel. So if you have joined the Windows Insider program in the mentioned channels, you will see the update on your PC. You can check for the update by going to Settings > Windows Update.
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