Apr 26

Windows Insider Program: New Channels and a New Home for Build Release Notes

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Microsoft is making some important changes to the Windows Insider Program. These updates are meant to make the program easier to follow, reduce confusion around channels, and centralize where Insider build information lives.

If you’re running Insider builds or just tracking what’s coming next in Windows this is worth paying attention to.

What’s changing in the Windows Insider Program?

The Windows Insider Program is moving to a simpler and more clearly defined channel structure.

Over time, the older channel names and purposes started to overlap. Some channels had similar builds, while others were used for different purposes than originally intended. This made it harder to understand:

  • Which channel was right for testing
  • How close a specific build was to production
  • What kind of changes or stability level to expect

By moving to new and clarified channels, Microsoft aims to:

  • Set clearer expectations per channel
  • Make build progression easier to understand
  • Align Insider builds more closely with real development stages

In short: fewer surprises, clearer intent.

A single place for build release notes

Along with the channel changes, Microsoft is also centralizing Insider build release notes.

Instead of chasing announcements across blogs and posts, all build information is now consolidated in one place:

Windows Insider Flight Hub
https://learn.microsoft.com/windows-insider/flight-hub/

This page becomes the authoritative source for:

  • New Insider builds
  • Build numbers per channel
  • Release notes and known issues
  • Links to deeper technical details when available

Why this matters

For IT pros, developers, and testers, this change removes a lot of friction.

Easier tracking

  • One page shows all active flights
  • No need to search multiple blog posts
  • Clear overview of what’s new and where

Better planning

  • You can quickly see which builds are in which channel
  • Easier to decide when to test features
  • Less guesswork around build maturity

More transparency

  • Build notes are structured and consistent
  • Known issues are easier to spot
  • Changes between builds are clearer

This is especially useful if you’re:

  • Testing upcoming Windows features
  • Preparing app or driver compatibility
  • Managing test rings in Intune or Configuration Manager
  • Following Windows roadmap changes closely

What should Insiders do now?

If you’re already enrolled:

  • Check which channel your devices are in
  • Review the latest builds in the Flight Hub
  • Adjust channels if you want a different stability or feature cadence

If you’re just following from the sidelines:

  • Bookmark the Flight Hub
  • Use it as your reference point for Insider progress
  • Stop relying on scattered announcements

Bottom line

Microsoft is streamlining two things at once:

  • How Insider channels are defined
  • Where build information is published

The result is a clearer Windows Insider experience and a single, reliable place to follow Windows development.

If you track Insider builds for work or just curiosity the Flight Hub should now be your first stop.

Link:
https://learn.microsoft.com/windows-insider/flight-hub/

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Apr 19

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build for Canary Channel 29570.1000

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Hi all, last Friday Microsoft released Windows Insider Preview Build 29570.1000 to the Windows 11 Insider Canary Channel on the optional 29500 build series.

lots of goodies for the Opt-in Canary Channel this week, smooth updates on all my opt-in devices.

WLAN AutoConfig service keeps crashing on my Surface 13inch even after clean recovery-image install and upgrade to 29000 builds, same build on Surface Laptop 7 does not show this behavior (Feedback Hub: https://aka.ms/AA108g1p)

Happy Upgrades!

What’s new in Canary Build 29570.1000

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out with toggle on*

  • This update includes platform changes in moving to a new active development build.

[Gaming]

  • Xbox mode is now available on Windows 11 PCs, including laptops, desktops, and tablets. Inspired by the Xbox console experience, Xbox mode offers a streamlined, full‑screen interface that puts your games front and center while minimizing background distractions. Xbox mode is designed for those moments when you want to lean back, pick up a controller, and focus on the game. Enter Xbox mode from the Xbox app, Game Bar settings, or by pressing Win + F11. For more information, see Full screen experience expands to more Windows 11 PC form factors.

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

[Policy-Based Removal of Preinstalled Microsoft Apps]

  • This update adds support for a dynamic app removal list to the “Remove Default Microsoft Store packages” policy for Windows Enterprise and Education. Administrators can remove additional MSIX/APPX-packaged apps by specifying their app package family names using Group Policy. The dynamic list is not currently available in Intune Settings Catalog. Validation must be performed using Group Policy or custom OMA-URI. For more information, see Policy-based in-box app removal.

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

[Context Menu]

  • When right clicking on a .exe, .bat, or .cmd file, the context menu’s “Open” verb will now match the icon associated with the file’s default app.
The context menu’s “Open” verb matches the icon in the default app.
The context menu’s “Open” verb matches the icon in the default app.

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under File Folders and Online Storage > File Explorer.

[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.

[Lock screen] 

  • More widget options and support for lock screen widget personalization (previously referred to as “Weather and more”) are rolling out. After initial launch with Windows Insiders in the European Economic Area (EEA), these updates are expanding to all regions. You can add, remove, and rearrange lock screen widgets such as Weather, Watchlist, Sports, Traffic, and more. Any widget that supports the small sizing option can be added. To customize your lock screen widgets, go to Settings > Personalization > Lock screen.

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

[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.

source: Windows Blogs

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Apr 19

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28020.1863 (Canary Channel)

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Hi all, last Friday Microsoft released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28020.1863 to the Canary Channel. (KB 5083725)

No big changes documented on this build, upgrades went smooth and fast

Happy Upgrades!

What’s new in Canary Build 28020.1863

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out with toggle on*

  • This update includes a small set of general improvements and fixes that improve the overall experience for Insiders running this build on their PCs.

[General]

  • Fixed an issue that prevented some apps from signing in due to a false report of no internet connectivity.

source: Windows Blogs

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Apr 19

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26300.8276 (Dev Channel)

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Hi all, last Friday Microsoft released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26300.8276 (KB 5083726) to the Dev Channel.

Last week I reset a couple of devices with the 25H2 recovery image, after upgrading to Dev Channel, using Windows key + Shift + S to grab a screenshot, app picker showed up to select screen snipping or snipping tool to do the job (Feeback Hub: https://aka.ms/AA10nbq2

The Clipboard history improved response is great it has become really snappy 😍

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.
Old search box.
Old search box.
New search box.
New search box.
Existing search box on a Copilot+ PC.
Existing search box on a Copilot+ PC.
  • 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.

source: Windows Blogs

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Apr 12

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28020.1812 (Canary Channel)

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Hi all, last Friday Microsoft released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28020.1812 to the Canary Channel. (KB 5083824)

This build brings small but useful UX improvements, including customizable touchpad right‑click zones, a refined drag tray, and updates to Feedback Hub. It also enhances the Windows Security > Secure Boot experience with clearer status indicators and certificate visibility (consumer devices only; enterprise-managed devices excluded)

What’s new in Canary Build 28020.1812

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out with toggle on*

  • This update includes a small set of general improvements and fixes that improve the overall experience for Insiders running this build on their PCs.

[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.

[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.

[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 Improvements]

  • Thanks Windows Insiders who have been sharing such great feedback about the new Feedback Hub version. As some of you may have already noticed, we’re currently rolling out version 2.2604.101.0 to Dev and Canary. This includes design refinements based on your feedback, such as:
    • Improved the default window size, and now it will remember window size across session.
    • You can now use the mouse back button to go back between pages.
    • If you were seeing less community feedback than usual, that should be addressed now.
    • Upvote buttons for feedback should display correctly for Insiders using the Chinese display language now, … and more.

Please keep the feedback coming! You can share your thoughts under Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Apps > Feedback Hub.

source: Windows Blogs

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Apr 12

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build for Canary Channel 29565.1000

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Hi all, last Friday Microsoft released Windows Insider Preview Build 29565.1000 to the Windows 11 Insider Canary Channel on the optional 29500 build series.

This build moves the platform to a new active development base, with small but noticeable polish like smoother Bubbles animations and a less intrusive share drag tray.
What really stood out to me is the clearer Secure Boot status in the Windows Security app and a more usable Feedback Hub that finally feels responsive to how Insiders actually use it.

What’s new in Canary Build 29565.1000

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out with toggle on*

  • This update includes platform changes in moving to a new active development build.

[General]

  • Improved velocity of Bubbles screensaver for monitors with higher refresh rates.

[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.

[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 Improvements]

  • Thanks Windows Insiders who have been sharing such great feedback about the new Feedback Hub version. As some of you may have already noticed, we’re currently rolling out version 2.2604.101.0 to Dev and Canary. This includes design refinements based on your feedback, such as:
    • Improved the default window size, and now it will remember window size across session.
    • You can now use the mouse back button to go back between pages.
    • If you were seeing less community feedback than usual, that should be addressed now.
    • Upvote buttons for feedback should display correctly for Insiders using the Chinese display language now, … and more.

Please keep the feedback coming! You can share your thoughts under Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Apps > Feedback Hub.

source: Windows Blogs

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Apr 12

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26300.8170 (Dev Channel)

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Hi all, last Friday Microsoft released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26300.8170 (KB 5083632) to the Dev Channel.

In this Dev Channel build, Microsoft makes everyday things smoother: better storage performance, saner UAC prompts, and a long‑overdue FAT32 limit increase up to 2 TB.
There’s also a clearer Secure Boot status view and some nice usability fixes in Feedback Hub.

All of my Dev Channel devices updated smoothly, Happy Upgrades!

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 Improvements]

  • Thanks Windows Insiders who have been sharing such great feedback about the new Feedback Hub version. As some of you may have already noticed, we’re currently rolling out version 2.2604.101.0 to Dev and Canary. This includes design refinements based on your feedback, such as:
    • Improved the default window size, and now it will remember window size across session.
    • You can now use the mouse back button to go back between pages.
    • If you were seeing less community feedback than usual, that should be addressed now.
    • Upvote buttons for feedback should display correctly for Insiders using the Chinese display language now, … and more.

Please keep the feedback coming! You can share your thoughts under Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Apps > Feedback Hub.

source: Windows Blogs

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Apr 06

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build for Canary Channel 29560.1000

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Hi all, Last Friday Microsoft released Windows Insider Preview Build 29560.1000 to the Windows 11 Insider Canary Channel on the optional 29500 build series.

This Issue seems to still repro on Snapdragon devices with this build:

The WLAN Autoconfig service is still crashing on my Snapdragon devices, flighted an extra device to repro (Feedback Hub: https://aka.ms/AA108g1p)
Make sure to upvote and add repro info if you are able to reproduce this

Happy Upgrades!

What’s new in Canary Build 29560.1000

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out with toggle on*

  • This update includes platform changes in moving to a new active development build.

[General]

  • Fixed an issue causing some Insiders to experience an increase in freezes after the latest flights.
  • Fixed an issue resulting in attached USB devices not working for some Insiders after the latest flight.
  • Improved reliability of Setting Screensaver Settings back to None.

source: Windows Blogs

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Apr 06

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28020.1803 (Canary Channel)

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Hi all, last Friday Microsoft released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28020.1803 to the Canary Channel. (KB 5083824)

Few tweaks in this build, all smooth upgrades on my devices on this channel

What’s new in Canary Build 28020.1803

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out with toggle on*

  • This update includes a small set of general improvements and fixes that improve the overall experience for Insiders running this build on their PCs.

[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.
  • Improved reliability of configuring fluid dictation option in voice typing (Windows key plus H) settings.

[Settings]

  • The Settings Developer Mode dialog is updating to be visually consistent with the rest of Windows 11 dialogs.
Updated Settings Developer Mode dialog.
Updated Settings Developer Mode dialog.

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Settings > All other settings.

[Other]

source: Windows Blogs

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Apr 06

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26300.8155 (Dev Channel)

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Hi all, last Friday Microsoft released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26300.8155 (KB 5083822) to the Dev Channel.

Haptic feedback starting to do more from this build is amazing, subtitle feedback on the trackpad when hovering the X or aligning images in PowerPoint, easily gives an extra dimension to interacting with your device with ease.

I had the privilege of pre-testing this during Summit last week, believe me it is a very interesting experience, quite sure I will have this option on all the time! Hope you get to test this soon!

There seems to be a slight delay in Clipboard History showing content, might be an issue limited to s subset of devices, looking into this one

Happy Upgrades!

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out with toggle on*

[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.

source: Windows Blogs

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