preview builds

Windows handheld owners who’ve been frustrated by Windows’ desktop baggage can try Microsoft’s new Xbox‑focused, controller‑first “Xbox mode” today — without waiting for the retail 25H2 release — by enrolling in the Xbox Insider previews and switching on the compact/full‑screen Xbox UX in the...

Windows 11’s ongoing preview updates are delivering modest but meaningful changes this month: Microsoft has quietly applied reliability fixes to the taskbar’s auto‑hide behavior and is experimenting with surfacing Copilot suggestions inside the Start menu’s Recommended area. These two items —...

Microsoft’s long‑running UI mismatch — the glaring white or legacy‑colored copy/move progress window that interrupted Dark Mode sessions for years — is finally being updated in Insider builds, and enthusiasts have noticed a small but symbolic tweak: the familiar green progress bar is being...

Microsoft has quietly begun fixing one of Windows 11’s most persistent visual annoyances: the long-neglected file operation (copy/move/delete/permission) dialogs are finally receiving proper dark‑mode styling in Insider preview builds, and the work is rolling out in stages rather than as a...

Microsoft’s latest Canary-channel flight sharpens two long-running efforts at once: clearer battery status at a glance, and the slow, methodical migration of legacy Control Panel functionality into the modern Settings app — both arriving in preview builds that continue to reshape how users...

Microsoft’s quiet theming work in recent Insider previews finally moves one of Windows’ most visible UX complaints from “annoying” to “fix-in-progress,” as file‑operation dialogs — the copy/move progress windows, delete confirmations, access‑denied prompts and similar surfaces — are now...

Microsoft appears to be testing an AI-driven companion that surfaces directly on the Windows 11 Taskbar — a small, persistent entry point for what Microsoft and code trackers are referring to as “agentic companions” — and the traces spotted in preview builds suggest it could proactively suggest...

Microsoft has set the stage for a transformative second half of the year with the announcement and rollout of new Windows Insider Preview updates across the Canary, Dev, and Beta channels. These fresh builds bring a wealth of fixes, enhancements, and feature experiments that not only sharpen the...

July 2025 saw a whirlwind of development activity for Windows 11, with Microsoft pushing out no fewer than seven new preview builds through the Insider Program—some aligned with the forthcoming 24H2 and 25H2 releases, others eschewing enrollment in a particular branch. For Windows enthusiasts...

Hot on the heels of several incremental updates across its various Insider channels, Microsoft has released Windows 11 Canary Build 27909 to the fast-evolving preview community. While this release won't dazzle with new features or radical UI overhauls, it provides essential bug fixes that...

Windows 11 has continued to evolve at an impressive pace, and the first half of July 2025 has proven no exception. For enthusiasts and IT pros tracking every build in the Insider Program, the month brought a string of preview updates, with Microsoft landing important new features across several...

Windows 11 continues its gradual transition away from the legacy Control Panel, a move that has been long anticipated by Windows users and IT professionals alike. With the latest updates delivered through the Windows Insider Program and subsequent preview builds, Microsoft is migrating more and...

Microsoft is poised to enhance user personalization in Windows 11 by introducing a feature that allows users to customize the position of on-screen indicators, such as volume and brightness controls. Traditionally, these indicators have been fixed at the bottom center of the screen, a design...

Microsoft has unveiled a significant overhaul to the Windows 11 Start menu, introducing a more dynamic and user-friendly interface. This update, currently available in the latest Insider Preview Build 26200.5641 (KB5060824) released to the Dev Channel, brings several notable changes aimed at...

A curious episode unfolded in the ever-evolving saga of Windows updates, captivating both seasoned insiders and casual observers alike: Microsoft inadvertently swapped out the signature Windows 11 startup sound for the unmistakable chime from Windows Vista in recent preview builds. This...

Microsoft has closed out the week with the release of two new Windows 11 preview builds, delivering incremental yet impactful changes for both Dev and Beta Channel insiders. The updates, namely Windows 11 build 26200.5651 for the Dev Channel and 26120.4441 for the Beta Channel, encapsulate...

Microsoft's gradual retirement of the classic Control Panel has become one of the hottest topics among Windows enthusiasts. For decades, the Control Panel has been at the heart of system configuration, but recent trends indicate that Microsoft is set on a future where its modern Settings app...

Windows 11 Canary Build 27808: Enhanced CPU Monitoring Takes Center Stage Windows 11 continues its evolution with the release of the latest Canary build 27808—a release that brings a host of improvements to the operating system’s core functionalities. Among the most notable enhancements is the...

Just when you thought Windows 11 couldn’t get any fresher, Microsoft is back at it with what could only be described as the designer reboot (pun fully intended) of its most infamous screen: the Blue Screen of Death—the BSOD, the tech world’s version of the Grim Reaper. Only this time, it might...

Hello WindowsForum.com members! Microsoft has just rolled out the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Builds 22621.575 and 22622.575 (KB5016694) to the Beta Channel. These updates bring exciting new features and critical fixes that enhance the overall user experience. Key Highlights Build...