Introduction
In the latest release to the Canary Channel, Windows Insiders can explore the new Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26020. This update brings forth a variety of enhancements, changes, and fixes targeted at enhancing the user experience.
New Features and Enhancements
- Extended Language Support and Multi-Display Enhancements: The voice access feature now supports additional languages, enabling users to interact with multiple displays more effectively. The grid overlay feature has been enhanced to allow seamless movement of files and apps across different displays.
- Custom Commands for Voice Access: Users can now create custom voice shortcuts to streamline their interactions with Windows. The voice shortcuts feature allows for the creation of personalized commands, making it easier to perform specific actions or sequences through voice commands.
- Natural Voices Previews in Narrator: Previews for natural voices of 10 new locales have been introduced. Users can now listen to natural voices before downloading the voice model, providing a preview of the voice characteristics.
Changes and Improvements
- Transition from Windows Speech Recognition: Windows 11 is transitioning from Windows Speech Recognition (WSR) to voice access, with WSR being deprecated. Users are encouraged to explore voice access for improved speech recognition capabilities.
- Removal of WordPad, People App, and Steps Recorder: WordPad and People apps will no longer be installed with a clean OS install, with WordPad set to be removed in future upgrades. Steps Recorder will no longer receive updates and is planned for removal in upcoming Windows releases.
Fixes and Known Issues
- The update addresses several issues, including crashing in File Explorer, taskbar icon display, and Microsoft Start feed loading delays.
- Known issues include difficulties with popular games on recent builds and Settings navigation errors post-build 26010.
Canary Channel
The Canary Channel is a platform for previewing longer-lead platform changes before release to customers. Builds in the Canary Channel are "hot off the presses," without extensive validation or documentation, potentially indicating major issues that could impede PC functionality. The latest Windows Insider SDK and SDK NuGet packages are also available for developers, aligning with the Canary and Dev Channels to facilitate optimized app development.
Published Date
Wed, 03 Jan 2024 18:03:23 +0000.
Conclusion
For more detailed information on this build and other Insider updates, users can visit the official Windows Insider Program documentation and Flight Hub.
