Windows 11 build 26100.3613 arrives with a host of new features and substantial fixes that showcase Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to refining user experience and accessibility. The latest Release Preview update (KB5053656) incorporates enhancements for both everyday users and enterprise-managed PCs, ensuring that Windows 11 remains as innovative as it is reliable.
A New Chapter for Copilot+ PCs and Accessibility
One of the most exciting developments in this update is the boost in live captioning and real-time translation capabilities for Copilot+ PCs. Designed primarily for systems powered by AMD and Intel processors, these enhancements now support live caption translation of over 44 languages. Imagine following a real-time video call or enjoying streamed content where every spoken word is instantly translated and captioned—this is true accessibility in action.
For those using Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, there’s even more to cheer about. Microsoft has introduced the ability to perform real-time translations into Chinese (Simplified), alongside support for additional languages like Arabic, Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, German, Greek, English (US and UK variants), Estonian, Finnish, French, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Slovak, Slovene, and Swedish. These extensive language options can play a crucial role for global users, making communications smoother and technology more inclusive.
In essence, this move signifies a dedication to making voice and video communications more user-friendly and accessible, bridging language gaps that have long posed challenges in the modern, interconnected world.
Streamlined Settings for Enterprise Administrators
For organizations and commercial customers, the update offers a fresh look at Windows 11’s Settings homepage on devices managed by IT administrators. The new enterprise-specific design populates the homepage with relevant cards—such as “Recommended settings,” “Bluetooth devices,” and two additional cards focusing on device info and accessibility preferences. This tailored interface empowers IT professionals to quickly gain insights and manage the systems at their disposal, optimizing performance and resolving issues with greater efficiency.
Moreover, the introduction of “top cards” under Settings > System > About is a welcome addition for anyone curious about their PC’s key specifications. These cards neatly display your processor, RAM, storage, and GPU details—information critical for those who wish to monitor or upgrade their hardware. Whether you’re an enthusiast who loves tweaking your setup or an enterprise user keeping tabs on fleet performance, this streamlined data presentation is sure to hit the mark.
Gamepad Keyboard Layout: A Gamer’s Dream
Ever wondered if you could type using your Xbox controller? Windows 11 build 26100.3613 makes that possibility a reality by introducing a Gamepad keyboard layout for the touch keyboard. This innovative feature is not only a nod to gamers but also a boon for any Windows user who prefers alternative input methods.
Key highlights include:
- Button accelerators: The update allows for the use of the X button as backspace and the Y button for spacebar, mimicking familiar controller actions.
- Enhanced navigation patterns: With vertical alignment of keys, the gaming controller now offers a more intuitive way to navigate and type.
This clever reimagining of the input system blurs the lines between gaming and general productivity, ensuring a smoother experience regardless of whether you’re launching a new game or drafting an email.
Voice Access Gets a Natural Makeover
Voice access features in Windows 11 are also seeing significant improvements. The update introduces natural language commanding—allowing users to speak more naturally by using filler words and synonyms instead of strictly predefined commands. Initially available on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, this enhancement makes running your system entirely hands-free feel more conversational and less robotic.
Furthermore, Chinese support for voice access is now included, covering both Simplified and Traditional Chinese. With these changes, navigating your system, dictating text, or handling everyday tasks via voice is set to become a more fluid and user-friendly process, opening up new avenues for accessibility and convenience.
Task Manager: A Hearty Overhaul of CPU Metrics
For users and professionals who depend on detailed system performance insights, the revamped Task Manager is another highlight of this build. Microsoft has recalibrated the way Task Manager calculates CPU utilization across the Processes, Performance, and Users pages. Now, the metrics align with industry standards and are consistent with third-party performance tools.
The update introduces an optional column, dubbed “CPU Utilization,” which retains the previous calculation method—albeit hidden by default. This dual approach ensures that while new standard metrics are in play for most users, those accustomed to the older figures aren’t left in the dark and can still access familiar data if necessary.
This change not only enhances accuracy in performance monitoring but also aids in troubleshooting and system analysis, reinforcing Windows 11’s reputation as a powerhouse for both casual and intensive use.
Widgets and Developer-Friendly Enhancements
Developers now have fresh opportunities to innovate with the updated widget capabilities in Windows 11. The ability for web developers to integrate existing web content into dynamic and interactive widgets means that the widgets surface is set to become a vibrant area for personalized content. Whether it’s live news, weather updates, or interactive tools, these widgets can morph your desktop experience into something uniquely yours.
Additionally, the update brings support for lock screen widgets across devices in the European Economic Area (EEA). This means you can arrange widgets—such as Weather, Watchlist, Sports, Traffic—directly from the lock screen by using the small sizing option. Customizing lock screen widgets is made simple through the Settings > Personalization > Lock screen option, ensuring that your most important information is right at your fingertips without even waking the device fully.
Bug Fixes and Performance Enhancements Galore
Besides the feature-rich updates, build 26100.3613 also pays a lot of attention to reliability and stability improvements. Here’s a roundup of some notable fixes:
- File Explorer: The “see more” (…) menu now opens in the correct direction, eliminating previous directional glitches.
- Remote Desktop: The protocol has been adjusted to only use TCP, ensuring a smoother and more secure remote connection.
- Screen Orientation: On 2-in-1 devices, issues with unexpected orientation changes upon waking from sleep have been addressed.
- Application Installation: An MsiCloseHandle API-related performance issue—which could cause prolonged execution times when handling large MSI files—has also been remediated.
- Boot Menu: Erroneous extra boot entries that appeared due to update failures are now cleaned up automatically, reducing confusion and enabling smoother system startups.
- Authentication: A series of fixes tackle Kerberos authentication failures (especially when using RC4 encryption) and FIDO Cached Credential Logon issues, which were problematic in Hybrid Domain Joined devices.
- Blue Screen Fix: An underlying bug that could trigger a PDC_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT blue screen on resume from sleep has been corrected, enhancing overall system stability.
- Graphics: A fix for a crash in the graphics settings page caused by certain third-party apps has been implemented, ensuring a smoother user experience.
- Display Kernel: For users with Dolby Vision capable displays, HDR content now consistently shows as intended without mistakenly defaulting to standard HDR.
- ANSI Window Captions: The issue of truncated window captions in ANSI windows is now resolved, ensuring that all your text is clearly visible.
- PowerShell Modules: Critical PowerShell modules that were previously hindered under Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) policies now execute correctly, which is a relief for advanced users and administrators.
- Credential Roaming: Updates in this build ensure that certificates and keys are reliably roamed into Active Directory, preventing connectivity or security issues.
Each fix addresses specific pain points experienced by users, whether they’re everyday glitches or specialized issues encountered in enterprise environments. With such a comprehensive approach, Microsoft is not only smoothing out performance wrinkles but reinforcing Windows 11’s foundation as a user-centric operating system.
Deprecations: Shedding Redundant Features
The update doesn’t just add new functionalities—it also retires outdated features. Notably, the Location History feature, which was used by Cortana to access 24 hours of device history, is now being removed. Along with this, certain suggested actions that triggered when copying a phone number or a future date are deprecated. By eliminating these outdated elements, Microsoft aims to simplify the user experience and bolster system performance as well as privacy.
What Does This Mean for You?
For Windows enthusiasts and IT professionals alike, build 26100.3613 is a testament to Microsoft’s continued focus on accessibility, reliability, and modernization. Whether you’re an enterprise user looking for a more informative and customizable Settings interface, a gamer excited about using a gamepad to navigate your system, or someone who relies on real-time translation during international communications, this update has something for everyone.
Rhetorical questions naturally arise: How might a gamepad-enabled keyboard change the way we interact with PCs? Will natural language voice commands redefine what accessibility means on a day-to-day basis? And as Task Manager aligns closer with industry benchmarks, can we expect even more robust performance insights in future updates? Each of these questions hints at the broader evolution of Windows 11 into an operating system that not only meets current needs but anticipates future demands.
Conclusion
Build 26100.3613 is more than just a routine update—it’s a multi-faceted improvement package that addresses both new use-case scenarios and long-standing issues in Windows 11. From enhanced live captions and real-time translations to streamlined settings for enterprise users, improved input methods, and a retooled Task Manager, this build demonstrates a thoughtful blend of innovation and reliability.
If you’re a Windows Insider, now is the time to dive into these new features and share your feedback, helping drive further enhancements. And for everyday users, each of these changes emphasizes a future where Windows 11 evolves continuously, balancing cutting-edge technology with the stability and usability that has become the hallmark of the platform.
As we watch these updates roll out gradually, one thing is certain: Microsoft is not resting on its laurels. With a mix of technical finesse, user-centric design, and bold innovation, the latest update reaffirms Windows 11 as not just an operating system, but as the vibrant heart of the future of PC computing. Enjoy exploring these improvements, and keep an eye out for even more exciting developments on the horizon.
Source: Neowin
Windows 11 26100.3613 is out with gamepad keyboard, new features for Copilot+ PCs and more
Key Features in Build 26100.1876
