Microsoft recently announced a new bug related to the emoji panel for users running Windows 11 build 26120.1350. This build was released on August 9, 2024, to the Dev Channel as part of Microsoft's ongoing testing and development efforts for Windows 11. While this release brought several enhancements and features, it also came with its share of known issues, notably a glitch that causes the emoji panel to automatically close under certain conditions.
Overview of Windows 11 Build 26120.1350
When Microsoft released build 26120.1350, it included a variety of new features aimed at enhancing user experience. One of the most notable features was an AirDrop-like file sharing functionality between Windows PCs and Android devices. This allows for quicker and easier file transfers, making it competitive with similar features found on other operating systems. In addition to this functionality, other improvements were made in areas such as the Task Manager and Windows Sandbox, which received bug fixes and performance enhancements. However, as is typical with preview builds, users were warned to expect a number of bugs and stability issues as part of the testing process.The Emoji Panel Bug
The specific bug that garnered user concern involves the emoji panel's unexpected behavior. For some users, the panel dismisses itself automatically after attempting to switch to the kaomoji or symbol options, or even after selecting an emoji. Microsoft has acknowledged this issue in the updated release notes, indicating they are actively investigating the root cause. The company noted:"[ADDED 6/13] We are working on the fix for an issue causing the emoji panel to close when trying to switch to the kaomoji and symbols sections, or after selecting an emoji."
This acknowledgment is important because it helps users understand they are not alone in experiencing this problem and that Microsoft is looking into a remedy. Although it may be an annoyance, Microsoft has indicated that there is no immediate need for users to panic, suggesting that this bug does not disrupt critical system functionality.
The Nature of Preview Builds
It's essential to emphasize that builds released in the Dev Channel are not final versions and are intended primarily for testing. Users utilizing these builds should expect to encounter bugs and limitations due to the experimental nature of the software. The occurrence of such issues as the emoji panel bug is not particularly surprising. Users need to be cautious about running these preview builds on devices critical for work or essential personal use, given the looming presence of various bugs, such as:- Task Manager Crashes: Users have reported that Task Manager may crash when switching between tabs, hindering ease of use.
- Error Messages (0x800f081): Users installing new languages or optional features may encounter error 0x800f081, leading to frustrating setbacks.
