Windows 11 Build 27919 Canary: Unified Search Settings & Notable Fixes

Microsoft released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27919 to the Canary Channel on August 8, 2025, bringing a consolidated Settings UI for Windows Search, a new "Find apps" reorganization in Settings, a handful of input and File Explorer fixes, and a set of notable known issues that Insiders should treat with caution before upgrading. (blogs.windows.com)

Background / Overview​

Microsoft’s Canary Channel continues to serve as the earliest public proving ground for experimental platform changes and UI rethinks for Windows 11. Builds in the 27xxx series are often exploratory: features may be added, reworked, or dropped entirely as Microsoft iterates on design and behavior. The 27919 flight is a relatively light feature update but important because it consolidates Windows Search settings into a single, modernized page inside Settings — an area Microsoft has been evolving rapidly this year, especially for Copilot+ PCs where semantic and local AI-enhanced search features are being trialed. (blogs.windows.com)
This article walks through what changed in Build 27919, verifies and cross-references Microsoft’s claims, highlights practical implications for different user groups (power users, Copilot+ PC owners, IT administrators), and calls out risks or gotchas that should factor into any Insider’s decision to install the build.

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What’s new in Build 27919​

A single, modernized Settings page for Windows Search​

• Microsoft consolidated disparate Windows Search controls previously split under Settings > Privacy & security > Search permissions and Settings > Privacy & security > Searching Windows into a single Settings > Privacy & security > Search page with a refreshed visual layout and reordered items for clarity. The goal is to put all Windows Search settings — index scope, indexing mode, and permissions — under one roof so users can configure search behavior without jumping between screens. (blogs.windows.com)
• This consolidation aligns with Microsoft’s ongoing work to unify search experiences across File Explorer, the taskbar search box, and Settings, particularly for Copilot+ PCs where semantic search and local indexing improvements are being previewed. The company has been previewing these improved search experiences earlier in the year and explicitly references a broader effort to surface better search functionality across apps and device types. (blogs.windows.com)

Why this matters: a unified search settings page reduces user confusion and makes it easier to manage privacy and indexing behavior. For power users and admins, a single page also means fewer routes to inadvertently changing index scopes or privacy-related toggles.

New and tweaked “Find apps” / searching behavior (rolled out gradually)​

• The build begins a staged rollout of updated search experiences, with UI and ordering changes meant to improve discoverability of apps and documents. Microsoft notes that some elements are controlled via feature rollouts, meaning not all Insiders will see the same experience immediately. (blogs.windows.com)

Operational impact: because the changes are being rolled out using Control Feature Rollout, organizations and individual Insiders should not expect identical behavior across machines. Staggered rollouts also mean usability feedback will shape later iterations.

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Fixes included in this Canary flight​

File Explorer — digital signatures tab crash fixed​

• Microsoft addressed a crash where File Explorer could terminate when viewing the Digital Signatures tab in a file’s Properties dialog. That crash fix is included in the 27919 release notes. (blogs.windows.com)

Practical effect: users who inspect certificate signatures on installers or executables — developers, sysadmins, and security-conscious users — should see fewer unexpected File Explorer crashes when checking signature details.

Input method fixes​

• The build fixes a regression causing the Microsoft Changjie input method to malfunction in the previous Canary build, and resolves issues impacting phonetic keyboards such as Hindi Phonetic and Marathi Phonetic layouts. These input fixes are called out explicitly in the release notes. (blogs.windows.com)

Why it matters: input regressions affect non-English and multilingual users disproportionately. Restoring these input methods increases usability for a large subset of global Insiders and signals Microsoft’s attention to language-input regressions during Canary development.

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Known issues and risks — the important gotchas​

Build 27919 lists several known issues that range from cosmetic rendering bugs to functional regressions that can impact sign-in and app stability. These are not theoretical — multiple community threads and Microsoft support forums reported practical incidents consistent with Microsoft’s notes. The following are the most consequential items to be aware of.

Copilot+ PC sign-in regression: Windows Hello PIN and biometrics loss​

• Microsoft warns that if a device transitions onto the Canary Channel from Dev, Release Preview, or retail on certain Copilot+ PCs, Windows Hello PIN and biometric sign-in credentials may stop working and surface error code 0xd0000225 with the message “Something went wrong, and your PIN isn’t available.” Microsoft says users should be able to re-create their PIN by selecting Set up my PIN after signing in through alternative methods. This warning also appeared in prior Canary flights and remains listed in the 27919 notes. (blogs.windows.com)
• Cross-check: earlier Canary notes for July flights documented the same PIN/Windows Hello issue when migrating Copilot+ PCs between channels, confirming this is an ongoing regression tracked across multiple builds. (blogs.windows.com)

Risk and mitigation:

• This is high-impact for users relying on quick biometric sign-in; re-creation of PIN may be straightforward for some, but users with complex PKI, enterprise credential managers, or multi-factor setups may experience downtime.
• Recommended approach: delay upgrading production Copilot+ machines to this Canary build until the issue is resolved, or ensure an alternative sign-in path is prepared (local password, recovery account, or Azure AD fallback).

Widgets may be non-functional or missing​

• Microsoft added a known issue flag noting reports that Widgets become non-functional or unavailable after upgrading to 27919. Community posts and Microsoft Q&A threads corroborate missing Widget processes and absent taskbar widget UI after applying the update. Microsoft and community postings include a PowerShell command to attempt re-registration as a workaround: Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.WidgetsPlatformRuntime -AllUsers | Reset-AppxPackage. (elevenforum.com, learn.microsoft.com)

Notes on the workaround:

• Re-registering Widgets may recover the experience for some users, but others report the problem persists until a clean install or further patch is applied. This suggests the issue may be both app-level and platform-level in nature.

dao360.dll underlying issue — potential app crashes​

• The 27919 release notes include a short but blunt line: “There’s an underlying issue with dao360.dll in this build which may result in some apps crashing.” That exact phrasing is in the official post, but Microsoft does not expand on which apps are affected or the root cause. (blogs.windows.com)

Cross-referencing and context:

• dao360.dll is historically associated with Microsoft Data Access Objects (DAO) and can be relied upon by legacy Office components and some third-party apps. Community guidance for dao360.dll typically centers on missing or misregistered DLL errors and SxS/COM registration problems, which can cause older applications or installers to fail. Several community threads across forums and support sites have documented dll-related crashes in Canary flights (not always dao360-specific), indicating third-party app instability is not uncommon in Canary. (learn.microsoft.com, reddit.com)

Cautionary note:

• Microsoft’s brief statement about dao360.dll is an explicit red flag; the claim is verifiable in the build notes, but details are sparse. Until Microsoft provides a follow-up KB or a patch, assume there may be a real risk to apps that rely on legacy DAO components.

Remote Desktop multi-monitor regression​

• Remote Desktop in this build may only use the primary monitor even when configured to use multiple monitors — a regression introduced in recent Canary flights and called out as a continuing issue in 27919. This is a functional regression that affects remote-work scenarios, multi-monitor power users, and IT support staff relying on RDP sessions with multiple displays. (blogs.windows.com)

Practical impact:

• For users who depend on multi-monitor RDP — such as developers, traders, or support engineers — this is a serious productivity regression. Workarounds are limited and may require rolling back to a build without the regression or using alternative remote access tools.

Group Policy Editor pop-up errors and progress wheel glyphs​

• Additional issues include multiple unexpected element pop-ups when opening Group Policy Editor, and a cosmetic rendering problem where the progress wheel appears as a rectangle glyph during upgrades. These are mainly UI/UX and stability irritants but can be confusing for admins performing policy edits or upgrades. (blogs.windows.com)

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Who should install Build 27919?​

Good candidates​

• Insiders who enjoy early experimentation and are prepared to troubleshoot issues (e.g., advanced hobbyists, testers).
• Non-production machines used for testing, feedback, and app compatibility assessments.
• Copilot+ PC owners who specifically want to evaluate search feature rollouts and are ready to revert or handle sign-in/workflow regressions.

Who should wait​

• Enterprise users and administrators managing production devices.
• Any user who relies on Widgets, multi-monitor Remote Desktop workflows, or Windows Hello for daily sign-in without alternate access.
• Systems that run legacy Office/Access apps or third-party software that may depend on DAO components until Microsoft confirms which apps are affected and issues a fix.

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Practical tips and troubleshooting steps​

If you plan to install 27919 on a test machine, here are practical steps to limit disruption and capture meaningful feedback for Microsoft:

• Create a full system backup or a system image before upgrading so you can restore cleanly if needed.
• Note your sign-in methods and ensure you have alternative credentials (local account or password) in case Windows Hello PIN and biometrics are affected. Microsoft suggests you may be able to re-create your PIN post-upgrade, but having fallback access is safer. (blogs.windows.com)
• If Widgets disappear or fail after the upgrade, try the re-registration PowerShell command: Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.WidgetsPlatformRuntime -AllUsers | Reset-AppxPackage and then reboot; this has helped some users but isn’t guaranteed. (elevenforum.com, learn.microsoft.com)
• For remote desktop multi-monitor issues, consider testing alternative remote access software or rolling the test machine back to a previous build if your workflow depends on multiple monitors.
• If a specific application crashes and you suspect dao360.dll, capture application event logs and crash dumps and report them via Feedback Hub with repro steps; do not attempt to copy system DLLs from unknown sources. Microsoft’s short note implies a system-level underlying issue that needs an official fix. (blogs.windows.com, learn.microsoft.com)

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Technical verification and cross-checks​

• Build number and release date — The Windows Insider Blog entry for Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27919 (Canary Channel) confirms the build number and that it was published August 8, 2025. That page is the authoritative source for the official changelog. (blogs.windows.com)
• Search settings consolidation — Microsoft’s official notes explicitly describe the consolidation of Search permissions and Searching Windows pages into a single Settings > Privacy & security > Search entry and include a screenshot showing a refreshed UI. Independent community discussion and forum posts reflect the same change as it rolls out to Insiders. (blogs.windows.com, elevenforum.com)
• Widgets and app regression reports — Microsoft’s own issue list warns about Widgets being unavailable; Microsoft Q&A threads and community forums have multiple reports from Insiders experiencing Widgets missing after installing 27919, corroborating Microsoft’s published known issue. (blogs.windows.com, learn.microsoft.com)
• Copilot+ PIN regression — The warning about COPILOT+ PCs losing Windows Hello PIN/biometrics appears in multiple Canary flight posts (current and earlier), indicating Microsoft is tracking the regression across builds. (blogs.windows.com)
• dao360.dll — Microsoft lists dao360.dll as an underlying issue in the official notes. Community resources and historical documentation describe dao360.dll as a legacy DAO runtime component and show known problems when it is misregistered or missing. However, Microsoft has not publicly enumerated which third-party apps are at risk in this build, so users should treat this as a verified warning with incomplete public details. (blogs.windows.com, learn.microsoft.com)

Where verification is incomplete

• Microsoft’s notes are authoritative about the presence of the dao360.dll issue, but the lack of detail about affected apps means that full verification — i.e., an exhaustive list of impacted apps or repro scenarios — is not yet available. That makes the claim verifiable (the issue exists) but not fully actionable until Microsoft provides follow-up detail or a patch.

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Analysis — what this build signals about Microsoft’s Canary strategy​

• Continued UI refinement: Consolidating search settings shows Microsoft’s focus on simplifying and modernizing Settings. The approach is incremental: small UX changes roll through Canary so UX telemetry and feedback can shape the final design. This aligns with recent Windows 11 development patterns that favor iterative UI consolidation rather than large disruptive reworks. (blogs.windows.com)
• Canary remains high-risk for productivity scenarios: The set of known issues — sign-in regressions, widget breakage, remote desktop failures, and potential DLL-related app crashes — reinforce that Canary builds are inherently unstable for daily work. The pattern of regressions carrying across flights shows how early-stage platform changes can have cascading effects on both new and legacy components. (blogs.windows.com)
• Copilot+ and local AI features remain a major driver: Many of the search changes and prior Dev-channel previews emphasize improved local semantic indexing and Copilot+ capabilities. The continued emphasis on search UX suggests Microsoft views search as a foundational surface for both classic workflows (file lookup, app launching) and newer AI-driven interactions. Expect more search-related experiments in Canary and Dev as Copilot+ hardware gains traction. (blogs.windows.com)
• Communication is clear but terse on some system-level faults: Microsoft lists dao360.dll and other problematic components but opts for brief notes rather than technical post-mortems. For enterprise and ISV ecosystems this makes triage harder; deeper technical diagnostics or targeted KB articles would help admins determine risk exposure. Until then, the prudent course for production environments is to stay off Canary. (blogs.windows.com)

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Recommendations for IT and advanced users​

• Do not deploy Canary builds to production or user-facing machines. Canary is designed for experimentation and early feedback, not for stable operational environments.
• Use Canary test beds to stress-test line-of-business and legacy apps that might rely on older runtimes (e.g., DAO). If crashes appear, collect detailed Feedback Hub reports and diagnostics to help Microsoft prioritize fixes.
• For Copilot+ devices: prefer Dev or Beta channels unless testing Copilot+ specific features is the explicit goal. If experimenting on Canary, ensure recovery media and alternate sign-in methods are prepared before switching channels.
• Track Microsoft’s follow-up posts and Feedback Hub reports. Microsoft often publishes subsequent fixes in later Canary flights or backports to Dev/Beta based on severity and telemetry.

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Conclusion​

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27919 is a small-but-meaningful Canary flight that demonstrates Microsoft’s continuing emphasis on search consolidation and UI refinement while also showcasing the typical risks of early-stage platform experimentation. The unified Settings > Privacy & security > Search page is a welcome usability improvement, and the input and File Explorer fixes address real regressions.
However, the build’s known issues — notably Windows Hello PIN/biometrics problems on Copilot+ PCs, missing Widgets, the remote desktop multi-monitor regression, and a flagged underlying dao360.dll issue that can cause app crashes — make this release unsuitable for production systems. Microsoft’s official changelog documents these points, and community threads indicate real-world reports consistent with the company’s notes. (blogs.windows.com, learn.microsoft.com)
For Insiders and testers, the build is worth installing on disposable test hardware to evaluate search changes and provide feedback. For everyone else, patience remains the best policy: wait for Microsoft to address the high-impact regressions in a subsequent flight before moving Canary builds beyond lab environments.

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Source: thewincentral.com Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27919(Canary Channel)