Today’s Dev Channel drop for Windows Insiders brings a modest-but-meaningful update: Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5751 (KB5064071) adds targeted improvements to Copilot-era tooling, a handful of UI polish items, and several reliability fixes — while carrying a few known installation and compatibility issues that Insiders and IT teams should note before updating. (blogs.windows.com)
Microsoft continues to iterate on the active Dev Channel stream for Windows 11, version 25H2, using frequent cumulative flights to test features ahead of wider release. The Dev Channel serves as a fast-feedback loop where features are often rolled out gradually via control feature rollouts and enablement packages, so what lands for some Insiders may not reach every device immediately. That delivery model remains central to how features in Build 26200.xxxx are distributed. (blogs.windows.com, learn.microsoft.com)
This particular release — published August 15, 2025 — is framed as a “gradual” rollout: some UI and AI capabilities are being enabled only for Insiders who toggle on the option to receive the latest updates as available; others are applied to all Dev Channel devices. The blog post that accompanies the update is explicit about experimental features and warns that some experiences may never ship broadly. (blogs.windows.com)
Where Microsoft makes specific availability or exclusivity claims (for example, feature availability tied to Copilot+ PCs or particular processors), those statements are echoed in reputable reporting. However, because feature rollouts are frequently gated by device hardware, region, and enrollment toggles, individual user experience may vary — that variability is expected and should be treated as part of the Insider testing lifecycle. If a specific Copilot+ feature is mission-critical for testing, Insiders should verify on a device explicitly listed as Copilot-capable or follow Microsoft’s hardware guidance. (blogs.windows.com, windowscentral.com)
However, the flight also underscores the perennial Dev Channel trade-offs: faster feature iteration at the expense of stability, device fragmentation in Copilot rollouts, and the need for admins to test policy and compatibility changes thoroughly before rolling them out to users. The presence of a Windows Update rollback bug and reported Arm64 developer tool issues makes this flight one to test and observe rather than adopt on mission-critical systems. (blogs.windows.com, windowscentral.com)
For Windows enthusiasts and evaluators, the build is another clear signal of Microsoft’s direction: integrate AI and Copilot experiences more deeply into the OS shell while continuing to iterate in public with Insider feedback. For IT teams, the message is unchanged — plan testing across hardware variants, isolate preview devices, and treat Dev Channel drops as an early warning system rather than a production-ready update.
Source: Microsoft - Windows Insiders Blog Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5751 (Dev Channel)
Background
Microsoft continues to iterate on the active Dev Channel stream for Windows 11, version 25H2, using frequent cumulative flights to test features ahead of wider release. The Dev Channel serves as a fast-feedback loop where features are often rolled out gradually via control feature rollouts and enablement packages, so what lands for some Insiders may not reach every device immediately. That delivery model remains central to how features in Build 26200.xxxx are distributed. (blogs.windows.com, learn.microsoft.com)This particular release — published August 15, 2025 — is framed as a “gradual” rollout: some UI and AI capabilities are being enabled only for Insiders who toggle on the option to receive the latest updates as available; others are applied to all Dev Channel devices. The blog post that accompanies the update is explicit about experimental features and warns that some experiences may never ship broadly. (blogs.windows.com)
What’s new in Build 26200.5751 (KB5064071)
New selection modes for Click to Do (Copilot-era productivity)
One of the most visible additions in this flight is improved selection tooling inside Click to Do, Microsoft’s on-screen productivity assistant for Copilot+ PCs. The update introduces three distinct selection modes:- Freeform Selection — draw arbitrary shapes with pen or touch to capture mixed entities.
- Rectangle Selection — classic marquee selection for objects inside a rectangular region.
- Ctrl + Click — multi-select disparate items with the keyboard and mouse.
File Explorer context menu icon polish
The build updates the “Open with” section in File Explorer’s context menu to remove accent-colored backplates behind packaged-app icons, making icons larger and easier to identify. This is a small visual tweak but one that improves visual clarity in mixed-theme scenarios. (blogs.windows.com)Taskbar and system tray animation refinements
Subtle animation updates for app group hover behavior on the taskbar are included, intended to make multitasking feel smoother. These are incremental UX polish items rather than functional overhauls. (blogs.windows.com)Snipping Tool updates and window-mode screen recording
While the blog calls out a Snipping Tool update being rolled out (window-mode screen recording is now available in the Snipping Tool app release for Insiders), this particular KB and build tie into the ongoing Snipping Tool enhancements Microsoft has been shipping across Canary and Dev channels. The updated Snipping Tool can size recordings to match a selected app window for focused captures. Expect continued updates to the app independent of the OS cumulative build. (blogs.windows.com)Enterprise controls: removable built-in Store apps via policy
A notable enterprise-ready change: IT admins can now remove select pre-installed Microsoft Store apps via Group Policy/MDM CSP on Enterprise and Education devices. That gives administrators better control over bloat and app management on managed fleets. Microsoft references a KB article with implementation details for administrators. (blogs.windows.com)Fixes and reliability work
Build 26200.5751 bundles a list of fixes targeted at a mix of high-impact and niche issues:- Taskbar: fixes duplicate clock/tooltip display when showing additional clocks.
- Start menu: multiple fixes addressing layout regression (temporary shrinking), safe-mode opening, and contextual menu positioning.
- File Explorer: corrected color issues in dark mode for low-space indicators and other visual glitches.
- Login & Lock screen: fixes blank icon rendering for certain login options and improves lock screen reliability.
- Live captions: resolved crashes during live translation on Copilot+ PCs.
- DWM stability: reduced instances of increased DWM crashes reported in earlier flights.
- Click to Do: addressed a regression where text and image actions could fail or crash after updating to the previous flight. (blogs.windows.com)
Known issues to weigh before updating
Microsoft lists a number of known issues in the announcement that Insiders and admins should consider:- Some Insiders may experience a rollback when installing this update with error 0x80070005 via Windows Update. Microsoft is actively working on a fix and suggests using Settings > System > Recovery > “Fix issues using Windows update” as a workaround for affected devices. If you rely on a stable Dev-channel preview for testing, delaying the update until the rollback issue is resolved may be prudent. (blogs.windows.com)
- Visual Studio on Arm64: Microsoft is investigating reports that Visual Studio may crash on Arm64 PCs in scenarios that depend on Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) after some recent Dev builds. Arm64 developers should treat recent Dev flights as riskier for WPF-heavy workloads until Microsoft confirms a fix. (blogs.windows.com)
- Recall (Copilot snapshot feature): EEA Insiders may encounter issues with Recall not working correctly; Microsoft provides a reset path via Settings to recover. (blogs.windows.com)
- File Explorer Shared view, Settings scan stuck on Temporary files, and Xbox controller Bluetooth bugcheck workarounds remain present in the flight notes. These are the kinds of channel-specific quirks that underscore why Dev is for testing and feedback rather than production deployment. (blogs.windows.com)
Verification and cross-checks
The release details and feature descriptions above are taken from the official Windows Insider announcement for Build 26200.5751 (KB5064071). Independent coverage and product reporting confirm the timing and the broader trend of AI-first updates rolling into Windows 11 Dev Channel flights, including continued investment in Copilot+ capabilities, Click to Do enhancements, and Snipping Tool AI features. Multiple independent outlets have summarized the same set of Copilot-era features and the phased rollout approach, corroborating Microsoft’s claims about regional limitations, Copilot+ exclusivity for some features, and gradual enablement. (blogs.windows.com, windowscentral.com)Where Microsoft makes specific availability or exclusivity claims (for example, feature availability tied to Copilot+ PCs or particular processors), those statements are echoed in reputable reporting. However, because feature rollouts are frequently gated by device hardware, region, and enrollment toggles, individual user experience may vary — that variability is expected and should be treated as part of the Insider testing lifecycle. If a specific Copilot+ feature is mission-critical for testing, Insiders should verify on a device explicitly listed as Copilot-capable or follow Microsoft’s hardware guidance. (blogs.windows.com, windowscentral.com)
Why this matters: Copilot+ PCs and the AI-driven Windows roadmap
Microsoft’s work in the Dev Channel is increasingly centered on enabling contextual AI workflows on Windows 11. Click to Do’s richer selection modes and Snipping Tool’s window-mode recording are small, practical pieces of a larger strategy to let users interact with on-screen content in more flexible ways and to let Copilot-assisted features operate on precisely selected content.- For consumers and power users, these tools speed up tasks such as extracting data, summarizing highlighted content, or creating targetted screenshots without post-capture editing.
- For developers and IT evaluators, the evolution of Click to Do and in-app AI features is a flag that Microsoft is prioritizing on-device UX for generative workflows while also tethering some functionality to cloud or Copilot capabilities.
Risks, trade-offs, and things to watch
1. Stability vs. velocity
The Dev Channel’s purpose is to test rapidly. That velocity introduces meaningful instability risks — from update rollbacks to app crashes on niche platforms (Visual Studio on Arm64 being a current example). Organizations that use Insider builds for compatibility testing should isolate test devices and avoid exposing production systems to Dev updates. (blogs.windows.com)2. AI privacy and cloud processing
Several intelligent features (especially those doing complex image understanding or summarization) can involve cloud-hosted models or model downloads. While Microsoft has documented that some intelligent text actions use secure cloud endpoints, the precise data flows and retention policies vary by feature and may be subject to account requirements (e.g., Microsoft 365 licenses for integration). Admins should review organizational privacy guidance and opt-out controls before enabling Copilot-powered features widely. Assume some features may use cloud processing unless Microsoft explicitly states otherwise for on-device-only modes. (blogs.windows.com, learn.microsoft.com)3. Device and regional fragmentation
Feature availability will differ between Copilot+ and non-Copilot PCs, between Snapdragon and x86 Copilot+ SKUs, and across regions. This fragmentation complicates cross-device QA and can create inconsistent experiences for end users. Plan test matrices to include hardware, OS, and region variations where possible. (windowscentral.com)4. Enterprise app compatibility
Known issues like Visual Studio WPF crashes on Arm64 illustrate how deep changes can surface in developer toolchains and enterprise apps. Organizations evaluating future Windows 11 releases should include developer tooling, line-of-business apps, and build systems in compatibility test plans. (blogs.windows.com)Recommendations for Insiders and IT admins
- If you are a casual Insider or using a primary device: skip this Dev flight until Microsoft resolves the 0x80070005 rollback reports or until the feature set you need is broadly available in a more stable channel.
- If you are an active tester or developer with disposable/homologation machines:
- Enable the Dev Channel and the latest updates toggle only on dedicated test hardware.
- Verify hardware is Copilot-capable before testing Copilot+ exclusive features.
- For IT admins evaluating policy changes (removable Store apps via CSP):
- Review the referenced KB and test Group Policy/MDM CSP settings in a lab to validate behavior across image types and store app versions. (blogs.windows.com)
- If you encounter the Windows Update rollback (0x80070005):
- Try Settings > System > Recovery > “Fix issues using Windows update” as Microsoft suggests and file Feedback Hub reports with diagnostic logs if the problem persists. (blogs.windows.com)
- For Arm64 developers:
- Avoid using Dev-channel builds for production development until confirmation that Visual Studio/WPF issues are fixed; consider using Beta or Release Preview streams for better stability. (blogs.windows.com)
What to monitor in the next flights
- Confirmation that the rollback (0x80070005) installs cleanly across a wide set of devices.
- Expansion of Click to Do and Copilot features beyond initial Copilot+ hardware and regional gates.
- Stabilization of developer tooling on Arm64, especially WPF-related scenarios.
- Any rework of privacy controls or more detailed documentation about which AI flows are on-device vs. cloud-assisted.
Final assessment
Build 26200.5751 (KB5064071) is a typical Dev Channel increment: pragmatic UI improvements, enhanced Click to Do selection ergonomics, and a set of bug fixes that improve the day-to-day reliability of Windows 11’s modern features. For Insiders focused on Copilot-era workflows, the new selection modes in Click to Do are a concrete usability improvement that reduces friction when working with mixed content.However, the flight also underscores the perennial Dev Channel trade-offs: faster feature iteration at the expense of stability, device fragmentation in Copilot rollouts, and the need for admins to test policy and compatibility changes thoroughly before rolling them out to users. The presence of a Windows Update rollback bug and reported Arm64 developer tool issues makes this flight one to test and observe rather than adopt on mission-critical systems. (blogs.windows.com, windowscentral.com)
For Windows enthusiasts and evaluators, the build is another clear signal of Microsoft’s direction: integrate AI and Copilot experiences more deeply into the OS shell while continuing to iterate in public with Insider feedback. For IT teams, the message is unchanged — plan testing across hardware variants, isolate preview devices, and treat Dev Channel drops as an early warning system rather than a production-ready update.
Source: Microsoft - Windows Insiders Blog Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5751 (Dev Channel)
