Windows 11 Insider Build 26200.5603 Brings AI, Search, and Productivity Enhancements

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5603 introduces several notable enhancements aimed at improving user experience and productivity.
AI Actions in File Explorer
A significant addition is the integration of AI actions within File Explorer. This feature allows users to interact more deeply with their files by right-clicking to access options like editing images or summarizing documents directly from the context menu. This integration streamlines workflows by reducing the need to open separate applications for basic tasks.
Enhanced Voice Typing with Profanity Filter Control
Responding to user feedback, this build introduces a new setting that lets users control the profanity filter in voice typing. By default, the filter masks profane words with asterisks. Users can now toggle this setting off to allow voice typing to transcribe all words as spoken. This adjustment provides greater flexibility and accuracy in voice-to-text applications.
Taskbar Icon Scaling
To address the challenge of managing multiple open applications, Windows 11 now features taskbar icon scaling. When the taskbar becomes crowded, icons automatically scale down to a smaller size, ensuring more apps remain visible and accessible without the need for additional navigation. Users can customize this behavior through the taskbar settings, choosing when and how icons scale.
Improved Windows Search for Copilot+ PCs
For users with AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs, Windows Search has been enhanced with semantic indexing. This improvement allows for more intuitive searches using natural language descriptions, such as finding images by typing "bridge at sunset" or documents by describing their content like "Europe trip budget." Additionally, the search now includes photos stored in the cloud, providing a comprehensive search experience across local and cloud-stored files.
Speech Recap in Narrator
The Narrator tool has been upgraded with a speech recap feature, enabling users to access spoken content history, follow live transcriptions, and copy the last spoken phrase using simple keyboard shortcuts. This enhancement is particularly beneficial for users who rely on screen readers, offering improved navigation and reference capabilities.
Streamlined UI for Unexpected Restarts
In line with Windows 11's design principles, the UI for unexpected restarts has been updated to a more streamlined appearance. This change aims to provide a less disruptive experience, allowing users to return to productivity more swiftly after an unexpected system restart.
Copilot Integration Enhancements
Launching Copilot on Windows has been made more accessible with the Win + C keyboard shortcut. Users can personalize this shortcut and the Copilot key experience via Settings > Personalization > Text input. Additionally, a press-to-talk feature has been introduced, allowing users to start a conversation with Copilot by pressing and holding the Copilot key or Win + C for two seconds. This feature facilitates voice interactions, providing instant responses without interrupting the current workflow.
Click to Do (Preview) Updates
The Click to Do feature, currently in preview for Copilot+ PCs, has received several updates:

• Start Menu Integration: Users can now access Click to Do directly from the Start menu, with options to pin it to Start and the taskbar for quicker access.
• Multilingual Support: Intelligent text actions within Click to Do now support Spanish and French, in addition to English, broadening its usability across different language preferences.
• Bulleted List Creation: A new text action allows users to create bulleted lists, enhancing the tool's functionality for organizing information.
• Pen and Inking Integration: For devices supporting pen input, users can configure the pen's shortcut button to open Click to Do, facilitating seamless access to the feature.

Windows Share Enhancements
Sharing content has been improved with the addition of visual previews for links and web content in the Windows share window. Users can now quickly edit and enhance images while sharing, with capabilities such as cropping, rotating, applying filters, and compressing images to reduce file size. These enhancements aim to make the sharing process more efficient and versatile.
Removal of Bypass Script for Enhanced Security
To bolster security and user experience, the bypassnro.cmd script has been removed from the build. This change ensures that all users complete the setup process with internet connectivity and a Microsoft Account, aligning with modern security standards.
Performance Improvements and Bug Fixes
This build also addresses several performance issues and bugs:

• File Explorer: Improved performance when extracting zipped files, especially when dealing with a large number of small files.
• Taskbar: Resolved an issue where taskbar icons did not increase in size as expected when using the PC in tablet posture.
• Settings: Fixed crashes occurring when navigating to System > Power & Battery.
• Login and Lock: Updated the web sign-in icon to better align with other icons on the login screen.

These updates reflect Microsoft's ongoing commitment to enhancing the Windows 11 experience, focusing on user feedback, accessibility, and seamless integration of AI capabilities to improve productivity and usability.

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Source: Microsoft - Windows Insiders Blog Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5603 (Dev Channel)

 

[ChatGPT]

Microsoft has unveiled Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5603 (KB5058488) to the Dev Channel, introducing a suite of enhancements aimed at refining user experience and system functionality.

AI Actions in File Explorer​

A standout feature in this build is the integration of AI actions within File Explorer. Users can now right-click on files to access AI-driven options such as image editing and document summarization. This functionality mirrors the "Click to Do" feature, enabling users to perform tasks without opening files, thereby streamlining workflows. To utilize this, right-click on a file and select from the available AI actions in the context menu.

Enhanced Voice Access Capabilities​

Voice access has been significantly improved, offering users the ability to add custom words to the voice access dictionary. This enhancement is particularly beneficial for accurately recognizing unique or complex terms, thereby improving dictation accuracy. Users can add words through the "Add to Vocabulary" command or via the voice access settings menu. Additionally, an in-product experience has been introduced to highlight new voice access features, aiding users in discovering and utilizing these enhancements effectively.

Improved Windows Search Functionality​

The Windows search experience has been refined to provide more accurate and context-aware results. Users can now find photos stored in the cloud by describing their content, such as "European castles" or "summer picnics," directly in the search box. This semantic search capability extends to documents and settings, allowing for more intuitive interactions with the system. These improvements are currently rolling out to Windows Insiders on Copilot+ PCs, with support for AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs forthcoming.

Taskbar and System Tray Enhancements​

The taskbar and system tray have undergone several improvements:

• Accessibility Flyout: Assistive technologies are now grouped by categories such as vision, hearing, motor, and mobility within the Accessibility flyout in quick settings, facilitating easier identification and access.
• Taskbar Icon Scaling: To accommodate more applications, taskbar icons will automatically scale down when the taskbar becomes crowded. Users can customize this behavior via Settings > Personalization > Taskbar.

File Explorer Updates​

File Explorer has received notable updates:

• Default Folder Opening Behavior: Folders launched from outside File Explorer will now open in a new tab within an existing window by default. This behavior can be adjusted in File Explorer's folder options under General > Browse Folders.
• AI Actions Integration: As mentioned, AI actions are now accessible directly from the context menu, allowing for quick edits and summaries without opening files.

Settings and Accessibility Improvements​

The Settings app has been refined to enhance user experience:

• Printer Renaming Dialog: The dialog for renaming printers under Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners has been updated to align with Windows 11's visual design.
• Mouse Settings: Additional mouse-related settings, including pointer trails and hover activation time, are now accessible directly under Settings > Accessibility > Mouse, reducing reliance on the Control Panel.

Windows Share Enhancements​

The Windows share experience has been enriched with new capabilities:

• Visual Previews: When sharing links or web content, users will now see visual previews within the Windows share window, providing a clearer context of the shared content.
• Image Editing: Users can quickly edit and enhance images while sharing, with options to crop, rotate, apply filters, and compress images to reduce file size. This feature supports local images in formats such as .jpg, .png, and .bmp.

Other Notable Changes​

• Removal of Bypass Script: The bypassnro.cmd script has been removed to enhance security and user experience, ensuring all users complete setup with internet connectivity and a Microsoft Account.
• Studio Effects: For PCs supporting Studio Effects, the automatic framing filter is now enabled by default, with a notification informing users upon first use of the video camera. This feature can be managed via Studio Effects in quick settings (Win + A).

Fixes and Known Issues​

This build addresses several issues:

• General: Resolved an issue causing apps to appear blank after installing recent flights.
• Click to Do: Fixed an issue where images used with Click to Do actions were stuck in the temp folder.
• Login and Lock: Addressed an issue causing Windows Hello facial recognition to fail for some users.

However, some known issues persist:

• File Explorer: Home may crash for some users; launching File Explorer to a different folder can serve as a temporary workaround.
• Task Manager: The CPU Utility column may display System Idle Process as 0, and CPU graphs may use outdated calculations.

Users are encouraged to provide feedback through the Feedback Hub to assist in resolving these issues.
In summary, Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5603 introduces a range of enhancements focused on integrating AI capabilities, improving accessibility, and refining user interactions. While these developments offer promising improvements, users should remain aware of existing issues and provide feedback to aid in the ongoing refinement of the operating system.

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Source: Microsoft - Windows Insiders Blog Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5603 (Dev Channel)

 

[ChatGPT]

Microsoft has unveiled Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5603 (KB5058488) to the Dev Channel, introducing a suite of enhancements aimed at refining user experience and system functionality.

AI Actions in File Explorer​

A standout feature in this build is the integration of AI actions within File Explorer. Users can now right-click on files to access AI-driven options such as image editing and document summarization. This functionality streamlines workflows by allowing quick interactions without the need to open files in separate applications. To utilize this feature, right-click on a file and select the desired AI action from the context menu.

Enhanced Energy Saver Settings​

The Energy Saver feature has been expanded to include desktop PCs, providing users with more control over power consumption. This update introduces a new energy saver icon in the system tray, quick settings, and under Settings > System > Power & Battery. Users can now easily enable or disable energy saver mode, contributing to energy efficiency and potentially extending hardware longevity.

Improved HDR Management​

Managing High Dynamic Range (HDR) settings has become more intuitive with this build. The HDR page under Settings > System > Display has been updated to offer clearer information and controls, allowing users to fine-tune HDR capabilities to their preferences. This enhancement ensures a more personalized and optimized visual experience.

Taskbar and System Tray Refinements​

The taskbar and system tray have received several updates to improve usability:

• Needy State Indicator: Applications requiring attention now display a more prominent and wider indicator on the taskbar, ensuring users are promptly notified of actions needed.
• Accessibility Flyout: The Accessibility flyout in quick settings has been reorganized, grouping assistive technologies by categories such as vision, hearing, motor, and mobility. This categorization aids users in quickly finding and enabling the appropriate accessibility features.

Copilot Enhancements​

Copilot functionality has been refined to offer a more seamless user experience:

• Launch Shortcut: Users can now launch Copilot using the Win + C keyboard shortcut.
• Press to Talk: Initiating a conversation with Copilot is simplified by pressing and holding the Copilot key for two seconds, facilitating quicker interactions.

Click to Do (Preview) Updates​

Click to Do, currently in preview for Windows Insiders on Copilot+ PCs, has been enhanced with new features:

• Pen Integration: For devices supporting pen input, users can configure the pen's shortcut button to open Click to Do with single-click, double-click, or press-and-hold actions. This setting is accessible via Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Pen & Windows Ink.
• Language Support: Intelligent text actions within Click to Do now support Spanish and French, in addition to English. This expansion broadens the tool's accessibility and usability for a diverse user base.

Windows Share Enhancements​

The Windows Share experience has been improved to offer more functionality:

• Visual Previews: When sharing links or web content, users will now see visual previews within the Windows share window, providing a clearer context of the shared content.
• Image Editing: The share window now includes in-line image editing capabilities, such as cropping, rotating, applying filters, and compressing images. These tools allow users to make quick adjustments before sharing images, enhancing the sharing process.

Fixes and Known Issues​

This build addresses several issues to improve system stability and performance:

• Taskbar: Resolved an issue where taskbar icons did not increase in size when the device was in tablet posture.
• File Explorer: Improved performance when extracting zipped files, particularly for large numbers of small files.
• Settings: Fixed a crash occurring when navigating to System > Power & Battery.

However, some known issues remain:

• General: After performing a PC reset under Settings > System > Recovery, the build version may incorrectly display as Build 26100 instead of Build 26200. This issue does not affect the ability to receive future updates.
• Recall: Some users may experience issues where Recall is unable to automatically save snapshots, and the setting cannot be enabled in Settings. A fix is in progress.
• Click to Do: In certain cases, Click to Do may fail to launch. Retrying should resolve the issue.

Conclusion​

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5603 introduces a range of features and improvements designed to enhance user experience, system efficiency, and accessibility. While some issues persist, Microsoft is actively working on resolutions. Users are encouraged to explore these new features and provide feedback to aid in the ongoing development of Windows 11.

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Source: Microsoft - Windows Insiders Blog Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5603 (Dev Channel)