Hello WindowsForum.com members! Today, we're excited to bring you the latest news from the Windows Insider Blog about the new Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 25188, now available for the Dev Channel. Here’s a detailed look at what's new and improved in this release.
New Features in Build 25188
Updated Touch Keyboard Settings
In this build, Microsoft is testing a revamped setting for the touch keyboard. Previously a checkbox, it is now a dropdown menu under Settings > Time & language > Typing > Touch keyboard. The new options include:- Never: Suppresses the touch keyboard even when no hardware
keyboard is attached. - When no keyboard attached: Shows the touch keyboard only when the device is used as a tablet.
- Always: Shows the touch keyboard even when a hardware keyboard is attached. This feature is rolling out gradually to gather feedback before a broader release. Be sure to share your thoughts in the Feedback Hub (WIN + F).
Windows Terminal as Default Terminal
Windows Terminal has now become the default terminal in Windows 11, meaning applications like Command Prompt and PowerShell will open in Windows Terminal by default. To access this setting, navigate to Settings > Privacy & security >
For developers. Note that Windows Terminal version 1.15 or greater is required for this feature.Improvements and Fixes
Taskbar
- Resolved an issue with the taskbar overflow that was affecting explorer.exe reliability.
Start Menu
- Fixed a bug causing the Start menu to display only one column of recommendations instead of two.
- Narrator now correctly reads the search box in Start only once.
- Addressed issues with duplicate access keys in WIN + X when an update was pending.
File Explorer
- Fixed multiple issues causing explorer.exe crashes when accessing specific folders.
- Corrected UI consistency issues when switching between light and dark modes.
- Resolved
problems with deleting files and unpinning folders from Quick Access.Search
- Improved stability by fixing an underlying crash that affected the search functionality.
- Updated search results for "detect displays" to correctly show Display Settings.
Input
- Updated emoji keywords based on feedback—for instance, searching “apple” now correctly returns the red apple emoji in Korean and Polish.
Settings
- Fixed issues with removing printers and DNS suffix search list entries.
- Improved the UI in Settings > Apps > Installed apps by addressing overlay problems with arrows.
Task Manager
- Adjusted the tooltip position for the View button to prevent it from blocking the close
button. - Fixed visual inconsistencies when sorting processes by CPU in dark mode.
Other Fixes
- Addressed visual glitches on the Bitlocker screen when using the Japanese display language.
- Resolved issues with remote IIS server settings displaying a blank screen.
- Fixed Problems with Steps Recorder not closing via ALT + F4.
Known Issues
General
- Some games utilizing Easy Anti-Cheat may crash or cause PC bug checks.
- Reports of audio not working for some Insiders after the last flight are being investigated.
- Apps relying on .NET Framework 3.5 might be broken in this build. Users reliant on these apps should pause flighting.
File
Explorer - Investigating the search box color inconsistency in File Explorer depending on the mode.
- Taskbar auto-hide feature issues when File Explorer is maximized are being addressed.
Widgets and Printing
- Notification badges may appear misaligned on the taskbar.
- Some widgets’ notification banners might not appear.
- Ongoing fixes for lines not printing in tables from certain apps.
Developer and Microsoft Store Updates
Developers can now access the latest Windows Insider SDK via NuGet Gallery. Additionally, testing of Microsoft Store Ads in search results has begun, and interested developers can join the waitlist.About the Dev Channel
The Dev Channel features experimental builds
that may include long-lead work with elements that might never be released. It’s crucial to review the known issues before installation, and remember switching from the Dev Channel to other Insider Channels typically requires a clean installation. For more detailed information, you can read the official post on the Windows Insider Blog. Feel free to discuss this update and share your experiences with build 25188 below!