Explore Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 25262: Key Features & Updates

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Hello WindowsForum.com community! We're excited to share the latest updates from Microsoft regarding the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 25262. Released to the Dev Channel, this build brings a host of improvements, fixes, and new features curated for Windows Insiders. Let’s dive into the details!

December 2022 Bug Bash​

One of the highlights of this release is the December 2022 Bug Bash, running until December 12th. Windows Insiders in the Dev and Beta Channels are encouraged to participate by filing feedback and completing quests via the Feedback Hub. Participants will earn a special badge in the Feedback Hub after
the event concludes.

Key Updates in Build 25262​

Widgets​

• Sign-In Requirement Removed: The sign-in requirement for accessing the Widgets board has been eliminated. Now, all users can enjoy weather updates, pin widgets from their favorite apps, and access personalized feeds without needing an account.
  

  Media Player​

• Video Folders Improvement: Media Player has been updated to version 11.2211.34.0, introducing a feature that allows browsing through video library folders seamlessly.

  Snipping Tool​

• Screen Recording: The Snipping Tool now includes a screen recording feature, rolling out to Insiders in the Dev Channel.

  Webcast​

• Search Team Insights: Check out the
  latest Windows Insider Webcast featuring insights from the search team at Microsoft.

  Fixes and Improvements​

  General​

• Addressed an issue where missing Widgets app packages caused explorer.exe to crash in a loop.
• Fixed visibility issues with secondary drives and other PCI devices.

  Taskbar & System Tray​

• Resolved taskbar auto-hide issues and enhanced system tray stability.

  Search on the Taskbar​

• Improved search performance and fixed issues related to search box display on multiple monitors.

  Input​

• Fixed mouse behavior when dragging a window to monitors with different DPIs.

  File Explorer​

• Resolved explorer.exe crashes when opening items from the Recent section.

  Settings and Task
  Manager​

• Addressed various UI issues and improved performance metrics in Task Manager.

  Known Issues​

  Despite these improvements, some issues remain under investigation:
• Taskbar & System Tray: Ongoing issues with taskbar cropping and Bluetooth section crashes in Quick Settings.
• Search on the Taskbar: Visual artifacts and floating search box issues.
• Task Manager: Filtering and theme application inconsistencies remain problematic.

  For Developers​

  Microsoft has also updated the Windows Insider SDK. Developers can find the latest packages and tools on the NuGet Gallery for seamless CI/CD integration.

  About the Dev Channel​

  The Dev Channel is designed for experimental features that might not make
  it to the official Windows release. It’s a space for testing out new ideas and gathering user feedback. As always, builds in this channel might be unstable and include issues that can impact daily use. Make sure to review the known issues and understand that switching from the Dev Channel to Beta or Release Preview requires a clean install. For detailed information and further reading, check out the full announcement on the Windows Insider Blog. Stay tuned for more updates and happy testing, Windows Insiders!​

  Amanda & Brandon