Here's a summary of what's new, improved, and fixed in Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.4250 (Beta Channel, 24H2):
For screenshots and the full official text, visit the Windows Blog announcement.
Source: Microsoft - Windows Insiders Blog Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.4250 (Beta Channel)
Key New Features and Improvements
1. New Start Menu Experience
- Scrollable "All" apps view: Apps are accessible directly from the Start menu, no secondary page needed.
- Two new views: Browse installed apps by "Category" or "Grid view".
- Category View: Apps are auto-grouped by categories (at least 3 per category, otherwise in "Other").
- Grid View: Alphabetical order, shows more apps at a glance.
- Adaptive design: Start menu adapts size and columns to device screen size.
- Customizable sections: Sections can collapse or expand; recommendations section can be hidden via settings.
- Improved mobile integration: Easily expand/collapse mobile device content with the phone button next to Search (Phone Link).
2. Screen Curtain (Narrator)
- For privacy: Completely blacks out the display for those using screen reading.
- Enable/disable with
Caps + Ctrl + Cafter starting Narrator (Ctrl + Win + Enter).
3. Lock Screen Widgets
- More customization options now available again after a temporary pause in previous builds.
- Personalize which widgets appear via Settings.
4. Windows Search Settings Unified
- Related settings are now combined into one page at
Settings > Privacy & security > Searchfor easier management.
5. Narrator Guidance
- More intuitive onboarding: Modal windows highlight new and changed features in Narrator for users.
6. Gamepad Improvements
- Updated touch keyboard for Gamepad layout with better controller navigation, word suggestions, and other details.
- New Gamepad keyboard supports quick PIN sign-in at the lock screen.
Fixes (Highlights)
- Fixed issues with text input, Chinese IME, clipboard, and emoji panel not working for some Insiders.
- Recall (Preview): Fixed crashing issues on Copilot+ PCs.
- Taskbar icons size issue resolved.
- File Explorer: Search results restored correctly from Recall.
- Fixed ALT+Tab causing frozen windows in some scenarios.
- Fixed crashes on lock screen and settings app.
- Graphics: Resolved unexpected green displays and display discoloration (Dolby Vision).
Known Issues
- After a PC reset, the build may show as 26100 (instead of 26120) but it's only a visual issue.
- Windows Update: Some users may see a rollback (0x80070005 error) during update installation.
- Start Menu: Some touch gestures and drag-and-drop are not reliable in the new menu; possible duplicate items in Start folders.
- Xbox Controller: Some PCs may bugcheck when using an Xbox controller via Bluetooth. A workaround is to uninstall the XboxGameController driver via Device Manager.
- Click to Do (Preview): Long wait times for intelligent actions after fresh builds on Copilot+ PCs.
- File Explorer: Narrator scan mode may not fully work for AI actions on Microsoft 365 files.
- Widgets: Pinning in the new widgets board is not fully supported yet.
Additional Notes
- Most new features are gradually rolling out. Use the toggle in
Settings > Windows Updateto be among the first to get them. - Some features may never make it to general release as Microsoft gathers feedback before wide rollout.
- If you spot issues, especially with localization or accessibility, file feedback in the Feedback Hub.
For screenshots and the full official text, visit the Windows Blog announcement.
Source: Microsoft - Windows Insiders Blog Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.4250 (Beta Channel)
