Here's a summary of what's new, improved, and fixed in Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.4250 (Beta Channel, 24H2):
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 + C after 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 > Search for 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 Update to 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.