Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27818: Enhanced Security, Performance Boosts & Custom Widgets

Windows 11 continues to push the boundaries of user security and performance with its latest Insider Preview Build 27818, now live to all Canary Insiders. This release packs a punch, showcasing major enhancements to the Windows Security app and delivering refined performance improvements, setting the stage for a more secure and efficient desktop experience.

Enhanced Security for Pluton-Equipped Devices​

One of the standout updates in this build is the revamped Windows Security app. For devices featuring Pluton security chips—a hardware innovation designed to bolster system integrity—users now receive detailed technical insights directly within the Security app. This includes critical information such as the manufacturer and version numbers of the Pluton chips.

• Transparency and Control: By displaying detailed Pluton chip data, Microsoft empowers users with greater control over their device’s security posture. Instead of working behind the scenes, users can now verify the integrity and capabilities of their hardware security components.
• Enhanced Trust: With rising concerns over firmware and hardware vulnerabilities, this move is a proactive step in building trust between the system and its user. Detailed information about security chips ensures that system administrators and power users alike can monitor and verify hardware-based protections.

This feature is poised to appeal particularly to enterprise users and cybersecurity professionals. It unveils previously hidden details that can be instrumental in diagnosing security issues or simply ensuring that a device’s hardware is up-to-date with modern security standards. It’s a win for users who prefer complete transparency about the components that safeguard their data.

A Change in User Experience: Removal of “Suggested Actions”​

In a surprising turn, the update also marks the removal of the “Suggested Actions” feature—an element that had lingered past its deprecation phase since December 2024. Previously, this feature was intended to simplify tasks by offering quick actions like scheduling events when dates or contacts were copied. However, Microsoft has now decided to streamline the user interface by letting go of this functionality.

• Streamlining the Interface: Removing “Suggested Actions” simplifies the overall experience, focusing on essential security and performance features. This is in line with a broader trend toward minimalist design where unnecessary elements are pruned to prevent UI clutter.
• Focus on Core Functionality: While some users might miss the convenience of prompt actions, Microsoft appears committed to enhancing features that directly impact system performance and security rather than peripheral conveniences.
• User-Centric Decisions: One might wonder, is the removal of such features driven by user feedback or an internal strategy to promote a cleaner interface? The answer likely blends both—feedback from testers and a calculated move to remove deprecated functionalities that no longer serve a significant user base.

This decision underscores Microsoft’s commitment to evolving the Windows experience in response to user needs and future-proofing the platform.

Performance Improvements and Bug Fixes​

Beyond security enhancements, Build 27818 also delivers valuable performance boosts, particularly in areas that many Windows users interact with daily:

• Optimized File Explorer Performance: Testers will find that extracting zipped files within File Explorer is now noticeably faster. This improvement may seem minor at first glance, but for users who regularly work with archives, saving even a few seconds per extraction can add up significantly.
• Crash Resolution for d3d9.dll: A critical fix in this build addresses a persistent crash issue linked to the d3d9.dll file. The resolution of this crash greatly benefits users running applications that rely on DirectX 9, ensuring a smoother and more reliable application performance.

These updates highlight Microsoft’s dual focus on security and usability. While security enhancements might grab the headlines, performance refinements have a subtle but equally significant impact on the everyday Windows experience—transforming frustrations into smooth, productive interactions.

Expanding Developer Horizons: Custom Widgets​

Interestingly, amidst the security and performance updates, Microsoft has also opened a new frontier for Windows developers. Recent enhancements now allow developers to build their own widgets on Windows 11. This new opportunity offers:

• Increased Customization: Developers can create tailored widgets that integrate seamlessly with the Windows environment, allowing for highly customized experiences for users.
• Enhanced Innovation: The ability to design unique widgets encourages a wave of innovation, potentially leading to creative solutions and personalized user interactions unseen in previous builds.
• Stronger Ecosystem: By unlocking a new toolset for customization, Microsoft seems to be nurturing a more dynamic ecosystem where both developers and end-users benefit from enriched functionality and innovative interactive components.

For developers who have long advocated for more open platforms for creativity, this update is a promising step toward a more versatile and collaborative Windows experience.

Context and the Road Ahead​

When evaluating these updates, it’s helpful to consider the broader context:

• Security as a Cornerstone: In an era where cyber threats are consistently evolving, the focus on detailed hardware security—especially with devices entrenched in robust technologies like the Pluton chip—is a clear indicator of Microsoft’s long-term security strategy. This change may well set a new standard for how operating systems report on internal hardware security.
• User Experience Refinement: The careful pruning of deprecated features such as “Suggested Actions” may pave the way for a more intuitive and less cluttered user experience. It’s a reminder that sometimes less is more.
• Balancing Act of Innovation and Stability: Windows builds especially in the Insider program often walk a fine line between introducing cutting-edge functionality and maintaining reliability. By addressing longstanding issues like the d3d9.dll crash and optimizing everyday tasks like file extraction, Microsoft demonstrates its commitment to ensuring that innovation does not come at the expense of stability.

This balance between innovation, optimization, and user experience is a testament to Microsoft’s approach with Windows 11. Critics and enthusiasts will watch closely as further builds refine these features, perhaps providing even more detailed control over hardware security mechanisms and leveraging community feedback for design enhancements.

Real-World Implications​

Imagine a scenario in a corporate environment where security is paramount. IT administrators have long struggled with verifying the integrity of various hardware security features across diverse devices. With the new detailed insights provided by the Windows Security app, systemic audits become far less opaque. IT pros can directly check the manufacturer details and version numbers of Pluton chips, instantly addressing concerns over potential firmware vulnerabilities. It’s not just a minor tweak—it’s an operational upgrade that can play a pivotal role in infrastructure security.
Likewise, consider developers experimenting with widget designs. With this new platform capability, custom widgets could range from productivity tools that integrate directly into the taskbar to interactive system monitors that provide real-time insights into system performance. The ripple effects of such innovations could be transformative, potentially spurring a new wave of mini-applications designed specifically for Windows 11. These innovations provide a tangible example of how enhancing developer freedom can lead to improved user experiences.

Practical Tips for Canary Insiders​

For those already enrolled in the Windows 11 Insider program, particularly on the Canary Channel, here are some key steps to fully leverage the new build:

1. Review Hardware Security Features:
   • Open the Windows Security app and navigate to the section that displays Pluton chip details. Use this information to verify your device specifications.
   • Keep a record of manufacturer details and version numbers for future reference in troubleshooting or security audits.
2. Explore Performance Improvements:
   • Test file extraction speeds in File Explorer to personally assess the improvements.
   • Monitor application stability, especially for apps that previously encountered d3d9.dll related crashes.
3. Provide Feedback:
   • Engage with the Insider program’s community channels. Share your feedback on the removal of “Suggested Actions” and offer suggestions for further UI refinements.
   • Report any unusual behavior related to both performance and security features, as your contributions help shape the final release.
4. Experiment with Custom Widgets:
   • Developers should start exploring the new widget-building capabilities by reviewing the provided guidelines and API details.
   • Consider collaborating with peers to prototype innovative widgets that could improve productivity or system monitoring.

Concluding Thoughts​

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27818 exemplifies Microsoft’s quest for a balanced operating system—one that doesn’t merely react to security threats but actively anticipates the needs of modern users. The enhanced Windows Security app, which now supports detailed insights for devices equipped with Pluton chips, marks a significant leap in hardware transparency and verification. At the same time, performance improvements and bug fixes underscore Microsoft’s commitment to a smooth, reliable user experience.
The removal of the “Suggested Actions” feature reflects a clear design philosophy: remove what no longer serves the greater goal of a streamlined, intuitive interface. And for developers, the new widget-building possibilities herald an era of personalized and innovative applications that could redefine the way we interact with our desktops.
As we steadily progress toward a more secure and efficient Windows environment, these updates represent the tip of the iceberg. For those eager to be on the cutting edge, this build is a call to explore, test, and provide feedback. Each insight shared helps Microsoft refine the final version, ensuring that Windows 11 remains not just a functional operating system, but a dynamic and secure platform for the future.
For our Windows community, the message is clear: dive into the new build, explore its features, and be a part of shaping the next evolution of Windows 11. In the fast-paced world of tech innovation, your feedback could very well be the catalyst for the security and performance breakthroughs of tomorrow.
Happy testing, and here’s to a safer, more innovative Windows future!

---

Source: WindowsReport.com Windows 11 enhaces the Security app to support devices equipped with Pluton chips