Windows 11 Preview Builds 26200.5641 & 26120.4250: Major Start Menu Redesign & New Features

The release of Windows 11 preview builds 26200.5641 and 26120.4250 marks a significant turning point in the evolution of the operating system, introducing some of the most dramatic changes to the Start menu since Windows 11’s original launch. Both Dev and Beta channel users now have access to a fresh take on app navigation, stronger accessibility features, refined system settings, and a host of fixes targeting long-standing bugs. Beyond these headline additions, the builds also carry a host of under-the-hood tweaks that aim to enhance daily usability and future-proof the operating system for an ambitious roadmap ahead.

A Bold New Start: Rethinking the Windows 11 Start Menu​

Since the early days of Windows, the Start menu has defined the way users launch programs, find files, and access core features. The Windows 11 redesign continues the tradition of reimagining this experience, addressing previous criticisms while modernizing the interface for both touch and desktop use.

What’s Changed in the New Start Menu?​

Unlike its predecessor, which relied on a tabbed, two-page structure, the new Start menu opts for a streamlined, single-page scrollable layout. This update delivers several immediate benefits:

• Unified View: Users are now greeted by a single, smooth-scrolling interface rather than having to navigate between multiple pages—an update that eliminates visual clutter and cognitive friction.
• Modular Sections: You’ll find pinned apps at the top, a customizable recommended section below (which can now be toggled completely off for greater privacy), and a comprehensive list of all apps displayed either as a simple grid or grouped into customizable categories.
• Scalability: Owners of high-resolution monitors or ultra-wide displays get an adaptive Start menu, capable of showing up to eight columns of pinned apps, six recommendations, and four category columns. This leverages larger screens to deliver an at-a-glance overview rarely matched by past start menu layouts.
• Enhanced Device Integration: A dedicated button allows quick expansion or collapse of the Phone Link pane, putting mobile-PC synergy front and center.

These changes are a direct response to feedback from both users and enterprise IT, who have long called for a Start menu that combines flexibility, clarity, and efficient app access. According to Microsoft’s official release notes and coverage by multiple sources, these features aim to streamline everyday multitasking and reinforce the Start menu as the true command center for Windows 11.

Accessibility at the Forefront: Narrator Screen Curtain and More​

Accessibility continues to be a strategic focus for Microsoft. Preview build 26200.5641’s Screen Curtain feature for Narrator exemplifies this commitment. With a simple shortcut—Caps Lock + Ctrl + C—users can black out their display, ensuring that only individuals relying on screen readers have access to the screen’s content. It’s a powerful privacy tool, particularly in assistive scenarios in both the workplace and at home.
In addition to the Screen Curtain, Narrator users are welcomed by a new onboarding experience, guiding them through features and recent changes. This kind of education at launch reflects best practices in accessibility, reducing the intimidation often felt by new or returning users.

Widget and Lock Screen Customization​

Another aspect of Windows 11’s renewed focus on user choice comes in lock screen widget selection. Users now gain granular control over which widgets appear when their device is locked—a feature especially relevant for those who want to balance at-a-glance productivity with privacy. This kind of customization reflects a broader movement within Windows 11 to empower users to make their experience both personal and efficient, a theme echoed across other parts of the OS.

Search and Settings Unification​

Under the Privacy & Security section, Microsoft has merged the "Searching in Windows" and "Search Permissions" settings into a single, streamlined "Search" hub. This adjustment reduces confusion, shortens navigation paths, and helps users quickly locate and control search-related privacy features. It's a small, but meaningful usability improvement, emphasizing clarity and reducing friction for both new and veteran Windows users.

Gaming and Input: Enhancements for Gamepad Users​

Gamers—especially those relying on gamepads—receive a suite of improvements. An upgraded on-screen keyboard for gamepads now boasts better navigation, focused handling for key selection, and improved menus for suggestions, language switching, and quick access to settings. Notably, the gamepad keyboard is now available on the lock screen for PIN entry, a much-requested convenience.
However, the update isn’t without issues: some users have reported critical errors (bugchecks) triggered by connecting Xbox controllers via Bluetooth. Microsoft provides a direct fix by uninstalling the problematic XboxGameControllerDriver.inf in Device Manager, but the risk of unexpected crashes highlights the challenge of balancing innovation with reliability in the open beta environment. Such rough edges remind us that “Insider” builds are, indeed, works in progress, not guaranteed stable releases.

Fixes: Addressing Major and Minor Frustrations​

The changelog for builds 26200.5641 and 26120.4250 is packed with noteworthy bugfixes. Among the most consequential:

• Input and Typing: An input issue causing Search, IME candidate windows, clipboard history, and the emoji panel to malfunction is resolved—critical for productivity in multiple languages.
• Recall on Copilot+: Stability improvements to Recall (Microsoft’s AI-driven context memory for Copilot+ PCs), fixing previous crashes during recall operations.
• Taskbar and File Explorer: Issues where taskbar icons appeared incorrectly sized and File Explorer failed to display search results from Recall have been addressed.
• Gaming and Windowing: An issue where ALT + Tabbing out of fullscreen games could freeze other apps like Windows Terminal is fixed, removing a persistent frustration for power users.
• Graphics Troubles: A rare, but impactful green display issue on select monitors after recent flights has been resolved, improving compatibility for users with older Dolby Vision screens.

Small, targeted fixes—such as improvements to Settings stability and addressing display quirks in brightness and color calibration menus—highlight Microsoft’s commitment to responsive, detail-oriented development.

Known Issues: Transparency and Ongoing Risks​

Microsoft doesn’t shy away from admitting where problems persist. Both the Dev and Beta builds arrive with an explicit list of known issues, demonstrating a level of transparency rarely seen among commercial operating systems.

Key Known Issues:​

• Build Number Display: After performing a PC reset, some users may see the build version incorrectly listed. While this doesn't impact update eligibility, it could confuse less-technical users or IT admin during troubleshooting.
• Update Failures (0x80070005): An update installation error may cause rollbacks for some users—Microsoft acknowledges this and is working to resolve it in future builds.
• Start Menu Touch Support: Touch navigation remains a weak point—the new Start menu doesn’t yet support swipe-up gestures, and drag-and-drop functionality from the "All" list to "Pinned" is limited. Duplicate entries in Start menu folders may also occur, reducing perceived polish.
• Xbox Controller Bugchecks: As previously noted, some Insiders encounter system crashes when connecting Xbox controllers via Bluetooth, with a documented—though technical—workaround.
• Copilot+ AI/Click to Do: Users running Copilot+ with Click to Do features on AMD or Intel hardware may experience slow intelligent text actions after updates, particularly on first run.
• File Explorer AI Summarization: Narrator compatibility for summarizing Microsoft 365 files is still unreliable, notably when reading bulleted lists. Workarounds exist, but seamless integration is the goal.
• Widget Pinning: The pinning system in the widgets board isn’t fully stable—pinning widgets can still revert the user to a previous (less advanced) widget experience.

For Dev channel users, the risk is amplified: the PC reset option is currently broken, and a subset of users may hit persistent KERNEL_SECURITY_CHECK_FAILURE bugchecks after upgrading.
Given the pre-release state of these builds, many of these issues are likely temporary, but users seeking productivity and reliability are cautioned to weigh risks before upgrading mission-critical devices.

Strengths: A Step Forward in Usability and Customization​

The strengths of these builds are manifold, setting a new standard for what users should expect from a modern desktop OS:

• Significantly improved Start menu usability, especially for those deploying Windows in professional or educational environments.
• Greater accessibility with features like the Screen Curtain, expanded gamepad support, and workflow-guided Narrator onboarding.
• Robust transparency in disclosing bugs, which enhances trust among Insiders and accelerates community-driven troubleshooting.
• Continued AI advancements in Copilot+, even if reliability lags behind expectations for a general release.
• Customization power with adaptable layouts for varying display sizes, and deeper widget and search control.

Risks and Weaknesses: Stability and Fragmentation Worries​

No preview build is without its drawbacks. The most pressing concerns tied to this update are:

• Potential instability due to unresolved known issues, particularly with touch navigation and game controller support, which could alienate users dependent on those modalities.
• Fragmented feature rollout results in uneven experiences—some features appear only on Copilot+ PCs or specific hardware tiers.
• Enterprises face confusion as certain fixes and known issues overlap between Dev and Beta channels, challenging IT teams to stay aligned with official recommendations.
• Accessibility features in flux: While features like the Screen Curtain are valuable, other accessibility bugs (particularly those impacting Narrator and AI summarization) serve as cautionary reminders that inclusion must be an ongoing, iterative process.

The Road Ahead: What Comes Next for Windows 11​

With each Insider build, Microsoft’s vision for Windows 11 draws closer to reality: a platform that integrates AI, adapts flexibly across device types and screen sizes, and welcomes users of all abilities. These builds are pivotal—offering a preview of how core elements like the Start menu, system search, and multitasking will mature over the coming months.
It’s reasonable to expect expanded touch and gesture navigation, greater reliability as bugs are ironed out, and continued integration of AI-powered workflows into mainstream Windows features. For now, though, only those comfortable troubleshooting occasional issues or working around missing polish should upgrade to these preview builds. Mainstream users are advised to wait for the stable channel release, where successful features will trickle down after further refinement.
In sum, Windows 11 builds 26200.5641 and 26120.4250 offer a tangible leap forward for the evolving OS, setting new benchmarks for customization, accessibility, and integration—while leaving transparency about ongoing bugs and risks refreshingly intact. These changes, if fully realized and properly stabilized, set the stage for a smarter, more flexible operating system that bridges the gap between personal productivity and modern, adaptive computing—positioning Windows 11 as a leader in the next era of desktop innovation.

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Source: Neowin Windows 11 finally gets redesigned Start menu and more in builds 26200.5641 and 26120.4250