Microsoft has rolled out two refreshed preview updates, Windows 11 Build 26100.7921 and 26200.7921, to Windows Insiders in the release preview channel, featuring several subtle enhancements under the hood. The update includes the automatic activation of Quick Machine Recovery, which allows users to reset their Windows without reinstalling it in case of a corrupted boot environment. Other notable features include the built-in Sysmon tool for capturing low-level process activity, a network speed test available from the taskbar, and camera pan/tilt controls that can be accessed through Settings. Additionally, the update brings various minor polish improvements to search functionality, storage dialogs, Windows Update settings, and printing performance.
Microsoft has released a new optional update for Windows 11 Insiders, build 29531.1000, which is part of the Canary channel and focuses on low-level platform tweaks. If you're looking to jump into this newer track, be aware that future updates will stay in the 29500 series and there's no going back without a clean reinstall.
The latest Windows 11 Release Preview brings a handful of tweaks and changes that most users will notice, along with some deeper features that only tech-savvy individuals will appreciate. New emojis have been added to the panel, including one per major category, which gives chat windows a bit more personality without overdoing it. Other notable updates include First-sign-in restore for organizations, Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) being enabled by default on Pro versions, and Taskbar network speed test, among others. Minor UI polish and performance tweaks have also been made to improve search, storage dialogs, file scanning, and printer responsiveness in Windows 11.
Microsoft has rolled out Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7859 to Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel with several tweaks that most users won't notice unless they've enabled insider builds on their system. The new build includes improvements such as updated account settings for Microsoft 365 Family subscribers, a fix for taskbar icon glitches, and a solution to the file explorer jump bug. Nearby sharing has also been upgraded to handle large files more reliably over slower Wi-Fi networks, eliminating stalls and timeouts. Additionally, Bluetooth wheel settings are now more stable, preventing drivers from resetting scroll wheels to default speeds after updates.
Microsoft has released the latest Windows 11 Canary Build, 28020.1611, to Windows Insiders, which brings several improvements and fixes, including native Sysmon event logging without the need for a separate download or configuration file. The built-in Sysmon feature allows security tools to pull rich process-creation data from the standard event log, streamlining security logging and eliminating the need to hunt down a third-party binary. Additionally, the build includes a minor overhaul of the Share pane for OneDrive links, which adds icons under the "Share using" label to represent apps registered for handling URLs, reducing the number of clicks required to share files. The build also fixes the infamous watermark bug that displayed an incorrect build number, now matching the system's actual report.
KB5077181 is now available for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2, consolidating earlier quality updates that addressed a mix of problems from gaming to networking. The patch fixes a device‑eligibility issue that prevented some laptops from running games in full‑screen mode, allowing gamers to experience titles without black bars or windowed compromises. It also resolves an incompatibility with WPA3‑Personal Wi‑Fi networks caused by a prior driver update (KB5074105), restoring seamless connectivity for devices that had been stuck on “connecting.”
Microsoft has published KB5079373, which alerts users to an upcoming expiration of Windows Secure Boot certificates issued in 2011, slated for June 2026. This expiration won't cause immediate problems with existing software, but it means you'll stop getting future boot-level security updates unless you install new 2023 certificates. Most modern PCs will receive these updates automatically through Windows Update, but some devices may need manual firmware updates from the manufacturer's support site. If you use BitLocker or have enterprise policies that require up-to-date boot-time attestation, it's recommended to plan a firmware refresh before June 2026.
Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Build 26300.7760 to Windows Insiders in the dev channel, which includes several updates such as new emoji additions from Emoji 16.0 and improved camera controls for supported webcams through the Settings app. The build also addresses some visual issues, including reducing taskbar flicker and improving security prompts on high-DPI displays. To access these new features, users must have "receive the latest updates as they're available" enabled in Windows Update settings, which can take a few hours to roll out after enabling it. Some users may experience quirks such as an occasional "camera not found" error or issues with older third-party keyboards displaying the new emoji glyphs until firmware is updated.
Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7755 has been released to Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel. The new release comes with several fixes, including the taskbar disappearing and reappearing when auto-hide is enabled, as well as visual glitches and CPU spikes caused by graphics driver conflicts. The update also adds new emojis, camera pan/tilt sliders for supported webcams, and performance tweaks that improve battery life on laptops and reduce delays in rendering Windows Security dialogs. While the new emoji set may be a nice addition, it is not a crucial feature, as third-party keyboards can provide similar functionality.
Microsoft has released KB5074110, an update for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 that refreshes the boot files and pre-loads the latest Secure Boot certificates to prevent a "Secure Boot violation" error due to expiring certificates in June 2026. The update replaces the old 2011-signed bootmgfw.efi file with a fresh 2023-signed version, updates the Secure Boot Signature Database (DB), and leaves older systems without the new certificate unchanged. If you're running Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2 and use Secure Boot, it's recommended to install KB5074110 via Windows Update now.
The latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Build, 28020.1546, has been released to the Canary channel with several minor improvements and fixes. The main change is a fix for apps that struggle to open files stored on OneDrive or Dropbox due to a race condition between cloud sync clients and Windows file pickers. Insiders can choose to toggle this update off if they prefer to stay on the previous build, as it's considered a minor release suitable for experimentation and testing. While it's recommended to give the new build a try, users are advised to monitor the Feedback Hub for any potential issues and be prepared to roll back if necessary.
Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26300.7733 has been released to Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel and includes several updates, including a native Sysmon implementation, Dutch support for Voice Access, and File Explorer polish. The new build fixes issues such as keyboard navigation problems, folder renaming reverts, and missing icons for "Add to favorites" pins. Additionally, it resolves a freeze issue with OneDrive/Dropbox handling caused by a race condition while indexing large batches of files. To enable the built-in Sysmon feature, users must uninstall any third-party Sysmon binaries first and follow a specific setup process.
Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7752 is now available for Windows Insiders in the beta channel and includes native Sysmon support and various Explorer polish. To enable built-in Sysmon, go to Settings, System, Optional features, and check "Sysmon," or use the command line with "Dism /Online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:Sysmon" followed by "sysmon -i." This update also resolves a OneDrive/Dropbox freeze issue and adds Dutch support for Voice Access. Additionally, Explorer tweaks address keyboard navigation issues, folder renaming problems, and an "Add to favorites" pin icon that was previously broken due to a theme change.
Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28020.1495 has been released for users in the Canary Channel, offering a chance to experience new features before they become widely available. The update includes improvements to stability and performance, such as smoother shutdown processes and fixes for issues like dialog truncation and incorrect restart triggers. Additionally, Microsoft has addressed language-related problems in the Clock app settings for Australia and smart card reader bugs that caused intermittent errors.
Microsoft has released new updates for Windows 11 users in the Release Preview Channel, specifically builds 26100.7701 and 26200.7701. The main focus of these updates is on user experience, with features like Cross-Device Resume, which allows seamless switching between devices, and customizable Narrator settings. Other notable changes include improved support for Vivo phones, enhanced MIDI services, and fixes to issues such as misaligned Start menus in Arabic or Hebrew languages and sluggish Explorer.exe performance. The update also includes non-security patches, Secure Boot improvements, and domain backup key management for increased security.
Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26300.7674 has been released for users in the Dev Channel, marking the end of the transition phase from older builds towards the Beta Channel. This build includes several features and improvements seen in the current Beta Channel releases, as well as some notable fixes such as the return of the "Extract All" option in archives. However, there are still ongoing issues with this build, including problems with the Start menu, File Explorer, and system tray apps, which users can report using the Feedback Hub app to help guide future updates. Additionally, Microsoft is clarifying how changes in these builds will be documented, splitting them into two groups: one for new features and specific fixes, and another for broader improvements across the Dev Channel user base.
Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7670 (also known as KB5074169) to the Beta Channel, addressing several issues and improving some features. The update fixes problems with File Explorer, Search, Settings, display issues, and Azure Virtual Desktop sign-in issues. However, some Insiders still experience issues such as problems with the Start menu Categories view, Taskbar & System Tray, and Click to Do/Microsoft 365 Copilot. Microsoft is continuing to investigate these issues and work on resolving them in future updates.
Microsoft has released a new out-of-band update for Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC 2024, specifically targeting issues on builds 26200.7634 and 26100.7634 with KB5078167. The update addresses two major problems: Remote Desktop connection failures, which would previously result in complete login failures, and crashing errors when trying to access cloud storage files after a specific January update. Additionally, the fix covers unexpected application errors linked to those cloud updates, smoothing out interactions with services like OneDrive or Dropbox from within Windows. This hotfix should resolve issues for users experiencing these problems, particularly those who encountered crashes or freezes after installing updates around January 13th this year.
Microsoft has released an out-of-band update called KB5078127 to address issues on Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2, specifically focusing on problems related to application freezing after certain January updates. The cumulative patch includes security fixes from previous updates and a unique fix for this release, aiming to resolve issues seen when using cloud storage like OneDrive or Dropbox with Outlook's PST files. If you're experiencing trouble with Outlook freezing, particularly after updates from January 13th and the 17th, this update might be part of the solution, requiring a restart of your device.
Microsoft has released an out-of-band update for Windows 11 version 23H2 to address issues caused by a previous security fix, KB5073455. The patch resolves problems with frozen applications and errors when interacting with cloud storage services like OneDrive or Dropbox. The issue specifically affected Outlook users storing PST files via these services, resulting in them becoming stuck and necessitating a shutdown or reboot for resolution. The KB5078132 update is now available for download from Microsoft's Update Catalog or will automatically install on systems that have either KB5073455 or KB5077797 already installed.
