Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28020.1673 – What actually changed and why it matters
Quick look at the new bits
The latest Canary drop adds a handful of tweaks that most users will notice the moment they open their favorite apps or start a network test. From fresh emojis to an automatic recovery toggle, this build feels like Microsoft finally stopped polishing the surface and started fixing things people actually run into.
Emoji gets a tiny upgrade
Build 28020.1673 ships Emoji 16.0, which tacks on one new icon per major category. It isn’t a parade of glittery faces; it’s a modest set that shows up in the built‑in emoji panel and works across apps without any extra steps. If someone has been complaining about missing “handshake” symbols for work chats, this finally puts one in place.
First‑sign‑in restore now part of Windows Backup for Organizations
The new sign‑in restore experience lives inside Windows Backup for Organizations, meaning devices that are hybrid‑joined to Microsoft Entra or running as Cloud PCs will automatically pull user settings and Store apps the first time a person logs on. IT admins have reported smoother device refreshes because there’s no longer a manual “copy profile” step after an upgrade.
Quick Machine Recovery rolls out by default on unmanaged Pro machines
Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) is now turned on automatically for Windows Professional devices that aren’t joined to a domain. Those laptops get the same one‑click reset option that Home users have enjoyed for years, while domain‑joined rigs stay quiet unless an admin explicitly flips the switch. This change alone saved a small business owner from having to reinstall everything after a hard drive hiccup.
Network speed test lives in the taskbar
Right‑clicking the network icon or opening Wi‑Fi/Cellular Quick Settings now launches a browser‑based speed test that measures Ethernet, Wi‑Fi, and cellular links. The feature is handy for anyone who’s ever wondered why video calls drop after a firmware update to their router—just run the test and compare the numbers without leaving the desktop.
Account menu shortcut to benefits page
A new entry in the Start‑menu account dropdown points straight at the Microsoft account benefits page. It’s a small quality‑of‑life tweak that prevents users from hunting through Settings just to see what perks they have left.
Pan‑and‑tilt controls for supported cameras
For webcams that support motion, the Settings app now exposes pan and tilt sliders under Bluetooth & devices → Cameras → Basic settings. This eliminates the need for third‑party utilities when adjusting a conference room camera; the native UI does it cleanly.
Widgets open as full pages
The widget configuration pane no longer pops up as a tiny dialog. Instead, it takes over the whole Widgets app window, giving more room to tweak size and content without fighting cramped controls.
Search on taskbar gets richer previews
Group headers in taskbar search now display how many results sit behind them, and hovering over an entry reveals a preview button that lets you peek at files or web snippets without opening anything. It’s the kind of polish that makes finding that one PDF among dozens feel less like a scavenger hunt.
RSAT finally works on Arm64 Windows 11
Remote Server Administration Tools are now available as optional features on Arm64 devices, meaning administrators can install AD DS, DNS, DHCP and other server tools directly from Settings. This closes the gap for folks running Surface Pro X or other ARM‑based hardware in lab environments.
Dark mode gets consistency in File Explorer
The Folder Options dialog now respects the system’s dark theme, so toggling dark mode no longer leaves that one settings pane stuck in light mode. In addition, a bug that occasionally forced all Explorer windows to jump back to Desktop or Home has been squashed.
Wheel configuration reliability improved
Changes made under Settings → Bluetooth & Devices → Wheel are now applied more predictably, cutting down on the “my scroll speed reset after reboot” complaints some power users have logged.
Nearby Sharing handles bigger files better
The file‑sharing service that pops up when two PCs are close by now holds up under larger payloads. Users who tried to sling a 2 GB video across the room used to see random failures; the new logic retries automatically and finishes more often than not.
That’s the rundown for build 28020.1673—enough tweaks to make daily use smoother, with a few hidden gems that might just save someone an afternoon of troubleshooting.
Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28020.1673 (Canary Channel)
Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28020.1673 to the Canary Channel. (KB 5077240)
Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28020.1673 (Canary Channel)
