Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7344 (Dev and Beta Channels) released
Microsoft has quietly released a new build number, 26220.7344, for the Windows 11 Insider Program, rolling out across both the Dev and Beta channels. What does it actually offer? One major change is the introduction of native support for the Model Context Protocol (MCP). This open standard facilitates connections between AI agents and various apps, tools, or services.
Think of MCP as providing secure discoverability and consistent controls. It also brings enterprise-grade manageability to the table. These additions make large-scale creation and deployment of agentic workflows significantly smoother for developers, IT pros, and end-users alike.
Built-in support for two new agent connectors shows up in this release: File Explorer and Windows Settings. The File Explorer connector is designed to let agents handle files locally with user approval, managing, organizing, or retrieving them. On Copilot+ PCs, things get even more interesting; the connector can now conduct natural language searches based on file descriptions, content, metadata, or image classification.
Similarly valuable is the Windows Settings connector. This feature empowers users by letting them check, modify settings, or navigate directly to specific sections like display, mouse, keyboard, and sound using conversational commands.
Elsewhere, Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) now defaults on for Windows Professional systems not connected via a domain. These devices suddenly get the same robust recovery options previously seen only on Home editions. But for domain-joined enterprise machines, QMR remains off until explicitly enabled by an organization's configuration.
The Update Orchestration Platform (UOP) is also migrating to Insiders in Dev and Beta channels. This system aims for consistency in app updates by triggering designated applications to scan, download, and install updates automatically when appropriate, perhaps based on user activity or changes in the system's state. Users now find a dedicated spot in Settings > Apps > App Updates to monitor progress or intervene if necessary.
Another notable feature rolling out is Windows MIDI Services. Available for production testing already through Dev and Beta channels, this component will eventually hit standard retail builds. Musicians using MIDI 1.0 or 2.0 gear should benefit immensely from full WinMM and WinRT MIDI 1.0 support now included. Moreover, in-service translation makes any API work seamlessly with MIDI devices.
New loopback capabilities and app-to-app MIDI connections also simplify managing MIDI settings directly on Windows itself. The App SDK and Tools package provides the necessary components for developers, including tools like the MIDI Console and dedicated Settings applications, but requires a separate download outside the standard OS image.
Minor tweaks to Open With follow suit, allowing users to install apps straight from this familiar list without requiring Microsoft Store access first. This streamlining is intended to make finding and installing required software just that little bit faster.
Alongside these feature additions, several bug fixes aim to clean things up. Microsoft has addressed a frustrating issue where the search window sometimes floated above other icons, hopefully restoring a cleaner taskbar look. Some File Explorer SMB share searching functionality was also unreliable post-update; this defect seems corrected now too. For certain insiders, fingerprint readers stopped working recently; that problem looks resolved.
Other fixes targeted the Project pane within File Explorer and bugs affecting the Xbox full-screen experience on PC. Microsoft has also addressed reports of random bug checks related to controller use.
However, Windows Insiders still face some known issues with this latest release. Some applications, especially those managing windows or expecting a fixed size, might act up when users leverage Windows' new Xbox-based full-screen capability.
A few users also encountered problems getting the Start menu to open via its usual icon click, though the keyboard shortcut still functions as expected. Separate reports mentioned Bluetooth devices sometimes failing to display their battery level correctly and explorer.exe occasionally crashing upon opening context menus; these are being looked into by Microsoft.
Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7344 (Dev & Beta Channels)
Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7344 (KB5070316) to the Dev & Beta Channels.
Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7344 (Dev & Beta Channels)
