Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7535 (Dev and Beta Channels) released
Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7535 to Windows Insiders enrolled in the Dev and Beta channels. This latest drop brings a range of adjustments, new features, and tweaks, along with some fixes for issues that have been making people scratch their heads.
One notable change involves Narrator, Microsoft's built-in screen reader. Insiders now get access to image descriptions powered by Copilot directly within Narrator itself. Last year saw the initial rollout on Copilot+ PCs where Narrator started providing detailed AI commentary about images like charts and graphs. This new build extends that capability to all Windows 11 devices running this preview, allowing Narrator to work more effectively with Copilot across the board.
How do you actually use it? Press your Narrator key plus Ctrl + D to describe whatever image is currently focused by the cursor or pointer, or press the Narrator key plus Ctrl + S for a description of what's visible on the whole screen. This instantly brings up Copilot, where you can type in your own prompt if needed. It's important to note that users are always in control; sharing images only occurs when you explicitly initiate the descriptions.
However, this feature isn't enabled within the European Economic Area. Beyond accessibility, Microsoft also provided examples showing how Insiders might use Narrator and Copilot to explore specific trends or details within the visuals themselves. Asking questions about visual elements using your own words is another option offered here, too.
Elsewhere, administrators have noticed a new capability: they can now disable the Microsoft Copilot app for users on managed devices via a policy switch named 'RemoveMicrosoftCopilotApp.' It'll apply automatically to systems meeting certain criteria, such as having both M365 and regular Copilot present but not recently fired up.
For developers who are interested in the details, an update has been made regarding Cross Device Resume. This is always getting attention, though it isn't everyone's cup of tea. The process for linking activities across multiple devices has been improved by integrating with Windows Notification System updates, aiming to make this valuable feature broadly available again without any hiccups.
Other tweaks include a refreshed version of the Windows Spotlight icon, some late December Insiders started seeing these adjustments already. On the software stability front, several Explorer-related crashes and annoyances have been addressed, particularly issues popping up with warning dialogues or when opening context menus via right-click. Those edge problems are no longer present.
But things aren't perfect everywhere yet either. Some features are still catching up. Known snags affect areas like Xbox full-screen modes, the Taskbar & System Tray interactions themselves, Settings functionality generally, Bluetooth operations, and the Click to Do feature set specifically, though I'm not sure about which ones exactly just yet.
Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7535 (Dev & Beta Channels)
Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7535 (KB5072046) to the Dev & Beta Channels.
Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7535 (Dev & Beta Channels)
