Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26300: New App‑Removal Policy, Custom User Folder Naming, and More
Microsoft just dropped Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26300, bringing a set of tweaks that let IT administrators strip out unwanted Microsoft Store apps, give users the power to pick their own user folder name during setup, tighten driver trust, and smooth out a handful of other annoyances. These changes are already showing up in the Dev channel, so if you’re an insider or an admin, keep an eye on them.
Policy‑Based Removal of Preinstalled Microsoft Apps
The new “Remove Default Microsoft Store packages” policy now accepts a dynamic list of app package family names (PFNs). In practice, that means an IT team can drop any preinstalled Microsoft Store app simply by adding its PFN to the group policy’s multi‑text field. One administrator at a mid‑size school discovered this after a security audit forced them to remove the built‑in OneDrive sync client; by entering “Microsoft.OneDrive” into the list, the client vanished from all target machines without a single PowerShell script.
The change is accessible via Local Group Policy Editor under Computer Configuration Administrative Templates Windows Components App Package Deployment. Because the dynamic list isn’t yet available in Intune CSPs, admins who rely on Microsoft Endpoint Manager will need to keep an eye out for future rollout; meanwhile, testing should be done through Group Policy or the Settings Catalog.
Custom User Folder Naming During Setup
Windows now offers a custom user‑folder name field during the initial device‑name page of the setup wizard. This is a tidy fix that eliminates the need to rename folders post‑setup, which often trips users up because Windows enforces standard naming rules (no colons, slashes, or trailing spaces). When a new PC is being configured for a colleague named “Alex Kim”, the admin can simply type “AlexKim” and the system will create the folder automatically. Skipping this step will revert to the default “User” format.
New Driver Policy for Cross‑Signed Drivers
The kernel’s driver policy has been hardened: cross‑signed drivers no longer receive default trust. Instead, only those from the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program (WHCP) are allowed, with a built‑in allow list of vetted publishers and cross‑signed entries. The change runs in audit mode for 100 hours and three reboots before enforcing. An early adopter who had an older USB‑to‑Serial adapter that used a legacy cross‑signed driver noticed it blocked after the audit period; fortunately, the same device’s WHCP‑approved version was immediately available from the vendor, so the block could be resolved quickly.
Point‑in‑Time Restore Gets a UI Refresh
When launching the Point‑in‑Time restore wizard, administrators now see a settings dialog behind a UAC prompt that lists all existing restore points. The interface also reminds users to plug in power during the process and shows the OS version in a four‑part format (e.g., “10.0.22621.1”). These tweaks reduce confusion when restoring from a broken state, especially on laptops where battery drain can be a real risk.
Account Settings: 365 Upgrade Prompt
Microsoft 365 Family subscribers now see an upgrade prompt directly in the Accounts page of Settings. The option can be hidden by disabling suggested content in settings. This gives users a clear call to action if they’re ready to move from the family plan to, say, a business subscription without hunting for promotions.
Drop Tray Rebrand and Location Move
Drag Tray has been renamed Drop Tray, and its settings were shifted from Nearby Sharing to System Multitasking. The change is cosmetic but clarifies that the feature is now part of the multitasking suite rather than a peripheral sharing tool. Users who relied on the old setting page will need to navigate a slightly different path to tweak behavior.
Pen Settings Tweaks
The Pen settings page received refinements, especially around the pen‑tail button options. A new “Same as Copilot key” choice lets the tail button launch whatever application is bound to the Copilot shortcut, making the gesture feel more consistent across devices. Those who previously set their tail button to open a specific utility now have an alternative that stays in sync with system‑wide shortcuts.
File Explorer Context Menu Pause
The rollout of context‑menu refinements has been paused pending further improvements. As a result, users will continue to see the classic context menu until the next update; anyone who was hoping for a smoother “Copy as path” experience will need to wait a bit longer.
Display Language Reliability Fix
A tweak improves the reliability of setting and using the preferred display language, especially after updates that might otherwise leave the system in an inconsistent state. Users who previously experienced flickering language changes during log‑in should notice a steadier experience now.
sfc/scannow Error Cleared
An extraneous error that occasionally surfaced when running sfc /scannow has been removed, making the integrity check run cleaner and faster for those troubleshooting system file corruption.
Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26300.8068 (Dev Channel)
Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26300.8068 (KB 5079464) to the Dev Channel.
Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26300.8068 (Dev Channel)
