- Microsoft pushes three new preview builds for Windows 11.
- The updates are available through the Release Preview, Beta, and Dev Channels.
- These Insider builds only introduce fixes and some minor visual changes.
- In the Dev Channel, Windows 11 introduces a new feature to allow camera streaming with multiple apps.
UPDATED 8/29/2024: Windows 11 build 26100.1591 (KB5041865) in the Release Preview Channel for version 24H2 is one of the preview releases that Microsoft is currently releasing through the Windows Insider Program. Additionally, the preview build 22635.4076 (KB5041873) is being distributed to devices in the Beta Channel as an enablement package for version 23H2. Lastly, the Windows 11 build 26120.1542 is being released by the business in the Dev Channel as checkpoint KB5041872.
Release Preview Channel (KB5041865)
These are small updates with various changes and corrections, according the official notes released on August 19, 2024. For instance, the Release Preview Channel’s KB5041865 update for version 24H2 merely fixes a few issues and minor aesthetic adjustments.
According to the notes, this preview implements DNS updates with a domain controller, includes a confirmation box when turning on OpenSSH via the Server Manager UI, and ignores the value of the FrameShutdownDelay in the Registry.
The End Task option to end unresponsive apps will no longer display the Not responding notice to confirm that the process is being killed, and you may now duplicate tabs in File Explorer from the tab context menu.
Additional fixes and enhancements for the update, which is also accessible as a D update preview as build 26100.1591, were disclosed by the business in a recent update to the change log that was published on August 27. The latest enhancements include the ability to hop and cycle through apps that begin with a letter by pressing on it while the Taskbar is in focus. Additionally, you may access the first and last letter on the Taskbar by hitting the Home and End buttons.
The latest updates highlight more solutions for File Explorer that address issues with screen readers and malfunctioning search. Additionally, if your Android phone is already linked to your device via the Phone Link app, you can exchange files with it via the exchange interface.
The update KB5041865 speeds up scan mode if you use Windows Narrator. You can now dictate the characters you spell more quickly on Voice Access. Additionally, the software behemoth is updating the Widgets dashboard’s security and API to conform to the regions of the European Economic Area (EEA). Additionally, the Microsoft Start widget and feed experiences are sourced from the Microsoft Start Experiences app. Lastly, certain widgets will be changed and others will be eliminated as a result of these modifications.
There are no known problems with this preview, according to Microsoft.
The update KB5041865 was first made available as build 26100.1586, however on August 27, 2024, it was re-released as build 26100.1591.
Beta Channel (KB5041873)
File Explorer, Voice Access, Registry, and input fixes are the sole features included in the Beta Channel version 23H2 update KB5041873.
A number of issues pertaining to backup, printing, and particular features including Autopilot, Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC), Cache Manager, Group Policy Preferences Item Level Targeting (ILT), Local Users and Groups, and more are also being addressed by the business.
The update fixes a bug in PowerShell and VBScript that made it impossible to use the Windows Update Agent (WUA) APIs in scripts.
As part of the networking enhancements, version 22635.4076 resolves issues with the TCP/IP protocol, including high processor consumption, packet loss, and non-reaction when transferring large volumes of data.
The Taskbar and File Explorer are known to have problems, according to the business.
Dev Channel (KB5041872)
Like the News and Interests icon in Windows 10, the weather icon in the Dev Channel’s Windows 11 build 26120.1542 (KB5041872) places the Widget dashboard on the right side of the Taskbar.
Additionally, this release modifies the Taskbar behavior to enable first-letter navigation, allowing you to switch between apps by tapping the first letter of the name while the Taskbar is in focus. For instance, you can cycle between Word, WordPad, and other programs by continuously pressing W after using the Windows key + T shortcut to bring the attention to the Taskbar.
The registry for modifying a DWORD or QWORD, text recommendations for hardware keyboards and emojis, and the problem 0x800f081f that occurs when new languages cannot be installed are also fixed in this version.
Additionally, KB5041872 resolves a problem that could result in a firmware update failing when BitLocker is enabled, the Game Bar’s share button not working, issues with virtual machines and networks, and more.
Additionally, the software behemoth is creating (via @PhantomOfEarth) a new advanced configuration section for the Camera settings page that will have two features: Camera Basic Mode and Multi-app Camera.
You may stream the same camera across various apps with the Multi-app Camera functionality, according to the description.
However, the camera can be utilized in debugging mode to troubleshoot issues thanks to the Camera Basic Mode feature.
Lastly, it has been found that the business is updating the Delivery Optimization parameters in order to bring the design closer to the operating system design language.
The Deliver Optimization page’s main design now combines the settings that were previously accessible on the Advanced options and Activity monitor pages. Consequently, a collapsible Download options setting to regulate background and foreground restrictions is now available. Additionally, you may manage monthly upload restrictions and upload bandwidth using the collapsible Upload settings section.
Additionally, the download and upload statistics are included in the Activity Monitor area.
My YouTube channel has a video tutorial that explains these capabilities in greater detail. (Remember to subscribe and like.)
Microsoft reports that Task Manager has known problems.
Install builds
Use the Windows Insider Program settings under the Update & Security section to enroll your device in the Release Preview, Beta, or Canary Channels in order to download and install these Windows 11 builds. You can download the build from the Windows Update settings after enrolling the machine in the program by clicking the Check for Updates button and activating the Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available option.
Update August 29, 2024: The new adjustments for the Camera and Delivery Optimization settings have been incorporated into this tutorial.