Windows 11 Release Preview Channel Update: Key features, fixes, and enhancements in builds 26100.2448 and 22631.4534

Microsoft has rolled out two significant updates for Windows 11, namely Build 26100.2448 (KB5046740) and Build 22631.4534 (KB5046732), to the Release Preview Channel. These updates, targeting versions 24H2 and 23H2 respectively, bring a range of new features, UI tweaks, performance improvements, and bug fixes. Here’s a detailed look at what’s included in these updates.

New Features and Enhancements

1. Start Menu Improvements

• Jump Lists: Both updates introduce a refined right-click menu in the Start menu. When you right-click a pinned app, a jump list appears, providing quick access to specific tasks related to the app.

2. Taskbar and System Tray Enhancements

• Shortened Date and Time: The system tray now displays a shortened date and time format. The notification bell icon may be hidden when “Do Not Disturb” is enabled. Users can revert to the full date and time format via Settings > Date and Time.
• Notification Access: If the notification bell icon is hidden, clicking on the date and time will still show notifications. Users can control this via Settings > System > Notifications.

3. Touchscreen and Mouse Settings

• Edge Gesture Controls: A new section under Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Touch allows users to disable left or right-edge gestures on touchscreen devices.
• Enhanced Mouse Pointer Precision: An added option in Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Mouse allows users to disable enhanced mouse pointer precision. Additionally, users can now adjust the scroll direction of the mouse.

4. Task Manager Upgrades

• Dark Mode and Text Scaling Support: The Disconnect and Logoff dialogs now support dark mode and text scaling, offering a more visually consistent experience.
• Disk Type Visibility: The Performance tab now displays the type of each disk (HDD or SSD), making it easier for users to identify storage types.

5. File Explorer Updates

• Android Device Sharing: Users can now share content directly to Android devices through File Explorer and desktop context menus. This feature requires a Phone Link setup on the PC.
• UI Fixes: Addressed issues such as unnecessary spacing in the left pane and cutoff search boxes in smaller windows.

6. Input Method Editor (IME) Improvements

• The IME toolbar now automatically hides when applications enter full-screen mode. This change enhances the user experience, especially when typing in Chinese or Japanese.

7. Enhanced Search Security

• IFilters in Less Privileged App Containers (LPAC): Windows Search now runs IFilters in LPACs, which have restricted access to system components. This improves security by limiting the potential impact of compromised processes.

8. Dynamic Lighting Settings

• A placeholder message now appears when no compatible device is connected. Users can also customize the wave effect with new direction options: Forward, Backward, Outward, and Inward.

9. Accessibility Features: Narrator Enhancements

• New shortcuts like N’ to skip past links and L’ to jump to lists have been added in Narrator’s scan mode, making navigating web pages and documents easier.

10. Speech Features

• Enhanced speech-to-text and text-to-speech capabilities. Users may need to manually update language files through the Microsoft Store for improved performance in features like voice typing and live captions.

11. New Personalization Options

• Tailored Experiences Renamed: The “Tailored Experiences” option is now labeled as “Personalized Offers” under Settings > Privacy & Security. Users can control device data sharing for enhanced personalization.

12. Jump List Admin Access

• Holding Shift + Ctrl while clicking a jump list item opens it as an administrator, adding convenience for advanced users.

Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements

1. Windows Update Issues Resolved

• Fixed an issue causing error code 0x800f0905 during updates.
• Component Cleanup Task: Resolved problems with the StartComponentCleanup task, which previously stalled at 71% and showed error 6842.

2. PowerShell and DISM Fixes

• Addressed the failure of the Get-WindowsCapability command, preventing the need for system restarts.
• Improved functionality of the Deployment Imaging Service and Management (DISM) tool.

3. File Explorer Interface Fixes

• The “See more” button now correctly drops down instead of expanding upward, preventing off-screen menus.
• Reduced spacing between left pane items for a more compact view.

4. Display and Graphics Fixes

• Resolved issues where Mica material effects were not displaying correctly during slideshow backgrounds.
• Fixed problems with RAW format images displaying incorrectly.

5. Mouse and Clipboard Issues

• Fixed an issue where the mouse pointer locator feature showed tiny circles on high-resolution displays.
• Clipboard history now reliably shows copied content without errors.

6. Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

• Fixed a critical issue where the WSL stopped functioning, improving stability for developers using Linux environments on Windows.

7. Printing and Bluetooth Enhancements

• Resolved a freezing issue when using IPP USB printers.
• Improved Bluetooth LE Audio streaming, fixing connection issues with devices like hearing aids.

8. Game Bar and Multi-Monitor Setup Fixes

• Fixed an issue where the mouse pointer would unlock from a game window upon opening and closing the Xbox Game Bar with multiple monitors connected.

9. Activation Fix for Motherboard Replacements

• Addressed a problem where Windows activation failed after replacing the motherboard, ensuring smoother hardware upgrades.

Conclusion

The recent updates, Windows 11 Builds 26100.2448 and 22631.4534, bring a series of enhancements to improve the overall user experience. From better touch and mouse controls to enhanced File Explorer functionalities, these updates focus on usability and security. Windows Insiders in the Release Preview Channel can start exploring these features, providing valuable feedback to help refine the final public release.

This comprehensive update marks another step forward in Microsoft’s efforts to refine Windows 11, catering to diverse user needs across the board. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to bring new features and enhancements to the platform.