Microsoft releases new Windows 11 Insider Preview builds for Dev and Canary channels

On this Thursday, Microsoft has delivered as expected, dropping not one but two enticing Insider Preview builds into the eager hands of enthusiasts. In this latest move, the tech giant has unveiled Windows 11 build 23536 for the Dev channel and Windows 11 build 25941 for the Canary channel.

The primary focus of the new Insider build for the Dev channel lies in addressing those pesky bugs that tend to lurk in the software. Meanwhile, the Canary channel build not only brings its fair share of bug fixes but also introduces some intriguing new features to keep users engaged. However, it's important to note that these updates fall within the weekly cycle, so don't anticipate them to be substantial game-changers.

Let's delve into the noteworthy highlights of Windows 11 build 25941, which targets the Canary Channel. One standout feature is the introduction of a Dynamic refresh rate toggle, allowing users to optimize their display's refresh rate based on the current content. This intelligent adjustment not only enhances the user experience but also contributes to prolonged battery life. Furthermore, the refresh rate will now adapt according to the screen resolution, ensuring an optimal visual experience.

Here are some of the key changes for both builds:

Windows 11 build 25941 (Canary Channel) Changes:

Changes and Improvements

Graphics

Cast

• Building upon the Cast enhancements introduced in Build 25926, the Cast flyout in Quick Settings now offers additional support, aiding users in resolving issues related to discovering nearby displays, fixing connections, and more.

Settings

• The graph previously featured at the top of the Power & Battery page in Settings has been removed, simplifying the user interface. Battery usage information is still accessible in the battery usage section further down the page. Additionally, the Power & Battery settings page has been streamlined, eliminating the separation between "Power" and "Battery" sections.

Fixes for Known Issues

• Various fixes addressing issues related to File Explorer context menu and command bar dropdowns, which were previously plagued by transparency and touch-related problems.

Enhanced File Explorer launch reliability.

• Resolved problems affecting Japanese and Chinese Input Method Editors (IMEs) within specific applications and the File Explorer search box.

Fixed a Settings crash issue when examining detailed battery usage.

Added labels to the new Color Filters options for tuning intensity and color boost.

Windows 11 Build 23536 (Dev Channel) Changes:

Fixes

Windows Copilot

• Fixed an issue that caused the Windows Copilot icon in the taskbar to appear mirrored for right-to-left languages.

Taskbar

• Addressed an explorer.exe crash issue that impacted the taskbar's correct appearance after device startup.
• Resolved an issue where apps in the taskbar would appear cut off without rounded corners when numerous app windows were open and the taskbar was set to not combine.

Live captions

• Fixed an issue where live captions would occasionally display the same line of text twice.

Input

• Resolved a frequently occurring ctfmon.exe crash in recent flights, which may have hindered typing for some Insiders.

Settings

• Implemented improvements to enhance the performance of opening Settings for Insiders using the new Home page.

Task Manager

• Fixed a problem that could lead to Task Manager crashing when utilizing the end task option in the Details page in recent builds.

In addition to these changes, Microsoft has thoughtfully highlighted known issues for your perusal on the Canary and Dev build announcement pages. As always, Windows Insiders can expect to receive these beta updates based on the specific channel they are part of. If you've opted for the Canary channel, you'll be greeted with the Canary build, and the same applies to Dev Channel users. Keep an eye out for these updates by navigating to Settings > Windows Update for your slice of the Windows 11 experience.