Microsoft has released several preview updates for Windows 11 for members of the Beta and Experimental channels of the Windows Insider project. The Experimental channel received builds 26340.9354 (26H2), 28120.2912 (26H1), and 29661.1000 (Future Platform).
The update introduces a 'Cloud rebuild' feature in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), allowing users to download system images and drivers directly from Windows Update when the system fails to boot. WinRE now also automatically reuses saved Wi-Fi passwords from the main system for automatic network connection.
Accessibility improvements include the Narrator's new ability to read complex mathematical formulas and scientific symbols for visually impaired users. Additionally, the Magnifier tool now supports independent scaling ratios for each monitor, eliminating previous blurriness across screens.
User experience enhancements include a modernized AutoPlay dialog box rebuilt with WinUI, supporting dark mode. The File Explorer has improved renaming experience and desktop background reliability, and support for Emoji 17.0 has added.
Cross-device recovery is improved; if a mobile browser is not installed on the PC, users can now choose to open the page in the default browser or install the corresponding browser. The 'Device Info Card' in Settings has expanded to more markets, and taskbar preview animations have been smoothed.
For the Future Platform build, Microsoft enabled IAKerb (Kerberos extension) by default, reducing reliance on the system's NTLM authentication protocol. Beta channel build 28020.2904 and Experimental build 28120.2912 focused on general improvements and fixes for touchpad scaling and mouse pointer issues.