In this article, we will talk about the latest Windows 11 25H2 Insider Preview Build for the Dev and the Beta Channels, which is the Build 26220.7535.
Windows 11 25H2
Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel will see the versioning updated under Settings > System > About (and winver) to version 25H2. This denotes that Windows 11, version 25H2 will be this year’s annual feature update. As mentioned here, Windows 11 will have an annual feature update cadence that releases in the second half of the calendar year. For more information, see this blog post here.
Switch from Dev to Beta in the Windows Insider Program
If you are an Insider in the Dev Channel, you now have a window to switch from the Dev Channel to the Beta Channel if you would like. This window is soon closing.
Important: Once we move Dev Channel forward to a higher build number, the opportunity to switch between these channels will close until a future opportunity becomes available.
Note: Insiders who previously had trouble switching channels should be able to do so now.
New Copilot Image Descriptions in Narrator
Last year, Microsoft introduced rich image descriptions in Narrator on Copilot+ PCs—making it possible for blind and low-vision users to hear detailed, AI-generated descriptions of images, charts, and graphs.
Narrator can now work with Copilot on all Windows 11 devices to further understand images and visual elements on your screen. You can press Narrator key + Ctrl + D to describe the focused image or press Narrator key + Ctrl + S to describe the full screen. Copilot opens with the image ready, allowing you to enter your own prompt and generate a description tailored to what you want to know. Importantly, the image is only shared after you choose to describe it. You remain in control at every step.
New Way to Uninstall Microsoft Copilot App
Admins can now uninstall Microsoft Copilot for a user in a targeted way by enabling a new policy titled RemoveMicrosoftCopilotApp. It will apply for devices/users that meet the below conditions:
- Microsoft 365 Copilot and Microsoft Copilot are both installed
- The Microsoft Copilot app was not installed by the user
- The Microsoft Copilot app was not launched in the last 28 days
If this policy is enabled, the Microsoft Copilot app will be uninstalled, once. Users can still re-install if they choose to. This policy is available on Enterprise, Pro, and EDU SKUs.
To enable this policy, open the Group policy editor and go to: User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows AI -> Remove Microsoft Copilot App.
New Cross Device Resume Feature
Microsoft is announcing an enhancement to the Cross Device Resume capability that we announced earlier. Until now, app developers could integrate with Resume using a solution based on the Link to Windows app. We’ve now introduced an additional integration path leveraging the Windows Notification System (WNS). This additional option expands the scope of users to whom you can offer Resume capability, while delivering the same seamless experience on Windows. We invite developers to explore onboarding with this new capability alongside the existing integration method. Together, these options help maximize continuity across devices. Use WNS Notifications to implement Cross Device Resume (XDR) – Windows apps | Microsoft Learn.
New Windows Spotlight Icon
The Windows Spotlight icon is getting refreshed. The new icon flight was started in late December for a small set of Insiders.
Fixes in this Build
Start Menu
- Fixed an issue where the edge of the warning dialog shown when shutting down your PC while other users were still signed in was truncated by the edge of the Start menu.
File Explorer
- Fixed an issue which was causing explorer.exe to crash for some Insiders when invoking the context menu on the desktop recently.
Input
- Fixed an issue which could lead to a black flash when using a pen to ink in Snipping Tool.
- Fixed an issue which could lead to two print dialogs appearing when you opened print instead of just one.
- Fixed the color of the close button the print dialog to be consistent with other windows.
- Fixed an issue where the text on the Printers and Scanners page in Settings could become truncated and unreadable.
Windows Update
- Fixed an issue which could lead to the Windows Update settings page hanging when loading.
For more information about this Build, you can check this article from the Microsoft Blog.
For a more in-depth presentation of the New Build, you can watch the video below from the youtube channel.
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