In this article, we will talk about the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Build for the Beta and Dev Channels, which is Build 26120.3360.
Beta Channel on 24H2
Microsoft is beginning to offer the same Dev Channel updates based on Windows 11, version 24H2 to Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel. These updates will be optional at first, so if you are in the Beta Channel today, you can upgrade when you are ready to do so.
You will eventually get upgraded to 24H2-based updates automatically if you are in the Beta Channel. Until that happens, the Beta Channel will continue to receive both updates based on Windows 11, version 24H2 AND Windows 11, version 23H2 (but sometimes not at the same time). Please note that if you choose to upgrade to receiving updates based on Windows 11, version 24H2 in the Beta Channel, you may lose some feature rollouts.
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 will only be open for as long as we’re releasing the same 24H2-based updates across both the Dev and Beta Channels. By the end of February, the Dev Channel will jump ahead to receiving updates with higher build numbers and once this happens, the opportunity to switch between these channels will close. When the Dev Channel jumps ahead, things might not be as stable as the Dev Channel is today, so we highly encourage you to evaluate which channel you would like to be in during the time in which the window to switch is open.
Customize Lock Screen Widgets
Microsoft is beginning to roll out support for lock screen widgets (previously referred to as “Weather and more”) to Windows Insiders in the European Economic Area (EEA). You can add, remove, and rearrange lock screen widgets such as Weather, Watchlist, Sports, Traffic, and more. Any widget that supports the small sizing option can be added here. To customize your lock screen widgets, navigate to Settings > Personalization > Lock screen. We are starting this rollout first with Insiders in the EEA and plan to expand to Insiders in other regions in the future. Insiders outside the EEA will continue to see the “Weather and more” experience.
As part of this, we’re also adding support for a new group policy called “Disable Widgets On Lock Screen” that will allow IT administrators to disable lock screen widgets without disabling widgets elsewhere on PCs they manage. To edit this policy, please launch the Local Group Policy Editor app and navigate to Computer Configurations > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Widgets. This policy is only supported in EEA regions at this time but will expand to include other regions in the future as well.
New Task Manager Option
Microsoft is beginning to roll out a change to the way Task Manager calculates CPU utilization for the Processes, Performance, and Users pages. Task Manager will now use the standard metrics to display CPU workload consistently across all pages and aligning with industry standards and third-party tools. For backward compatibility, a new optional column called CPU Utility is available (hidden by default) on the Details tab showing the previous CPU value used on the Processes page.
Windows Share
Microsoft is adding the ability to share directly to apps that support sharing in Windows when right-clicking on local files in File Explorer or the desktop.
New Snipping Tool Update
Microsoft is rolling out an update for Snipping Tool to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels that introduces trim! With trim, you can adjust the start and end times of your screen recordings to cut out any unnecessary video snippets from your video.
To get started, record a new screen recording with Snipping Tool. Open the recording in the app and select the new Trim button at the top of the window to enter the trim feature. Use the grabbers to move and select new timepoints for the start and end times of your screen recording. Press the Apply or Cancel button to save or discard your changes. You can also re-enter trim to undo or adjust any trimmed portions.
New Native Copilot App
Also Microsoft is releasing a new Copilot app update, 1.25023.106.0, out in Insider channels that actually has a pretty much* fully native WinUI 3 UX.
There’s a new Copilot app update, 1.25023.106.0, out in Insider channels that actually has a pretty much* fully native WinUI 3 UX (chat UI and everything), with bonus launch speed improvements. FINALLY. (first spotted here: https://t.co/XGmxLiqYU5 ) pic.twitter.com/QwfJ7rgUEH
— phantomofearth ⛄ (@phantomofearth) March 4, 2025
Fixes in this Build
File Explorer
- Fixed an issue where File Explorer Home might not load correctly and just show random floating text saying “Name”.
Taskbar
- Fixed an issue where the underlines under app icons in the taskbar may get stuck showing even if the app had been closed.
Remote Desktop
- Fixed an issue which was leading to some people experiencing Remote Desktop freezes on login, or frequent disconnects.
Settings
- Fixed an issue where an underlying crash was causing Settings to show an error message on launch (“The instruction at 0x00007FFEDEBDC003 referenced memory at 0x0000000000000010. The memory could not be read,”). If impacted, you might also have seen a similar error message with RuntimeBroker.exe.
Other
- Fixed an issue where if you were upgrading to a higher build number and it failed and rolled back, it could potentially result in a duplicate Windows entry in the boot menu.
- Fixed an issue for Insiders using the ability to resume OneDrive files, which could result in your mouse frequently showing a spinning icon.
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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