Windows 11: New Insider Preview with File Explorer Optimizations

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The new Windows preview versions are aimed at Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2 (KB5070311). They do not contain security updates but are primarily intended to improve functionality, performance, and reliability. Microsoft also announces a simplification of Windows update titles.

New Title Format for Updates

According to Microsoft, the new, standardized title format is intended to make "Windows updates easier to read and understand." It improves "clarity by removing unnecessary technical elements such as platform architecture." However, important identifiers such as date prefixes, the KB number, and build and version remain. This way, users should be able to recognize updates faster.

Among the new features of the Insider Preview mentioned by Microsoft are details such as a tidier context menu in File Explorer and an optimized dark mode. Among other things, progress bars and diagram views have been adapted to the dark design to improve readability. In addition, the manufacturer has updated important actions such as copy, move, and delete in both the standard and extended views.

New Features

For pen input, Windows now supports haptic feedback on the desktop – provided the pen supports it. Windows will also control the backlight of HID-compliant keyboards to save power. Microsoft has also moved keyboard settings for "character repeat delay and rate" and "cursor blink rate" from the Control Panel to Settings.

For Copilot+ PCs, the Insider Preview – as a phased rollout – brings some new features: Apps can now be shared directly from the taskbar with Copilot. The "Search Results" menu now also displays available results, making it easier to find and change settings. A scroll bar can be used to display all search results.

The "Click to Do" context menu now has an optimized design that makes it easier to access frequently used actions such as copy, save, share, and open. It is also new that the context menu automatically opens when a large image or table is displayed on the screen, allowing quick access to actions and display of results.

With the update, Microsoft is also expanding access to Windows Studio Effects: The AI-powered camera effects can now also be used with an external USB webcam.

Known Bugs

The Insider Preview still has a few known bugs: In dark mode, File Explorer may briefly flash white when opened. After that, files and folders are still loaded. Microsoft is working on fixing this problem and will provide further details as soon as a fix is available.

More serious, however, is that the icon for logging in with a password may not be displayed in the Windows login dialog. However, hovering over it with the mouse reveals that it is actually there. Affected users should click the placeholder and enter their password, which, according to Microsoft, works as a temporary measure. The company is working on a solution.

Microsoft points out that there will be no further non-security preview updates in December due to the holidays and the turn of the year. The monthly security update will "continue to be available as planned." "Regular monthly servicing, including security updates and non-security preview updates, will resume in January 2026," the company explains. Microsoft offers an overview of all new features in the Insider Preview on its website.

(afl)