Windows Insider Preview: Native Sysmon integration nears release

The current preview versions for participants in Windows Insider channels bring numerous minor improvements. Furthermore, native Sysmon support is moving significantly closer to release.

The Windows Insider Preview in the Release Preview Channel brings, for example, for business customers, the recovery function for apps installed from the Microsoft Store and for settings on more devices with Entra login, cloud PCs, and multi-user environments. This is intended to enable a consistent setup process during device replacement, upgrades, or migration processes. On PCs with Windows Pro versions that are not managed in domains or with enterprise endpoint management software, Microsoft now automatically activates Quick Machine Recovery (QMR).

A built-in network speed test is useful, which interested parties can start directly from the taskbar. It is located in the Wi-Fi or mobile quick settings or can be found by right-clicking the network icon in the system tray. This starts the system's default web browser and measures the network connection. Camera settings can now also configure pan and tilt, provided the camera supports it.

Sysmon can now be installed as an optional feature; it is disabled by default. About two weeks ago, the Developer and Beta Insider Previews integrated the function. Now it is very close to general availability. For desktop backgrounds, the Windows preview now also supports images in WebP format. Microsoft lists further minor changes and improvements in the linked announcement, including new emojis from the Emoji 16.0 standard, which now appear in the emoji panel.

Windows Insider Preview in the Beta Channel

Microsoft has also released a new Windows 11 preview version in the Insider Beta Channel. However, it brings significantly fewer innovations. Just like the Release Preview, it improves stability when sending large files with the "Nearby Sharing" function, for example.

In File Explorer, all open tabs could unexpectedly jump back to the desktop or home folder. Additionally, app icons should now appear more reliably in the system tray when the taskbar is set to auto-collapse. Those with a Microsoft 365 Family subscription will now receive an offer for upgrades to other subscription models on the accounts page in settings.

(dmk)