Microsoft recently released two new Windows 11 Insider builds for users in the Canary and Beta Channels. Windows 11 Build 26244 is available for those in the Canary Channel, while those in the Beta Channel can install Windows 11 Build 22635.3858. The Canary Channel build includes a controversial advertisement in the Settings app and a prompt to add a recovery email for your Microsoft account.
Windows 11 Insiders now have the opportunity to update their PCs with the latest builds from Microsoft. The updates, rolled out last Friday, bring new features and fixes for Windows 11 users to test out. Notable changes include a new ad in the Settings menu and enhancements to backing up settings. The new ad within the Settings app, currently in testing, is expected to be released to general users later this month with a Patch Tuesday update. This feature is already available in a preview build of Windows 11 and will only be visible to users who play games on their PC and have a Microsoft account on Windows 11 Home or Pro.
Windows 11 Build 26244: Changes and Improvements
General
This update includes a small set of general improvements and fixes to enhance the overall experience for Insiders running this build on their PCs.
Windows Backup
If you have both Personalization and Other Windows settings toggled on under Settings > Accounts > Windows backup, many of your sound settings, including chosen sound scheme, will be backed up and can be restored via the Windows Backup app.
Settings
- A new banner with an “Add now” button under Settings > Account will prompt users to add a recovery email address for their Microsoft account if they haven’t done so yet. This feature will only appear for users signed in with a Microsoft account.
- Insiders who actively play games on their PC will see a new Game Pass recommendation card on the Settings homepage. This card will only be displayed on the Home and Pro editions of Windows 11 for users signed in with their Microsoft account.
- Links for the Fonts Control Panel page will now redirect to the Fonts settings page at Settings > Personalization > Fonts. However, users can still access the Fonts Control Panel UI by navigating to the system fonts folder in File Explorer, with a link provided on the Font settings page.
Windows 11 Build 22635.3858: Changes and Improvements
File Explorer
Preview thumbnail titles in the taskbar, ALT + Tab, and Task View for File Explorer windows will now indicate if the window includes multiple tabs.
Windows Share
Minor UI changes have been made to simplify the Windows share window by removing the search box.
For Developers
The logic for the “End Task” option in the taskbar has been updated to no longer show a Not Responding dialog before ending the task.
Other
The Run dialog now follows text scaling settings (Settings > Accessibility > Text size).
