Microsoft Releases New Beta and Release Preview Channel Builds

If you have a PC enrolled in the Windows Insider Program, you may have a new Windows 11 pre-release update to install.

There are three new updates, for:

• Release Preview channel, Windows 11 versions and 24H2 25H2
• Beta channel, Windows 11 version 25H2

The Release Preview channel update is KB5077241 and applies to 24H2 and 25H2, as they are functionally identical. New features and other changes include:

• Emoji 16.0
• Windows Backup gets a sign-in restore experience for Windows Backup for Organizations
• Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) now turns on automatically for PCs running Windows 11 Professional devices that are not domain‑joined or enrolled in enterprise endpoint management
• Taskbar-based network speed test in Wi‑Fi or Cellular Quick Settings, or by right-clicking the Network tray icon
• A Microsoft account benefits page in Settings
• Pan and tilt controls in the Settings app for compatible cameras
• Sysmon
• Widgets settings now appears as a full-page experience
• You can now use WEBP images as the desktop wallpaper

As for the Beta channel, KB5077223 will update Windows 11 version 25H2 to build 26220.7859. New features and other changes include:

• Microsoft 365 consumer up-sell to a more expensive tier in Account settings

Yes, seriously. That’s all.

There is not Dev channel build, which is also curious.