Windows Insider Canary Channel Gets New Dev Channel Features

Microsoft has just released two new Windows 11 preview builds for Insiders on the Canary and Dev Channel. The Canary build 25915 brings several new features that Microsoft has been testing on the Dev Channel recently, while the Dev build 23511 brings changes to Windows Spotlight, notifications in System Tray, and Phone Link.

What’s new in the Canary build 25915

There are several new features from the Dev Channel in this build, plus changes to how the Dynamic Refresh Rate (DRR) feature works. The Windows Insider team has also fixed the compatibility issue that was preventing Insiders with Asus devices or Asus motherboards to install the previous build.

Here are the main changes in this build you should know about:

Modernized File Explorer Home: The new UI shows a carousel with Recommended files for users signed into Windows with an Azure AD account. Microsoft has also redesigned the Quick Access folders, Favorites, and Recent sections.

Passkeys support: Windows Insiders can use Windows Hello to create and sign in using passkeys on any app or website that supports them. Saved passkeys for apps and websites can also be managed from the Settings app.

Taskbar never combined mode: This top-requested feature will let Insiders see each window of their applications on the taskbar individually. The feature is rolling out gradually and it can be enabled in Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors.

New Outlook for Windows: The new web-based Outlook for Windows is now available as an inbox app. It’s set to replace the Windows Mail and Calendar apps in 2024.

Graphics improvements: Windows 11 now supports different refresh rates across different monitors. The Dynamic Refresh Rate feature has also been changed to make Windows remain at a lower refresh rate when Battery Saver is enabled on laptops and tablets.

What’s new in the Dev build 23511

The Windows 11 Insider build 23511 brings improvements to Windows Spotlight, a new notification bell in the system tray, and a new option to disable Phone Link completely. Microsoft has also turned off the Windows Copilot Preview on devices managed by an Azure AD account, but this is just a temporary change. Moreover, the new Settings homepage that Microsoft first introduced in the build 23493 is once again rolling out after Microsoft fixed instability issues.

Here are the main changes you should know about in the build 23511:

Windows Spotlight: Microsoft is introducing a new Windows Spotlight experience that lets users preview images at full screen and learn more about each image.

Camera notifications: Insiders will now see notifications when Windows 11 detects that a camera failing to start or a closed camera shutter.

Notification bell in system tray: The system tray area of Windows 11 will now display a notification bell that will colorize when new notifications are available

Richer previews in Start Menu: Insiders logged in with an Azure AD account will now see richer previews when hovering over files in the Recommended section of the Start Menu.

Disable Phone Link: Microsoft is rolling out a new option to disable Phone Link completely on Windows 11. It’s available under Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Phone Link.

That’s it for the biggest changes coming today to Insiders on the Canary and Dev Channels. Yesterday, Microsoft also released bug-fixing updates for Beta Channel testers.

Next week, Microsoft will kick off the next Windows Insider Bug Bash on Wednesday, August 2. All Insiders on the Canary, Dev, and Beta channels are invited to participate and report any bugs they find in the latest features currently available in Windows 11 preview builds.