Microsoft Releases a Record Seven Windows 11 Insider Builds

The simplification of Microsoft’s Windows Insider program is going well, as the company just released a record seven Insider builds across all Channels. There are two different builds on the Beta and Release Preview Channels, respectively, plus three new builds for each flavor of the new “Experimental” Channel.

If you’re wondering why Microsoft needs to release so many different preview builds, as I am, you can find links below to the release notes for each of them:

• Experimental (Future Platforms): Build 29610.1000
• Experimental (26H1): Build 28120.2302
• Experimental (25H2): Build 26300.8687
• Beta (26H1): Build 28020.2298
• Beta (25H2): Build 26220.8680
• Release Preview (26H1): Build 28000.2333
• Release Preview (24H2/25H2): Build 26100.8728/26200.8728

This is certainly not easy to make sense of all of this, but I’ll do my best by highlighting the most important changes. The Experimental (25H2), Beta (25H2), and Release Preview (25H2) Channels are getting the most significant updates today. As usual, the new 26H1 builds for the Experimental, Beta, and Release Preview Channels are just getting features that are already available on 25H2 builds… which makes me really wonder why you would want to test 26H1 builds in the first place. And as a reminder, Microsoft already said that Windows 11 26H1 won’t be able to update to the next version of Windows 11 (26H2?) coming later this year, as 26H1 is a “targeted release” for new PCs shipping with ARM silicon.

But back to today’s Windows Insider flights. I’ll list below the main new features released today, and the Channels were you can test them:

Less disruptive Windows Update experience (Experimental channel): Windows Update will now reduce the number of necessary reboots to a single monthly restart by coordinating driver, .NET, and firmware updates to align with the monthly Patch Tuesday update.

Windows Search improvements (Experimental Channel): Windows Search is getting better at handling typos, dropped letters, extra letters, and partial words for apps like “utlook.” It should also be easier to surface the right Windows Settings thanks to ranking improvements.

Screen tint (Beta 26H1, Beta 25H2, and Release Preview 25H2): This new accessibility feature applies a color overlay across the entire display to reduce eye strain.

Quieter Widgets (Beta 25H2, Release Preview 25H2/24H2): To reduce distractions, Widgets no longer open on hover, and Insiders will also see reduced alerts and an updated taskbar badge behavior. To to optimize memory use, Widgets will also have a smaller default memory footprint, especially on devices with lower memory capacity.

Magnifier zoom controls (Beta 25H2, Release Preview 25H2/24H2): Magnifier now offers preset step increments for zoom levels, and Insiders can also type an exact zoom percentage directly in the magnifier toolbar

Bluetooth connectivity improvements (Release Preview 25H2/24H2): Microsoft is improving compatibility with certain Bluetooth audio devices such as Apple’s AirPods, which will now appear faster in pairing mode. The update also improves the reliability of microphones on Beats Studio Pro headphones, and it also reduces the time it takes for Bluetooth audio devices to reconnect after Windows resumes from sleep.

Voice access and voice typing improvements: Insiders can now use the voice access and voice typing accessibility features in French, German, and Spanish.

Right-click settings on touchpads: On PCs with touchpads with a pressable surface, it’s now possible to customize the size of the right-click zone in Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad.

The Release Preview (25H2/24H2) Channel is getting the most changes today because Insiders will be testing this month’s optional update for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2, which will be released in the last week of June. All of the included features will also start rolling out gradually to Windows 11 users with next month’s Patch Tuesday update.

Will Microsoft ever release more than seven different Windows 11 Insider builds on a single day? With the new direction the Windows Insider Program is taking, I guess anything is possible.