The latest Windows 11 Experimental Preview Build 29591.1000 introduces significant updates, giving users more control over updates by allowing indefinite pause extensions and clearer installation details. A new shared audio feature enables simultaneous streaming to two Bluetooth headsets, enhancing the user experience for shared listening. Additionally, the storage management interface has been improved by delaying User Account Control prompts until users attempt to clear temporary files, making it less intrusive. Insiders are reminded that this early build is for testing and may undergo changes, emphasizing the importance of providing consistent feedback

Windows 11 Experimental Build 28020 introduces enhancements for update control, including the ability to pause updates indefinitely and skip installations during initial setup. It also addresses a network discovery bug that often caused the Simple Service Discovery Protocol to freeze on busy home networks. However, users should be aware that the local system reset function has a known issue, requiring them to use the cloud download method instead. As this is an experimental preview, it is advisable to test it on secondary hardware before relying on it for daily tasks

Windows 11 Insider Build 26300.8493 introduces several significant features, including the ability to move the taskbar to any screen edge and a compact mode for better screen real estate on smaller displays. The update also enhances widget notifications, prioritizes local files in Windows Search, and expands voice dictation capabilities to Spanish and French, improving overall user experience. Performance optimizations for logon speed and fixes for issues like the Recycle Bin properties are included, although a known bug requires users to opt for cloud download when resetting their PCs. Users are encouraged to test these new features and provide feedback to help refine them before they are released in stable versions

Windows 11 Insider Beta Preview Build 26220.8474 has been released, featuring expanded Fluid Dictation support for Spanish and French that operates on local models for improved privacy and speed. The update also resolves a significant File Explorer issue that had previously disrupted the Properties menu for system folders like the Recycle Bin. Additionally, it includes background improvements for SSDP network notifications and enhances the stability of DISM cleanup commands, though users are advised to use cloud downloads for machine resets to avoid known hanging issues. Overall, this release focuses on practical fixes that enhance daily workflows rather than introducing flashy new features, encouraging users to keep backups ready

Windows 11 Insider Release Preview Build 28000 introduces several enhancements, including a cleaner Xbox mode for gaming and expanded File Explorer archive support without the need for third-party tools. The update also features improved input handling with haptic feedback for compatible pens, a redesigned voice typing interface, and better Arabic keyboard options. Security measures have been tightened by removing automatic trust for cross-signed drivers and adding protections against script tampering, while various quality fixes enhance overall performance and reliability. Users are encouraged to monitor driver enforcement timelines and test essential peripherals before implementing updates in production environments

The latest Windows 11 Insider Release Preview Build 26100.8514/26200.8514 introduces several performance enhancements and hardware tracking tools aimed at improving daily workflows. Notable updates include the ability to track Neural Processing Unit (NPU) usage in Task Manager, multi-app camera support to eliminate streaming conflicts, and shared Bluetooth audio capabilities for two paired devices without additional configuration. Additionally, minor adjustments such as accepting gigabyte inputs in storage dialogs and streamlining background indexing and UAC prompts contribute to a more efficient user experience. As the update rolls out gradually, users are advised to verify the build number and allow the system to complete its updates before engaging in heavy workloads

Windows Terminal version 1.24.11321.0 has been released, bringing several improvements aimed at enhancing user experience and performance. The update removes the sluggish store license check at startup, improves mouse mode text selection, and ensures custom tab titles remain consistent after sessions. Additionally, fixes for a neovim window resizing bug and the introduction of a configurable URL warning dialog have been implemented, along with multiple memory leak patches. Overall, this release focuses on stability and usability rather than introducing flashy new features, making it suitable for daily use

Visual Studio Code 1.120 has been released, moving the Agents window into stable status and enhancing session management and remote execution capabilities. The update improves token tracking for Bring Your Own Key models and introduces AI risk badges for terminal commands, as well as automatic output compression to optimize context window usage. Additionally, a new Markdown diff renderer is included, providing a more user-friendly experience when reviewing changes, while older preview features have been retired to streamline the interface. Extension developers will benefit from new APIs that enable better customization and integration of diff interfaces, making it easier to create tailored editing experiences

Visual Studio Code 1.119.1 has been released, featuring critical security patches that address remote code execution vulnerabilities in webviews and Jupyter notebook markdown rendering. The update also resolves MCP deeplink installation failures and restricts sensitive file access within chat tools to prevent data exposure. Users are encouraged to install the update over their existing setup, while also testing terminal integrations to ensure functionality. The development team is now focusing on stabilizing the next feature branch following the closure of the current release cycle

The Windows 11 Insider Experimental Build 29585.1000 introduces a more compact voice typing interface that no longer takes over the entire screen, allowing for a smoother workflow. The update also addresses a sign-in persistence glitch, stabilizing app authentication and improving Japanese input methods under Administrator Protection. Additionally, Microsoft has made backend adjustments to printer driver hardware IDs in preparation for upcoming ranking changes and the deprecation of third-party printer software. Users running this early-access build should expect occasional instability and are encouraged to provide feedback through the Feedback Hub for any issues encountered

Windows 11 Insider Experimental Preview Build 28020.2075 has been released, offering performance improvements such as faster clipboard history access and enhanced typing reliability for the ADLaM keyboard layout. Additionally, the update refines the Leelawadee UI font family to improve glyph sequencing and positioning for Thai, Lao, Khmer, and Lontara scripts. Testers should be aware that this experimental build may experience occasional instability and should report any issues through the Feedback Hub. Microsoft employs a Controlled Feature Rollout strategy for these updates, meaning changes may be rolled out gradually and may not be available to all testers at once

The Windows 11 Insider Experimental Preview Build 26300.8376 introduces new precision touchpad settings, allowing users to control scroll speed and enable edge scrolling without third-party tools. It also includes important stability fixes for File Explorer, improving path handling, file size display, and rename operations. Additionally, schools can now upgrade Windows 11 Home to Pro Education for free using a simple command prompt script, streamlining device management for IT departments. Background patches enhance system performance and reliability, although users should be aware that these experimental features may change as Microsoft tests their viability

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Beta Preview Build 26220.8370 to the beta channel, addressing issues with app hangs and broken notifications, as well as fixing desktop shortcut icons. This update also introduces a free upgrade path from Windows 11 Home to Pro Education for K-12 schools, allowing IT administrators to convert devices without purchasing new licenses using Clipupgrade.exe. The changes will be rolled out gradually, meaning not all users will receive the update at the same time, and feedback on any issues should be submitted through the Feedback Hub. Additionally, the update includes a note that reverting from Pro Education back to Home requires a full OS reinstall, making it advisable to test on spare hardware first

The Windows Package Manager 1.29 preview introduces a source priority system for better control over package search rankings and conflict resolution, along with enhanced export commands that capture custom installer arguments for easier software migrations. Automation features have been improved with cleaner output and better GitHub API authentication to avoid rate limit issues, while several backend fixes address common errors that disrupt silent installations. The new source priority allows administrators to assign numerical values to package repositories, streamlining the resolution of duplicate package conflicts. Overall, this preview focuses on practical improvements for power users managing software on multiple machines, with a reminder to test cautiously due to potential bugs

Visual Studio Code 1.119 introduces enhanced AI agent controls, allowing developers to manage tab sharing explicitly and reducing approval prompts through an improved sandbox mode. The update also features OpenTelemetry tracing for better observability of token usage and a new experimental background manager that optimizes task management, allowing the main model to focus on coding. Markdown preview toggling has been simplified with dedicated toolbar buttons, and webview performance has been improved by switching to CSS anchor positioning to eliminate lag. Additionally, the migration to TypeScript 7 significantly speeds up type checking, and the controversial Edit Mode will be permanently removed in version 1.125, giving teams time to adapt

Visual Studio Code 1.118.1 has been released as a patch to fix a regression that broke the GitHub Copilot CLI in version 1.118, which caused terminal command execution failures. This update restores proper command functionality for developers who were facing errors or silent failures after upgrading. The patch can be easily applied through the built-in installer, ensuring that user settings and extensions remain intact, though users are advised to test it in isolated workspaces before broader deployment. Microsoft acted quickly to address the issue instead of waiting for the next monthly release, allowing users to regain their normal coding workflow without hassle

Windows Package Manager 1.29.160 preview has been released, introducing a source priority feature that allows users to control the order of search results and automatically resolves overlapping package matches. It also enhances export and import commands by preserving custom installer arguments, simplifying the process of replicating installation configurations across machines. Additionally, automation workflows benefit from a new progress suppression flag, automatic GitHub token authentication for higher API limits, and expanded upgrade parameters for AI agents. Several bug fixes have been implemented to improve reliability, addressing issues with hidden file exports, DSC schema values, and properly quoting paths with spaces

Microsoft has released PowerToys 0.99, introducing the Grab And Move feature, which allows users to drag and resize any window without needing to find title bars, and the new Power Display utility for easy monitor adjustments from the system tray. The update also enhances the Command Palette with stability improvements, a compact dock mode, and a persistent calculator history, while addressing long-standing issues in the Keyboard Manager and ZoomIt. The Image Resizer has been revamped in WinUI for a cleaner look, and advanced paste functionality has been improved for applications like Teams. Users can download the update from GitHub to benefit from these enhancements and report any issues encountered

Windows Server vNext Preview Build 29574 introduces Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) to automatically address boot failures and expands network storage options with NVMe-over-Fabrics support. Microsoft has set Build 29531 as the new baseline, requiring users with older preview builds to perform a clean install to avoid breaking their environments. The release also enables ReFS Boot but warns that improper partition management could lead to systems being locked out, necessitating fresh installations. Additionally, there are potential licensing issues for Server Core environments, and users are advised to download the latest ISO directly while avoiding incremental upgrades

The Windows 11 Insider Experimental Preview Build 29576 introduces significant improvements, including moving audio configuration settings from the legacy Control Panel to the modern Settings app, streamlining the management of multiple sound devices. Additionally, it features a point-in-time restore option in the recovery environment, allowing users to quickly roll back system states following problematic updates or driver issues. Task Manager also receives enhancements, with new columns for monitoring neural processing unit activity and AppContainer isolation, providing users insights into local AI workloads. As this build is part of an experimental channel, users are advised to test it on secondary machines due to potential instability and ongoing feature rollouts