🔄 Insider Updates 🔄 🔵Optional Windows 11 preview build 29698.

🔄 Insider Updates 🔄

🔵Optional Windows 11 preview build 29698.1000 released for Insiders in the Experimental (Future Platforms) channel, adding a new Search experience, Quick Settings in Xbox Mode, and several Settings updates. Search now supports direct system actions such as volume and brightness controls, phone actions through Phone Link, richer results with file previews and web answers, and new filters.
Gaming Mode gains easier access to system toggles, while Settings now shows Microsoft 365 Family storage usage and lets eligible users upgrade plans inside the app. Microsoft also temporarily restored the older loading indicator in key system screens while it fixes an issue. A known bug may cause Task Manager’s CPU clock speed to stop updating in real time.
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🔵Windows 11 preview build 28120.3393 is now available in the Experimental (26H1) channel for Insiders. The biggest changes are in Search, which now offers inline controls for settings, phone actions through Phone Link, richer file previews, web answers, and better filtering and feedback tools.
The update also refreshes the AutoPlay dialog for external devices, adds a warning for certain DPAPI encryption methods, and updates the security-key PIN screen. In gaming, Xbox Mode now includes a redesigned Task View with quicker access to desktop and power options.
File Explorer has gained faster Home page loading, better touch scrolling in Featured, clearer file size units, and improved tab navigation. Microsoft also fixed thumbnail preview and address bar issues. For now, the older loading indicator has been temporarily restored in several system scenarios while a problem with the new version is resolved.
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🔵Windows 11 Build 26340.9843 is out to Insiders in the Experimental channel. Similar to the above, it comes  with the new Search experience, Quick Settings in Xbox Mode, and various Settings improvements.
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🔵Windows 11 preview build 28020.3382 released for Beta (26H1) Channel Insiders, with minor fixes and a few notable updates. Search is now cleaner, shows result sources more clearly, and can hide web and Microsoft Store suggestions if you prefer local results only.
Cloud Rebuild also gets stronger controls. You can now erase files from storage devices during recovery, with a secure clean option for keeping, transferring, or recycling a PC. IT admins can remotely run Cloud Rebuild through Recovery CSP.
Microsoft also refreshed the AutoPlay dialog for external media, improving consistency, dark mode support, and text scaling. Finally, the older loading indicator has temporarily returned in key system areas while a bug is fixed.
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🔵Windows 11 build 26220.9836 released for Beta channel Insiders, with several usability and accessibility updates. The biggest change is more granular privacy control for classic desktop apps, letting users allow or deny camera, microphone, and location access on a per-app basis. Existing permission choices stay in place, and corporate policies are unaffected.
The update also refines security-key PIN entry, removes the “Other User” icon, and fixes personalization bugs tied to mouse settings and desktop wallpaper resets.
Other improvements include a new toggle for the Magnifier keyboard shortcut, clearer File Explorer thumbnails, and expanded Narrator support for math in more languages. Microsoft has also temporarily reverted the Windows loading indicator in key system screens while it addresses an issue.