microsoft has been deployed windows 11 Internal construction 26220.8925 to the Beta channel, introducing new controls for precise scrolling and zooming on the touchpad, faster scrolling, section-level Start menu toggling, and several updates to File Explorer, according to Windows Insider release notes and Windows Central reports.
This build is among five Insider updates released at the same time in the Beta, Experimental, and Release Preview channels. Microsoft notes that it is working to get all flight releases back on schedule after a series of updates that were not aligned with its usual Friday release cycle.
What’s new in Windows 11 Insider Build 26220.8925 and other trial versions
Five builds have been released for Windows Insiders: Beta Preview Build 26220.8925, Experimental Preview Build 26300.8935, Beta (26H1) Preview Build 28020.2539, Release Preview Builds 26100.8942 and 26200.8942, as well as Build 28000.2597.
According to Windows Central, due to the structure of the new Windows Insider program, some of these changes have already been experienced by certain testers in previous flights. Build 26220.8925 includes the most important set of user updates.
Microsoft is introducing gesture-related settings for precision touchpads within the Settings app. This build includes two new controls. One adjusts the scroll and zoom speed to set the baseline for the gestures. The other enables accelerated scrolling, which increases scrolling speed when gestures are repeated, facilitating faster navigation through long documents.
Microsoft states that these features are designed to work in most applications without the need for per-app configuration. While WinUI3-based interfaces rely on newer versions of WinAppSDK for full functionality, Microsoft says it is updating WinAppSDK to versions 1.8 and 2.0 to support these features.
Start menu layout changes, File Explorer tweaks, and Braille Narrator support
The changes to the Start menu follow plans laid out in Microsoft’s blog post titled “Make the taskbar and Start more personal.” The update introduces several new features: the Recommended section has been renamed Recent in both the Start menu and Settings page; Users can now toggle the visibility of the Pinned, Recent, and All sections independently; there’s an option to switch between a small and large Start menu, in addition to the existing Automatic setting; Users can choose to hide their name and profile photo on Home; and the Settings page for the Start menu has been redesigned.
The section-level changes address a common request from users who wanted to be able to remove the Recommended section entirely without using registry edits or third-party tools.
File sizes in the Details view are now displayed in appropriate units, such as KB, MB, and GB, instead of just KB. You can now middle-click to open a folder in a new tab in both the address bar and the home page. Improved screen reader announcements when resolving file conflicts during move and copy operations.
Narrator now supports refreshable braille displays that use the HID standard. Compatible HID displays connect via USB with no additional setup, and Microsoft lists the Orbit Reader 20, Orbit Slate 340, Freedom Scientific Focus 40, and APH Mantis Q40 as compatible models. Bluetooth HID braille displays can be paired through Settings, then Bluetooth and devices, similar to other accessories.
HID braille displays also operate during initial Windows setup via USB, allowing deafblind users to complete setup independently of the first display. Braille input and output options can be configured in Settings, then Accessibility, then Narrator, then Braille.
Account Control Changes, Bug Fixes, and How to Test These Features in the Beta Channel
The Account Control side menu in Windows 11 has been redesigned to include a subscription badge that shows account status, plan details, and available updates.
Microsoft also fixed an issue that could cause recent Insider builds to fail to install with error 0xc0000409, as well as improving the persistence of mouse cursor size settings.
Internal users using build 26220.8925 can access the new controls through the Settings app. To find the scroll and zoom speed control and the toggle for accelerated scrolling, go to Settings, then Bluetooth & devices, and then Touchpad.
For the redesigned Home settings page, navigate to Settings, then Personalization, then Home, which now includes section toggling, sizing options, and the profile visibility control. To configure HID braille display input and output, open Settings, then Accessibility, then Narrator, and finally Braille.
Devices must be enrolled in the Windows Insider Program Beta channel to receive build 26220.8925. Touchpad configuration requires a precision touchpad and the behavior of WinUI3 applications may be incomplete until updated versions of WinAppSDK are available.
Microsoft has not announced when these changes to the touchpad, Start menu, or File Explorer will be available in the Windows 11 stable release channel. Features in Insider builds can still be modified or removed before release to the general public. Typically, Microsoft rolls out Beta Channel updates to a subset of testers before making them available to everyone.
