Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7535 (KB5072046) to the Dev & Beta Channels.
As a reminder, we are offering the same builds to both the Dev & Beta Channels on Windows 11, version 25H2.
If you are an Insider in the Dev Channel, you now have a window to switch from the Dev Channel to the Beta Channel if you would like. This window is soon closing.
Important: Once we move Dev Channel forward to a higher build number, the opportunity to switch between these channels will close until a future opportunity becomes available.
Note: Insiders who previously had trouble switching channels should be able to do so now.
Changes in Dev & Beta Channel builds and updates are documented in two buckets: new features, improvements, and fixes that are being gradually rolled out for Insiders who have turned on the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available (via Settings > Windows Update*) and then new features, improvements, and fixes rolling out to everyone in the Dev & Beta Channels. For more information, see the Reminders section at the bottom of this blog.
New features gradually being rolled out with toggle on*
Bringing Copilot-powered image descriptions to Narrator
Last year, we introduced rich image descriptions in Narrator on Copilot+ PCs—making it possible for blind and low-vision users to hear detailed, AI-generated descriptions of images, charts, and graphs.
Narrator can now work with Copilot on all Windows 11 devices to further understand images and visual elements on your screen. You can press Narrator key + Ctrl + D to describe the focused image or press Narrator key + Ctrl + S to describe the full screen. Copilot opens with the image ready, allowing you to enter your own prompt and generate a description tailored to what you want to know. Importantly, the image is only shared after you choose to describe it. You remain in control at every step.
On Copilot+ PCs, Narrator continues to provide instant, on-device image descriptions using local AI. Press Narrator key + Ctrl + D/S, and Narrator immediately reads a rich description—highlighting people, objects, colors, text, numbers, and layout. When you want more detail or follow-up insights, simply select Ask Copilot to continue exploring.
This feature is not available in the European Economic Area (EEA).
FEEDBACK: Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Accessibility > Narrator.
Uninstalling Microsoft Copilot App on managed devices
Admins can now uninstall Microsoft Copilot for a user in a targeted way by enabling a new policy titled RemoveMicrosoftCopilotApp. It will apply for devices/users that meet the below conditions:
- Microsoft 365 Copilot and Microsoft Copilot are both installed
- The Microsoft Copilot app was not installed by the user
- The Microsoft Copilot app was not launched in the last 28 days
If this policy is enabled, the Microsoft Copilot app will be uninstalled, once. Users can still re-install if they choose to. This policy is available on Enterprise, Pro, and EDU SKUs.
To enable this policy, open the Group policy editor and go to: User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows AI -> Remove Microsoft Copilot App.
FEEDBACK: Please share your feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Desktop Environment > Taskbar.
Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out with toggle on*
[For Developers]
- We’re excited to share an enhancement to the Cross Device Resume capability that we announced earlier. Until now, app developers could integrate with Resume using a solution based on the Link to Windows app. We’ve now introduced an additional integration path leveraging the Windows Notification System (WNS). This additional option expands the scope of users to whom you can offer Resume capability, while delivering the same seamless experience on Windows. We invite developers to explore onboarding with this new capability alongside the existing integration method. Together, these options help maximize continuity across devices. Use WNS Notifications to implement Cross Device Resume (XDR) – Windows apps | Microsoft Learn.
[Windows Spotlight]
- The Windows Spotlight icon is getting refreshed. The new icon flight was started in late December for a small set of Insiders.
Fixes gradually being rolled out with toggle on*
[Start menu]
- Fixed an issue where the edge of the warning dialog shown when shutting down your PC while other users were still signed in was truncated by the edge of the Start menu.
[File Explorer]
- Fixed an issue which was causing explorer.exe to crash for some Insiders when invoking the context menu on the desktop recently.
[Input]
- Fixed an issue which could lead to a black flash when using a pen to ink in Snipping Tool.
[Print]
- Fixed an issue which could lead to two print dialogs appearing when you opened print instead of just one.
- Fixed the color of the close button the print dialog to be consistent with other windows.
- Fixed an issue where the text on the Printers and Scanners page in Settings could become truncated and unreadable.
[Windows Update]
- Fixed an issue which could lead to the Windows Update settings page hanging when loading.
Known issues
[Xbox full screen experience for PC]
- Some apps may behave unexpectedly when using FSE, particularly those that expect to be locked to a given size or launch additional windows.
[Taskbar & System Tray]
- We’re working on the fix for an issue which is causing the Start menu to not open for some Insiders on click, although it will open if you press the Windows key. This issue may also potentially impact the notification center (which you can open with WIN + N) and quick settings (WIN + A).
- We’re investigating an issue where for some Insiders apps aren’t showing in the system tray when they should be.
- We’re working on the fix for an issue in the latest builds where, when the taskbar is set to autohide, it might invoke before interacting with the bottom of the screen, blocking the use of apps in that area.
[Settings]
- [NEW] We’re working on the fix for an issue causing Settings to crash when interacting with audio devices.
[Bluetooth]
- We’re working on the fix for an issue causing Bluetooth device battery level to not show for some Insiders.
[Click to Do]
- We’re investigating an issue where the Microsoft 365 Copilot prompt box on selected images does not function if the Microsoft 365 Copilot app is not running.
Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Dev & Beta Channels
- Updates are based on Windows 11, version 25H2 via an enablement package (Build 26220.xxxx).
- Many features are rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time as we monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.
- For Windows Insiders who want to be the first to get features gradually rolled out to you, you can turn ON the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available via Settings > Windows Update*. Over time, we will increase the rollouts of features to everyone with the toggle turned on. Should you keep this toggle off, new features will gradually be rolled out to your PC over time once they are ready.
- Features and experiences included in these builds may never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features may change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they’re ready.
- Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders may not be fully localized and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, please report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.
- Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.
Thanks,
Windows Insider Program Team
Source: https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2026/01/09/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-26220-7535-dev-beta-channels/
