Windows 11 Insider Canary build 29531.1000

Hello Windows Insiders, today we’re releasing a new optional update to the Windows 11 Insider Canary Channel, continuing our work to bring you early access to platform changes as they take shape.

As part of this ongoing development, Canary Channel will move forward on two update paths. This will help us validate platform changes at different stages while continuing to deliver new features and experiences to Insiders in the Canary channel.

What this means for Canary Channel Insiders

Today, Windows Insiders in the Canary Channel already have available to preview Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28020.1611. This build path will continue to focus on previewing new features and experiences in Canary for Windows 11, version 26H1, and moving forward will continue to be identified as a 28000 series build.

Available starting today, Insiders can take an optional update under Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates which will move your device to a new active development Build 29531.1000. Once you opt in to this path, future builds will be identified as 29500 series builds and newer. Please note, because of the focus on platform development for this path, you may notice a temporary loss in some features that you have today. These features will return to this new active development build.

Going forward, each Canary Channel build will be announced in its own blog post, so you’ll always know exactly what’s new—and what to expect—based on the build you’re receiving. You can always confirm which build you’re running by typing winver into the Windows search box and selecting About Windows. This will show your exact build number and version.

Choosing the right path for you

We generally recommend that Insiders continue on the update path they’re already on, as this helps maintain stability and predictability within each build population.

That said, some Insiders—especially those who prefer getting the newest platform changes as early as possible—may choose to move to a newer development path when available.

This flexibility allows us to experiment, learn quickly, and incorporate feedback before changes move further along in development.

As a reminder – Insiders can’t switch to a channel that is receiving builds with lower build numbers without doing a clean installation of Windows 11 due to technical setup requirements. This means Insiders can’t go back to 28000 series builds after taking the optional update.

What’s new in Canary Build 29531.1000

Changes and Improvements

This update includes platform changes in moving to a new active development build.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Canary Channel

These builds can be unstable and may be released with limited documentation. Join Windows Insider – Get early access to Windows 11 features & updates
The builds we release to the Canary Channel represent the latest platform changes early in the development cycle and should not be seen as matched to any specific release of Windows. 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.
Many features in the Canary Channel are rolled out using Control 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.
The desktop watermark shown at the lower right corner of the desktop is normal for Windows Insider pre-release builds.
Some features may show up in the Dev and Beta Channels first before showing up in the Canary Channel.
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.
To get off the Canary Channel, a clean install of Windows 11 will be required.
Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.