Microsoft has begun previewing a new Windows 11 update that brings smarter AI features, tighter phone-to-PC continuity, and a slate of usability and security upgrades closer to general release.
The update is now rolling out to Windows Insiders as part of Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2, under builds 26200.7701 and 26100.7701.
According to Microsoft, the Release Preview update expands cross-device experiences and delivers a range of system improvements.
The handoff experience gets a real upgrade
Microsoft is extending its vision of continuity by making it easier for Windows to recognize what users were doing on their phones and carry that activity forward on a PC. The update broadens handoff behavior so tasks don’t feel locked to a single screen, reducing the need to manually reopen apps, documents, or sessions when switching devices.
The changes allow Android phones from Samsung, HONOR, OPPO, vivo, and Xiaomi to pass along active work, including supported apps and files, so users can resume on their PC with less interruption.
More everyday tasks get AI assistance
AI is being woven more tightly into everyday Windows tasks, moving from a single assistant and into places users already interact with the system. The update emphasizes practical support over new tools, keeping the experience familiar while making common actions easier.
Built-in assistance now plays a larger role inside Settings, where users can describe what they want to change in natural language and be guided to the right options. Support has also expanded to more languages, with some of these AI-driven improvements available on Copilot+ PCs.
Voice features get easier to use and customize
Voice-driven features are becoming easier to tailor, giving users more control over how the system listens and responds. Rather than adding new commands, the update refines existing tools to better adapt to individual preferences and speech patterns.
Narrator now lets users choose which details are spoken aloud and adjust the order in which on-screen information is read, making spoken feedback easier to follow and less overwhelming. Voice Access introduces a streamlined setup that simplifies getting started, from downloading the right speech model to selecting a microphone.
Voice Typing also gains a new timing control, allowing users to adjust how long the system waits before acting on a command, helpful for anyone who speaks more slowly, pauses often, or dictates at varying speeds.
Security improvements designed to stay invisible
Several security updates strengthen protection without changing how people use their PCs. The changes operate in the background, supporting authentication and system trust without adding new prompts or visible steps.
Sign-in support now extends Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS) to external fingerprint readers, bringing stronger biometric authentication to desktops and other setups. Smart App Control can be toggled on or off without a clean reinstall, making it easier to manage app protections.
The update also refreshes Secure Boot components and adds automatic rotation for DPAPI domain backup keys, improving cryptographic security in ways most users will never notice but rely on every day.
Small fixes that make the system feel steadier
A range of fixes targets issues that tend to interrupt everyday use, aiming to make the system feel more consistent and reliable.
Fixes include better File Explorer responsiveness, especially in network locations, fixes for startup hangs where the taskbar may not appear, and corrections to Start menu behavior.
The release also addresses lock screen unresponsiveness, unexpected movement of desktop icons, Windows Update stalls, activation failures during upgrades, display issues in multiuser environments, and input setting glitches, small changes that add up to a steadier experience over time.
Gradual release ahead of a wider launch
Access begins through the Release Preview channel for Windows Insiders, with features appearing gradually. What users see can vary based on device type, hardware, and region.
Some capabilities are limited to newer PCs or specific markets, particularly where hardware or regional requirements apply.
Microsoft issued an emergency Office fix after reports of real-world exploitation surfaced.
