Microsoft has rolled out a fresh wave of Windows Insider builds, continuing its push to refine the operating system ahead of broader releases. The latest drop centers on Beta Preview Build 26220.8925, which delivers a substantial package of touchpad enhancements, Start menu refinements, and system-level tweaks. According to Microsoft’s release notes, the company is actively working to stabilize all Insider channels, but this build offers a clear look at where Windows 11 is heading for power users and everyday users alike.
While the update touches several areas, the most notable shifts land in how you interact with your laptop and navigate the desktop. Below is a breakdown of the key changes, what they actually do, and how they impact your daily routine.
#1 Precision Touchpad Gesture Controls
The headline feature in Build 26220.8925 is a new layer of gesturing functionality built directly into Windows Settings for precision touchpads. Rather than relying on individual app developers to implement custom scroll or zoom behaviors, Microsoft is standardizing these inputs at the system level. This means the improvements will work consistently across WinUI3-based applications and most third-party software without requiring separate updates.
The update introduces two primary controls: scroll and zoom speed, which let you adjust the baseline sensitivity for these gestures, and accelerated scrolling. Accelerated scrolling is particularly useful for long documents or web pages; repeatedly swiping in one direction progressively increases the scroll speed, allowing you to traverse massive files much faster than a fixed rate permits.
Microsoft notes that full functionality for WinUI3 apps will require updates to the WinAppSDK versions 1.8 and 2.0, which are currently being integrated. For the average user, however, the immediate benefit is a more responsive and customizable touchpad experience that should feel native across the board.
#2 Start Menu Customization and Layout
The Start menu continues to evolve with a series of personalization tweaks first outlined in Microsoft’s earlier taskbar and Start improvement blog. The most visible change is the renaming of the “Recommended” section to “Recent,” which better reflects the actual content displayed there.
More importantly, Microsoft has added section-level toggles that allow you to independently show or hide the Pinned, Recent, and All apps sections. This gives you granular control over the desktop layout, letting you declutter the Start menu or prioritize specific content without relying on third-party tools. Additionally, users can now choose between small and large Start menu sizes, alongside the existing Automatic option.
The update also introduces a privacy-focused option to hide your name and profile picture from the Start menu. This is a welcome addition for shared or public PCs where displaying account information might be undesirable. The settings page itself has been redesigned to accommodate these new options more cleanly.
#3 File Explorer and Accessibility Upgrades
File Explorer receives practical improvements in Build 26220.8925, starting with how file sizes are displayed. The Details view now shows appropriate units (KB, MB, and GB) instead of defaulting to KB-only, making it easier to gauge storage usage at a glance. This small change reduces the mental math required when managing large media libraries or backup folders.
Navigation also gets a boost with middle-click support for opening folders in new tabs. This functionality now works in both the address bar and the Home page, creating a more consistent tabbed browsing experience that matches modern web browser behavior. For users who rely heavily on File Explorer for workflow management, this reduces the need to constantly open new windows.
On the accessibility front, Narrator now supports HID-standard refreshable braille displays. Users can connect compatible devices like the Orbit Reader 20 or Freedom Scientific Focus 40 via USB or Bluetooth without additional configuration. Notably, these displays now function during the initial Windows Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE), allowing deaf-blind users to set up their devices independently from the very first screen.
#4 Account Control, System Fixes, and Input Tweaks
The Windows 11 Account Control flyout has been refreshed with a modern design and a clear subscription badge. This makes it easier to identify your current plan, view associated benefits, and explore upgrade options without digging through multiple settings menus.
Under the hood, Microsoft has fixed a recurring issue where recent Insider flights would fail to install, triggering error code 0xc0000409. This addresses a frustration that affected multiple Insider channels and should result in smoother update cycles for testers. Additionally, mouse cursor size persistence has been improved, meaning your preferred cursor scale will now carry over more reliably between sessions and displays.
What This Means for You
These changes signal Microsoft’s continued push to make Windows 11 feel more cohesive and responsive, particularly on laptops. The standardized touchpad gestures and Start menu toggles reduce reliance on third-party utilities and give users more direct control over their interface. The accessibility improvements, especially the HID braille display support during setup, demonstrate a meaningful step toward inclusive design. For most users, the immediate impact is a smoother, more customizable daily experience without requiring significant adjustments to your workflow.
How to Get It
To test these changes, you will need to join the Windows Insider Program and switch to the Beta Channel. Build 26220.8925 is currently available for testing, while the Release Preview builds (26100.8942 and 26200.8942) are aimed at users preparing for the next major feature update. You can opt in via Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program. Keep in mind that Insider builds are pre-release software and may contain instability, so it is advisable to use a secondary device or virtual machine for testing.
Source: Latest from Windows Central
Build details:
- 26H1
- Build 26100.8942
- Build 26300.8935
- Build 28000.2597
- Build 28020.2539
Over to you: Are you relying on the new touchpad gesture controls, or do you prefer your current mouse setup?
