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Microsoft introduces new features and a new operating system version during the first half of November 2025.
The first half of November has come and gone, and in the first weeks, Microsoft has released several preview builds of Windows 11 that reflect virtually all the main changes of the Windows Insider Program.
In addition to the changes rolled out during the last half of October, in the last two weeks, the software giant has made available previews for version 25H2 and 26H1.
Biggest improvements from the Windows Insider Program in November 2025
These are the most significant changes Microsoft has unveiled since the last roundup.
Widgets board redesign
Starting with the release of Windows 11 build 26220.7070 in the Dev and Beta Channels, the company is introducing various changes to the Widgets board.
Although this isn't officially new in this preview, the "Discover" board now features a design inspired by the style elements on the "Discover" page in the Copilot experience on the web. However, it is actually the design that makes sense since the Discover board in the Widgets experience is curated by Coopilot.
(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
In addition, you'll also notice a left rail that allows you to switch between the Discover and Widgets boards. Furthermore, the icons will now show a badge with the number of unseen alerts.
Also, according to the company, this update introduces a new design to manage the feature settings. Under the "Dashboards" section, you rearrange and set the board you want as the default, and you can also disable the "Discover" board.
(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
In addition, you can still control notifications and prevent accidentally opening the Widgets experience when hovering over the Taskbar icon.
Microsoft also notes that clicking the Widgets icons in the Taskbar when the weather information is showing will open the dashboard that has been selected as the default.
Quick Machine Recovery changes
As part of the Quick Machine Recovery feature, on computers that have "Quick Machine Recovery" and "Automatically check for solutions" settings turned on, the feature will, by default, be configured to run the scan for fixes one time, instead of repeating scans in a loop.
(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
If no resolution for the problem is available, the system will show you other recovery options to help you resolve the issue.
Smart App Control improvements
Smart App Control (SAC) isn't a new feature. It has been available for some time in the Windows Security app to help you lock your computer so that only trusted applications can run. However, starting with build 26220.7070, Microsoft is updating it to make it easier to use.
Originally, if the option was available on your computer, you could turn it on after a clean installation of Windows 11. However, if you wanted to turn it off, you had to perform a complete reinstallation of the operating system.
Starting with this preview, it's possible to turn Smart App Control on or off without the need for reinstallation.
(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
The feature is available from Windows Security > App & Browser Control > Smart App Control.
Lock Screen new Widgets settings
Starting with build 27982, the company has finally brought the new "Widgets" options to the Lock Screen settings page, allowing you to manage the widgets that appear before you access the Sign-in page.
(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
Similar to the settings available in the Stable Channel, the "Widgets" settings allow you to show or hide widgets in the Lock Screen, and you can also customize the different settings on each widget (if applicable).
This configuration allows you to show up to four widgets, and if you turn on the "Suggest widgets for your lock screen" option, the unused slots will be filled automatically.
Windows Share improvements
In the Canary Channel, you'll also notice that it's now possible to use the drag tray to share files with the mouse (or touch) from File Explorer or the desktop.
(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
You only need to drag the file to the top of the screen, and then Drag Tray will appear with the related apps you can share the file with, and the "More" option will allow you to open the "Windows Share" interface.
Windows 11 version 26H1
Finally, Microsoft has also recently released build 28000 in the Canary Channel, officially marking the first preview of Windows 11 version 26H1.
(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
As the version implies, the update is expected for release during the first half of 2026, but it's not a major release that will bundle new features. Instead, it's an update to prepare the operating system to support newer hardware, including the upcoming Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 and NVIDIA N1X processors, which are expected to come in new computers.
The company has also mentioned that experimental features will continue to be developed in the Dev and Beta Channels under the version 25H2 branch.
The company will also continue rolling out new features and changes through cumulative updates, a pattern we have already observed. In the near future, we may also hear about the next major feature update, perhaps version 26H2, or whatever name the company assigns it.
Experimental agentic features
As part of the ongoing process of making Windows 11 an agenetic OS, starting with the release of build 26220.7262, the software giant is adding new agenetic AI components to the operating system.
These new features allow apps, such as Copilot, to perform automated everyday tasks (such as organizing files, scheduling meetings, or sending emails), but functionality is still limited.
Furthermore, during the initial preview, Microsoft is using a separate Windows 11 session as the isolated space (agent workspace) for the AI to work. In the future, the company will offer lightweight and secure virtualization environments to perform AI tasks.
The experience is disabled by default, and you can enable it manually from Settings > System > AI components by turning on the "Experimental agentic features" toggle.
(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
Microsoft has also published additional details about the current implementation and security risks when using agentic features.
It's important to note that the agentic features are currently available on Copilot+ PCs as well as on traditional computers.
Click to Do new context menu
Microsoft is also redesigning the menu to access the different AI actions from Click to Do. The new menu presents common tasks using icons for Copy, Save, Share, and Open.
(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
In addition, the company is updating the Click to Do tutorial and adding a new "Launch Tutorial" button.
Haptic feedback for pens
If you have a digital pen that supports haptic feedback, after installing build 26220.7262, the pen will produce tactile responses during specific actions on the screen, including vibrations as you hover over the close button and as you snap or resize windows.
Narrator and Magnifier with HD Voices
Narrator and Magnifier now use on-device text-to-speech models to produce high-definition voices that use generative AI to deliver clearer, more natural-sounding speech.
(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)
According to the company, these voices are available in English (US), and they can help reduce listening fatigue and boost focus, especially during long reading sessions.
Furthermore, Narrator now supports structured math reading in the Word app, making equations more transparent and more intuitive for users with vision difficulties.
Hope you enjoyed this news post. Feedback welcome.
Posted Thursday 20 November 2025 at 4:09 am AEST (my time).
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