It is Friday, which often means Windows Insiders have new Windows 11 builds to try. Today, Microsoft released build 26300.7939 (Dev Channel) and build 26220.7934 (Beta Channel). Both updates share similar changelogs that include improvements to shared audio, enhancements for security and performance in batch files, and more.
Here is the changelog:
[Enhanced security and performance for batch files]
We are giving administrators and Application Control for Business policy authors additional controls over the processing of batch files and CMD scripts. Starting with this release, administrators may enable a more secure mode for processing batch files that ensures they do not change during execution by adding a value to the registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor named LockBatchFilesInUse (DWORD, value 0 or 1). Policy authors may also use the LockBatchFilesWhenInUse application manifest control documented here to enable this mode.
This enhances the performance and security of batch file processing when code integrity is enabled, as signature validation will only required to be performed a single time, instead of per statement executed in the batch file.
[Shared audio (preview) gets more control]
Shared audio (preview) was first announced last fall, and allows 2 people to share audio between their two capable Bluetooth LE Audio headphones, speakers, earbuds, or hearing aids. With this update Windows now provides individual sliders for each listener which adjusts their volume without affecting the other. You can continue to adjust volume for both listeners at the same time through the main volume controls available through Quick Settings or on-device and keyboard controls.
You’ll also see a new taskbar indicator while you’re sharing, giving a quick reminder that audio is still being shared. Clicking the indicator is a fast path to open sharing settings to change volume or stop sharing.
The LE Audio accessory ecosystem also continues to grow. In addition to the accessories announced before, we’re excited to share that the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro, Sony WF‑1000XM6, and Xbox Wireless Headset all have support for shared audio!
[Narrator]
- Narrator users can now use a new command Narrator key + \ to read contents of status bar in Apps such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc. For example, in Microsoft Word, users can use this to read count of pages or words in a document. In Microsoft Excel, users can select a few data cells and hear sum or average of the data in the selected cells without having to change your focus.
[Taskbar]
- We temporarily paused the rollout of the improved animations when your taskbar is set to autohide, and improved reliability of loading taskbar components in safe mode. Thanks, Insiders, for sharing feedback!
[Storage]
- Improved reliability of removing Windows Update files / windows.old files via Settings > System > Storage.
[Input]
- Improved reliability of typing when using the ADLaM keyboard.
In addition to that, Microsoft released the latest update for Paint in the Beta Channel. Previously, the free rotate tool was only available to insiders in the Dev and Canary Channels, and now, you can try it if your PC is enrolled in the Beta Channel as well.
You can find the announcement post here (Dev) and here (Beta).