Microsoft has just rolled out Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27723 to users in the Canary Channel, introducing some exciting new features and improvements, along with a few fixes. If you’re part of this testing group, here’s what you can expect in the latest release. What’s New in Build 27723?
1. Taskbar Search
If you’re someone who often uses the taskbar search, you’ll love this new feature. Microsoft is adding the ability to share local files directly from the search results. For example, if you’re searching for a notepad file, you will now get the Share option in the right column – no need to open extra windows or apps. This small change could save you time when managing your local files.
2. Voice Access
Microsoft is also improving the voice access feature, particularly for spelling and corrections. Users should now experience faster dictation, allowing them to spell out characters quickly and make corrections throughout an entire voice access session. With the added commands for selection, deletion, and text navigation, dictating and editing via voice just got more intuitive.
3. New Chinese Font
Microsoft has also added a new simplified Chinese font called Simsun-ExtG, which includes 9,753 characters across Unicode Extensions G, H, and I. Yeah, only for Chinese users. This update includes the highly requested Biangbiang noodle character, known for its complexity. Keep in mind, though, that some applications may not support these new characters just yet, but it’s a step toward greater linguistic support.
- Unicode range G 30000-3134A (4,939 chars)
- Unicode range H 31350-323AF (4,192 chars)
- Unicode range I 2EBF0-2EE5D (622 chars)
4. VHD Detachment Button
If you’ve been using the option to detach virtual hard disks (VHD/VHDx) that was introduced in Build 27686, you might notice it’s gone for now. Microsoft has temporarily disabled this feature in Build 27718 but promises to bring it back in a future update.
Known Issues: What You Should Be Aware Of
There are a few hiccups that Microsoft is still ironing out:
- If you’re joining the Canary Channel on a new Copilot+ PC, you might run into problems with your Windows Hello PIN and biometrics. Users have reported an error message “Something went wrong, and your PIN isn’t available”. If this happens, you can reset your PIN by clicking “Set up my PIN” to resolve the issue.
- Some Insiders have noted that a few games, like Microsoft Solitaire, are crashing on launch after updating to Build 27718.
- A number of users have found that the Emoji Panel and Clipboard history are no longer open in certain parts of the system, such as the Registry Editor.
While Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27723 introduces handy new features and improvements, a few bugs remain on Microsoft’s radar. If you’re testing the build, keep an eye out for these issues, and stay tuned for future updates as Microsoft continues to fine-tune the experience.