(Credit: Jeffrey Hazelwood/PCMag; Windows)
Windows 12 isn't launching in 2026, but Microsoft is finally addressing long-running complains about its operating system. These changes will likely arrive on stable versions of Windows 11 later this year, perhaps as part of the big annual update (codenamed 26H2) that I expect in the fall. But many are already available in the latest Windows Insider builds.
I've been running experimental channel builds on my PC for a long time, so I can pick out the best changes on the horizon. I’ll keep this article up to date as I get my hands on new Insider features, but bear in mind that things might change or even disappear before they reach stable versions of Windows. I've also removed some features I previously covered here (such as the option to pause Windows Updates indefinitely and a calmer Widgets experience) because they are now rolling out to live builds.
And you don't just have to take my word on these updates; it's easy to opt into Windows Insider builds and try things out yourself. I recommend running Insider builds only on a secondary PC, however, since you might experience bugs, crashes, or freezes. The beta channel is more stable than the experimental channel I use, so that's the best place to start if you’re curious about where Windows is going from here.
Read on for my top 10 favorite features.
1. A Taskbar You Can Finally Move
Windows 11’s taskbar is now movable in Insider builds. You can place it on the left, right, or top of your screen. With a vertical taskbar, you can activate taskbar labels for an even wider, sidebar-style experience. It’s especially useful on an ultrawide monitor.
2. A Taskbar You Can Shrink, Too
You can make the Windows taskbar itself smaller in Insider builds. When you set the Taskbar size option in Settings > Personalization > Taskbar to Small, the taskbar itself shrinks, freeing up more screen space for applications. Windows 11 already has an option to show smaller taskbar buttons, but enabling it makes only the buttons smaller.
3. Fewer Copilot AI Features Throughout Windows
Microsoft is removing some Copilot AI features entirely and rebranding others. For example, Notepad no longer has a Copilot icon in Insider builds. Instead, it has an AI Writing Tools menu with the same AI features. The Photos app and Snipping Tool also lose their Copilot icons. Microsoft is increasingly distinguishing its Copilot AI chatbot from miscellaneous AI features throughout Windows.
4. A Search Box Without the Bing Clutter
Microsoft is cleaning up the Windows Search box. The redesigned Search experience now shows only your recent searches when you click it. It no longer includes trending searches and content from Bing. It also prioritizes local files over Bing web results when you search in the Start menu. The Settings app is getting easy controls to completely turn off Bing web search results and Microsoft Store search results in the Start menu, too.
5. New Touchpad Gestures for Easier Scrolling
Windows 11 is getting new touchpad actions. For example, Insider builds let you scroll up and down by moving a single finger along the edge of your touchpad. Some laptops already include this feature, but now it’s available for all Windows machines. Windows 11 also supports automatic scrolling. If you move your fingers to the edge of your touchpad, pages will continue to scroll.
6. A Button to Reinstall Windows From the Internet
Cloud rebuild is coming to Windows 11's recovery environment. This new recovery option lets you restore a Windows 11 PC to its factory default state without a USB drive. The recovery environment will download a new Windows operating system image and hardware drivers from Microsoft and install everything. Unlike the Reset this PC tool, Microsoft says this cloud-based recovery option will work even if Windows 11 is unbootable and the operating system's files are corrupt.
7. Upgraded Administrator Security
The Windows Security app is gaining an option to turn on Administrator protection. This experimental security feature, located in the Account Protection section, requires you to use Windows Hello to grant access when an application requests administrator privileges. Windows grants the access with a one-time-use token. Microsoft's documentation says this is an architectural change that better protects administrator permissions from malware.
8. A Single Monthly Reboot for Windows Update
Microsoft is promising to coordinate driver, firmware, and other updates to arrive with the monthly operating system update on Patch Tuesday, the second Tuesday of each month. The company says average Windows 11 PCs will only have to reboot once for updates each month going forward. Insider builds still update more frequently: Microsoft says Insiders should see a single reboot for updates once per week, and that tracks with my experience.
9. Speech and Vision Accessibility Improvements
Insider Builds of Windows 11 offer new accessibility features, including a Screen Tint option that overlays your screen with a customizable color to reduce eye strain. Different people might prefer different colors. The OS also gains a voice isolation feature for Voice Access, which is one of our favorite speech-to-text tools. This will help Voice Access hear your voice in environments with a lot of background noise.
10. Feature Flags That Let You Easily Test New Tweaks
The Feature Flags page in the Insider Program settings section now lets you toggle experimental changes before they’re active by default in Insider builds. Many of the features above are accessible only by toggling feature flags. For example, I was able to move my PC’s taskbar only after activating the Alternate Taskbar Positions flag. Enabling these features for testing requires just a few clicks, whereas previously it involved a more complicated process via third-party software, such as ViVeTool.
Get the Lowdown on All the Latest Windows Features
Microsoft says these changes are just the start. In March, Pavan Davuluri, president for Windows and devices, wrote about the company’s “plan to raise the bar on Windows 11 quality this year, with a focus on performance, reliability, and well-crafted experiences.” I’ll continue updating this list as I get access to more experimental features in the latest Windows Insider builds and as others move into full production.
Other recent changes have already arrived in the stable version of Windows 11, including the Low Latency Profile for faster app launches and Xbox Mode for a full-screen gaming experience.
About Our Expert
I've been writing about technology for more than 15 years and using it in earnest for over twice as long. As a member of PCMag's software team, I focus on Windows coverage, but also write about other key desktop operating systems and system apps. (I used Windows 3.1 upon its release and have followed every subsequent release closely).
Prior to joining PCMag, I wrote for How-To Geek starting in 2011, and my articles amassed over a billion page views. I went on to run the publication as editor-in-chief for four and a half years. I have also contributed to Computerworld, Fast Company, PCWorld, Reader's Digest, The New York Times, and many other outlets about everything from AI to PC hardware to Windows. I founded and ran my own direct-to-reader Windows-focused newsletters, Windows Intelligence and The Windows ReadMe, working in partnership with Thurrott.com.
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