How To Explore the New Windows 11 Build 26200.5651: Updated Context Menu, Notification Center, and AI Settings

Introduction of the Vista Sound

One of the strange little surprises in Windows 11 Build 26200.5651 is that it now plays the old Vista login sound by default. Not sure why it works this way, but apparently Microsoft decided to throw in some nostalgic Easter egg. So, when logging back in after a restart, expect to hear that familiar Windows “ding.” If it’s not there right away, sometimes a quick reboot helps — weirdly enough, on some setups it takes a couple of tries before it kicks in. Just another thing that makes Windows feel a bit more personalized, even if it’s just for fun.

AI-Powered Settings Assistant

This build adds what they call an AI-driven Settings Assistant, which is supposed to make finding stuff easier by letting you describe what you want—like “how to turn on voice control” or “make the mouse cursor bigger.” It’s kind of handy because it pulls up related settings faster, especially if you’re not exactly sure where a setting lives. But here’s the catch: it’s only available on Copilot Plus PCs, so if you’re on a regular setup, you’re mostly stuck with the traditional search. This feature is meant to help beginners or those overwhelmed by the new Windows layout, so you might see it pop up more in the future. Why it helps? Because it shortens the rabbit hole of navigating through menus.

Recall Export Experience

Another odd addition is the recall snapshot export, mostly tied to EU GDPR stuff and regulatory compliance. You can now export these recall snapshots—think of it like a report of recent activities—that you can share with third-party apps or websites. You’ll find it in the privacy and security settings, under a section called ‘Recall Settings.’ Microsoft also changed the default from unlimited storage time for these snapshots down to 90 days, which seems like a smart move for data privacy. The reason? Less clutter, more control over what stays stored. Expect that when you start diving into recall data, some icons or options might feel a little tucked away, so it’s worth poking around the privacy section.

Enhanced User Guidance

This update also introduces various tips for new users, kind of like onboarding prompts for the recall features. They want you to get more familiar with how these tools work, especially if you’re just starting out with Windows 11. Plus, there’s a new AI feature in Microsoft 365’s Copilot that helps manage Teams chats and meetings—basically making it easier to keep track of your work without switching apps constantly. It’s helpful enough, but sometimes, these prompts show up unexpectedly or get in the way, so don’t be surprised if you see more before they get polished.

Notification Center Improvements

Here’s a good one: you can now enable a larger clock with seconds display in the notification area. To activate it, go to Settings, then Time & Language, and toggle the “Show seconds” option for the system clock. On some builds, this feature is a bit flaky—sometimes it doesn’t show immediately or needs a restart—but once it works, it’s handy for quick time checks while working or gaming. Basically, it was a user request, and Microsoft finally boosted that tiny but annoying feature.

File Explorer Context Menu Updates

The File Explorer got a little facelift, mostly visual. Now, when you right-click inside a folder, you’ll see dividers separating commands. The idea is to make options like “Copy,” “Paste,” “Rename,” and others easier to differentiate, especially if you use File Explorer a lot. This update makes things look cleaner and less cluttered, which, honestly, can be a game-changer on busy workflows. Plus, if you’re used to customization or scripting, note that these menu changes shouldn’t break anything but just make the experience smoother. Interestingly, some users noted that the dividers sometimes appear bolder or thinner, depending on the theme or system font settings, so it’s a bit inconsistent but overall helpful.

Improvements in Voice Access

Voice navigation is getting more multilingual support. Microsoft reintroduced support for Chinese and added Japanese, allowing voice commands and dictation in those languages. It’s not perfect—sometimes grammar or accent quirks throw it off—but it’s a decent step toward more inclusive accessibility. If you rely on dictation or voice commands, this makes Windows more usable across languages. Expect some commands to work well, while others might need a retry. Not sure why it’s not fully smooth across all languages yet, but progress is progress.

Sharing Options for OneDrive Files

Sharing files via OneDrive gets a little better, now offering smoother, more integrated link sharing. You can pick different apps to send your links—say, Slack or Teams—more easily from the context menu. Rolled out gradually, so if you don’t see it yet, keep checking. It’s mainly a timesaver, especially when working with colleagues on the fly, avoiding the extra steps of copying and pasting links between apps. On some setups, it still feels a tad sluggish, but generally, it enhances cloud collaboration.

Activation Dialog Updates

If you’ve ever struggled with Windows activation, the dialogs are now clearer and more straightforward. When changing your product key or troubleshooting, the dialogues don’t feel so vague anymore. You get more guidance, which is nice because of course Windows has to make it harder than necessary. For instance, the step to enter a new key now shows more instructions, and the error messages are less cryptic. It’s a small change, but it makes a difference if you’ve been frustrated before.

Fixes and Performance Enhancements

Lots of bugs get squashed here. A notable fix was addressing a memory leak impacting File Explorer—sometimes it would just slow down after opening a bunch of folders. Also, extracting ZIPs and other archives feels snappier, probably because of performance tweaks. The start menu update fixed display issues when using different language packs, which was a pain before. Not gonna say everything’s perfect, but overall, things feel more stable and responsive now, which on one machine might be enough to make you glad you updated.

Conclusion

This build packs in some nostalgic touches, like the Vista sound, plus a bunch of subtle but useful features like the clock toggle, and major under-the-hood fixes. Some features are limited — like the AI Settings Assistant — but the overall package signals good things ahead. Microsoft seems pretty committed to making Windows smarter, more accessible, and more customizable, even if sometimes the rollout isn’t perfectly smooth. Just keep an eye out for quirks or unfinished bits; it’s part of the process.

Summary

• Old Vista login sound makes a surprise appearance — reboot may be needed sometimes
• AI Settings Assistant is in, but only for Copilot Plus PCs, simplifying your menu searches
• Recall snapshots now exportable, default storage time cut down to 90 days
• Helpful tips appear for new users, plus AI in Teams is a bit smoother
• Large clock with seconds can be enabled in notifications, but sometimes needs a restart
• File Explorer menus are neater with dividers, easing navigation
• Voice access supports Chinese and Japanese better now, making voice commands more inclusive
• OneDrive link sharing gets a small boost — a bit more intuitive and quicker
• Activation dialogs clearer, troubleshooting less confusing
• Bug fixes and performance tweaks done, making overall stability better

Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. The updates feel like a step forward in making Windows more friendly, even if some features still need polish.