Alex Ruben
Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27823: Key Improvements and Fixes
The latest Insider Preview Build 27823 for Windows 11, released for the Canary Channel, introduces a range of new features, enhancements, and fixes aimed at improving user experience. This review delves into the significant updates, their real-world impact, and some drawbacks that users might encounter.
New Top Cards in Settings App
One of the standout features in Build 27823 is the introduction of new top cards in the ‘About’ section of the Settings app. Users can now access essential information about their PC, including key specifications such as the processor, installed RAM, storage capacity, and graphics card. This update aims to enhance transparency and accessibility for users wanting to quickly check their hardware specifications.
However, it’s important to note that these top cards are currently available only on specific PC form factors, primarily desktops. Users with laptops or managed commercial PCs will not see this feature immediately, which could limit its utility for some users.
Enhanced Disk Management Features
The build also introduces a menu for formatting and partitioning unallocated disks during the Windows setup process. This feature is particularly useful for users manually installing Windows 11 on various hardware setups, as it streamlines the process of managing storage devices. With flexible storage options now more accessible, users can customize their installations more effectively.
File Explorer Improvements
Microsoft has made several fixes to the File Explorer in this update. Notably, an issue where File Explorer would render blank when accessed via Alt + Tab from a minimized state has been resolved. Additionally, the “See More” menu in the command bar now displays correctly across different screen resolutions. These enhancements contribute to a smoother and more reliable navigation experience for users.
Furthermore, all open and save dialogues will now respect the text scaling settings configured in the accessibility options, ensuring better consistency across the interface for users needing larger text sizes.
Bug Fixes and Stability Enhancements
This build addresses various bugs that could disrupt user experience. For instance, a critical fix resolves a crash related to the ctfmon.exe process when copying content from certain applications. Other notable fixes include:
- Resolved an issue preventing non-admin users from uninstalling printers they added.
- Fixed crashes in the Settings app when interacting with Bluetooth devices and cameras.
- Addressed an unexpected blank space appearing in system settings pages.
- Resolved installation failures for certain applications in builds 27813 and above.
These fixes enhance the overall stability of the operating system and should positively impact the daily use of Windows 11 for many users.
Known Issues
Despite the improvements, users should be aware of a known issue where the toggle for receiving the latest updates in Windows Update may not render correctly and can turn off by itself. This is purely a visual issue and does not affect the underlying functionality of Windows Update. Microsoft has acknowledged this and plans to address it in future builds.
Conclusion
Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27823 introduces several meaningful updates and fixes that enhance usability and performance. While the new settings and improved File Explorer contribute positively to user experience, some limitations regarding hardware compatibility and known issues may pose challenges for certain users. Overall, this build is a step forward as Microsoft continues to refine and enhance Windows 11.