Windows 11 is getting a significant upgrade with its latest preview build, bringing AI-powered features that promise to transform how users interact with their PCs. However, not everyone will get to experience these cutting-edge improvements right away. Let’s dive into what’s coming and who will benefit.
Copilot+ PCs Lead the Charge
Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3872 to the Beta Channel, focusing on enhancing the experience for users with Copilot+ PCs. These AI-powered computers, particularly those running on Snapdragon processors, are first in line to receive the most innovative features.
“Windows 11’s latest preview version just arrived packing improved search functionality and some impressive new capabilities for accessibility,” reports TechRadar. The update introduces several AI-powered tools designed to make computing more accessible and intuitive.
The most notable additions are coming to Copilot+ PCs first, with Microsoft promising that AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ devices will receive these features “eventually.” This staggered rollout highlights Microsoft’s commitment to the Snapdragon ecosystem while ensuring all Copilot+ users will eventually benefit.
Reading Gets an AI Boost
One of the standout features in this update is the integration of Microsoft’s Reading Coach with Click to Do. This powerful combination allows users to practice reading skills and pronunciation directly from any text on their screen.
The new “Practice in Reading Coach” action lets you select text recognized by Click to Do and read it aloud, receiving feedback and guidance on areas for improvement. This feature is particularly valuable for those working on reading fluency or learning a new language.
Complementing this is the “Read with Immersive Reader” function, which displays text in a distraction-free environment. Originally designed for readers with dyslexia and dysgraphia, this tool offers customization options including:
- Adjustable text size, spacing, and font
- Background theme customization
- Text-to-speech capabilities
- Syllable break to split words
- Highlighting of nouns, verbs, and adjectives
- Picture dictionary for visual representation of unfamiliar words
Search Gets Smarter with AI
Another major improvement comes to Windows Search, which now leverages AI to help users find photos stored in the cloud. This feature is currently rolling out to Windows Insiders in the European Economic Area.
Users can now search for cloud-stored photos using natural language queries like “Halloween costumes” or “summer picnics” directly from the taskbar search box. The system will display both local and cloud-based photos in the results, making it easier to find exactly what you’re looking for without remembering specific file names or locations.
“This AI-powered search capability represents a significant improvement in how users interact with their content,” according to the Windows Insider blog. The feature will initially be available on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, with support for AMD and Intel models coming soon.
Voice Access Gets More Personal
Voice Access, Windows 11’s speech recognition system, is receiving several meaningful upgrades in this build. The most significant addition is the ability to add custom words to the dictionary.
This feature addresses a common frustration with voice recognition systems: their struggle with uncommon or specialized terms. By adding your own words to the dictionary, you can improve dictation accuracy for terms that are important to you but might confuse standard speech recognition.
“The Voice Access addition is a very handy one, although I’m surprised it took Microsoft this long to implement it,” comments Darren Allan. “As Windows 11’s Voice Access is essentially built on the same tech – Microsoft bought Nuance back in 2021 – it’s taken a while to incorporate what I felt was an important feature.”
Users can add words to the dictionary in several ways:
- After spelling a word using the “Spell that” command
- Making a correction using the “Correct that” command
- Using the “Add to Vocabulary” command anywhere
- Directly through the Voice Access settings menu
The update also improves Voice Access discoverability with an immersive in-product experience that announces new features and improvements. Additionally, Voice Access is now included under the Accessibility flyout via quick settings in the system tray, making it more accessible to users who need it.
File Explorer and Other Improvements
Beyond the headline AI features, this update brings several quality-of-life improvements to Windows 11:
- File Explorer tabs: When launching folders from outside File Explorer (like from an app or the desktop), they’ll now open in a new tab if you have an existing File Explorer window open. This behavior can be changed in folder options if you prefer separate windows.
- Widgets notification settings: Users in the European Economic Area can now control notifications per feed or dashboard in the widgets notification settings page.
- Windows Security enhancements: The Windows Security app will show more details for Pluton TPM chips, including manufacturer and version information.
- Visual updates: The dialog for renaming printers has been updated to match Windows 11’s visual style.
Known Issues and Limitations
As with any preview build, there are some known issues that Microsoft is working to address:
- Windows Hello facial recognition may not work for login for some users after the previous flight.
- Windows Sandbox may fail to launch with a 0x800705b4 error.
- Some apps may appear blank after installing the update (closing and relaunching usually fixes this).
- Windows Recovery Environment may not work properly.
One user on the Eleven Forum reported that “This update is a trainwreck for me, it keeps completely breaking the Start button and settings so neither functions,” highlighting that preview builds can sometimes introduce significant problems.
The Future of Windows 11
These updates signal Microsoft’s commitment to making Windows 11 more accessible and intelligent. The focus on AI-powered features, particularly for reading and voice recognition, demonstrates a clear direction toward more inclusive computing experiences.
While the initial rollout prioritizes Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, Microsoft has confirmed that AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ devices will receive these features in future updates. This staggered approach allows Microsoft to test and refine these features before wider deployment.
“It’s good to see Microsoft’s continued efforts to improve Windows 11 in terms of accessibility and learning, even if some of the core introductions here won’t be piped through to most folks – as they won’t have a Copilot+ PC,” notes TechRadar’s Darren Allan.
As Windows 11 continues to evolve, these AI-powered accessibility features represent an important step toward making computing more inclusive and personalized for all users.
