Windows 11 gets updates KB5044388 and KB5044386 with new Clock app and Chinese font (preview)

• Microsoft ships build 26120.1930 (KB5044388) in the Dev Channel and build 22635.4300 (KB5044386) in the Beta Channel. 
• These updates expand the option to change the Copilot key action, the new Sandbox app, and security improvements for Windows Search.

Microsoft is now rolling out two new previews of Windows 11, including build 26120.1930 (KB5044388) in the Dev Channel and build 22635.4300 (KB5044386) in the Beta Channel with improvements and some new features.

According to the official notes published on October 4, 2024, the preview in the Dev Channel (build 26120.1930) now includes the new version of the Windows Sandbox that updates from the Microsoft Store and introduces new functionalities. The update also integrates the new option to change the action of the Copilot key for new keyboards with this physical key.

On the other hand, build 22635.4300 in the Beta Channel introduces a new security feature known as Less Privileged App Containers (LPAC) for Windows Search, and both previews rolling out to Insiders include new simplified Chinese font (Simsun-ExtG) with 9,753 ideographs supporting Unicode Extensions G, H and I.

What’s new on Windows 11 build 26120.1930 (Dev)

In the Dev Channel, testers are getting these changes:

Customize Copilot key

On the update KB5044388, the “Text input” settings page now has a new “Customize Copilot key on the keyboard” option to change the action of the Copilot key for the keyboard that offers this option.

Originally, the Copilot key was designed to give users more direct access to the chatbot, but Microsoft then changed the direction of AI on Windows and removed the Copilot integration in favor of the Windows Copilot Runtime, which integrates over 40 different AI models into the operating system to offer new innovations beyond the Copilot chatbot capabilities. 

So, now, the company quietly added an option so that users can change the behavior of the key to something else. If you have a keyboard designed for Copilot, on Settings > Personalization > Text input, you will now be able to use the “Customize Copilot key on the keyboard” setting to change the action to open Search, launch a specific app, or disable the key.

Windows Sandbox update

The Windows Sandbox now receives updates from the Microsoft store. It includes support for clipboard redirection, audio, and video input control, and the ability to share folders with the isolated version of Windows 11. These new features are accessible from the menu in the top-right corner.

In this release, Microsoft is also fixing issues for dual boot systems, where the boot menu wasn’t showing correctly. 

This update also includes some known issues with the start menu and installation since this build may fail to install with error 0x800f0983.

What’s new on Windows 11 build 22635.4300 (Beta)

In the Beta Channel, this preview only introduces one significant feature, and that is the ability for the Windows Search to run “IFilters” in the Less Privileged App Containers (LPAC), which is an isolation technology that restricts more permissions than an actual app container to improve the security on search. According to the company, this approach will minimize problems by a compromised process.

This update also fixes some issues with File Explorer and ships with known issues for the Start menu and Live Captions.

Outside of the operating system scope, starting with the update KB5044388 and KB5044386, Microsoft is also rolling out a new Clock app that ships with a new countdown and timer clocks for the Widgets board.

Installation process

To download and install this Windows 11 build, enroll your device in the Beta and Dev Channel through the “Windows Insider Program” settings from the “Update & Security” section. Once you enroll the computer in the program, you can download the build from the “Windows Update” settings by turning on the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” option and clicking the “Check for Updates” button.

It’s important to note that builds in the Dev Channel belong to version 24H2 development, and the builds on the Beta Channel belong to version 23H2 development. However, these changes are expected to be available in the latest version of the operating system.