Windows 11 receives updates KB5046740 and KB5046732 with new features (preview)

• Microsoft pushes build 26100.2448 and 22631.4534 for Windows 11 24H2 and 23H2 in the Release Preview Channel.
• These updates roll out several visual improvements and are virtually the same.
• The company is also making available Windows 11 build 27749 with minor changes.
• Finally, Windows 10 build 19045.5194 is making its way as a small update in the Beta and Release Preview Channels.

Microsoft has made available two previews of Windows 11 in the Release Preview Channel, including build 26100.2448 (KB5046740) for version 24H2 and build 22631.4534 (KB5046732) for version 23H2 with some improvements for existing features and fixes expected to arrive in future cumulative updates. In addition, the company is also pushing Windows 11 build 27749, but this preview is for devices in the Canary Channel.

Windows 11 build 26100.2448 for version 24H2 (Release Preview)

According to the official changes, Windows 11 build 26100.2448 is gradually rolling out several improvements and visual changes for the Start menu, Taskbar, Task Manager, and more.

Start Menu

The Start menu now includes jump list functionality for pinned apps.

Taskbar

Microsoft is finally rolling out the option to show shorter dates and times in the Taskbar. Also, this is the new default behavior.

The bell icon will no longer show in the System Tray if the “Do not disturb” feature is turned on. In this case, you can click the date and time button to open the Notifications interface and view unread messages.

Task Manager

This update brings dark mode support for the Disconnect and Logoff dialogs, and the “Performance” tab will now show labels describing each type of drive.

Mouse

On the Mouse settings page, you can now change the scrolling direction for the mouse wheel and turn enhanced mouse pointers on or off. While the scrolling direction option is new, the enhanced pointers setting was previously only available in the Control Panel.

Touchscreen

The Touch settings page now adds options to turn gestures on or off when swiping the right or left edges.

Dynamic Lighting

On the Dynamic Lighting page, the system will show a placeholder message and turn off brightness and effects controls when no compatible device is attached to the computer. 

Out-of-box Experience

In the Out-of-box Experience, the “Tailored Experiences” has now been renamed to “Personalized offers.” You can also find this setting on the “Recommendations and offers” page in the “Privacy & security” section.

Accessibility

This update adds two new features to the Windows Narrator experience: Skip past links (N’) and Jump to lists (L’).

In addition, Microsoft is improving speech-to-text and text-to-speech features, and it will now deliver language files through the Microsoft Store.

File Explorer

This update also introduces an updated version of File Explorer, which includes a new entry in the context menu for sharing files directly with Android devices.

Windows Search

The Windows Search experience now uses LPACs (Less Privileged App Containers) to make IFilters more secure. LPACs are like secure boxes that limit what IFilters can access. This prevents potential harm if an IFilter is compromised, making Windows Search more secure.

Input Method Editor

If you type Chinese or Japanese characters, in this update, the Input Method Editor (IME) toolbar now hides when apps are in full-screen mode.

Microsoft is gradually rolling out some fixes and changes for Windows Update, JPG files, Display, DISM, Jump Lists, PowerShell, Mouse, Clipboard, Taskbar, and File Explorer.

Other changes and fixes

Although it may take some time until your device receives the above improvements, the company is also making available immediately some other fixes, including a bug in File Explorer that opens the “See more” menu upwards instead of down, regardless of where the app is located on the screen.

In addition, the update KB5046740 in the Release Preview Channel for version 24H2 ships fixes for [HTML Applications (HTA), Task Manager, [Graphics Device Interface Plus (GDI+), RAW format images, Mouse and Xbox game bar, and Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).

Windows 11 build 22631.4534 for version 23H2 (Release Preview)

The update KB5046732 for Windows 11 23H2, which is also available in the Release Preview Channel, according to the official Microsoft changes, includes the same fixes and improvements available for version 24H2 with the update KB5046740.

The only difference is that version 23H2 is getting some different fixes. For example, this update fixes a problem that didn’t activate the operating system after replacing the motherboard. Also, you find fixes for Country and Operator Settings Asset (COSA), Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) printer, and Bluetooth LE Audio.

Windows 11 build 27749 for version Dev (Canary)

Microsoft is also rolling out Windows 11 build 27749 in the Canary Channel as a minor release with fixes and improvements. For example, the Windows Narrator now has two new features, including a new shortcut, “Narrator key + Control + X,” allowing you to copy the last spoken phrase to your clipboard.

Also, Windows Narrator will now automatically read the contents of emails in the new Outlook app, similar to how it works in the classic version.

In addition, build 27749 ships with fixes for File Explorer, Taskbar, Input, Narrator, Task Manager, Audio, and more.

Windows 10 build 19045.5194  (Beta and Release Preview)

Finally, Windows 10 is also getting build 19045.5194 as the update KB5046714 in the Beta and Release Preview Channel for version 22H2.

The update ports advertisements from apps from the Microsoft Store to the “Recommended” section of the Start menu. If you don’t want to see these recommendations, you can turn off the “Show suggestions occasionally in Start” option from Settings > Personalization > Start.

The update KB5046714  also rolls out fixes for App list backup, Copy cloud files, motherboard replacement not activating, Country and Operator Settings Asset (COSA), and Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) printer.

Installation process

To download and install these Windows 11 builds, enroll your device in the Release Preview or Canary 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.

If, after installing the Windows 11 build 26100.2448 for version 24H2, you can’t find any of the new improvements, you may be able to enable them manually by running the vivetool /enable /id:50564332,50565209 command with the ViveTool.