What’s New in Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27744

Hey Windows Insiders!

Microsoft announced the release of a new Windows 11 Insider Preview build, number 27744. You can find this latest version on the Canary Channel.

But they won’t be releasing software development kits (SDKs) for the 27xxx series builds for now.

1. Prism Gets a Power-Up!

Microsoft has bought a big update to Prism, the emulator for Windows on Arm devices. This update will let more 64-bit x86 apps run smoothly on your Arm-powered PC.

What does this mean for you?

• More apps, better performance: You’ll be able to run a wider range of apps, including some popular games and creative software.
• Improved compatibility: We’ve added support for more advanced CPU features, making your emulated apps run faster and more efficiently.

How does it work? Prism’s virtual CPU now supports additional x86 instructions, like AVX and AVX2. This means that apps that previously couldn’t run due to hardware limitations will now be able to work.

So, get ready to enjoy a more powerful and versatile Windows on Arm experience!

A Quick Note

For now, only 64-bit apps can take advantage of these new CPU features. If you have a 32-bit app or a 64-bit app that relies on a 32-bit helper, it won’t be able to detect the new features in Prism.

2. What’s New from Microsoft

A Simpler Start Menu
Microsoft has simplified the Start menu. The “All apps” section is now just called “All.”

Game on!
Microsoft is introducing a new Gamepad keyboard layout for the on-screen keyboard. This means you can use your Xbox controller to navigate and type on your Windows 11 device. It’s designed with gamers in mind, with button shortcuts and a vertical layout for easier control.

Task Manager Gets a Makeover:

• Dark Mode Friendly
  The Disconnect and Logoff dialogs in Task Manager now look better in dark mode.
• Clearer Disk Information
  The Performance section now shows the type of each disk listed.

Settings Update:

• Detach Virtual Disks
  The option to detach virtual hard disks (VHD/VHDx) is back in Settings > System > Storage > Disks & Volumes. This feature was temporarily removed but is now available again.

3. Bug Fixes

Microsoft has addressed a number of issues in this update:

• Display Problems
  Fixed an issue causing black screens and GPU errors for some users with older NVIDIA GPUs.
• Input Issues
  Fixed problems with the Emoji Panel, Clipboard History, and remote desktop connections.
• Performance Improvements
  Addressed performance issues with Windows Sandbox.
• Display Glitches
  Fixed issues with dynamic refresh rates and mica background effects.
• App Compatibility
  Fixed issues with certain apps crashing or not detecting scanners.
• PowerShell and Command Line
  Resolved issues with the Get-WindowsCapability command and querying JPG rotation information.

4. Known Issues

Copilot+ PC Users
If you’re switching to the Canary Channel on a new Copilot+ PC, you may lose your PIN and biometric logins. You’ll need to set up a new PIN.

Installation Issues
Some users are still experiencing issues installing the latest Canary builds.

Display Problems
Microsoft is working on a fix for an issue affecting multiple monitor setups, where the desktop background might not display correctly.

5. Important Notes for Canary Channel Insiders

• Early-Stage Features
  The Canary Channel is for testing early, experimental features that may or may not be released in future Windows versions.
• Gradual Rollouts
  Some features are rolled out gradually to a small group of Insiders first, and then expanded to more people over time.
• Feature Movement
  Features may appear in the Dev or Beta channels before reaching the Canary Channel.
• Language Support
  Some features may not be fully translated into all languages at first.
• Switching Channels
  To switch off the Canary Channel, you’ll need to do a clean install of Windows 11.
• Desktop Watermark
  The watermark in the bottom right corner is normal for pre-release builds.
• Flight Hub
  For the latest information on builds and channels, check out Flight Hub.

This text has been polished by our friendly neighborhood AI assistant. Any remaining errors are purely human.

Recommended Courses