Windows 11 Insider Experimental Preview Build 26340.9750

Release date: 16 October 2026

Changes and improvements gradually being rolled out

We're introducing a refreshed Gaming Task View experience in XBOX mode, featuring a new navigation bar that provides quick access to Exit to Desktop and Power Options. This update makes key system actions easier to access while gaming.

Gaming Task View showing the new navigation bar with Exit to Desktop and Power options.

Web sign-in now works on Microsoft Entra hybrid joined devices. Before this update, it was only available on Microsoft Entra joined devices. You can sign in to Windows at the lock screen with a passwordless credential: a FIDO2 security key, a passkey on your phone, or a Temporary Access Pass (TAP). You don't need a password. Once you're signed in, Windows gets a Kerberos ticket, so on-premises file shares and internal sites keep working. For more information, see Use web sign-in to enable passwordless sign-in in Windows.

Windows Hello facial recognition can temporarily brighten your screen to help you sign in when you're in a dark or dimly lit room.
To turn on this feature, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Facial recognition (Windows Hello) and turn on Automatically adjust screen brightness during face recognition.

The setting to automatically adjust screen brightness during Windows Hello facial recognition.

Improved responsiveness of folder views so they update and sort correctly when files and folders are added or renamed.

Addressed underlying issues that could cause search to appear missing or stop working after the previous update, including if you rapidly clicked the search icon repeatedly.

For Insiders with the new Run dialog enabled:

Improved the window position when using an Arabic or Hebrew display language.
Improved performance of the Run dialog when navigating to very large folders.
Fixed an issue where your text might unexpectedly disappear if you started typing too quickly after opening Run.
Made a few other small visual fixes and refinements.

Improved shutdown reliability, reducing the chance of a hang on shutdown in certain cases.
The dialog for certain system messages, like low battery and permissions, should use the expected modern design again.

Updates are based on Windows 11, version 26H2 via an enablement package (Build 26340.9750).
Many features are rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time. We monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.
The desktop watermark shown at the lower right corner of the desktop is normal for Windows Insider pre-release builds.
Features and experiences included in these builds might never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features might change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they're ready.
Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders might not be fully localized, and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.
Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.