According to Neowin, Microsoft just released Windows 11 builds 26100.7296 and 26200.7296 to the Release Preview channel under KB5070311. These builds target Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 users respectively and include a laundry list of improvements. The update brings the long-awaited Drag Tray feature, enhanced File Explorer search with updated placeholder text, and Windows Studio Effects for Copilot+ PCs. There are also fixes for graphics issues, keyboard backlight improvements, and Windows Hello support for peripheral fingerprint sensors. Many features are rolling out gradually, meaning not everyone will see them immediately. This represents the final testing phase before these changes hit the general public.
Drag Tray Finally Shows Up
So the Drag Tray is actually here. After being teased for what feels like forever, Microsoft is finally letting Release Preview users drag items around the system tray. But here’s the thing – it’s still a gradual rollout, which means plenty of people won’t see it even if they’re on the latest build. Microsoft’s documentation points to KB5058499 for more details, but the feature availability varies by device and market. Basically, your mileage may vary.
The Copilot+ PC Divide Grows
Microsoft is really leaning into this two-tier Windows experience. Copilot+ PCs get all the fancy AI camera enhancements through Windows Studio Effects, while regular Windows 11 users get… well, less. The Camera settings now let you apply AI-powered enhancements to USB webcams and built-in rear cameras, but only if you’ve shelled out for a Copilot+ machine. It’s becoming increasingly clear that Microsoft sees AI features as the premium differentiator. And honestly, that’s probably where the industry is heading anyway.
The Gradual Rollout Problem
Here’s what frustrates me about Microsoft’s approach: they call this Release Preview, which is supposed to be the final testing phase before general availability. But then they make half the features part of a “gradual rollout.” So even people in the same channel, on the same build, get different experiences. How are we supposed to properly test and provide feedback if we can’t even access the features? It feels like Microsoft is being overly cautious, but it also makes the testing process less effective.
Don’t Sleep on the Security Fixes
While everyone’s focused on the shiny new features, the security improvements in this build are actually pretty significant. They fixed an issue where LSASS (Local Security Authority Subsystem Service) could become unstable due to an access violation. That’s the kind of behind-the-scenes work that really matters for system stability and security. The Quick Machine Recovery improvements are also welcome – no more endless scanning loops when something goes wrong. These are the kinds of quality-of-life improvements that make a real difference for users dealing with system issues.
What Comes Next?
With these builds hitting Release Preview, we’re likely looking at a general availability release in the coming weeks. The fact that Microsoft is testing both 24H2 and 25H2 features simultaneously suggests they’re getting their release cadence figured out. But I can’t help wondering if the fragmented feature availability will continue into the general release. Will some users get Drag Tray while others don’t? Will Copilot+ features remain exclusive indefinitely? Only time will tell, but this approach to Windows development seems to be the new normal. For businesses relying on stable computing environments, these incremental but inconsistent updates present real challenges for deployment planning.
