Microsoft has released a new Windows 11 Insider Build for all testers in the Dev Channel. The build is numbered 25290 and is available for update now. In addition to bug fixes, the new build contains a number of important changes, improvements and new options.
Widget 2 and 3 are now available
Two new widgets are included: one for Spotify and one with Phone Link, the first widget from Microsoft itself:
“Last week we previewed the widget for the Messenger app. Spotify and Phone Link are also now offering preview versions of their widgets. To try them out, go to the Widgets Collection in the Microsoft Store and update to the latest version of the apps. Open Then go to the widgets board and navigate to the widgets picker by clicking the “+” button at the top right of the board to pin your widgets.”
Many bug fixes
Apart from the new widgets, the Windows team has not released any other innovations this time. However, Arm64 users who had to stop the last build due to problems can now also test again. Fixed issues include a bug that could cause explorer.exe to crash and the taskbar to not load for some Insiders. There is another improvement for the start menu. Microsoft is currently experimenting with showing the badges.
They exist with more or less displayed information about tasks. We have summarized the highlights of the new build for you at the end of this post. As always, more information about the update is available insider blog.
Changes in the start menu
Highlights Build 25290
- New widgets: Spotify and Phone-Link
- Start menu with changed badge displays
bug fixes
- We fixed the issue resulting in ARM64 devices failing to wake from hibernation and getting stuck at the OS boot logo when running build 25281.
- Fixed an issue where some Insiders may have trouble accessing websites and other resources over VPN connections. If you used the workaround documented in this forum post, please revert those changes once you’ve installed this new build.
- Fixed an issue that was causing some Insiders to freeze the browser and certain other applications in recent builds of the Dev Channel.
Windows 11 FAQ Instructions, tips and tricks
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