Microsoft revealed plans for new versions of Windows 11: a network speed tester, expanded settings, and emojis.

Microsoft — a new Windows 11 Release Preview build

As part of the Windows Insider program, Microsoft announced the release of another release preview package that already lets you see which features will be available to the broader audience in the coming weeks. The focus of the update is on improving everyday use of the OS and expanding the taskbar.

Key innovations
Category What changed Emoji Added version Emoji 16.0, including new symbols: fingerprint, harp, shovel, and others. They are immediately available in the Windows 11 emoji panel.
Taskbar • Introduced a “Network Speed” shortcut – accessible via right‑click on the network icon (Wi‑Fi, mobile data) or through the quick actions menu.
• System Monitoring utility support is enabled but disabled by default.
• With grouping turned off and multiple instances of an app open, only windows that do not fit on the taskbar are moved to the overflow area; when there is enough free space the area disappears.

System improvements
* Restore from backup – now part of the Windows Backup for Organizations app. It allows restoring settings and Store apps during first sign‑in on devices with hybrid connectivity to Microsoft Entra, Cloud PC‑VM, etc.
* Quick system restore – enabled by default for Professional without a domain (restore capabilities raised to Home level). For domain‑joined devices the feature remains off but can be activated manually.

Accounts and security
* The Start menu now has an entry that takes you to your Microsoft account page – simplified access to account settings.
* Support for Microsoft Entra ID group/role SID security identifiers.
* Expanded camera settings: direct control of pan and tilt via Settings for compatible devices.

Additional updates
Theme What’s new Widgets Full‑screen opening instead of a separate dialog. Wallpapers Support for *.webp*. Task Manager Updated search icon. Storage Refactored dialogs. Update Center Improved interface responsiveness. Sign‑in screen Optimized performance during sign‑in. File sharing Reduced transfer time for large files via Nearby devices. Printing Spoolsv.exe optimization for stability with high print volumes. Explorer Added “Extract All” option for non‑ZIP archives.

Fixes and stabilization
Developers fixed a number of known bugs, improving overall OS reliability and providing smoother operation.

> Bottom line: the new Windows 11 Release Preview build focuses on enhancing user experience, expanding taskbar and emoji functionality, and introduces significant changes to system restore, accounts, and security. These updates are already available to Insider participants and will gradually roll out to general users.