Microsoft Pushes Windows 11 Insider Preview Builds 26100.7701 and 26200.7701 to Release Preview Channel

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On January 27, 2026, the Windows Insider Program Team announced the availability of Windows 11 Insider Preview Builds 26100.7701 and 26200.7701 (packaged as KB5074105) for Insiders in the Release Preview Channel running Windows 11, versions 24H2 and 25H2. These builds introduce a range of new features, enhancements, and quality improvements designed both for Copilot+ PCs and for general Windows 11 users.

Rollout Structure: Gradual and Normal

Microsoft organizes this update into two rollout categories:

  • Gradual rollout: Features delivered in phases, meaning availability may vary by device.
  • Normal rollout: Broad availability, typically when features reach general availability (GA) for all eligible devices.

Key New Features and Improvements

1. Copilot+ PCs: Expanded Experiences

For devices equipped with Copilot+ capabilities, this release introduces enhanced AI-powered experiences:

  • Agent in Settings: The Settings Agent now supports additional languages including German, Portuguese, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, Hindi, Italian, and Simplified Chinese, improving accessibility for non-English users.

2. Cross-Device Resume: Enhanced Continuity

The Cross-Device Resume feature, which allows users to continue tasks started on their Android phone directly on their PC, receives significant enhancements:

  • Users with a Vivo Android phone can now resume browsing sessions from the Vivo Browser on their PC.
  • Users with Android phones from HONOR, OPPO, Samsung, Vivo, or Xiaomi can resume working with online Microsoft 365 documents opened in the Microsoft Copilot app on their phone. If the corresponding Microsoft 365 desktop app is installed, the document will open there; otherwise, it will open in the default web browser.

3. Windows MIDI Services: Professional Audio Support

This update delivers substantial improvements to MIDI support on Windows:

  • Enhanced MIDI 0 and MIDI 2.0 support.
  • Full WinMM and WinRT MIDI 1.0 support with built-in translation.
  • Support for shared MIDI ports across apps, custom port names, loopback functionality, and improved app-to-app MIDI performance.
  • Performance optimizations and bug fixes benefit creators and musicians using MIDI hardware and software.

4. Accessibility Enhancements

Microsoft continues to refine accessibility features:

  • Narrator Improvements: Users can now customize which on-screen details are spoken and adjust their order based on navigation patterns, making Narrator more intuitive and efficient.

5. Settings and Device Info

A new Devices card appears on the Settings home page, showing key specifications and usage details for the PC. Users can navigate directly from this card to Settings > System > About for more detailed device information. This card becomes visible when signed in with a Microsoft account.

6. Smart App Control Flexibility

Smart App Control (SAC) can now be toggled on or off without requiring a clean installation of Windows. This gives users more control over app security settings via Windows Security > App & Browser Control.

7. Voice Access and Voice Typing Enhancements

This update introduces refinements aimed at improving voice-driven interaction:

  • Voice Access: A redesigned setup flow simplifies the process of downloading a speech model, selecting the preferred microphone, and learning available commands.
  • Voice Typing: A new “Wait time before acting” setting lets users adjust the delay before a voice command is executed, helping improve recognition, especially for varied speech patterns.

8. Windows Hello ESS Expansion

Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-In Security (ESS) now supports external fingerprint readers, enabling secure biometric sign-in on desktops and PCs without built-in fingerprint sensors.

9. Quality and Reliability Fixes

Microsoft also addressed a variety of known issues and made quality improvements, including:

  • Fixing Start menu layout problems, Kiosk mode error messages, Windows Update glitches, lock screen responsiveness, and File Explorer performance over networks.
  • Resolving issues with desktop icons unexpectedly moving, output lag in some input methods, and stability problems tied to system components.

Summary

Builds 26100.7701 (for Windows 11, version 24H2) and 26200.7701 (for Windows 11, version 25H2) represent a rich update to the Release Preview Channel that blends accessibility enhancements, AI-driven features, improved device continuity, and platform-wide quality improvements. Whether you’re using a Copilot+ PC or a more traditional Windows 11 setup, this release brings refinements that enhance both usability and performance ahead of broader public rollout.

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