Windows 11 will automatically switch to HDR settings for you

Have you ever toggled HDR on and off on your Windows 11 device to enjoy some HDR content without making the rest of your display look washed out? In a recent update, specifically in build 27686 released in the Canary Channel, a new feature has been spotted that could make this annoyance a thing of the past.

This new option, nestled within the HDR settings, allows for HDR video streaming even when HDR is toggled off. Users no longer have to go into the settings to switch HDR on and off whenever they want to play a game or watch a video in high dynamic range.

However, initially, Microsoft didn’t officially announce this feature in the release notes for build 27686. Instead, the tech enthusiast @phantomofearth spotted it and posted it on X (formerly known as Twitter), and then the Redmond-based tech giant updated the blog post. If you’re already on the latest Canary build and your setup supports HDR, you might want to check this out in the Settings > System > Display > HDR section.

The upcoming Windows 11 version 24H2 is expected to introduce HDR wallpaper support in JXR format. Build 27686 also includes a bunch of other improvements, like enhancements for the Windows Sandbox Client (now a Microsoft Store app) and better energy efficiency for longer battery life.

You can read the updated changelog here.

(Photo credits: @phantomofearth)