Windows 11 Insider Experimental 26H1 Build Gets New Search and Narrator Upgrades

Windows 11 26H1 is getting Microsoft’s redesigned Windows Search experience alongside new Narrator math reading tools and a small multi-monitor taskbar improvement.

Windows 11 26H1 gets the new Windows Search experience

Microsoft is rolling out the same new WinUI 3-based Windows Search experience to Windows 11 26H1 with Experimental Build 28120.3181.

The redesigned Search interface should feel faster and more streamlined while also adding inline actions directly to search results.

Users can search for actions such as turning on dark mode or Bluetooth, changing screen brightness, muting the device, and arranging open windows without opening Settings first.

Microsoft has also improved Search matching for typos and synonyms, which should make it easier to find settings, apps, and actions even when the query does not exactly match their names.

The new experience initially supports English only. Microsoft also says users need to restart their PC after upgrading before the feature flag for the new Search experience appears.

Narrator can now read and navigate math equations

Microsoft is also expanding Narrator with dedicated math reading and navigation support.

Instead of reading equations symbol by symbol, Narrator can now describe mathematical expressions in a more natural and structured way. The feature works with supported Microsoft 365 apps, including Word and PowerPoint, without requiring an additional download or setup.

A new math navigation mode lets users move through individual parts of an equation, including fractions, exponents, and roots.

Users can enter this mode with Narrator key + Alt + N and customize the behavior through the Math reading settings available in Narrator.

Narrator math support expands to more languages and browsers

Narrator’s math reading functionality now supports six languages: US English, UK English, Traditional Chinese, Finnish, German, and Spanish.

Microsoft is also bringing the feature to supported mathematical content on the web.

It works with Microsoft Edge 153.0.4234.32 or later and Chrome 153.0.8010.18 or later.

The functionality builds on the math reading and navigation capabilities Microsoft previously introduced with Build 26340.9354.

Multi-monitor taskbar settings should persist more reliably

Experimental Build 28120.3181 also improves how Windows 11 remembers taskbar settings when multiple monitors are connected.

Microsoft says taskbar settings for additional displays should now persist more reliably when monitors are connected or disconnected.

The build includes several other general fixes and improvements for Windows Insiders testing the 26H1 Experimental branch.

Users running Windows 11 25H2 can instead check out the latest Windows 11 Insider Beta Build that puts Weather first on the lock screen.

Microsoft is also testing similar Search changes in Windows 11 Experimental Build 26340.9616.