Windows 11 Insider Experimental (Future Platforms) Build Adds New Magnifier Mode

Microsoft has introduced a new contrast theme option for Windows Magnifier, alongside fixes for network connectivity, VMware crashes, and Hyper-V issues in Windows 11 Insider Experimental (Future Platforms) Preview Build 29695.1001.

The update also improves Family Safety features and addresses several reliability problems.

Windows Magnifier gets a new contrast theme

Microsoft is adding a contrast theme toggle to the Magnifier toolbar, allowing users to reduce screen glare without changing the appearance of photos, videos, or charts.

Unlike traditional color inversion, the feature adjusts interface colors while preserving visual content.

Users can enable the new contrast theme directly from the Magnifier toolbar. The dark contrast theme serves as the default, but users can select another option under Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier.

The existing color inversion feature remains available and works independently of the new contrast theme.

Microsoft also notes that per-display Magnifier zoom is not yet available in the Beta Channel.

The company recently introduced additional customization features in another Windows 11 Experimental Build, including new Start menu options.

Microsoft fixes network, VMware, and Hyper-V issues

The update addresses several problems affecting Windows Insiders and virtualization environments.

• Network connectivity: Fixed an issue that caused some Insiders to lose internet access after installing either of the previous two preview builds.
• VMware: Fixed frequent green screen crashes involving the PFN_SHARE_COUNT error.
• Hyper-V: Resolved a problem that prevented Linux virtual machines using Plan9 from accessing folders shared by the Windows host.
• ESENT: Fixed an issue that generated an unexpectedly high number of ESENT events.

These fixes should improve stability for users running virtual machines and testing Insider builds.

Microsoft also recently released a Windows 11 Insider Beta (26H1) Build with Unicode 17.0 support.

Family Safety improvements and known Recall issue

Microsoft has improved the messages that appear when Family Safety blocks applications based on age restrictions.

Windows Setup also provides clearer information about parental controls and available family safety protections during the initial setup process.

However, a known issue continues to affect Recall on some Copilot+ PCs. Following a clean Windows installation, Recall may disappear or fail to launch.

Microsoft says it is working on a fix but has not announced when it will become available.