Dev Channel Windows 11 Insiders get a servicing build & new Windows Subsystem for Android release

Microsoft is ending the week with two updates in the Windows Insider Program. Dev Channel Windows Insiders are getting a small servicing build, as well as a new update for the Windows Subsystem for Android. Here’s the scoop on what you need to know.

The Dev Channel build is simple. It has no noted feature changes and just bumps your build up to 25120.1010, You’ll see it as KB5015039 in Windows Update. Microsoft says it is intended to test its servicing pipeline. You can check our take on Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 25120, which this build services. As a reminder, that build introduces a new search box on the Windows 11 desktop.

As for the Windows Subsystem for Android update, it is quite significant. This update bumps the WSA to version 2204.40000.15.0 and includes several exciting new features and improvements. The first of those is an update to Android 12.1, another is major Windows integration improvements and a final is a new Settings app experience! Here’s that changelog of new features.

• We have updated the experience to Android 12.1! This update may cause some apps to fail to launch (see the known issues below for more details)
• For newer Insider Preview builds (OS Build 22621+), Windows taskbar icons will now show which Android apps are currently using microphone, location, and other system services in the system tray, and an auto-hidden taskbar will now correctly hide/show when Android apps are running.
• Android toasts will now be reflected as Windows notifications, and the Window title of an Android app will now reflect the Android activity title.
• Also, for newer Insider Preview builds (OS Build 22621+), Android apps will not be restarted when your devices come out of connected standby but will instead pick up where you left off.
• The Windows Subsystem for Android Settings app has been redesigned and updated in a huge way. We’ve redesigned the app from the ground up, now with clearer settings groups, grouped navigation and an all-around cleaner user experience. We’ve also added a diagnostic data viewer where you can examine all the diagnostic data collected by the Subsystem, and configuration options in the new compatibility settings to turn on fixes for specific apps such as forcing apps to be non-resizable or enabling swipes for arrow keys.
• With this update, telemetry collection (optional diagnostic data setting in the Windows Subsystem for Android Settings app) is now off by default. To help us make Windows Subsystem for Android better and provide useful telemetry about Android app usage, please enable this setting in the Windows Subsystem for Android Settings app!
• Networking for Windows Subsystem for Android on newer Insider Preview builds (OS Build 22621+) has been improved to enable Android apps to connect to devices on the same network as your Windows PC. With advanced networking, you can play your favorite content on a speaker on the same network, or set up a security camera (or other smart home device) with a compatible Android app.
• Many camera updates are being shipped in this update. The camera orientation is now fixed to natural orientation, and issues with incorrect camera preview, bugs with letterboxing and squishing of the camera feed have now been addressed.
• Mouse and keyboard support in Windows Subsystem for Android has been improved, with fixes such as improved scroll-wheel support, fixes for the onscreen keyboard focus and fixes for the Android software keyboard displaying correctly.

It’s clearly been a busy week at Microsoft, as there were many developments on the Windows 11 front. It all started when the OS hit broad deployment status earlier this week. Happy downloading, Windows Insiders! And remember to submit that feedback to help make Windows great for everyone.