Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 25231 is available on the Dev Channel

After looking at KB5018486, which Microsoft flighted to the Beta Channel, it’s time to focus on what Dev Channel Insiders received today.

In case you missed it, the tech giant has also released Windows 11 build 25231 Preview to all the Dev Channel Insiders.

This most recent build does not contain anything new, it has mostly fixes, and acknowledgment of a bunch more Known Issues that are listed below.

What has Microsoft fixed through Build 25231?

Microsoft specified that a new feature for Phone Link will be rolling out to Insiders today that will allow Samsung phone users to immediately access a hotspot.

Nothing too fancy this week. In fact, the builds that Microsoft released last week were much larger and had a lot more to offer.

That being said, let’s dive in and have a closer look at what the Remond company envisioned for Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 25231.

Changes and Improvements

[General]

• The change that began rolling out with Build 25179 to the spelling dictionary so that it now uses a language-neutral word list and syncs across all devices that use the same Windows account is now available to all Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel. Users can toggle this feature via Settings > Accounts > Windows backup > Remember my preferences > Language preferences. This currently only works with Microsoft accounts today with AAD support coming later.

[Tablet-optimized taskbar]

• Tablet-optimized taskbar which began rolling out with Build 25197 is now available to all Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel, as is the System Tray improvements that began rolling out with Build 25211 that include drag and drop.

[Input]

• The cloud suggestion feature Simplified Chinese IME that began rolling out with Build 25217 is now available for all Insiders in the Dev Channel.

Fixes

[System Tray]

• When moving your mouse over the sound icon on Quick Settings, the tooltip will now display when spatial audio is in use – not just that it is enabled.

[Settings]

• Removed the backplate from UWP app icons in Apps > Default apps and Apps > Apps for websites.
• Fixed the font used on the Wi-Fi section of Quick Settings when Wi-Fi was off, so that it’s consistent with the other text in Quick Settings
• Fixed an issue believed to be the root cause of certain network cameras unexpectedly not being added when you selected them under Bluetooth & Devices > Cameras.
• Improved DPI-awareness when launching setup.exe from a mounted ISO, so the initial logo while it’s preparing should no longer be blurry in certain cases.

[Other]

• Fixed a rare issue where FindWindow and FindWindowEx might return an unexpected window.
• Fixed an issue where sometimes you wouldn’t be able to use FIDO to unlock your PC if it was connected to an external display with the laptop lid closed.
• Fixed an issue which sometimes led to crashes in certain apps (like Paint, and Windows Terminal) when attempting to display a tooltip.

NOTE

Some fixes noted here in Insider Preview builds from the Dev Channel may make their way into the servicing updates for the released version of Windows 11.

Known issues

[General]

• Looking into reports that audio stopped working for some Insiders after upgrading to the latest flights.
• Investigating reports of crashes with a few different apps and games in recent builds.
• Investigating reports that various UI elements in apps appear to be disappearing and reappearing sometimes in recent builds.
• Investigating reports that some apps like Microsoft Edge are unexpectedly showing thick lines on the side of the window after the last flight.
• When using the latest ISO to install the Dev Channel build, you might get a SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION bugcheck citing an error with win32kfull.sys. We’re working on a fix.

[Tablet-optimized taskbar]

• The taskbar sometimes flashes when transitioning between desktop posture and tablet posture.
• When using the bottom right edge gesture to see Quick Settings, the taskbar sometimes stays stuck in the expanded state, instead of dismissing to collapsed state.

[System Tray Updates]

• Opening the hidden icons flyout can result in a File Explorer entry for it appearing in the taskbar. We’re working on a fix.
• Chat apps aren’t flashing with new messages or opening a preview on hover in the system tray. We’re working on a fix.

[Start menu]

• We’re investigating reports that folders in Start menu don’t open on the first try.

[Input]

• Investigating reports that the text cursor becomes white on white when hovering over text fields, making it difficult to see.

[Widgets]

• In right-to-left display languages like Arabic, content animates out of view before the widgets board resizes when clicking to expanded view of the widgets board.

What can I do if I can’t install Build 25231?

1. Press Win+ I to access Settings.
2. Select the System category and click on Troubleshoot.
3. Press the Other troubleshooters button.
4. Press the Run button next to Windows Update.

Don’t forget to report any other issues you might come across, in order for Microsoft to address and improve the overall OS experience for us all.

This is everything you can expect if you are a Windows 11 Dev Channel Insider. Leave a comment below if you found any issues since installing this cumulative update.