Builds 28020.3445 and 28120.3454 for Windows 11 26H1 give Search a major upgrade – Beta, Experimental

• Windows 11 build 28020.3445 in the Beta channel introduces redesigned Windows Search with inline actions, typo recognition, and synonym matching.
• Magnifier gains independent zoom levels for multiple displays, viewport locking, and a new contrast theme that preserves original image and video colors.
• File Explorer can automatically preview downloaded PDFs and other non-HTML files in the Preview pane.
• Build 28120.3454 in the Experimental channel adds automatic screen brightness adjustment during Windows Hello facial recognition and a cleaner security key PIN screen.

Microsoft is making available Windows 11 Insider Preview builds 28020.3445 and 28120.3454 for version 26H1 via the Beta and Experimental channels in the Windows Insider Program. These flights introduce a small set of improvements, fixes, and features.

Windows 11 builds 28120.3454 (Experimental) and 28020.3445 (Beta) introduce several improvements focused on accessibility, sign-in, and everyday usability. The Experimental release adds automatic screen brightness adjustment during Windows Hello facial recognition and a cleaner security key PIN sign-in experience.

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The Beta release brings a redesigned Windows Search experience with inline actions, improved typo and synonym recognition, and a faster interface. Magnifier also gains independent zoom levels for multiple displays, viewport locking, and a new contrast theme to reduce screen glare without changing the original colors of photos, videos, and charts. File Explorer gets another practical improvement, letting users preview downloaded PDFs and other non-HTML files directly in the Preview pane.

Windows 11 26H1 is not a version for current devices. Microsoft has explicitly stated that version 26H1 is not an upgrade path for Windows 11 26H2 or earlier releases.

According to the company’s newly published Microsoft Health Dashboard page, version 26H1 is a hardware-optimized release designed to enable next-generation silicon developed in partnership with device manufacturers and silicon partners. This release will be available exclusively as a preinstalled experience on select new devices […], with capabilities tailored specifically for those platforms.

The company is referring to the new ARM64 PCs, starting with devices powered by the Snapdragon X2 Plus, Elite, and Extreme processors. If you own a computer running on Intel or AMD hardware, Windows 11 26H1 will never be offered to your system.

What’s new on Windows 11 build 28120.3454 (Experimental)

These are the new features and improvements rolling out in the Experimental channel.

Windows Hello automatic brightness

Windows 11 is making Windows Hello more convenient when signing in from a dark or poorly lit environment. Build 28120.3454 introduces an option that automatically increases screen brightness during facial recognition, helping the camera recognize your face without requiring manual display adjustments.

To enable the feature, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Facial recognition (Windows Hello) and turn on “Automatically adjust screen brightness during face recognition.”

Security key sign-in gets a cleaner PIN screen

Microsoft is simplifying the security key sign-in experience by removing the Other user icon from the PIN entry screen. The change makes the interface cleaner and less cluttered.

What’s new on Windows 11 build 28020.3445 (Beta)

These are the new features and improvements rolling out in the Beta channel.

Windows Search gets an overhaul with inline actions

Build 28020.3445 introduces a redesigned Windows Search experience built with WinUI 3. The new interface promises faster performance, improved efficiency, and a cleaner design that makes search results easier to scan.

More importantly, inline actions let you perform common tasks directly from Search without opening Settings. You can turn on dark mode or Bluetooth, adjust screen brightness, mute your device, and arrange windows.

Microsoft is also improving how Search understands queries, including better recognition of typos and synonyms. These improvements will continue to be refined over the coming weeks. English is the only supported language during this initial rollout.

Magnifier improvements

In this update, the development team is releasing several new improvements for Magnifier.

Independent zoom levels for multiple displays

The company is bringing a welcome accessibility improvement to Magnifier for users working with multiple monitors. Each display can now maintain its own zoom level instead of stretching one magnified view across every screen.

For example, you can keep your primary display at 300 percent magnification while leaving a secondary monitor at 150 percent. This also prevents the magnified view from spilling across monitor boundaries.

To use the feature, set your displays to “Extend” under Settings > System > Display rather than “Duplicate.” You can adjust each monitor’s magnification in several ways:

• Move the pointer to the desired display and use the “Windows key + Plus (+)” or “Windows key + Minus (-)” shortcut.
• Use and hold the “Ctrl + Alt” shortcut and rotate the mouse wheel.
• Set individual zoom percentages under Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier.
• Move the Magnifier toolbar to the display you want to adjust.

Per-display zoom is enabled by default, but you can disable it from the Magnifier toolbar or Accessibility settings to restore the traditional behavior.

Lock the view on a specific display

Another useful addition is viewport locking, which keeps the magnified content on a selected monitor in place while you move your pointer to another screen.

For example, you can keep a paragraph visible on one monitor while writing an email on another without losing sight of the reference material. The locked display remains fully interactive, allowing you to click, copy, and interact with its content.

To lock or unlock a display, move the pointer to that monitor and use the “Ctrl + Windows key + K” shortcut. You can release all display locks by using the “Windows key + Esc” shortcut. Alternatively, you can change the locking shortcut to “Ctrl + Alt + P” under Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier.

Contrast theme to reduce glare

Microsoft is adding a contrast theme toggle to Magnifier, giving users another way to make bright screens more comfortable to view.

Unlike color inversion, which changes the appearance of everything on the screen, including photos, videos, and charts, the new option recolors the interface while preserving the original colors of visual content.

The dark contrast theme is enabled by default, but you can choose your preferred theme under Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier. You can also toggle it directly from the Magnifier toolbar.

The company isn’t removing color inversion, meaning that both options remain available, allowing users to choose the viewing experience that works best for them.

File Explorer can preview downloaded PDFs and other files

File Explorer is also getting a practical improvement. PDF files and other non-HTML files downloaded from the web can now appear automatically in the Preview pane, making it easier to inspect downloaded content without opening each file individually.

Download Windows 11 update previews

To download and install these Windows 11 builds, enroll your device in the Experimental or Beta channels through the “Windows Insider Program” settings from the “Update & Security” section. Once you enroll the computer in the appropriate channel, you can download the build from the “Windows Update” settings by turning on the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” option and clicking the “Check for Updates” button.