- Windows 11 build 26220.9202 is rolling out to the Beta channel for version 25H2.
- File Explorer Home is faster and more responsive, with touch scrolling for Recommended and a fix for broken file previews.
- WinRE can reuse eligible saved Wi-Fi profiles, making it easier to get online during recovery, Quick Machine Recovery, and cloud rebuilds.
- Microsoft is removing WMIC and Drag Tray, continuing to retire legacy components while responding to Insider feedback.
- The build also improves the Taskbar, Japanese IME, and Settings, while fixing an xtajit64.dll crash affecting some Arm64 apps.
Microsoft has released the Windows 11 Insider Preview Quality Update (26220.9202) for version 25H2 via the Beta channel in the Windows Insider Program. This flight introduces various fixes as part of the Windows K2 initiative, including new features.
According to the official notes, Windows 11 build 26220.9202 rolls out an updated version of File Explorer that is faster and more responsive.
In addition, the company is bringing new networking capabilities in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). This release also removes the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) and the Drag Tray experience from Windows 11 based on feedback.
Finally, this flight rolls out improvements for the Taskbar, input, Search, and more.
What’s new on Windows 11 update 26220.9202 (Beta)
These are the new features and improvements rolling out in the Beta channel:
File Explorer improvements
In File Explorer, Home now launches faster and feels more responsive, while the “Recommended” section gains touch scrolling so you can swipe through the file carousel more naturally.
Microsoft also fixed a frustrating preview issue from the previous flight that caused an unexpected thick band to appear across the middle of file previews.
Windows Recovery networking support
Windows Recovery Environment is getting a useful networking upgrade that could make recovery far less complicated. It can now reuse eligible Wi-Fi profiles saved in the operating system, including supported certificate-based networks, instead of requiring users to manually enter passwords.
Previously, WinRE could automatically connect only to wired unauthenticated Ethernet or Wi-Fi networks separately configured for the recovery environment. Starting with this flight, a recovery workflow can automatically get online for scenarios such as Quick Machine Recovery or cloud rebuilds, without users or network administrators having to reconfigure Wi-Fi credentials.
The feature is enabled by default, although administrators can disable it if needed. Microsoft has also published a guide for testing networking in WinRE.
Search box changes
In the Taskbar, the Search box is now slightly taller, increasing its height by four pixels to improve its appearance and usability.
WMIC is removed from Windows 11
Microsoft is taking another step toward retiring the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) by removing it from this release. The legacy command-line tool has been deprecated for some time, and this change continues Microsoft’s gradual effort to remove WMIC from Windows.
WMIC was commonly used by administrators and scripts to query and manage system information through WMI. Microsoft recommends moving to PowerShell and other modern WMI-based tools as part of the transition.
Drag Tray is removed from Windows 11
Microsoft is removing the Drag Tray feature from this build after listening to feedback from Windows Insiders.
Other changes
In addition, the company fixed several problems with the release of build 26220.9202:
- Settings: Fixed a crash that could occur when interacting with items on the “Date & Time” page.
- Taskbar: Improved reliability of loading the System Tray for non-touch devices.
- Input: Improved the Japanese IME by reducing potential hangs and deadlocks.
- Other: Fixed an
xtajit64.dllcrash that was causing problems with certain apps for Insiders on Arm64 PCs
Download Windows 11 update 26220.9202
To download and install these Windows 11 builds, enroll your Devices in the Beta channel through the “Windows Insider Program” settings from the “Update & Security” section. Once you enroll the computer in the program, 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.
Alternatively, you can also download the ISO files from the Windows Insider Preview Downloads page. Specific preview builds are available for a limited time only.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert and founder of Pureinfotech in 2010. With over 23 years as a technology writer and IT Specialist, Mauro specializes in Windows, software, and cross-platform systems such as Linux, Android, and macOS.
Certifications: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), VMware Certified Professional (VCP), and CompTIA A+ and Network+.
Mauro is a recognized Microsoft MVP and has also been a long-time contributor to Windows Central.
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