- Builds 28020.2818 and 28120.2824 are rolling out to the Beta and Experimental channels for Windows 11 version 26H1.
- WinRE can now reuse eligible saved Wi-Fi profiles, including supported certificate-based networks, making internet-dependent recovery easier.
- Personalization gets several fixes, including better wallpaper previews, slideshow reliability, DIB image support, and a fix for wallpapers turning black after reboot.
- Microsoft is temporarily removing the modern Print Management experience, while Magnifier gets refreshed visuals and Windows 11 gains Emoji 17.0 support.
Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Preview builds 28020.2818 and 28120.2824 for version 26H1 via the Beta and Experimental channels in the Windows Insider Program. These flights introduce improvements for existing features.
According to the official notes (Beta) and Experimental, Windows 11 builds 28020.2818 (Beta) and 28120.2824 (Experimental) introduce various personalization improvements, wireless support for the Windows Recovery Environment, and File Explorer changes.
In addition, Microsoft notes that it’s removing the modernized Print Management experience
to continue working on it.
This release also includes an updated version of the Magnifier’s toolbar icons, Emoji version 17.0, improvements for loading the system tray, and enhancements for the new Run dialog.
What’s new on Windows 11 build 28120.2824 & 28020.2818
These are the new features and improvements rolling out in the Experimental channel:
Personalization gets a much-needed polish
Microsoft is making the Personalization > Background experience more reliable, while also fixing several frustrating wallpaper issues. The page should now behave better when changing wallpapers quickly, and previews get higher resolution and improved handling for portrait-oriented monitors.
The update also adds DIB image support for desktop backgrounds and improves slideshow transitions, particularly on newly created accounts. Slideshow wallpapers can now work across multiple desktops without unexpectedly switching back to Picture.
And for anyone who saw their wallpaper mysteriously turn black after every reboot in the previous flight, Microsoft has fixed that issue too.
WinRE with Wi-Fi support
Getting a computer back up and running should not require fighting with Wi-Fi first. Microsoft is improving Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) with a new networking capability that can automatically reuse eligible Wi-Fi profiles already saved in Windows, including supported certificate-based Wi-Fi networks.
Previously, WinRE could automatically connect only to wired, unauthenticated Ethernet or separately preconfigured Wi-Fi networks. For other WPA2/WPA3 networks, users had to connect manually by entering the password.
The new capability, enabled by default, allows WinRE to use saved Wi-Fi profile information when recovery needs an internet connection. This can help devices connect automatically during scenarios such as Quick Machine Recovery or cloud rebuilds, without requiring users or network administrators to configure Wi-Fi credentials separately in WinRE.
Magnifier gets a visual refresh
The Magnifier is getting a small but welcome visual makeover. Microsoft is refreshing the tool’s toolbar with updated icons that better match the operating system’s current design language, along with refined spacing and padding for a cleaner, more polished layout.
The important part is that nothing changes about how Magnifier works. Your existing views, zoom controls, keyboard shortcuts, and Read Aloud feature will continue to behave exactly as before. It’s a visual upgrade, not a feature overhaul, so you get a more modern interface without having to relearn the tool.
Windows 11 gets new Emoji 17.0 characters
Windows 11 is expanding its emoji collection with support for Emoji 17.0, bringing several new characters to the built-in emoji picker. The additions include distorted face, fight cloud, and hairy creature, among others.
You can try the new emoji by pressing the “Windows key + Period (.)” keyboard shortcut to open the emoji panel and selecting them from the picker.
Microsoft is also making a handful of existing emoji look more consistent across platforms. The refreshed designs include the saluting face, face with peeking eye, goose, lotus, and kissing cat emoji, giving some familiar characters a subtle visual cleanup.
Modern Print Management
Microsoft is putting the brakes on its modernized Print Management experience, temporarily removing it from preview builds while it works through feedback and makes additional refinements.
This doesn’t affect the existing Print Management tools, which remain available and work as before. Microsoft says the updated experience will be available to Insiders in a future build once the additional improvements are complete.
Other fixes
In addition, Windows 11 builds 28020.2818 and 28120.2824 also push several fixes and improvements.
- Taskbar: Improved reliability of loading the system tray area.
Download Windows 11 update previews
To download and install these Windows 11 builds, enroll your Devices in the Experimental or Beta Channels 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.
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.
You can follow him on YouTube, Threads, BlueSky, X (Twitter), LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].
