- Windows 11 build 23506 is now rolling out in the Dev Channel.
- The update rolls out the Windows Copilot for all insiders.
- Introduces improvements for file sharing, security, initial setup, and more.
Microsoft is now rolling out Windows 11 build 23506 for devices in the Dev Channel of the Windows Insider Program. In this release, Microsoft is making available for testing a slew of fixes and improvements.
Build 23506 for Windows 11, according to the official changes, introduces the first public preview of the Windows Copilot AI chatbot to everyone, not only for a select group of users like with the previous build. Also, this flight rolls out improvements for Windows Hello for Business, warnings when copying and pasting unsafe passwords, and local file sharing.
The new Outlook app is the new default on Windows 11, and the development team is trying a few changes to the experience after completing the out-of-box experience (OOBE). Also, you can now configure your backup preferences in the second-chance out-of-box experience (SCOOBE)
Finally, build 23506 also updates the color font format to display richer emoji with 3D effects. The Settings app updates the “Energy recommendations” page, File Explorer receives a slew of improvements, and more.
Windows 11 build 23506 new features
Here are all the new features and improvements for the latest release of Windows 11 in the Dev Channel:
File Sharing
On build 23506, Windows 11 introduces various improvements for the interface to share files with others. For example, the interface has been redesigned to match the design language of Windows 11. You will now find a search box so you can search for contacts across Outlook to share a file. Instead of a dropdown, you will see a button to turn on the feature. And your computers will be at the top of discovered devices under “Nearby Share.”
Furthermore, files will transfer faster using Wi-Fi Direct, and the company added “Share” to the context menu in File Explorer, in addition to having the share icon at the top of the context menu.
Security changes
As part of the Windows Hello for Business, Windows 11 build 23506 includes a new “EnablePasswordlessExperience” policy that promotes a user experience on AAD-joined computers for core authentication scenarios without requiring a password.
Once the policy is configured, it removes passwords from the user experience, both for device login as well as in-session auth scenarios like password managers in a web browser, “Run as” administrator or as a different user scenario, and User Account Control (UAC). Users will navigate through their core authentication scenarios using Windows Hello for Business in place of passwords.
Also, Microsoft is updating the Enhanced Phishing Protection in Microsoft Defender SmartScreen to show a warning when copying and pasting an unsafe password. This is in addition to showing a warning when typing a password.
Out-of-box experience
The software giant is also updating the experience after completing the out-of-box experience.
If you choose “Development Intent” in the “Let’s Customize Your Experience” page during the out-of-box experience, Dev Home will be automatically launched on the computer after logging in.
In the case that you choose “Development Intent,” the Get Started app will be automatically launched after logging in and reaching the desktop for the first time after setup.
Or if you choose to “Restore,” the Get Started app will automatically start after you log into your device for the second time after completing the out-of-box experience. The Get Started app will show you a personalized flow to learn key apps and settings, notify you that the system has been restored on your device, and show you how to access your restored apps on the Start menu or Taskbar.
Other changes
Starting with the preview, the new Outlook is now an inbox app.
The development team is also rolling out a new color font format to COLRv1 to display richer emoji with a 3D-like appearance.
As part of the backup and restore experience, you can configure the backup preferences in the second-chance out-of-box experience (SCOOBE) so your apps, settings, credentials, and files are backed up in the cloud.
Also, under Settings > System > Power & battery, the company is updating the “Energy recommendations” page with two new options to configure dark mode and adjust the refresh rate to conserve energy.
Fixes and improvements
This flight also ships with a bunch of fixes and improvements for Taskbar, Input, Settings, File Explorer, and more.
File Explorer
- Fixed an issue where explorer.exe might crash when dragging tabs.
- Fixed an issue which could cause explorer.exe to crash when opening Gallery.
- Fixed an issue which was causing explorer.exe to crash when trying to access an FTP address.
- Fixed an issue where selecting the dropdown arrows in the address bar was opening a blank menu in the last flight.
- Fixed an issue where File Type icons are displayed in place of file thumbnails for ‘Recommended’ section (applicable to Enterprise users).
- Fixed an issue where Insiders signed in with an AAD account who tried to navigate the Recommended section on
- File Explorer Home with the tab key on the keyboard may have experienced an explorer.exe crash.
- Fixed an issue where if you navigated from another group to the Recommended section using a keyboard, focus will not appear on the group header or files appropriately.
- Fixed an issue where opening Home was crashing for some Insiders.
- Fixed an issue where if you clicked on the Share command, it would bring up the Windows share sheet instead of the OneDrive share experience.
- Fixed an underlying issue believed to be the cause of certain apps hanging when trying to use the open file dialog.
Notifications
- Fixed an issue where the copy button for quickly copying two-factor authentication (2FA) codes in notification toasts was not working as expected.
Taskbar
- Fixed an issue where the notification badge on the widgets icon in the taskbar could get out of place.
- Fixed the issue causing text scaling to not work in the search flyout.
Dynamic Lighting
- Fixed an underlying ctfmon.exe crash (which could impact the ability to type) related to the Dynamic Lighting work.
- Fixed an issue where all-device settings changes were not propagating to per-device settings.
This release also has known issues with the Dev Drive, File Explorer, Windows Copilot, Dynamic Lighting, and Windows Ink.
Install build 23506
If you want to download and install the Windows 11 build 23506, enroll your device in the Dev Channel using the “Windows Insider Program” settings from the “Windows Update” section.
Once you enroll the computer in the program, you can download build 23506 from the “Windows Update” settings by clicking the Check for Updates button. However, you will need a device that meets the minimum system requirements to receive the update if you are new to the Windows Insider Program.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].