- Microsoft releases Windows 11 build 25136 in the Dev Channel.
- The preview brings tabs support for File Explorer.
- File Explorer also gets a new layout for the navigation pane.
- In addition, the Taskbar receives an update to display dynamic widgets content.
Microsoft is now rolling out Windows 11 build 25136 for devices enrolled in the Dev Channel of the Windows Insider Program. This release doesn’t include many changes, but it includes an early preview of tabs for File Explorer expected to arrive with version 23H2.
Build 25136 for Windows 11, according to the official announcement, introduces support for tabs on File Explorer and several changes to the navigation page. Also, this flight introduces the ability to show widgets content within the Taskbar and several fixes and improvements.
Updated File Explorer
On build 25136, Windows 11 has an updated version of File Explorer that finally brings support for tabs.
Tabs for File Explorer are expected to work similarly to the experience in the web browser. Instead of having multiple instances of the app, you will now be able to use one instance to navigate multiple folders and drive locations. You will also be able re-arrange and create new tabs as needed.
Microsoft isn’t rolling out tabs for everyone at this time, but you can use these steps to enable the preview of tabs in File Explorer.
In addition, the file manager also includes a redesigned layout for the left navigation pane. The design organization provides easy access to pinned and frequently used folders and OneDrive cloud profiles, which now reflect the user’s name associated with the account.
Also, when navigating to folders syncing to OneDrive, the address bar displays the correct path to make it easier to understand when the folders are on the cloud versus when they are local to you.
The known folders (Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, etc.) are no longer displayed under “This PC” to keep that view focused on the drives.
Updated Taskbar
This preview also introduces a new feature that allows the Taskbar to show dynamic widgets. In addition to the live content from the weather widget, you’ll also start to see sports, finance, and breaking news information.
The company also says that the Taskbar will return to showing you the weather if you don’t interact with the content update.
Also, Microsoft has started to roll out the ability for Insiders to report animated gifs they feel are inappropriate from the emoji panel.
Build 25136 fixes
In addition to the new features, this release packs several fixes and improvements.
Taskbar
- Fixed an issue that was sometimes causing taskbar apps to overflow with the system tray icons.
- When you hover on an app in the system tray, its notification will no longer flash.
Start
- Fixed an issue that could cause Start to only show one column of recommended items.
- If you’re pinning a large number of apps to Start, it should now refresh to show them more reliably.
Settings
- Fixed an issue from the previous flight where the “Disks & Volumes” section of System > Storage wasn’t displaying any disks or volumes.
Windowing
- Fixed to help with a rare issue which was causing title bars to sometimes go transparent or missing sometimes in certain apps.
- Windows Update
- Fixed an issue where Windows Update might unexpectedly show error 0x00000000 when there wasn’t anything wrong.
- Fixed an issue that was leading to some devices bug checking with HYPERVISOR_ERROR when trying to upgrade to a new build.
Task Manager
- Fixed an issue that was causing Task Manager to crash on launch sometimes after switching between light and dark mode or changing accent color.
Other fixes
- Fixed an issue that could lead to increased latency or stutter in games when v-sync was used.
- Fixed an issue that could cause some PCs to freeze after running the wsl –shutdown command.
- Addressed an issue that was leading to some PCs being erroneously detected as tablets.
- Fixed an issue causing some Insiders to experience an SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION bugcheck in recent Dev Channel builds.
In addition to these fixes, Microsoft is also pointing out a few known issues using Live Captions, Easy Anti-Cheat, Start menu, and File Explorer.
Install Windows 11 build 25136
If you want to download and install the Windows 11 build 25136, you need to enroll your device in the Dev Channel using the “Windows Insider Program” settings from the “Update & Security” section.
Once you enroll the computer in the program, you can download build 25136 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].