- Windows 11 build 25324 is now rolling out in the Canary Channel.
- The update brings various improvements to Widgets, Settings app, and security.
- Microsoft is also rolling out several changes and fixes for the system.
Microsoft is releasing the Windows 11 build 25324 for computers enrolled in the Canary Channel of the Windows Insider Program. This is a minor update, but it includes various new features and improvements.
Build 25324 for Windows 11, according to the official changes, introduces a redesigned Widgets board with three columns that focus on separating the widgets from the news feed. The Settings app receives a new “USB4 hubs and Devices” settings page to provide information about the system’s USB4 capabilities and attached compatible peripherals. Also, this flight improves the Enhanced Phishing Protection in Microsoft Defender SmartScreen, introduces SHA-3 support, and rolls out various other improvements.
Windows 11 build 25324 changes
These are all the new features and improvements for the latest release of Windows 11 in the Canary Channel:
New Widgets board design
Starting with build 25324, Windows 11 introduces a redesigned Widgets board with three columns that will make it easier for users to differentiate between the widgets and news feed.
In addition, when you hover the Widgets icon in the Taskbar, you will also notice a new intimation when hovering or clicking the button.
New USB4 Hubs and Devices settings
As part of the changes to the Settings app, this flight introduces a new “USB4 hubs and devices” page from the “USB” page that provides information about the system’s USB4 capabilities and attached compatible peripherals.
On the new page, you can view the tree of connected USB4 hubs and devices, attributes, and capabilities associated with the USB4 domain, and you will be able to copy the information.
Troubleshooter settings changes
Some Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool (MSDT) and MSDT Troubleshooters are now being redirected to the troubleshooters available on Settings > System > Troubleshoot since the company is depreciating the legacy tool.
Sign-in options settings
If you have multiple cameras that support Windows Hello, you can now select your preferred camera under Settings > Accounts > Sign-in Options.
Password security enhancements
On Windows 11 22H2, the system incorporates a new Enhanced Phishing Protection that is built as part of the Microsoft Defender solution, and in this release, the company is trying out a change to show an interface warning on unsafe password copy and paste in the same way as you currently see when they type in their password.
SHA-3 support
Windows 11 build 25324 brings support for the SHA-3 family of hash functions, and SHA-3 derived functions (SHAKE, cSHAKE, KMAC). The SHA-3 family of algorithms are the latest standardized hash functions by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Support for these functions has been enabled through the Windows CNG library:
- Supported SHA-3 hash functions: SHA3-256, SHA3-384, SHA3-512 (SHA3-224 is not supported)
- Supported SHA-3 HMAC algorithms: HMAC-SHA3-256, HMAC-SHA3-384, HMAC-SHA3-512
- Supported SHA-3 derived algorithms: extendable-output functions (XOF) (SHAKE128, SHAKE256), customizable XOFs (cSHAKE128, cSHAKE256), and KMAC (KMAC128, KMAC256, KMACXOF128, KMACXOF256).
File Explorer improvements
File Explorer doesn’t include any significant changes, but the Windows team made some changes that should noticeably help improve the performance of the “calculating” phase when sending a large number of files at once in File Explorer to the recycle bin.
Taskbar
If you have access to the new Bing Chat AI, you will now see a Bing button in the Windows Search box and homepage to access the chatbot with Microsoft Edge.
Input
Finally, Windows 11 is also updating simplified Chinese fonts and the Microsoft Pinyin IME to support GB18030-2022. Starting with this release, you can enter and display characters from conformance level 1 or 2 through the additions to Microsoft Yahei, Simsun, and Dengxian. Unicode Extensions E and F are now supported in our Simsun Ext-B font to meet the requirements for level 3.
Install build 25324
If you want to download and install the Windows 11 build 25324, enroll your device in the Canary Channel using the “Windows Insider Program” settings from the “Windows Update” section.
Once you enroll the computer in the program, you can download build 25324 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.
Update March 24, 2023: Microsoft is pushing the update KB5025849 as build 25314.1011 to testers, but the update does not include new. It is only designed to test the servicing pipeline.
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 14 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 20 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].