- Microsoft makes the Windows 11 build 25992 available in the Canary Channel.
- This flight brings SMB protocol changes, improves File Explorer performance, and notes some known issues.
UPDATED 11/9/2023: Microsoft is now rolling out the Windows 11 build 25992 for participants of the Windows Insider Program for devices enrolled in the Canary Channel, with several networking changes and improvements.
According to the official changes, Windows 11 build 25992 is adding various protocol changes to the Server Message Block (SMB), including firewall rule changes, NTLM blocking exception list, alternative client and server ports, and SMB over QUIC client access control certificate changes.
This update is bringing performance improvements to opening large “.zip” files on File Explorer, and the company notes various fixes for known issues.
Windows 11 build 25992 new changes
You will find new firewall changes as part of the Server Message Block protocol changes to increase security on Windows 11. For example, the system will now automatically configure the new “File and Printer Sharing (Restrictive)” group, which no longer contains inbound NetBIOS ports 137-139. In the future, the company will also remove inbound ICMP, LLMNR, and Spooler Service ports and restrict them to the SMB sharing-necessary ports only.
The new SMB NTLM blocking now supports specifying exception lists for NTLM usage to configure a general block while still allowing clients to use NTLM for specific servers that do not support Kerberos.
Also, the Server Message Block client now supports connecting to an SMB server over TCP, QUIC, or RDMA using alternative network ports to the hardcoded defaults. In addition, the SMB over QUIC server on the server version of Windows now supports endpoints configured with different ports than 443
Finally, Microsoft is bringing certificate support with subject alternative names and not just a single subject to the SMB over QUIC client access control feature.
Furthermore, Microsoft is noting several fixes to previous issues, including crashes in the Settings due to a bug on the “Personalization” and “Privacy & Security” settings pages. It addresses a connection problem with a Microsoft account on the Settings Home page. The update also fixes context menu issues when using touch or pen on the side of the desktop, crashes with Quick Settings, and icons disappearing when switching virtual desktops.
This update also ships with known issues regarding some popular games not working correctly, reboot in Safe Mode hangs on the boot logo, and the “Touchpad” settings page crashes the Settings app.
As part of this rollout, the software giant is even releasing an update for the Snipping Tool to work better on HDR displays.
In this update, Windows 11 now supports creating 7-Zip (7z) and TAR files through File Explorer, and Snap Layouts is getting smart suggestions to snap multiple app windows together instantly.
When opening the layouts menu by hovering over the maximize button, you will see app icons displayed in various layout options to help recommend the best layout option.
Although it’s not official, Microsoft is also experimenting with a new change that relocates the Copilot button to the Taskbar’s System Tray.
Install build 25992
To download and install the Windows 11 build 25992, enroll your device in the Canary 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 clicking the “Check for Updates” button.
Update November 9, 2023: This post has been updated to reflect additional changes for the preview, including creating 7z and TAR files, Snap Layouts suggestions, and Copilot in the System Tray.
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].