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Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5742 (KB5064075) in the Dev Channel and Build 26120.5742 in the Beta Channel, marking significant steps in the development of Windows 11 version 25H2. A key focus of these builds is the continued migration of legacy Control Panel features to the modern Settings app, alongside a redesigned mobile device companion for the Start menu and various system improvements. This article explores the changes introduced in these builds, emphasizing the transition of Control Panel functionalities and their impact on user experience.
Migration of Control Panel Features to Settings
Microsoft’s ongoing effort to phase out the legacy Control Panel in favor of the Settings app is evident in these new builds. The Control Panel, a staple of Windows for decades, is being gradually retired as Microsoft modernizes the user interface. The following settings have been relocated to the Settings app, enhancing accessibility and aligning with Windows 11’s design language:
Date and Time Settings: Users can now add additional clocks from Settings > Time & language > Date & time under the “Show time and date in the system tray” section. These clocks appear in the Notification Center and in the tooltip when hovering over the taskbar clock. The ability to change the time server is also now available under “Additional settings” in the same section. Additionally, date and time formatting settings, including the option to customize AM/PM symbols, have been moved from Settings > Time & language > Language & region to Settings > Time & language > Date & time.
Language and Region Settings: New options in Settings > Time & language > Language & region allow users to modify number and currency formats under the “Region” section. A toggle to enable Unicode UTF-8 for worldwide language support has been added under the “Language” section. Users can also copy current language and region settings to the welcome screen, system account, and new user accounts from the “Additional settings” section.
Keyboard and Text Cursor Settings: The character repeat delay and rate settings have been relocated to Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard, allowing users to control the duration and frequency of character repetition. Similarly, the cursor blink rate setting is now found under Settings > Accessibility > Text cursor, enabling customization of the cursor’s blinking frequency.
These changes streamline access to settings that previously required navigating the outdated Control Panel interface, offering a more cohesive and visually consistent experience. Microsoft has also updated various dialogs to align with Windows 11’s modern design, such as the dialog displayed when a program cannot be opened.
Redesigned Mobile Device Companion in Start Menu
In the Dev Channel’s Build 26200.5742, Microsoft introduced a redesigned mobile device companion for the Start menu. This updated layout allows users to scroll through recent activities, such as messages, calls, photos, and mobile app updates, directly from the Start menu. This feature, integrated with the Phone Link app, enhances connectivity between Windows 11 PCs and synced iPhone or Android devices, providing a seamless way to stay updated on mobile activities without leaving the desktop environment.
Additional Improvements and Fixes
Beyond the Control Panel migration and Start menu enhancements, these builds include several fixes and performance improvements:
File Explorer: Issues with icon mirroring in right-to-left languages (e.g., Arabic and Hebrew), persistent tooltips, and tab duplication flashes have been resolved. Support for text scaling on desktop icons has been improved to prevent overlapping, and performance enhancements have been made for launching cloud files and loading context menus. Narrator functionality has also been fixed for certain File Explorer actions.
Start Menu: Fixed issues where the “All apps” section displayed excessive alphabetical categories with blank icons and incorrect categorization of apps like Visual Studio.
Task Manager: Reliability issues, including freezing in the performance section, have been addressed. Accessibility improvements include better contrast for column headers in high-contrast themes and refined focus handling in dialogs.
Input: Fixed issues with Input Method Editors (IMEs) for Chinese, Changjie, Bopomoji, and Japanese, resolving character-dropping problems after copying text and restoring functionality for older IME versions on the touch keyboard.
Settings: A crash when adding a security key under Settings > Account > Sign-in options has been resolved.
Other: Crashes related to dao360.dll and SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION bugchecks affecting some Insiders have been fixed.
Known Issues
Despite these improvements, some known issues persist:
General: Some users may encounter a rollback error (0x80070005) during installation, which can potentially be resolved via Settings > System > Recovery > Fix issues using Windows Update.
Click to Do (Preview): Text and image actions may not work, and the feature may crash in Build 26120.5742. Long wait times for intelligent text actions on AMD or Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs are also reported.
Start Menu: The new Start menu layout may temporarily display fewer pinned app columns (e.g., 6 instead of 8), to be resolved in future updates.
File Explorer: In dark mode, colors for low drive space and remaining space may appear incorrect.
Live Captions: Crashes may occur when using live translation on Copilot+ PCs.
Xbox Controllers: Bluetooth-connected Xbox controllers may cause bugchecks, resolvable by uninstalling the driver “oemXXX.inf (XboxGameControllerDriver.inf)” via Device Manager.
Conclusion
Windows 11 version 25H2, as showcased in Builds 26200.5742 and 26120.5742, continues Microsoft’s push to modernize the operating system by transitioning Control Panel settings to the Settings app. This shift not only enhances the user experience with a more intuitive interface but also aligns with Windows 11’s sleek design philosophy. The redesigned mobile device companion in the Start menu further bridges the gap between PCs and mobile devices, while numerous fixes improve system stability and accessibility. As Microsoft refines these features through the Insider Program, users can expect a more polished experience when Windows 11 25H2 rolls out to the general public in fall 2025.
