Microsoft has released a new Windows 11 Build 25252 to the insiders in Dev channel. The new version 23H2 build brings a glanceable VPN status into the system tray and testing of different search looks on the taskbar.

Coming to details now, the testing of different search looks on the taskbar can be managed by insiders in settings under Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar Items. Not all insiders will get this feature after installing the build. The glanceable VPN status comes into picture when connected to a recognized VPN profile. 

The Windows 11 Build 25252 also brings many fixes and improvements with itself. Check the full changelog below.

Changes and Improvements

[Taskbar & System Tray]

  • We have added a glanceable VPN status into the system tray when connected to a recognized VPN profile. The VPN icon, a small shield, will be overlayed in your system accent color over the active network connection.
Glanceable VPN status in the system tray.
Glanceable VPN status in the system tray.

[Search on the Taskbar]

  • In this build, we are continuing to try out different treatments for how search looks on the taskbar. We are excited to learn from your feedback on this, so please let us know what you think via Feedback Hub if you see the different treatments on your PC. Insiders who get this experience will have the ability to change the treatment of search on taskbar in settings under Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar Items.
Example of different treatments we are trying out for how search looks on the taskbar.

Example of different treatments we are trying out for how search looks on the taskbar.

Fixes

[Taskbar & System Tray]

  • Fixed an explorer.exe crash when using Alt+F4 with the show hidden icons flyout in the system tray open.
  • Fixed multiple explorer.exe crashes impacting system tray performance.
  • Updated the battery icon’s tooltip to let you know if your device is charging slowly.
  • Made a small refinement for tablet-optimized taskbar users to make it a bit easier to expand the taskbar without invoking the Start menu.
  • Fixed an issue which could lead to the taskbar jump lists and preview thumbnails not appearing in the correct position for Insiders with 2 in 1 PCs.

[Start menu]

  • We fixed an issue causing folders in Start menu to not open on the first try.

[Other]

  • Fixed an issue causing some Insiders to see a bugcheck with the error SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION after upgrading to the previous flight.
  • Fixed an issue which was causing certain apps (including Media Player) to crash when playing media in the background in recent flights.
  • Fixed an issue which could lead to your PC going to sleep although it was configured to not sleep.
  • Fixed an issue where network-to-local copying (for example, when copying a file from a network share) was slower than expected from some users.

NOTE: Some fixes noted here in Insider Preview builds from the Dev Channel may make their way into the servicing updates for the released version of Windows 11.