Microsoft has released two interesting Windows 11 changes with a new Dev channel build. The Windows 11 Build 25262 brings capability to use Widgets without the prerequisite of account sign-in. The build also makes Quick assist accessibility easier by giving it a fixed place in Settings. Microsoft has also highlighted December Bug bash and update to Media player that brings the ability to browse through your video library by folder.

Coming to details now, the Windows 11 Build 25262 brings new features/changes and fixes along with itself. Microsoft has removed the sign-in requirement for the widgets board on Windows 11. One can now get weather updates on the taskbar, pin widgets from favorite apps or access personalized dynamic feed without a Microsoft account. Microsoft has also added a link to Quick Assist at the bottom of Settings > System > Troubleshooters.

Read on for full changelog of the Windows 11 Build 25262 that includes all changes, new features, improvements and fixes.

Changes and Improvements

[Widgets]

  • In the most recent update for Widgets, we are removing the sign-in requirement for the widgets board and making it available for all users. Now, you can now get weather updates on the taskbar, pin widgets from your favorite apps or access personalized dynamic feed without an account.
The widgets board without being signed into an account.
The widgets board without being signed into an account.

[Settings]

  • Added a link to Quick Assist at the bottom of Settings > System > Troubleshooters, to help if you’re having issues with your PC.

Fixes

[General]

  • Fixed an issue where if the Widgets app package was missing on your PC, explorer.exe would crash in a loop after upgrading to Build 25252. This issue is also believed to be the cause of Windows Sandbox not working in this build.
  • Fixed an issue that caused secondary drives or other PCI devices to not be viewable for certain Insiders.

[Taskbar & System Tray]

  • Fixed an issue where, with the system tray design updates, auto-hiding the taskbar would stop working after you had interacted with the hidden icons flyout.
  • Fixed an issue that was causing a gap between full screen windows and the taskbar on secondary monitors.
  • The system tray area should no longer shift as the numbers change in the clock.
  • Fixed an issue causing the top half of the media controls in Quick Settings to be missing sometimes.

[Search on the Taskbar]

  • We fixed the issue where you needed to press backspace after typing before you will see results for certain files ending with .cmd, .exe or .bat.
  • Improved the performance of launching the search window in certain cases.

The fixes only apply for Windows Insiders who received one of the different treatments for how search looks on the taskbar that began rolling out to Insiders with Build 25252:

  • Fixed an issue where the search box would not show up on multiple monitors as expected when clicking on either one.
  • Fixed an issue when clicking the search box on taskbar, the search box would momentarily flash before the Search flyout displayed.

[Input]

  • Fixed an issue where when dragging a window to a monitor with lower DPI your mouse might appear to jump away from the window it was holding.

[File Explorer]

  • Fixed an issue causing explorer.exe to crash when opening certain items from the Recent section in File Explorer.

[Settings]

  • The Wi-Fi section of Quick Settings should no longer unexpectedly sometimes say network venue on certain entries.

[Task Manager]

  • Fixed an issue where the graphs on the performance page in Task Manager might not update (even though the real time update speed setting wasn’t paused).

[Other]

  • The Microsoft Account sign in window should no longer unexpectedly sometimes have a black title bar when using light mode.
  • Adjusted the text when using the Wireless Display feature if you haven’t enabled input yet, so it guides you to the correct place to do that.

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.