“Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26016 has been released to the Canary Channel, introducing Windows Protected Print Mode and several system improvements. This will be the final Canary Channel flight until January 2024. The build may experience a download loop, but it should eventually install successfully.”

Introducing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26016

Windows Insiders, brace yourselves for the release of Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26016 to the Canary Channel. This marks the last Canary Channel flight until January 2024.

What’s New in Build 26016

With this build, we introduce the Windows Protected Print Mode, a significant upgrade to your printing process.

Windows Protected Print Mode

Windows Protected Print Mode allows your PC to print exclusively using the Windows modern print stack. This mode is designed to work with Mopria certified printers only, eliminating the need for third-party software installers and providing additional security benefits.

“With Mopria certified printers, users no longer must depend on third-party software installers as well as get additional security benefits. Print devices will ‘just work’ resulting in a safe and streamlined installation and printing process.”

How to Enable Windows Protected Print Mode

Enabling Windows Protected Print Mode is straightforward. Follow the instructions provided in the Feedback Hub’s Quest for Insiders or follow the steps listed below:

Changes and Improvements

Several changes and improvements have been made in this build, including the addition of an icon to the “Diagnose network problems” entry when right clicking the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar.

Fixes for Known Issues

Several known issues have been addressed, including fixes for WinRE (Windows Recovery Environment), keyboard shortcuts on the desktop, and issues with the details pane in File Explorer.

“We did some work to help improve the performance of loading Settings > Apps > Installed apps.”

Remember, as builds released to the Canary Channel are “hot off the presses,” limited documentation will be provided. However, significant and highly impactful known issues will be documented.

Windows Protected Print Mode introduced, allowing PCs to print exclusively using the Windows modern print stack.

Fixes for known issues including WinRE rendering, keyboard shortcuts on desktop, and saving changes to shortcuts.

Improvement in the performance of loading Settings > Apps > Installed apps.

Settings crash when attempting to navigate to the “System and Reserved” section has been fixed.

This will be the final Canary Channel flight until January 2024.

From the Windows Blog

---