Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5641 introduces a revamped Start menu with scrollable, category, and grid views, adaptive sizing, and cross-device Phone Link integration. Customize lock screen widgets, enjoy enhanced Narrator privacy with Screen Curtain, and benefit from various fixes and improvements. Unique :

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5641: What’s New?
Microsoft just dropped the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5641 for the Dev Channel. This update brings a fresh, revamped Start menu and several handy features. Insider users who toggle on the latest updates will see these changes first. Let’s dive into the highlights that tech enthusiasts will appreciate.
Revamped Start Menu: More Control and Flexibility
The Start menu now sports a cleaner, scrollable design with pinned apps at the top and recommended files in the middle. Installed apps are grouped by category or shown in a grid view, making navigation smoother than ever. The default Category view smartly groups apps by usage, so your favorites bubble up automatically.
For larger screens, the Start menu expands responsively, showing more pins and recommendations. Smaller devices get a compact but efficient layout. Plus, you can customize how many pins or recommendations you want visible, or turn them off entirely.
“We’re making better use of your screen real estate by adapting the size of the Start menu based on your screen size.”
Seamless Cross-Device Integration with Phone Link
Windows 11 continues to strengthen its cross-device game. The Start menu now includes a mobile device button near the Search box. This lets you quickly expand or collapse your connected Android or iOS device content. It’s a smooth way to stay connected without switching devices.
Lock Screen Widgets: Personalize Your View
More widget options are rolling out globally for the lock screen. You can now add, remove, or rearrange widgets like Weather, Sports, and Traffic. This personalization lets you tailor your lock screen with info that matters most.
Accessibility Boost: Screen Curtain in Narrator
Privacy-focused users will love the new Screen Curtain feature in Narrator. It blacks out the display while still reading content aloud. Perfect for public spaces or shared environments where you want to keep info private.
“Screen Curtain completely blacks out the display, ensuring that only the user hears what’s on the screen.”
Under-the-Hood Fixes and Improvements
This build also tackles bugs affecting input, taskbar icon sizing, File Explorer search, and more. For gamers, ALT + Tabbing out of fullscreen games no longer causes freezes. Settings app stability is improved, and graphics glitches are fixed. Overall, this update smooths out many rough edges.
Why It Matters
Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5641 balances fresh UI tweaks with practical fixes. The customizable Start menu and lock screen widgets enhance productivity and personalization. Meanwhile, accessibility improvements and cross-device features show Microsoft’s commitment to a versatile OS. If you’re a Windows Insider, this build is worth exploring.
From the Windows Blog