Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7070 (KB5070300) to both the Dev and Beta Channels, aligned under the version 25H2 branch.
This temporary alignment gives Insiders a short window to switch from Dev → Beta before the Dev Channel moves ahead to higher, more experimental builds.
The update focuses on three main areas — Widgets, Recovery, and Smart App Control — while also addressing some long-standing UI quirks and expanding the feature rollout model.
What’s New in Build 26220.7070 (KB5070300)
| Area | Change | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Widgets | Default dashboard behavior and new settings page | Opening Widgets from the live weather icon now opens the first dashboard in your navigation bar. You can set that default in the new Widgets Settings page by reordering dashboards. |
| Recovery | Updated recovery experience | Microsoft is improving the system recovery flow — smoother restore options and better diagnostics. These updates will roll out gradually across supported devices. |
| Smart App Control | Enhanced protection policies | Smart App Control now applies more refined logic when evaluating untrusted or unsigned apps, tightening the balance between security and usability. |
Note: Some new features are staged. If you don’t see them right away, turn on the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” toggle in Settings → Windows Update, then check for updates again.
Widgets: Choose Which Dashboard Opens by Default
Widgets are becoming more predictable. When you open them from the live weather icon on the taskbar, the board now defaults to the first dashboard in your navigation bar — not necessarily the one you last viewed.
To set your preferred default:
- Open Widgets.
- Select the ⚙️ gear icon at the bottom of the navigation bar.
- In the full-page Widgets Settings, reorder dashboards so your favorite sits at the top — this becomes the new default.
This change is rolling out in stages, so you may need to enable the “Get the latest updates” toggle to receive it immediately.
Recovery Experience: Smarter, More Flexible
Microsoft continues refining Windows 11’s recovery tools. This build adds backend improvements that should make system repair, restore, and reset processes more reliable — especially after cumulative updates or Insider transitions.
Exact changes vary by hardware and rollout phase, but expect faster diagnostics and clearer options when Windows can’t start correctly.
Smart App Control: Tighter Guardrails for App Security
Smart App Control (SAC) — the AI-powered feature that blocks untrusted or malicious apps — now features more consistent evaluations of unsigned or unknown software.
Policy enforcement has been fine-tuned to reduce false positives while keeping protection tight.
This marks another step toward Microsoft’s goal of creating a more autonomous, cloud-assisted defense layer in Windows 11 25H2.
Enable Staged Features with One Toggle
Several new experiences in this build are part of Microsoft’s controlled feature rollout system. To access them early:
- Open Settings → Windows Update (or paste
ms-settings:windowsupdatein Run). - Enable “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available.”
- Check for updates.
Leaving the toggle off means you’ll still get the update later — just on a slower schedule.
Known Issues in Build 26220.7070
| Component | Issue | Workaround |
|---|---|---|
| Start Menu | May not open on mouse click for some users. | Press the Windows key to open Start while a fix rolls out. |
| Notification Center | May be affected by the same Start menu bug. | Use WIN + N to open Notification Center. |
| System Tray | Some app icons may fail to appear. | No workaround — apps continue running; wait for next build. |
| File Explorer (Copy Dialog) | Flashing in dark mode when toggling More/Less Details. | Cosmetic only — file transfers continue normally. |
| File Explorer (Copy Dialog) | Scrollbar/footer missing or white block with text scaling enabled. | Reduce text scaling or switch to light mode. |
| Recall (Preview Feature) | Some eligible devices show “no eligible camera.” | Await upcoming fix — no user action required. |
To report a problem, open the Feedback Hub and submit under Desktop Environment → Build 26220.7070.
Limited-Time: Switch Between Dev and Beta Channels
Because both the Dev and Beta Channels currently share the same 25H2 baseline, Insiders can temporarily switch between them without reinstalling Windows.
If you want a more stable testing experience, move from Dev → Beta now — once Dev advances to higher builds, this window closes and rollback becomes more complicated.
Rollout Model and 25H2 Baseline
Build 26220.7070 sits on the Windows 11 25H2 baseline.
Microsoft uses an enablement package on top of 26220.xxxx builds to activate new features dynamically.
Since most features are delivered via Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR), users may receive them at different times. Some features might change, be replaced, or never reach public release — typical of Insider development.
Localization for non-English languages may also lag behind.
Before You Update: Quick Checklist
- Turn on “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available.”
- Use the Windows key if the Start menu fails to open.
- Expect some system tray icons to be missing temporarily.
- In dark mode, ignore visual glitches in the File Explorer copy dialog — operations are unaffected.
- Consider switching to Beta Channel now if you want a steadier experience before Dev moves ahead.
Bottom Line
Windows 11 Build 26220.7070 (KB5070300) may not be a flashy update, but it’s an important step toward a smoother, more predictable experience.
Widgets now open where you expect, Recovery gets smarter behind the scenes, and Smart App Control grows more adaptive. With both Dev and Beta Channels in sync, this is also the perfect time to decide where you want to continue testing before the next major jump.
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