Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 25992 Ships with Changes & Improvements

Microsoft has announced the release of Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 25992 to the Canary Channel. The flight has introduced Server Message Block (SMB) changes. After the installation of the update, Windows automatically configures the new File and Printer Sharing (Restrictive)” group, which doesn’t contain inbound NetBIOS ports 137-139.

Microsoft has revealed plans to remove inbound ICMP, LLMNR, and Spooler Service Ports. The plan is to restrict them down to the SMB sharing necessary ports only. This change enforces a higher degree of network security default including bringing SMB firewall rules closer to the Windows Server File Server role behavior. As an administrator, you can still configure the File and Printer Sharing group in addition to modifying this new firewall group.

The Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 25992 provides support for specifying exception lists for NTLM usage. This mechanism enables an administrator to configure a general block on NTLM usage. You will be able to allow clients to make use of NTLM for specific servers that do not provide support for Kerberos.

SMB Client connectivity

The SMB client provides support for establishing connectivity with an SMB server over TCP, QUIC, or RDMA with the help of alternative network ports. Moreover, the SMB over QUIC server also provides support for endpoints that are configured with different ports than 443. You will be able to specify an alternative SMB client port via the NET USE command and New-SmbMapping PowerShell cmdlet.

The SMB over QUIC client access control provides support for using certificates with subject alternative names without a single subject. The client access control supports the usage of a Microsoft AD Certificate Authority and multiple endpoint names. After the installation of Build 25992, you will be able to evaluate the feature using the recommended options. It does not require self-signed test certificates.

Performance Improvements

You will notice visible performance improvement while opening large ZIP files in File Explorer after the installation of the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 25992. Microsoft has added support for the creation of 7-zip and TAR archives including ZIP. The Snap Layouts will display suggestions, which will enable you to instantly snap multiple app windows together. You will view app icons displayed in various layout options while hovering over the Minimize or Maximize button on an app.

Bug Fixes

Microsoft has resolved the issue that causes blank options to display on the Personalization and Privacy & Security settings dashboard page. The update resolved an issue that causes the context menu to draw off-screen when invoked using touch or pen. The issue pertaining to Settings Home and Microsoft account has been fixed. If you faced Quick Settings crashes and WIN+A didn’t work in the previous flight, then the issue has been resolved.

The update has resolved an issue that causes Taskbar icons to disappear after switching desktops. You should note that some popular games will not work correctly on the most recent Insider Preview builds in the Canary Channel. If the safe mode hangs during rebooting, then the Windows 11 product team is working on it. You will notice crashing of Settings while attempting to navigate to Settings | Bluetooth & Devices | Touchpad.

Microsoft has started to roll out Snipping tool update to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels with an improved HDR display. The screenshots and screen recording on displays with HDR enabled should be able to deliver enhanced display colors. The Windows Insider Preview Builds released to the Canary Channel are hot off the presses. The company provides documentation only if there are any new features that address meaningful problems.