Windows 11's New Preview Build Drops AI Focus For Practical Improvements

Windows 11's latest Release Preview drop, with builds numbered 26100.7918 and 26200.7918, hits with a noticeably different vibe than some of Microsoft's recent Windows releases. Instead of another dubious Copilot expansion, or an AI-powered reinvention of something that already worked fine, this one leans into practical improvements, system plumbing, and a long list of fixes. For anyone fatigued by breathless AI announcements, the list of update notes reads like a long-awaited breath of fresh air.

The most immediately useful change in this build is to the Taskbar and System Tray area. Microsoft has added a built-in network speed test directly accessible from Quick Settings, which means you can check your connection performance without firing up a browser or third-party app. It's a simple addition, but it's the kind of troubleshooting tool Windows should have had a long time ago. For users fighting Wi-Fi hiccups ...