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Windows 11 Windows 11 Insider 25H2 Insider Preview, Beta Channel
Windows Insider

Build 26220.9568

Build 26220.9568: Windows Insider Beta Channel, September 2026. Pointer Indicator and a lower-glare Magnifier theme

In short

Adds Pointer Indicator, previews of Phone Link activity in Start, and a Magnifier contrast theme. It also adds dark mode to File Explorer Folder Options and fixes an issue with some USB audio devices.

Does it affect you? Applies to: Devices enrolled in the Windows Insider Program's Beta Channel. This build is based on Windows 11, version 25H2, via an enablement package.

Build
26220.9568

This is a test build for people in the Windows Insider Program. Features in it can change, be removed, or never reach regular Windows releases.

What changes

New features 4 changes

Pointer Indicator

For: Windows users with low vision

  • Pointer Indicator helps people with low vision locate and use the cursor.1
    Enable it under Settings > Accessibility > Mouse pointer and touch. Toggle it with Windows logo key + Ctrl + Shift + X.

Phone Link

Gradual rollout

For: Beta Channel Insiders with Phone Link 1.26021.3.0 or later

  • Hovering over a recent message or notification in Start shows a preview of its content.2
    Requires Phone Link build 1.26021.3.0 or later. The setting is under Phone Link > Settings > Start menu personalization.

Magnifier

For: Magnifier users

  • A contrast theme toggle provides a darker interface without changing the colors of photos, videos, or charts.3
    Choose the contrast theme under Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier. The dark theme is applied by default; color inversion remains available separately.

File Explorer

For: File Explorer users

  • The Folder Options dialog supports dark mode.4

Fix 1 change

Audio

  • Some USB audio devices, including multichannel headsets, can work correctly again after installing the latest updates.5
    Fixes an issue affecting certain USB Audio Class 1.0 devices that could prevent them from working correctly after installing the latest updates.

Improvement 1 change

Settings

  • The temporary files section in Storage settings has visual refinements.6
    Applies to Settings > System > Storage.

Technical details

Data sheet · Security · Downloads · Components Click to collapse or expand

Data sheet

Released
2026-09-25
Type
Windows Insider build
VersionBuildChannel
— 26220.9568 Beta Channel

Security

No vulnerabilities are listed for this update.

Sources

Updated
Cited passages from Microsoft's official notes (6)
  1. 1. We're introducing the Pointer Indicator accessibility setting. learn.microsoft.com
  2. 2. This experience is rolling out to Insiders in the Beta Channel with a minimum Phone Link build of 1.26021.3.0. learn.microsoft.com
  3. 3. With this update, we're introducing a new contrast theme toggle in Magnifier. learn.microsoft.com
  4. 4. This update enables dark mode support in the Folder Options dialog in File Explorer. learn.microsoft.com
  5. 5. Fixed an issue affecting certain USB Audio Class 1.0 devices, including some multichannel audio headsets, that could prevent the device from working correctly after installing the latest updates. learn.microsoft.com
  6. 6. Made some small visual refinements to the design of the temporary files section under Settings > System > Storage. learn.microsoft.com
Checked automatically: 8 of 8 checks passed, 6 quoted passages
  • Quotes found in the official pages: passed
  • Numbers found in the sources: passed
  • Vulnerabilities from the dossier only: passed
  • Links to allowed domains only: passed
  • Every official change covered: passed
  • Readable plain text: passed
  • Changes confirmed by the file list: passed
  • Sources agree: passed

A second AI read the text against the sources: correctness 5/5, clarity 4/5, completeness 5/5. How we work

Published by The Update Bureau. Written with AI from Microsoft's own documents, checked by rules and a second AI. How we work · Report a mistake