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Windows Insider

Build 26220.9836

Build 26220.9836: Windows Insider Beta Channel, October 2026. Per-app privacy controls and clearer security key sign-in

In short

Per-app camera, microphone, and location controls arrive alongside a clearer security key PIN screen. Mouse personalization and wallpaper reset issues are fixed for Beta Channel Insiders.

Does it affect you? Applies to: Devices enrolled in the Windows Insider Program in the Beta Channel.

Build
26220.9836
Review notes Additional details from the official release notes (1) Read note
  • What to do No action is required: existing permission decisions are preserved and settings are not reset. Users can review permissions or change the Magnifier shortcut if they choose.

The official sources are linked at the end of the page.

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

Improvements 4 changes

Security

For: Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel

  • The security key PIN screen no longer shows the “other user” icon.1

File Explorer

For: Windows Insiders using File Explorer

  • File thumbnails in the Recommended section on the Home page look sharper and easier to read.2

Narrator

For: Windows Insiders who use Narrator

  • Narrator can now read math in Greek, Hungarian, Indonesian, Norwegian (Bokmål), Polish, Russian, Swedish, and Vietnamese.3

Windows design

For: Windows Insiders

  • Solid donut spinners are temporarily rolling back in key Windows screens while Microsoft works on a bug.4
    The rollback covers Boot, Logon, Restart, Shutdown, and Update scenarios. Microsoft expects to resume the rollout soon.

New features 2 changes

Manage camera, microphone, and location access for desktop apps

For: Windows Insiders using desktop apps

  • You can set camera, microphone, and location access for each desktop app. Some apps may appear under unexpected names or as Unsigned, so only allow apps you trust.5
    Manage permissions in Settings > Privacy & security > Camera, Microphone, or Location. Apps prompt for permission the first time they request access. Existing permission decisions are preserved, and enterprise policies continue to function as designed.

Magnifier

For: Windows Insiders who use Magnifier

  • A new setting lets you turn the Magnifier keyboard shortcut on or off.6
    Find the toggle in Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier. The shortcut stays on by default; Magnifier can still be started from Settings when the shortcut is off.

Fix 1 change

Personalization

  • Problems personalizing the mouse and wallpaper resetting on reboot are resolved.7

Technical details

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

Data sheet

Released
2026-10-30
Type
Windows Insider build
VersionBuildChannel
— 26220.9836 Beta Channel

Security

No vulnerabilities are listed for this update.

Sources

Updated
Cited passages from Microsoft's official notes (7)
  1. 1. We've updated the security key PIN entry experience, removing the "other user" icon for a clearer sign-in experience. learn.microsoft.com
  2. 2. We've sharpened file thumbnails in the Recommended section on the Home page so they're crisper and easier to read. learn.microsoft.com
  3. 3. Narrator now supports additional languages for math reading, including Greek, Hungarian, Indonesian, Norwegian (Bokmål), Polish, Russian, Swedish, and Vietnamese. learn.microsoft.com
  4. 4. We are temporarily rolling back the solid (donut) spinners across some of the key Windows scenarios including Boot, Logon, Restart, Shutdown, and Update as we work on a bug. learn.microsoft.com
  5. 5. Windows Insiders can now manage camera, microphone, and location permissions for individual desktop apps. learn.microsoft.com
  6. 6. We've added a Keyboard shortcut for Magnifier toggle in Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier. learn.microsoft.com
  7. 7. If you'd been continuing to have issues personalizing your mouse, or with your wallpaper resetting on reboot in the latest Insider builds, that should now be resolved. learn.microsoft.com
Checked automatically: 8 of 8 checks passed, 7 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 4/5, clarity 3/5, 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