It’s been a while since we’ve seen a Windows 11 Canary Channel release, but the wait is finally over as Microsoft has released build 25905. And this is far from a servicing pipeline build, either, as both a number of features from previous Dev Channel builds have migrated over, and there are new features as well.
From the Dev Channel
This build includes new features from the Dev Channel, such as Dev Drive, Backup and Restore improvements (Windows Backup), Dynamic Lighting, the Windows App SDK version of File Explorer and Gallery, and more.
Critical kernal features rewritten in Rust
Microsoft is beginning to rewrite “critical kernal features” in safe Rust, starting with a small trial with win32base_rs.sys containing a new implementation of GDI region. The revisions are rolling out, and won’t be available to all Canary Channel users at first, but expect more Rust in the Windows kernal to come.
Arm32 UWP App support being deprecated
Arm32 UWP app support is being deprecated, and after upgrading to 25905, your Arm32 UWP apps will no longer work. At setup, you’ll see a list of the affected apps installed on your system, and you’ll need to manually update them. However you can update MS Store apps to the latest versions before you upgrade to minimize impact.
New support for terminating individual processes in Windows LAPS
Microsoft has listened to feedback and added support for terminating individual processes in Windows LAPS, but a new option has been added.
Along with all this new stuff, there are a number of changes, improvements, known issues, and an update to the Microsoft Store adding new info about the lowest prices, and the new AI Hub. Be sure to check out the Windows Insider blog post for all the details.