Windows 11 Insider Builds for 7 October 2026: New Search and Battery Widget

Microsoft released new Windows 11 Insider Preview builds to the Beta and Experimental channels on 7 October 2026, arriving right after the company’s Windows + Surface event. Beta testers get Build 26220.9606, while the Experimental channel receives Build 26340.9616.

The company also published separate builds for other specific versions: Beta (26H1) Build 28020.3172, Experimental (26H1) Build 28120.3181, and Experimental (Future Platforms) Build 29683.1000.

A rebuilt Windows Search with inline actions

The headline feature is a new Windows Search experience, rolling out first to the Experimental and Experimental (26H1) channels. According to Microsoft, it is built on WinUI 3 and is “faster, more efficient, and features a streamlined design that makes results easier to scan.”

The update adds inline actions, so you can complete tasks without leaving search: turn on dark mode or Bluetooth, adjust screen brightness, mute your device, or arrange windows. Microsoft says it is also improving how Search understands queries, with better matching for typos and synonyms, and that it will keep fine-tuning these improvements over the coming weeks.

A battery widget for your PC and peripherals

Experimental channel Insiders also get a new Battery Status widget. Microsoft describes it as a unified view of battery levels for your PC and peripheral devices, so you can check power status without hunting through multiple UI locations. You add it by going to Widgets board, then Add widgets, then Battery Status.

The announcement was signed by Stephen and the Windows Insider Program team. If you are enrolled in the Beta or Experimental channel, check Windows Update to pull the build for your version; the Search changes are limited to the Experimental channels for now, and Microsoft says further tuning is coming in the following weeks.

Related reading

Sources

• Announcing new builds for 7 October 2026 — Windows Blog