Microsoft recently announced the release of Windows 11 Insider build 26040 on the Canary channel, marking the first flight since the release of build 26020 on January 3. This new build brings changes previously introduced on the Dev Channel and introduces new features.

One of the main highlights of this build is the expansion of access to Voice Clarity, a feature that was previously exclusive to Surface devices. Voice Clarity utilizes AI to improve audio quality in apps and games that use Communications Signal Processing Mode, such as Phone Link and WhatsApp. With low complexity AI models, Voice Clarity can cancel echo, suppress background noise, and reduce reverberation in real-time.

For IT admins, Windows Local Administrator Password Solution (LAPS) has also been updated to include automatic account management, rollback detection, and a new PasswordComplexity setting to generate less confusing passwords for users.

Other significant changes in build 26040 include improved Phone integration, updated Windows Setup design, USB 80Gbps support (for new devices powered by Intel Core 14th Gen HX-series mobile CPUs), a relocated Copilot button, Windows Share improvements, a new Task Manager icon, the removal of WordPad from the operating system, and additional enhancements to Windows LAPS.

For those interested in clean installations, ISOs are available for this build. Additionally, two new builds have been released on the Dev and Beta channels, primarily focusing on bug fixes and introducing new experiences for Snap Layouts and the Widgets board.