Windows 11 Insider Beta Preview Build 26220.9606

Release date: 7 October 2026

Update 9 October 2026: Addition of cloud rebuild in notes.

Changes and improvements

[Widgets]

More focused widgets on the lock screen

  • As part of our continued commitment to making Windows calmer and higher quality, we’re updating the default lock screen widget experience for Insiders on newer builds. With this change, Weather will be the primary widget shown on the lock screen, reducing recommended widget content and making the experience feel more focused. We're also giving users more control of personalizing the widgets on lock, curating the ones they find most useful for them. Users can access these settings by going to Settings > Personalization > Lock screen.

[Recovery]

  • We're introducing Cloud rebuild, a new recovery option that restores a Windows 11 PC to a clean, known-good state by performing a full OS reinstall, even when Windows won't boot. Unlike Reset this PC, Cloud rebuild downloads both the target Windows image and the device's drivers from Windows Update, so the device comes back fully functional without USB media, without a custom image, and without depending on the health of the currently installed OS.
  • In this preview, you can try Cloud rebuild today:
    1. Start it directly from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) by selecting Troubleshoot > Recovery and uninstall > Cloud rebuild.
    2. Connect over wired Ethernet or a Wi-Fi network from within WinRE.
    3. Review the target Windows build, edition, and language, then confirm the data-loss warning before the rebuild begins.

Screenshot that shows the new Cloud rebuild option in Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), enabling a full Windows reinstall using files downloaded from Windows Update.

The new Cloud rebuild option in Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), enabling a full Windows reinstall using files downloaded from Windows Update.

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Recovery > Cloud rebuild.

To learn more, see https://aka.ms/CloudRebuild.

[Other]

  • Fixed an issue with msmpeg2ac3dec.dll which was leading to some apps and games crashing recently.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel

  • Updates are based on Windows 11, version 25H2 via an enablement package (Build 26220.9606).

  • The desktop watermark shown at the lower right corner of the desktop is normal for Windows Insider pre-release builds.

  • Features and experiences included in these builds might never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features might change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they're ready.

  • Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders might not be fully localized, and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.

  • Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.

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