Windows 11 Canary builds add smarter sound controls and deeper Task Manager NPU insights
Microsoft has released two new Windows 11 Canary Channel preview builds for Windows Insiders, expanding testing of system-level changes across Settings, audio, and performance tools. The updates arrive alongside recent Dev and Beta activity, underlining Microsoft’s fast-moving preview cadence.
One build, aimed at the Experimental (Future Platforms) track, refreshes the Sound page in Settings with a redesigned volume slider that surfaces playback activity. It also moves several advanced audio options out of legacy Control Panel paths and into the modern Settings app.
Sound settings move into Settings
For compatible devices, Windows 11 now exposes a hardware acceleration toggle directly in the audio device’s Properties. Exclusive mode and adaptive communication sound controls are also being surfaced in Settings, reducing the need to jump between older configuration windows.
Microsoft is also adjusting how default communication device controls appear, keeping the option visible even when it cannot be changed. The goal is a clearer, more consistent experience when managing multiple outputs such as headsets, speakers, and docks.
Task Manager expands AI-era metrics
Task Manager is gaining optional columns designed to better reflect NPU usage on Copilot+ and other NPU-equipped PCs. New fields include NPU activity details as well as dedicated and shared NPU memory, with neural engines tied to GPUs also becoming more visible.
Another addition is an optional Isolation column that highlights apps running inside an AppContainer. Microsoft says the new columns can be enabled from the Task Manager column header menu once the features roll out to a given Insider flight.
Recovery and performance tweaks
The Future Platforms build also introduces point-in-time restore for Windows, intended to roll a PC back to an earlier state to reduce downtime after disruptions. Microsoft positions it as a recovery option that can restore apps, settings, and user files to get devices productive again faster.
In a separate Canary build on the Experimental 26H1 track, Microsoft is testing an Xbox mode label for its full-screen Xbox experience plus a revamped first-run flow. It also includes improvements to storage navigation on large volumes and better performance launching startup apps after boot.
As with all Canary releases, features may change, ship later, or never reach the stable channel. Microsoft continues to use the Canary Channel to trial bigger platform shifts before deciding what belongs in mainstream Windows 11 updates.
