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Microsoft released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 25267 to Dev Channel Insiders on December 14, 2022, calling it the final Dev Channel flight before the holiday break. It introduced an experimental rounded-corner taskbar Search treatment for some users, refreshed Windows Security firewall notifications, and a set of fixes—but it remained a potentially unstable preview, not a general Windows 11 release. Microsoft’s announcement also said the next Dev Channel builds would arrive in January 2023.
What changed in Build 25267?
A rounded-corner Search experiment
Some Dev Channel Insiders saw a taskbar Search box with more rounded corners. Microsoft described it as another treatment in an experiment that began rolling out with Build 25252, not a change that every Insider received. People who saw the treatment could adjust the Search experience in taskbar settings.
Microsoft also fixed problems affecting Insiders who had received one of the experimental Search treatments: Search could appear to float after a monitor change, and text could be clipped at higher display scaling.
Updated Windows Security firewall notifications
The build updated Windows Security firewall notification dialogs to better match Windows 11’s visual design. Microsoft added this item to the announcement on December 15, 2022.
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- Less chaos, more calm. The refreshed design of Windows 11 enables you to do what you want effortlessly.
- Biometric logins. Encrypted authentication. And, of course, advanced antivirus defenses. Everything you need, plus more, to protect you against the latest cyberthreats.
- Make the most of your screen space with snap layouts, desktops, and seamless redocking.
- Widgets makes staying up-to-date with the content you love and the news you care about, simple.
- Stay in touch with friends and family with Microsoft Teams, which can be seamlessly integrated into your taskbar. (1)
Which problems did Microsoft say it fixed?
Taskbar, Quick Settings, and accessibility
- Fixed an explorer.exe crash that had affected some users in the previous two Dev Channel flights.
- Addressed a crash that could occur when opening Quick Settings’ Bluetooth section.
- Corrected Narrator announcements for some Quick Settings controls and when moving between taskbar icons.
- Fixed an issue that could prevent casting with Win+K.
Search and text input
- Fixed the experimental Search box appearing to float after changing monitors and clipping text at higher scaling, for Insiders who had received the relevant treatment.
- Fixed an issue in which the first Alt+Shift input-language notification could unexpectedly open Command Prompt rather than the customization page.
- Addressed clipping in the Simplified Chinese IME candidate window.
File browsing, Settings, and copying
- Fixed a Browse for Folder dialog issue that could prevent selecting a folder.
- Fixed copying Windows Update error codes from the update history page.
- Addressed robocopy hangs when copying files with alternate data streams in recent Dev Channel builds.
These were fixes for issues in preview builds. Microsoft noted that some fixes made in Dev Channel builds might later be included in servicing updates for released versions of Windows 11.
What known issues remained in this build?
Microsoft’s December 2022 notes listed the following issues for Build 25267. They did not mean every Insider or device would experience them.
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- MICROSOFT WINDOWS 11 PRO (INGLES) FPP 64-BIT ENG INTL USB FLASH DRIVE
Sign-in, resume, and taskbar
- Some Arm64 devices could show a black screen when resuming from sleep or hibernation. Microsoft suggested pressing the power button a few times to try to reach the lock screen.
- Facial recognition might fail on some devices. Microsoft’s suggested workaround was signing in with a Windows Hello PIN.
- The tablet-optimized taskbar could appear cropped.
Search, Task Manager, and Widgets
- Some Search treatments had rendering issues; right-to-left layouts and Japanese IME input could also be affected.
- Task Manager had issues involving its filter, service list, theme, and Startup apps. Under Custom color mode, mixed light and dark content could be hard to read; Microsoft suggested switching the mode to Light or Dark.
- A Widgets board issue reported in China could affect users elsewhere. Microsoft said Win+D might resolve it.
- Live Captions did not work in this build.
What did Build 25267 mean for Dev Channel users?
Build 25267 was an experimental Windows Insider preview, rather than a promise of features for a particular future Windows release. Microsoft described Dev Channel builds as long-lead engineering work for trying ideas and gathering feedback. It cautioned that features could change, be removed, or never reach general customers. In the announcement, authors Amanda Langowski and Brandon LeBlanc warned: “These aren’t always stable builds, and sometimes you will see issues that block key activities or require workarounds.”
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsMicrosoft said an ISO was available to download. Its announcement also said that, at the time, moving from Dev to Beta or Release Preview required a clean install back to the then-current released version of Windows 11; users could not switch directly between those channels without reinstalling.
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- STREAMLINED & INTUITIVE UI, DVD FORMAT | Intelligent desktop | Personalize your experience for simpler efficiency | Powerful security built-in and enabled.
- OEM IS TO BE INSTALLED ON A NEW PC with no prior version of Windows installed and cannot be transferred to another machine.
- OEM DOES NOT PROVIDE SUPPORT | To acquire product with Microsoft support, obtain the full packaged “Retail” version.
- PRODUCT SHIPS IN PLAIN ENVELOPE | Activation key is located under scratch-off area on label.
- GENUINE WINDOWS SOFTWARE IS BRANDED BY MIRCOSOFT ONLY.
Was Windows Subsystem for Linux removed?
No. Microsoft’s January 5, 2023 announcement for Build 25272 clarified that starting with Build 25267, the inbox version of Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) was removed. That statement concerns the inbox version included with the preview; it does not say that WSL itself was discontinued. Microsoft’s Build 25272 notes provide the follow-up detail.
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