Windows 11 Previews New User Experience Upgrades

Daily Technology

19/02/2026

Microsoft is rolling out a series of practical updates for Windows 11, currently available to Insiders in the Release Preview Channel. These new features focus on integrating common tools directly into the operating system and expanding user personalization, signaling a continued effort to refine the platform's daily usability.

Integrated System Diagnostics

One of the most notable additions is a built-in network speed test. This feature eliminates the need for users to navigate to third-party websites to check their connection performance. By providing a native tool, Microsoft offers a more convenient and potentially more secure method for diagnosing internet speed issues.

This functionality is accessible directly from the taskbar. Users can right-click the network icon in the system tray to find a "speed test" option, which then opens in the default browser. It supports testing for Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and cellular data connections, streamlining a common troubleshooting step for both casual and power users.

Deeper Hardware Control

The update also introduces more granular control over peripherals with a new camera settings option. This allows users to manage the pan and tilt functions for supported webcams directly within the main Windows Settings menu.

This change is significant for the growing number of people who rely on high-quality video for remote work and content creation. Instead of depending on separate, often clunky, third-party software from camera manufacturers, users can make real-time adjustments from a centralized, familiar interface, simplifying their setup and workflow.

Expanded Personalization and Modern Formats

Microsoft is also enhancing the personalization capabilities of Windows 11. The update brings new emoji, a full-page settings menu for Widgets, and, importantly, the ability to set .webp files as a desktop background.

Support for the .webp format acknowledges its increasing prevalence on the web, allowing users to use modern, high-quality, and efficient images for their desktops without prior conversion. Combined with a more robust management interface for Widgets, these changes give users more freedom to tailor the look and feel of their operating environment. These updates are currently being tested in Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2.

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