Windows 11 Build 27938: New Features for File Explorer, Taskbar, and More in Canary Release

Overview of Windows 11 Build 27938

Microsoft has begun the rollout of Windows 11 build 27938 within the Canary Channel of the Windows Insider Program. This latest version brings an array of features focused on enhancing user experience in File Explorer, the Taskbar, and the Settings application. Previous features available in the Dev and Beta Channels are now also included in this Canary build.

Key Features and Enhancements

The most notable updates in build 27938 are:

AI-driven context menu actions in File Explorer.
A new clock displaying seconds in the Notification Center.
A revamped Settings view for managing AI activities related to text and image generation.

This update also comes packed with various bug fixes, notably addressing issues related to “Reset this PC, ”File Explorer, Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI), the Lock Screen, Search, and Task Manager, thereby improving overall system stability.

New Features in Detail

AI-Powered Actions in File Explorer

With an ongoing emphasis on artificial intelligence, Microsoft has introduced innovative “AI actions” in File Explorer. These actions allow users to interact with files without direct engagement:

Bing Visual Search: Identify objects, landmarks, or shop for items based on images.
Blur Background: Automatically detect and blur backgrounds of images with adjustable intensity.
Erase Objects: Utilize Generative Erase to remove unwanted elements from photos.
Remove Background: Effortlessly cut out subjects from images in a single click.

These functionalities can be accessed for JPG, JPEG, and PNG files. If they don’t appear in your context menu, you can manually enable them via the command: vivetool /enable /id:54792954, 55345819, 48433719.

New Clock Feature in the Notification Center

This build introduces the ability to display a clock that includes seconds in the Notification Center. To activate this feature, navigate to Settings > Time & language > Date & time and toggle on the “Show time in the Notification Center” option. A toast notification will also be developed to prompt users to enable this feature easily.

Notification Center clock with seconds — Notification Center displaying the new clock feature / Image: Mauro Huculak

Text and Image AI Generation Monitoring

A new “Recent activity” section is now available under Settings > Privacy & security > Text and image generation. This feature allows users to monitor recent requests related to AI text and image creation from third-party applications on their system.

Recent Activity for AI text and image generation — Monitoring Recent AI Generation Activity / Image: Mauro Huculak

System Fixes and Stability Improvements

Along with new features, this build includes numerous critical bug fixes, enhancing the performance and stability of various components:

Recovery: Resolved issues obstructing the “Reset this PC”functionality.
File Explorer: Addressed display issues regarding low-space indicators in dark mode and thumbnail visibility for specific video files.
Search: Reduced instances of loading errors while performing searches.
Task Manager: Fixed freezing issues when accessing the Performance section.

Known Issues

Despite these improvements, users may encounter several known issues, including potential rollback errors during installation and various functionality impairments regarding graphics and audio devices. Specific error codes, such as 0xC1900101-0x20017, may appear during the update process.

How to Install Windows 11 Build 27938

To download and install the latest Windows 11 build, join the Canary Channel through the “Windows Insider Program” settings found in the “Update & Security” section. After enrollment, check for updates in the “Windows Update” settings and enable the option for “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available.”

Source & Images