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Microsoft announced Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 25977 for the Canary Channel and Build 23570 for the Dev Channel on October 18, 2023. The supplied title’s “Dev Build 25370” is a likely build-number mix-up: Microsoft released Build 25370 to the Canary Channel on May 22, 2023, not to Dev. These were experimental previews, not general-release updates, and their features were not promises about a particular future Windows version.
The October 18 releases: 25977 for Canary, 23570 for Dev
The official Microsoft announcements identify the two releases as Canary Build 25977 and Dev Build 23570. Build 25370 is real, but it belongs to a separate earlier Canary release.
| Build | Channel | Announcement date | What it covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25977 | Canary | October 18, 2023 | Bluetooth LE Audio hearing-aid support, location and Wi-Fi access controls, and SMB over QUIC client access control. |
| 23570 | Dev | October 18, 2023 | Multi-monitor Copilot behavior, a Game Bar naming change, and bug fixes. |
| 25370 | Canary | May 22, 2023 | Among its changes, vTPM support for Windows on Arm guests in Hyper-V. |
Microsoft’s Build 25370 announcement confirms its earlier date and Canary channel. The number is not an alternate label for the October Dev release.
Canary Build 25977: accessibility, privacy, and networking
Bluetooth LE Audio hearing aids
Build 25977 added support for hearing aids that use Bluetooth Low Energy Audio (LE Audio). Direct pairing, audio streaming, and calls through the hearing aids require compatible hearing aids and a PC with the relevant Bluetooth LE Audio capability; ordinary Bluetooth support alone does not establish compatibility. Microsoft described additional hearing-aid controls, including audio presets, as future work rather than part of this build. See Microsoft’s Build 25977 announcement.
#1 Best Overall
- 1.1 GHz (boost up to 2.4GHz) Intel Celeron N5030 Quad-Core
Location and nearby Wi-Fi permissions
The build added controls for apps’ access to the list of nearby Wi-Fi networks, information that can be used to infer location. The related controls are under Settings → Privacy & security → Location. Microsoft also described a prompt when an app first tries to access location or Wi-Fi information. After permission is granted, apps using that information appear in Location’s recent activity, and the taskbar location indicator appears while an app uses location-related data.
Wi-Fi network-list access and location access are related but distinct permissions. These controls improve user visibility and choice; they are not a guarantee against every form of location inference. Prompts and app behavior can vary with the app and system configuration.
Rank #2
- 256 GB SSD of storage.
- Multitasking is easy with 16GB of RAM
- Equipped with a blazing fast Core i5 2.00 GHz processor.
SMB over QUIC client access control
For administrators, Build 25977 added client access-control options for SMB over QUIC. Microsoft describes SMB over QUIC as an alternative to TCP transport for secure, reliable connections to edge file servers over untrusted networks such as the internet. The new controls let administrators restrict which clients can connect to SMB over QUIC servers; Microsoft said they do not change the SMB authentication method or normal end-user experience.
The announced test setup required Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 25977 and Windows Server Insider Preview Build 25967 or higher running in a virtual machine. This is an administrative networking feature, not a general consumer file-sharing switch.
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Rank #3
- 14" diagonal, 1366x768 resolution, HD BrightView LED, Glossy NON-TOUCH Display
Other Canary changes and fixes
- Mail and Calendar were no longer included after a clean installation using the supplied Build 25977-or-later Canary ISO. The change did not remove those apps when Canary Insiders upgraded.
- Xbox Game Bar appeared as “Game Bar” in Start and Settings. In this Canary build, the Settings location was System → System Components.
- A network icon gained animation while a connection was being established.
- Two German extended keyboard layouts, German Extended (E1) and German Extended (E2), were added. Find keyboard options at Settings → Time & language → Language & region → Language options → Add a keyboard.
- Users could share a saved Wi-Fi password or mobile hotspot through a QR code. The Wi-Fi password option was available from Wi-Fi properties; the exact interface could depend on the network and build state.
- Microsoft listed fixes for some game-launch and resolution problems, Task Manager navigation performance, and blank or incorrect displays when opening some RAR files.
Dev Build 23570: Copilot across monitors and fixes
Opening Copilot on a selected monitor
Build 23570 added ways to choose which monitor displays Copilot: click the Copilot taskbar button on that monitor, or press Win + C to show Copilot on the last monitor where it was visible. Keyboard users can press Win + T to focus the taskbar and navigate to the Copilot button.
This behavior was a rollout capability, not a guarantee that every Dev tester would see it immediately. Microsoft later said it was investigating cases where the change was missing for some Dev Channel users. Copilot itself was limited by market and edition and was being rolled out gradually; see Microsoft’s Build 23570 announcement.
Rank #4
- EFFORTLESS EVERYDAY PERFORMANCE: Powered by Intel Celeron N4020 processor and Windows 11 Home system, delivering reliable, low-power efficiency for daily tasks like document editing, email, online classes, and web browsing
- 15.6-INCH FULL HD DISPLAY: Enjoy immersive visuals on the 15.6" FHD (1920x1080) anti-glare screen with micro-edge bezels. Delivers clear details and comfortable viewing for long study sessions, working on spreadsheets, and video playback
- RESPONSIVE MULTITASKING & STORAGE: Built with 4GB LPDDR4 RAM and 128GB eMMC storage for smooth daily essential use. Expand your storage by up to 1TB via the integrated TF card slot to easily store movies, photos, and working files
- ADVANCED CONNECTIVITY: Outfitted with 2x Full-Featured Type-C ports for data transfer, fast charging, and dual-monitor output, alongside 2x USB 3.2 Gen1 ports and a 3.5mm audio jack for complete peripheral compatibility
- LIGHTWEIGHT & SILENT OPERATION: Slim and portable for effortless travel or commuting. Features a 1MP HD webcam for remote meetings, 38Wh battery with 45W Type-C fast charging, and a fanless silent design for peaceful work environments.
Game Bar name and bug fixes
The Xbox Game Bar name changed to “Game Bar” in Start and Settings. Microsoft said the rename would arrive through a Microsoft Store app update, so it was not necessarily delivered only by installing the operating-system build. In the Dev announcement, the Settings path was Settings → System → Apps → Installed apps, rather than the Canary build’s System Components location.
Microsoft listed these fixes in Build 23570:
- Several issues that could cause File Explorer to hang when launching.
- Incorrect sorting in the Start menu’s All apps list when Japanese was the display language.
- An underlying crash affecting taskbar Search.
- A Settings Home issue that could show “NaN%” for storage remaining.
Known Copilot issues
- Some Home-edition Insiders in markets where Copilot was available in preview might find Copilot missing from the taskbar.
- When invoking Copilot with voice access, users might need “Show grid” commands to select the “Ask me anything” box on first launch or after refreshing Copilot.
Which channel was a better fit?
| Channel | Potentially useful for | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Canary Build 25977 | Testers with compatible LE Audio hearing aids; developers checking location and Wi-Fi permission behavior; IT professionals evaluating SMB over QUIC client restrictions. | Canary builds are early, lightly validated previews and can have serious problems, including problems that may require reinstalling Windows. |
| Dev Build 23570 | Multi-monitor users able to test Copilot, and developers testing long-lead Windows changes. | Copilot availability varied, and Dev features could be changed, removed, or never released publicly. |
Neither release was a sensible default for a work-critical PC or an organization that cannot tolerate preview-software instability. Use a spare computer, test partition, or virtual machine where practical, and back up important files first. A fix in an Insider build also does not establish that the same fix is present in retail Windows.
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- 【Efficient Performance】 Powered by Intel Core i3 processor (2 cores, 4 threads, up to 3.4GHz) with 12GB RAM and 256GB SSD. Handles multitasking, office software, online classes, and HD video streaming smoothly. Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620
- Backlit Keyboard & Complete Package】Comes with a cool backlit keyboard. Comes with awebcam, dual stereo speakers (8Ω/1.0W each), DC charger, and user manual – ready for late-night studying, online classes, video conferencing, and daily productivity
- 【Vibrant Display】 15.6-inch Full HD (1920x1080) anti-glare screen with 16:9 aspect ratio delivers crisp images and vivid colors – perfect for studying, watching lectures, or entertainment. Thin-bezel design maximizes viewing area
- 【Fast Connectivity & Expansion】 Equipped with WiFi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.2 for stable, high-speed wireless. Features 3 x USB 3.0, HDMI 2.1, Type-C (supports PD3.0 fast charging), and a TF card slot expandable up to 2TB – easily connect external monitors, mice, drives, or expand storage for all your files
- 【Long Battery Life & Portable】 Built-in 11.55V 5000mAh/57.75Wh high-capacity battery delivers approximately 7 hours of mixed-use battery life – enough for a full day of classes and assignments. Lightweight at just 1.63kg (3.6 lbs) and 19.5mm thin, plus a compact packing size – easily slips into a backpack for campus, library, or coffee shop
How to install an Insider preview—and plan for recovery
- Join the Windows Insider Program with a Microsoft account.
- In Windows Insider settings, choose the channel appropriate to your testing needs.
- Open Settings → Windows Update and check for updates.
- Restart when Windows requests it to finish installing the build.
Channel changes are not always reversible through a settings toggle. Microsoft said the Dev Channel had been rebooted: users on 25000-series Dev builds had been moved to Canary while Dev moved forward with 23000-series builds. Returning to Dev from the affected setup could require a clean installation. Treat Canary as particularly risky, and do not assume an Insider build number predicts the next consumer Windows release.
What these previews did—and did not—promise
Both announcements concerned Windows Insider preview software, not general-release updates. Microsoft cautioned that Canary and Dev features could change, be removed, or never ship publicly. Build 25977’s features, Build 23570’s Copilot behavior, and their fixes should therefore be read as capabilities or changes under test at the time, not as guarantees for every PC or a specific future Windows version.
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