Microsoft is rolling out a new build of Windows 11 to Insiders enrolled in the Canary channel, and this one comes with a big focus on voice access. The latest update, which brings us to build 26231, includes some new capabilities for Windows 11's voice control feature, such as the ability to dictate text wile using Narrator, meaning you can now use both assistive technologies at the same time.

Screenshot of a Windows 11 desktop showing the voice access command list and toolbar
How to set up voice access on Windows 11

Voice access makes it easier to use your Windows 11 PC using just your voice. Here's how to set up this feature.

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Voice access improvements in Windows 11 build 26231

Voice access and Narrator have been getting better at working together in recent months. Previously, Microsoft had added the ability to control Narrator using voice access, so you can say things like "speak faster" or "Turn on narrator". This time, Microsoft is making it possible to dictate text to write using Voice access, while also hearing back what is being written through Narrator. This helps ensure that the correct text is being written as you dictate. Microsoft does warn that using a loudspeaker for this may cause Voice access to pick up Narrator audio, so you'll want to wear headphones for this to work well.

But that's not all that's new for voice access. Microsoft is also adding an auto restart capability, meaning that if voice access stops working and crashes, it can now start itself back up, reducing the need for users to get assistance from someone else. Voice access will also make it easier to report errors after it recovers from a crash.

Finally, it will also now be possible to access Windows search directly using voice access. All you need to do is say "Search item", replacing "item" with the app or file you're looking for. Microsoft does warn that these features are rolling out gradually, though, so you may not see them right away.

Snipping Tool can now save videos automatically

Windows 11 Snipping Tool new recording feature with audio and video.

While it's not tied to this specific build, Microsoft is also rolling out an update to the Snipping Tool app in the Canary and Dev channels. Now, the app will automatically save videos you record with it, just as it does with screenshots. Vi

deos are saved in a Screen Recordings folder inside the Videos folder.

Just as with screenshots, you can change this behavior in the app's settings.

A few smaller changes

Aside from the voice access improvements, build 26231 also comes with a couple of minor changes. There's now a copy button in the Windows share dialog when sharing files, something that wqas previously only available when copying links. Meanwhile, the new look for the "Rename your PC" and "Change data and time" dialogs, which aligns more closely with Windows 11 principles, is now available to everyone in the Canary channel after a gradual rollout started a few weeks ago.

Screenshot of tthe new Rename your PC dialog
Source: Microsoft

The rest of the changes are mostly fixes, which you can read below if you're interested.

As per usual, you'll need to be enrolled in the Canary channel of the Windows Insider Program to get these features right now, but they will likely propagate to other Insider channels and, eventually, production machines. You may have to wait a few months, however.

Windows 11 (option 5)
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