Microsoft shipped Windows 11 build 26300.8289 to Experimental Channel Insiders this week, and the release notes focused on Windows Update improvements, Insider channel restructuring, and minor printing fixes. Hidden beneath the surface, testers have already spotted work on a movable taskbar, a modernized Run dialog, a storage unit toggle, and a new sign-in animation—none of which appeared in the official change list. These unannounced additions signal a renewed willingness to restore power-user flexibility while polishing everyday interactions.
What’s Actually New in Build 26300.8289
Officially, the build introduces a redesigned Insider channel experience, giving testers more control during Windows setup. You can now skip updates during the out-of-box experience (OOBE), extend update pause durations repeatedly, and see richer details about available updates before installing. Print driver pre-installation has also been tweaked to reduce delays on certain hardware.
Yet it’s the hidden work that has generated the most conversation. Four unannounced changes have been uncovered by community members like @PhantomOfEarth and reported by Windows Central:
- Redesigned Run dialog – For the first time in decades, the Win+R dialog gets a Fluent Design overhaul: rounded corners, theme-aware translucency, a wider text field, and support for light and dark modes. As you type, the dialog now surfaces recent commands and matches apps or paths, acting as a lightweight launcher. Microsoft plans to make this optional; once fully enabled, you’ll find a toggle under Settings > System > Advanced > Run dialog.
- Storage resizing unit selector – Under Settings > Storage > Disks & volumes, the volume resize page now includes a drop-down to switch between megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB). It’s a small change that reduces confusion when adjusting partition sizes.
- Sign-in animation refresh – The spinning dots during login, logout, shutdown, and restart have been replaced by a solid spinning indicator that mirrors the boot screen animation. Marcus Ash, who leads Design and Research for Windows, noted this will bring “more consistency across the majority of use cases.”
- Taskbar relocation returns – Perhaps the biggest hidden gem: early code for moving the taskbar to the top or sides of the screen. Right-clicking the taskbar now shows placeholder options (Top, Left, Right) in a context menu, though side docking currently fails. These entries are for debugging; the final feature is expected to live in Settings.
All four additions are still rough. The Run dialog and storage toggle appear closest to public readiness, while taskbar relocation is clearly a work in progress.
What This Means for You
For everyday users
If you’ve ever shied away from resizing a drive because you weren’t sure whether the number meant megabytes or gigabytes, the new selector offers immediate clarity. The modernized Run dialog could also reduce reliance on Search for quick commands—type appwiz.cpl or services.msc and the dialog becomes a faster, more deterministic launcher than the Start menu.
Taskbar relocation, once finished, will be a major comfort to anyone who prefers a top-aligned taskbar (common among macOS switchers) or vertical taskbars on ultrawide monitors. Laptop users, too, often favor a side taskbar to reclaim vertical screen space.
For power users and administrators
Power users rely on Run daily. Better command history and smart suggestions can save real time, especially when moving between registry, console tools, and management snap-ins. The unit toggle in Storage settings may seem trivial, but in environments where partition sizes matter—dual-boot setups, recovery volumes, or virtual machines—it eliminates mental math.
The experimental taskbar work is a direct response to one of the most persistent complaints since Windows 11 launched. For three years, users accustomed to vertical or top taskbars were forced to either adapt or use third-party tools like StartAllBack or ExplorerPatcher. Native support, when it arrives, reduces compatibility headaches and gives IT departments a safer, supported path.
For IT pros and enterprises
These changes aren’t automatically benign in managed environments. A redesigned Run dialog that behaves differently across builds could confuse help desk scripts. Taskbar relocation needs policy controls: organizations that standardize desktop layouts will require the ability to lock the taskbar position. And OOBE update skipping, while helpful for fast provisioning, must align with Autopilot and Windows Update for Business so that devices aren’t left temporarily exposed.
How We Got Here: Windows 11’s Gradual Pivot
When Windows 11 shipped in 2021, it arrived with a bold design language but also a stripped-down shell. The taskbar was rebuilt from scratch, and as a consequence, many Windows 10 behaviors—including the ability to move the bar—were missing. Microsoft’s initial stance was that the new taskbar was optimized for centered layouts and touch, and that side or top positioning was a niche request.
User pushback was loud and sustained. Feedback Hub threads accumulated thousands of upvotes. Third-party tools flourished, but each Windows update risked breaking them. Over time, the Windows team has slowly restored practical customization: drag-and-drop on the taskbar returned in 2022, never-combine labels came back in 2023, and now relocation appears in code.
This build also reflects a broader trend: the Experimental Channel, which replaced the old Dev Channel in 2027, is explicitly designed for features that may never ship. That allows Microsoft to test ambitious shell changes without overpromising. The fact that taskbar relocation appears here suggests active engineering work, but not an imminent rollout.
What to Do Now
If you’re a Windows Insider in the Experimental Channel:
- Check your build number – Ensure you’re on 26300.8289 or later.
- Enable the modern Run dialog – Go to Settings > System > Advanced and look for the “Run dialog” toggle. If available, turn it on and test with common commands. Report any lag or suggestion quirks via Feedback Hub.
- Resize a volume safely – Open Settings > Storage > Disks & volumes, select a secondary volume (not your system drive), and click “Change size.” Note the new MB/GB drop-down. Avoid resizing your boot partition unless you have a full backup.
- Taskbar relocation? Not yet – You may see placeholder options in the taskbar context menu, but side docking crashes and the implementation is clearly unfinished. Avoid trying it on a production machine. Microsoft will likely announce the feature formally when it moves to Settings.
For everyone else, there’s nothing to do except wait. These features aren’t in production builds and may change significantly before they reach the Beta Channel or general availability. Nevertheless, the direction is clear: Microsoft is actively re-engaging with the customization requests that defined Windows 10’s appeal.
Outlook: What to Watch Next
The next milestone is whether any of these hidden features graduate to official release notes. The Run dialog and storage toggle seem closest—both are contained and easier to validate. Taskbar relocation is a heavier lift, requiring extensive multi-monitor testing, snap layout compatibility, and tablet posture handling.
Microsoft’s responsiveness on this front will be a litmus test for Windows 11’s maturity. The operating system no longer needs to prove its modern credentials; it needs to prove it listens. Build 26300.8289 suggests the company is doing just that, one hidden feature at a time.