Microsoft has pushed a new Windows 11 Insider preview build to the Beta Channel, packing a cross-device Resume feature that mimics Apple Handoff for Android apps, alongside long-awaited Snipping Tool upgrades and AI-powered tweaks for Copilot+ hardware. Build 26120.5761 (KB5064093) lands for Insiders running Windows 11, version 24H2, and it’s a classic staged rollout: some goodies appear only if you’ve flipped the right toggle in Settings, while others are reserved for devices with Snapdragon X processors. The headliner is undoubtedly the ability to pick up where you left off on your Android phone — starting with Spotify — right from your Windows desktop taskbar.

What’s new in Build 26120.5761

The build doesn’t overwhelm with a single massive revamp, but sprinkles meaningful improvements across cross-device workflow, content creation, and AI-assisted interactions. Here’s exactly what’s on offer, per Microsoft’s official announcement:

  • Cross-device Resume for Android apps (Spotify at launch): A taskbar alert lets you continue media playback from your Android phone on the PC. If the desktop app isn’t installed, it triggers a one-click Microsoft Store install, then restores playback at the same timestamp.
  • Lock screen battery icon refresh: Updated battery visuals and percentage display for at-a-glance status while the device is locked.
  • Snipping Tool window-mode screen recording: A new window pick recording mode that snaps to a chosen app window, producing cleaner MP4 recordings without manual cropping.
  • Copilot+ refinements: Touch invocation for “Click to Do” on Copilot+ touch PCs, simplified Auto SR controls on Snapdragon Copilot+ devices, and agent links in Settings.
  • Keyboard shortcuts for dashes: WIN + – inserts an en dash; WIN + Shift + – inserts an em dash (note: Magnifier users still use WIN + – for zoom).
  • Settings and reliability fixes: Improved Settings performance when loading installed apps, Windows Hello face recognition behavior, gaming overlay performance on multi-monitor setups, and fixes for Start menu and File Explorer glitches.

Most of these items are shipped via Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR) — Insiders who enable “Get the latest updates as they are available” in Windows Update have a higher chance of seeing them early. Microsoft will widen availability based on telemetry and feedback.

Deep dive: Cross-Device Resume — the Handoff competitor

For years, Apple users have enjoyed Handoff, where starting an email on iPhone and finishing it on Mac feels seamless. Microsoft is now building its own version, and it’s not just for OneDrive files anymore. Build 26120.5761 introduces a Resume API that lets third-party apps hook into the same continuity experience.

How it works with Spotify

The initial scenario is straightforward: start playing a song on Spotify for Android, lock your phone, then unlock your Windows 11 PC within a short time window (Microsoft previously limited OneDrive Resume to a five-minute window, and early reports suggest a similar threshold here). A toast notification appears on the taskbar: “Continue listening on Spotify?” Clicking it launches the desktop app or installs it if missing, signs you in, and jumps to the exact track and timestamp.

This relies on matching account contexts — the same Spotify account must be active on both devices — and on background permissions granted to the Link to Windows app on Android. Without those, the magic won’t happen.

Setup and prerequisites

Microsoft’s documentation lays out the steps clearly:

  1. Enable “Allow this PC to access your mobile devices” under Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mobile devices.
  2. Pair your Android phone with the Link to Windows app and grant it permission to run in the background and send notifications.
  3. Play a supported app (currently only Spotify) on the phone; the Resume alert should appear on the taskbar if the feature is enabled for your account and device.

Because this is a gradual rollout, you may not see the alert immediately even after setting everything up. Insiders are advised to be patient and ensure both the Windows build and Phone Link components are up to date.

Third-party adoption and future expansion

The Resume API is Microsoft’s bet to bring more apps into the fold. Code strings discovered by Windows Latest earlier this year referenced toggles for WhatsApp and Spotify. If WhatsApp support materializes, you could theoretically start a chat on your phone and have the desktop app open directly to that conversation when you sit down at your PC. The API will need developer buy-in, but with Microsoft pushing high-usage scenarios first, momentum could build quickly.

Privacy and practical limits

Background synchronization always raises privacy questions. Microsoft notes that Resume works only for a short window after you switch devices, but users should understand exactly what state gets transmitted and when. Enterprise administrators will likely want group policies to control this feature. On the technical side, expect edge cases: if the app isn’t running on the phone or the network drops, the alert won’t fire. And because Resume depends on the same account, family members sharing a device won’t see prompts meant for others.

Snipping Tool gets window-mode recording

Screen recording on Windows has long been a tale of workarounds — Game Bar, PowerPoint, or third-party tools. The built-in Snipping Tool has steadily improved, and now it adds a targeted window-pick recording mode.

Instead of dragging a freeform rectangle and hoping you’ve framed the right area, you can now click on any open window and the recorder will lock onto its boundaries at that moment. The output is an MP4 file, previewable and trimmable right in the Snipping Tool. No extra software needed for quick app demos or bug reports.

Key behavior to note:

  • The capture area is fixed at recording start. If you move or resize the window mid-recording, the recording remains on the original coordinates — the tool will not follow the window dynamically. This keeps CPU usage low but means you must plan your demo accordingly.
  • Multi-monitor setups may see minor offset glitches; early Insider testing flagged occasional boundary mismatches on certain configurations. These are typical for new capture features and likely to be ironed out in subsequent flights.

For most users, this is a clean upgrade over the draw-a-rectangle method. Power users who need dynamic window tracking or multiple input sources will still need dedicated tools, but Microsoft is clearly chipping away at the need for third-party recorders for basic tasks.

Copilot+ and Auto SR: the silicon divide widens

Microsoft continues to tie certain AI and performance features to Copilot+ PCs, the category of devices that meet specific hardware requirements (currently, Snapdragon X processors). In this build:

  • Touch invocation for Click to Do: On Copilot+ touch-enabled machines, a new gesture or tap zone triggers Click to Do, the contextual AI action overlay. This makes the feature more intuitive for tablet and convertible users.
  • Streamlined Auto SR controls: Auto Super Resolution (Auto SR) on Snapdragon Copilot+ devices now offers simplified toggles and toast notifications for configuration. Auto SR aims to uprez and enhance frame rates in games without developer intervention, and this polish improves discoverability.
  • Agent links in Settings: Copilot-related settings pages now include direct links from the agent experience, reducing clicks to adjust privacy or permission options.

Insiders on Intel or AMD hardware may see some Copilot UI elements, but the full Auto SR performance boost remains exclusive to Snapdragon-powered machines. This hardware gating is Microsoft’s strategy to differentiate premium Windows experiences, but it also risks confusing consumers who expect feature parity across all Windows 11 PCs. Clear labeling and documentation will be critical as these features inch closer to general availability.

Fixes, known issues, and reliability

Beta builds aren’t without rough edges. Build 26120.5761 addresses a handful of pain points while leaving others still in progress:

  • Fixed: Settings performance when loading the apps list; Windows Hello face recognition hiccups; game overlay lag on systems with dissimilar refresh rate monitors; and certain Start menu and File Explorer bugs reported in earlier 24H2 previews.
  • Known issues:
  • Recall may require a reset in Settings (especially in the EEA region) to function.
  • File Explorer’s Home “Shared” section may not always display correctly.
  • Storage > Temporary files scanning can hang — a workaround is being investigated.
  • Xbox Controller over Bluetooth can still cause bugchecks on some systems; Microsoft recommends wired connection as a temporary fix.

Historical context matters: earlier 24H2 cumulative updates saw installation failures, rollbacks, and black-screen hangs for a subset of testers. While this build appears stable in early internal testing, Insiders should always back up data before installing any Beta Channel flight. The Feedback Hub remains the best place to report issues.

Who should install — and how to test the new features

This build is explicitly for enthusiasts and IT pros who accept the risks of preview software. Here’s a practical checklist:

  • Enroll in the Beta Channel: Go to Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program, select Beta Channel, and turn on “Get the latest updates as they are available” to increase your odds of receiving staged features early.
  • Test Cross-Device Resume: Pair an Android phone with Link to Windows, enable background permissions, sign into the same Spotify account on both devices, and play a song on the phone. Look for the taskbar alert after unlocking the PC. If it doesn’t appear, the feature may not have rolled out to your region or ring yet.
  • Try Snipping Tool recording: Update the tool from the Microsoft Store to the latest Insider version, open the recorder, choose “Window mode,” click a target window, and start recording. Remember the capture is fixed-size.
  • Explore Copilot+ features: If you have a Snapdragon Copilot+ PC, check Settings for Auto SR toggles and try the new touch invocation for Click to Do.
  • Create a backup: System Restore point or full image is strongly advised. This is especially important if you rely on the PC for daily work.

For production environments, stay on the Release Preview or General Availability channels. Beta Channel updates can — and sometimes do — break drivers or cause boot loops, as seen in the past.

The bigger picture

Build 26120.5761 isn’t a revolutionary leap, but it signals several strategic directions for Microsoft:

  • Cross-device as a pillar: With Resume expanding beyond OneDrive, Microsoft is finally leveraging its Phone Link investments to create a cohesive Android-Windows ecosystem. If developer adoption follows, this could become a key selling point against Apple’s Continuity.
  • In-box creativity tools: Snipping Tool’s window recording undercuts the need for lightweight third-party alternatives, much like screen snipping did years ago. This is a slow-burn improvement that will matter to millions of users over time.
  • Hardware-differentiated AI: Copilot+ exclusives are a double-edged sword. They incentivize new PC purchases and push the silicon ecosystem forward, but they also fragment the user base. Microsoft must communicate these differences clearly to avoid frustration.

As the Beta Channel continues to test servicing pipelines for 24H2, Insiders can expect more such composite updates — half fix, half feature tease. The Resume feature, in particular, will be one to watch as Microsoft opens the API to more apps and refines the reliability of the cross-device handshake. For now, curious users can dive in, take the usual precautions, and start imagining a world where your phone and PC truly pick up where the other left off.