Microsoft released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.9472 to the Beta Channel on September 11, 2026, introducing faster File Explorer search and additional context-menu improvements.
What Happened?
Microsoft released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.9472 on September 11, 2026 for users in the Beta Channel. The same week’s Insider releases also included builds for Experimental and Release Preview channels.
One of the notable improvements is File Explorer search.
Faster File Explorer Search
Microsoft is testing an indexer-based search experience when searching from “This PC” in File Explorer.
The goal is to make searches faster and more consistent with searches performed from File Explorer Home.
For people who regularly work with hundreds or thousands of files, faster search can save considerable time.
Context Menu Improvements
Microsoft is also improving the Windows context-menu experience.
A new teaching tip may appear for first-time users to explain available customization options. Users can also turn off the Customize context menu entry through the new context-menu settings.
Microsoft also fixed an issue where the Send To option did not always work correctly.
Why Does It Matter?
File management is an essential computer skill for students, teachers and office professionals.
A typical workflow may involve:
Create File → Save → Organize → Search → Open → Edit → Share
If searching for a file takes too long, productivity suffers.
The new indexing approach aims to make the search stage faster and more predictable.
Who Should Install It?
This is an Insider Preview build, not a normal stable Windows update. Users who depend on their PC for important work should generally avoid preview builds unless they understand the testing nature of the Insider program.
For students learning Windows administration or IT support, Insider builds are also useful for understanding how Microsoft develops and tests future Windows features.
