Windows 11’s built-in apps are about to get a boost — here’s what’s already in testing
Microsoft is rolling out updates to several core Windows 11 built-in applications, with new features and improvements now available for testing through the Windows Insider Program. The applications receiving updates include Calculator, Camera, Clock, Media Player, Paint, Photos, and Sound Recorder—some of the longest-running and most recognizable tools in the Windows ecosystem.
The updates arrive during a period of significant acceleration in the Windows Insider Program, which Microsoft recently revamped to streamline testing channels and increase the pace of build releases. The company shipped six new builds at the end of the previous week, demonstrating the quickened development cycle now underway.
Windows Insiders enrolled in the Experimental and other testing channels now have access to these updated applications, allowing them to trial new features before broader release to the general Windows 11 user base. This testing approach provides valuable feedback to Microsoft’s development teams and helps identify refinements needed before public rollout.
The update cycle reflects Microsoft’s continued investment in maintaining and improving its foundational application suite. Rather than being replaced or deprecated, these legacy applications are receiving active development to remain relevant and useful to the user base.