According to Windows Report | Error-free Tech Life, Microsoft released a new Windows 11 Insider update on January 28, 2026, for the Canary Channel. The specific build is Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28020.1495, also known as KB5074168. The main new feature is native support for using .webp image files as desktop wallpapers directly through the Settings menu. Key fixes in this build resolve a Start menu shutdown warning display bug, a black flash issue when inking in the Snipping Tool, and a problematic bug that caused some systems to restart instead of shutting down. Other addressed problems include hanging Windows Update pages and a long-standing language pack download issue for English (Australia).
Canary update analysis
So, another week, another Canary build. Honestly, this one feels like a classic maintenance release. The WebP wallpaper support is a nice, if overdue, addition—it’s 2026, after all. WebP has been the web’s efficient image format of choice for years. But here’s the thing: the real story is in the fixes. A bug that makes your PC restart when you tell it to shut down? That’s the kind of glitch that drives people absolutely nuts. It’s good to see it squashed, but its existence in the first place is a little worrying for a supposedly “stable” build, even in the volatile Canary channel.
The bug-squashing reality
Look, I’m always skeptical of these fix lists. Microsoft “resolves” a bug, only for a slightly different version to pop up a few builds later. The IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL fix for smart card readers is a perfect example. It’s labeled as “rare,” which probably means it was a nightmare to reproduce and they *hope* they got it. And let’s not forget the known issues they openly admit to, like the desktop watermark showing the wrong build number. It’s a small detail, but it screams “rushed” or “not fully baked.” The ongoing File Explorer window-jumping bug is another persistent ghost in the machine that just won’t stay dead.
What this means for users
Basically, if you’re in the Canary channel, you signed up for this ride. You’re getting early code that’s more about Microsoft testing its integration pipeline than providing you with flashy features. The updates are crucial for the long-term health of the OS, especially for underlying stability and security in enterprise or industrial computing environments where reliable operation is non-negotiable. For the average user waiting on the next big feature drop, though, this build is a snooze. It’s plumbing work. Necessary, but not exciting. And that’s probably a good sign—it means they’re focusing on making what’s already there work properly, for once.
