Microsoft Deprecates PowerShell 2.0 in Windows 11 Over Security Flaws

Microsoft has announced the rollout of Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27891 to the Canary Channel, marking another significant step in the evolution of the Windows platform.

One of the most noteworthy technical updates in this build is the deprecation and removal of Windows PowerShell 2.0.

This legacy scripting environment, long used for task automation and configuration management, will no longer be available in the latest Canary builds.

Microsoft has stated that further details regarding the removal will be shared in upcoming updates.

In addition to this major change, several critical system fixes have been introduced:

• The “Reset this PC” feature under Settings > System > Recovery now works as expected, resolving previous failures post-upgrade.
• An underlying issue causing the taskbar to lose its acrylic material effect has been addressed, restoring the intended Fluent Design System visuals.
• Windows Update downloads that previously stalled at 2% should now proceed smoothly.
• Character rendering issues affecting languages such as Vietnamese and Arabic have been fixed, ensuring proper display in Task Manager and other interfaces.

Technical users should note that the SDKs for the 27xxx series builds will not be released for the time being, which may impact developers targeting these preview builds.

Improvements in File Explorer, Settings

This build also brings targeted enhancements and bug fixes across core Windows components:

• File Explorer: The dropdown menu accessed via the “…” in the address bar now displays the full folder path without being cut off, improving navigation for users managing complex directory structures.
• Settings: Stability improvements have been made to prevent crashes when accessing microphone properties or launching Bluetooth-related settings.
• However, a new known issue may cause Settings to crash when interacting with Settings > System > Power & Battery.
• Task Manager: The CPU graphs on the Performance page now utilize updated CPU utility calculations.
• Additionally, the new “CPU Utility” column no longer shows a constant zero for the System Idle Process, offering more accurate resource monitoring.

The Microsoft Store has also received an update for Insiders running version 22406.xxxx.x and above.

Users can now install apps and games directly from the top featured sections on the Store’s homepage, streamlining the installation process.

This enhancement leverages Microsoft’s ongoing Control Feature Rollout technology, gradually introducing new features to a subset of users for feedback and stability monitoring.

Known Issues and Insider Guidance

Microsoft has flagged several known issues in this build:

• On Copilot+ PCs, joining the Canary Channel may result in the loss of Windows Hello PIN and biometric sign-in, displaying an error code 0xd0000225. Users can resolve this by selecting “Set up my PIN.”
• Remote Desktop users on Arm64 PCs may experience extreme graphical distortion.
• Some features may not be fully localized, and feedback is encouraged via the Feedback Hub (WIN + F).

As always, Microsoft reminds Insiders that Canary Channel builds are experimental and may include features that never reach general availability.

Switching out of the Canary Channel requires a clean installation of Windows 11 due to technical limitations with build numbers.

This release underscores Microsoft’s commitment to iterative development and user-driven feedback, paving the way for future innovations in Windows 11.

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