Microsoft released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28020.1812 to the Canary Channel on March 19, 2025. This incremental update focuses on three specific areas: touchpad customization, security transparency, and screen sharing refinements. The build represents Microsoft's continued effort to polish Windows 11's user experience while addressing specific community feedback points.

Touchpad Right-Click Zone Control Arrives

Build 28020.1812 introduces a new touchpad setting that allows users to adjust the size of the right-click zone. This feature appears in Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad > Taps. Users can now choose between three preset sizes: Small, Medium, and Large.

The addition addresses a long-standing frustration among touchpad users who found the default right-click area too small or imprecise. The Medium setting corresponds to the previous default behavior, while Small and Large provide customization options for different user preferences and touchpad sizes.

Microsoft's implementation maintains consistency with existing touchpad settings. The control appears alongside other tap customization options like three-finger taps and four-finger taps. This placement suggests Microsoft views it as part of the broader touchpad gesture ecosystem rather than a standalone feature.

Secure Boot Status Now Visible in System Information

For the first time, Windows 11 now displays Secure Boot status directly within the System Information app (msinfo32.exe). Users can navigate to System Summary and find a new "Secure Boot State" entry that shows either "On" or "Off."

This change provides immediate visibility into a critical security feature without requiring users to access UEFI/BIOS settings or use command-line tools. Secure Boot helps prevent malicious software from loading during the startup process by verifying that all boot components are digitally signed by trusted authorities.

The implementation is straightforward but significant. Previously, checking Secure Boot status required either rebooting into UEFI settings or using PowerShell commands like Confirm-SecureBootUEFI. The new System Information integration makes this security status accessible to all users, not just technical ones.

Drag Tray Screen Sharing Gets Polish

Microsoft has refined the drag tray experience when sharing windows during screen sharing sessions. The drag tray is the interface that appears when users drag a window to share it in Microsoft Teams or other compatible applications.

Build 28020.1812 makes the drag tray more responsive and visually consistent with Windows 11's design language. The improvements focus on smoother animations, better visual feedback when windows are selected for sharing, and reduced latency between dragging and tray appearance.

These refinements address subtle but noticeable issues reported by users who regularly share their screens in professional and educational contexts. The drag tray now feels more integrated with the overall Windows experience rather than a separate overlay.

Known Issues and Installation Notes

As with all Canary Channel builds, 28020.1812 comes with several known issues that Microsoft is actively investigating. These include occasional explorer.exe crashes when using certain touchpad gestures, intermittent Secure Boot status display errors on some hardware configurations, and visual glitches in the drag tray on multi-monitor setups.

Users should note that Canary Channel builds represent the earliest preview of Windows development. These builds often contain experimental features, debugging code, and unfinished implementations. Microsoft recommends Canary builds only for "highly technical users" who understand the risks of running early development code.

Installation requires enrollment in the Windows Insider Program with the device set to the Canary Channel. The build downloads through Windows Update like regular updates, though the installation process may take longer than typical cumulative updates due to the developmental nature of the code.

What These Changes Reveal About Windows 11's Direction

Build 28020.1812's three main additions reveal Microsoft's current priorities for Windows 11. The touchpad control addresses hardware customization, the Secure Boot status display enhances security transparency, and the drag tray refinements improve collaboration tools.

Touchpad customization has become increasingly important as more users rely on laptops and 2-in-1 devices as their primary computers. Microsoft's addition of right-click zone sizing follows previous touchpad improvements like gesture customization and palm rejection enhancements. This suggests Microsoft recognizes that touchpad experience quality directly impacts overall Windows satisfaction on portable devices.

The Secure Boot status display represents a broader trend toward making security features more visible and understandable to average users. Microsoft has been gradually surfacing security information throughout Windows 11, from the Security Center in Settings to the enhanced Windows Security app. Making Secure Boot status easily accessible continues this pattern of security democratization.

Screen sharing refinements reflect the post-pandemic reality where remote collaboration remains essential. Microsoft has invested heavily in Teams integration throughout Windows 11, and the drag tray improvements represent another step toward seamless screen sharing. These small polish updates often matter most in professional environments where smooth collaboration tools can impact productivity.

Community Response and Practical Impact

Early adopters testing Build 28020.1812 have reported generally positive experiences with the new features. The touchpad right-click zone control has received particular praise from users who previously struggled with accidental left-clicks when intending to right-click.

"The Medium setting works perfectly on my Surface Laptop," one tester reported. "I no longer have to be hyper-precise with my touchpad taps when I need to open context menus."

The Secure Boot status display has proven useful for troubleshooting scenarios. Several testers noted they could now quickly verify Secure Boot status when diagnosing startup issues or preparing devices for certain security requirements.

Drag tray improvements, while subtle, have made screen sharing sessions more fluid. Users who share windows multiple times daily appreciate the reduced friction, even if the changes seem minor individually.

Some testers have expressed disappointment that Build 28020.1812 doesn't include more substantial features. The Canary Channel typically receives the earliest versions of major new capabilities, so a relatively minor update like this suggests Microsoft is currently focused on refinement rather than introducing groundbreaking new functionality.

Looking Ahead: What Comes Next for Canary Builds

Build 28020.1812 follows the pattern of recent Canary releases that emphasize polish over major new features. Microsoft appears to be stabilizing the codebase before introducing more experimental capabilities in future builds.

The touchpad control, Secure Boot status display, and drag tray refinements all represent the type of quality-of-life improvements that often precede larger feature introductions. Microsoft frequently uses Canary builds to test foundational changes that will support more visible features later.

Future Canary builds will likely continue this pattern of incremental improvements while occasionally introducing more experimental features. Microsoft's development cycles typically include periods of stabilization followed by periods of innovation, and Build 28020.1812 appears to belong to a stabilization phase.

Users should watch for future Canary builds that build upon these foundations. The touchpad control infrastructure could support additional gesture customization. The Secure Boot status display might expand to include more detailed security information. The drag tray refinements could evolve into more comprehensive screen sharing enhancements.

For now, Build 28020.1812 demonstrates Microsoft's commitment to refining Windows 11's details. These small improvements collectively enhance the user experience, particularly for those who rely on touchpads, value security transparency, or frequently share their screens. The build represents progress measured in millimeters rather than miles, but sometimes those millimeter improvements matter most in daily use.