Microsoft pushed Windows 11 Canary Insider Build 28020.1619 (KB5077230) to testers on Thursday, delivering fresh tools for the Paint app alongside setup tweaks and security enhancements. Insiders in the Canary Channel now have access to freeform rotation in Paint version 11.2601.391.0, letting users spin shapes, text and selections at any angle with precise controls.

The long-awaited feature ends the rigid 15-degree increments of older versions. Grab an object with the rotate handle. Drag to spin freely or type a custom angle for pinpoint accuracy. Paint users have clamored for this since early Windows 11 days.

Beyond creative upgrades, the build expands Cross-Device Resume, smoothing handoffs between phones, tablets and PCs. Narrator gains better voice commands and reading options, aiding screen reader users. Peripheral fingerprint sensors get Windows Hello integration, bolstering login security without built-in hardware.

New Voice Typing settings appear in the update too, refining dictation accuracy and shortcuts. Microsoft lists these in the official changelog, urging testers to flag glitches.

Setup gets a visual overhaul with the refreshed SCOOBE screen—short for Second Chance Out of Box Experience. This simplified interface pops up if initial configuration fails, guiding users to pick recommended PC settings in one spot. No more flipping through screens, according to the changelog.

“The redesigned screen aims to be more intuitive,” Microsoft states, cutting setup friction for new or reset devices. Insiders spotting it during installs should send feedback through the Feedback Hub, the company adds.

Canary builds lead the pack for experimental features, so expect bugs. This release follows Build 28018 from late October, piling on AI tweaks and UI polishes. Stability lags behind Dev or Beta channels—Microsoft warns against daily drivers.

Download hit via Windows Update for Canary enrollees. Check Settings > Windows Update. Paint updates separately through the Microsoft Store. Fingerprint perks require compatible sensors like those from Synaptics or Goodix.

Testers praise the Paint addition already on forums. One Reddit thread calls freeform rotate a “game-changer for quick edits.” SCOOBE changes draw mixed reactions—some love the simplicity, others miss granular options.

Microsoft ramps Canary drops lately, signaling big Windows 11 25H1 pushes. Keep eyes peeled for Copilot+ expansions and ARM optimizations in coming weeks.