Microsoft has once again graced us with a fresh update, rolling out the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.3930 (KB5040550) to the Beta Channel.

As always, these updates are pivotal in shaping the final versions that reach your devices, offering a glimpse into the future of Windows.

Let’s dive deep into what this build brings and how it can enhance your computing experience.

The Evolution of Windows 11: Beta Channel Updates

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Microsoft continues to refine and enhance the Windows 11 experience for those in the Beta Channel.

The latest update follows the trend of version 23H2, introduced via an enablement package (Build 22635. xx). Insiders can toggle settings to receive features as soon as they are available. This progressive rollout ensures that early adopters can test and provide feedback while others receive these enhancements gradually.

New Features Gradually Rolling Out

Shared Content in File Explorer Home

File Explorer is evolving to become more intuitive and connected. The new feature allows users to access files shared with them quickly. Whether you’re signed in with a personal Microsoft account or a Microsoft Entra ID for commercial users, you can now see shared files directly from the File Explorer Home under the ‘Shared’ tab. This includes files from email, Teams chats, and other Microsoft services, making collaboration seamless.

Additionally, File Explorer now supports various file types in the Recent, Favorites, and Shared sections. This means that files from Designer, Loop, Power BI, and Forms, among others, will be more accessible, enhancing productivity.

Taskbar & System Tray Enhancements

The taskbar and system tray receive a notable upgrade with a simplified system tray highlighting the date/time in a shortened form and showcasing the notification bell icon based on your Do Not Disturb (DND) status. This minimalist approach reduces clutter, though you can revert to the traditional view through settings if preferred.

Moreover, Microsoft has refined the previews that appear when you hover over taskbar apps, enhancing the animations based on user feedback. First-letter navigation on the taskbar is another nifty feature, allowing users to quickly jump to apps by pressing the corresponding letter key. This is especially useful for power users who rely heavily on keyboard shortcuts.

Windows Studio Effects

Windows Studio Effects is pushing the boundaries of what AI can do for your camera and audio. Available on devices with a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), these effects can now be accessed more conveniently via a new icon in the system tray.

Clicking this icon launches the Studio Effects page in Quick Settings, streamlining access and usability. This enhancement ensures that users can quickly adjust settings during video calls or recordings, improving overall user experience.

Windows Share

Sharing content with Android devices has never been easier. The Windows share window’s UI has been updated, moving the option to share with Android devices under “Nearby Share.” This feature requires pairing your Android device with your Windows PC using the Link to Windows app, facilitating seamless content transfer between your devices.

Narrator Performance Improvements

For users relying on Narrator, Microsoft has significantly improved scan mode, particularly enhancing its performance in Microsoft Edge and large documents. These changes ensure that the Narrator is more responsive, making it a valuable tool for users who depend on it for navigation and reading.

System Info (msinfo32) Update

To make Windows more accessible, System Info (msinfo32) now adheres to your text size preferences set under Settings > Accessibility > Text Size. This change ensures that vital system information is easier to read for users with visual impairments.

Fixes Gradually Rolling Out

Start Menu Fixes

The start menu sees improvements, particularly addressing issues where screen readers didn’t read the All apps list correctly and some apps were not sorted properly under certain display languages.

Taskbar & System Tray Fixes

Issues where keyboard focus might get lost while navigating the taskbar with Shift + Tab have been resolved. This fix enhances the overall usability for keyboard-centric users.

Fixes for Everyone in the Beta Channel

A critical fix addresses an issue where users couldn’t view or interact with the taskbar after installing KB5039302 on Windows N editions. This problem, specific to editions lacking most media-related tools, has been rectified, ensuring smoother operations post-update.

Known Issues to Be Aware Of

As with any new build, some known issues persist. For the simplified system tray, if the “Show notification icon” setting is greyed out, toggling “Notifications” off and on again should resolve it.

Certain issues with shared file visibility, keyboard focus, and Narrator functionality have been identified in File Explorer. The team is actively working on fixes for these areas.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel

It’s crucial to remember that updates in the Beta Channel are experimental. Features and experiences may change, evolve, or be removed based on feedback and testing outcomes. This iterative process helps Microsoft fine-tune the user experience before a broader release.

Additionally, many features start in the Beta Channel but may not be fully localized initially. Localization issues can be reported via Feedback Hub, contributing to a more polished final product.

Conclusion

The Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.3930 represents Microsoft’s commitment to continuous improvement and user-centric design. By gradually rolling out new features and improvements, Microsoft ensures that Insiders can test and provide valuable feedback, shaping the future of Windows 11.

As always, your feedback is invaluable. Whether through the Feedback Hub or community forums, every piece of input helps refine and perfect the Windows experience.

Stay tuned for more updates and happy testing, Insiders!

Microsoft is ramping up the action with fresh preview builds for Windows 11 and Windows 10 Insiders on the Release Preview Channel today.

Let’s dive into the details and see what’s new.

For those of you testing Windows 11, there are two noteworthy builds: the 22H2 build 22621.3951 and the 23H2 build 22631.3951.

These updates include various improvements that enhance the user experience, particularly within File Explorer, the Start Menu, and Windows Share.

Highlights for Windows 11 Insiders:

• File Explorer Enhancements: One of the standout features is the introduction of Duplicate File Explorer tabs. When you right-click on a File Explorer tab, you’ll see a brand-new option to duplicate it. This small but mighty addition can significantly streamline your workflow, allowing for quicker navigation and multitasking within File Explorer.
• Start Menu Tweaks: Microsoft has also made pining apps to your taskbar more intuitive. You can drag apps directly from the Pinned section of the Start Menu and drop them onto the taskbar. This improvement simplifies the process and enhances the customization of your workspace.
• Nearby Sharing Notifications (China-specific): Another interesting update caters to our users in China. If Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are turned off when you enable Nearby Sharing, Windows 11 will now prompt you to turn these features on. This ensures a seamless sharing experience without diving into settings manually.

Windows 10 Updates:

Let’s not forget about our Windows 10 Insiders. Microsoft is also flighting the Windows 10 22H2 build 19045.4713 to Insiders on the Release Preview and Beta Channels.

This build is particularly exciting for those who recently joined the Windows 10 Beta Channel, as it invites you to toggle on new features early via Windows Update.

• Taskbar Fix: One of the key fixes in today’s build addresses an issue with the taskbar on secondary monitors. When the search box setting is enabled, it will now display correctly on secondary monitors, enhancing usability and consistency across multiple displays.
• Bug Fixes: In addition to the taskbar fix, this build includes several bug fixes for Insiders on both the Beta and Release Preview Channels. Although not all the fixes are worth detailing, it’s important to note that Microsoft has resolved issues affecting Windows Backup and Universal Print clients, ensuring smoother operation in these areas.

Additional News:

If you missed it, yesterday also saw a noteworthy release. Microsoft rolled out Windows 11 build 26252 for Insiders on the Canary Channel.

This build brings a fresh design for lock screen widgets and introduces new energy recommendations specifically for devices with HDR displays. These updates are part of Microsoft’s ongoing effort to refine and enhance the user experience.

These latest builds showcase Microsoft’s commitment to continuously improving and evolving the Windows ecosystem. Whether you’re a Windows 11 or Windows 10 Insider, there are plenty of exciting updates to explore and provide feedback on. Stay tuned to The Redmond Cloud for more updates and insights into Microsoft’s latest developments.

Happy testing!