Microsoft is announcing a number of new features coming to Windows 11. They're already available to Insider members, and will likely be available to everyone else in a few days. So here's what's in store for this update.
Microsoft has just released build 26100.4482 (update KB5060829) for Insiders in the Release Preview channel on Windows 11 version 24H2. The Release Preview channel is the very last step before the launch of features on the stable version of Windows 11. It is even more advanced than the Beta channel. We can therefore expect that most, if not all, of the new features brought by this update will be made available to all users next month, probably with Patch Tuesday scheduled for July 8.
A more personalized and adaptive taskbar
To start, the publisher announces several changes to the taskbar and the system tray (the space to the right of the taskbar, by default). “The taskbar now resizes icons to accommodate more applications when space is limited, which helps keep all icons visible and easily accessible,” we learn. The user can adjust the icon display in Settings by choosing from these options:
- Reduce icon size only when the taskbar is full (default).
- Keep icons at their original size at all times by selecting "Never" or use smaller icons at all times by selecting "Always".
To change this setting, simply right-click on an empty area of the taskbar, select "Taskbar Settings", expand the "Taskbar Behaviors" section, and choose the option you prefer under "Show smaller taskbar buttons".
Additionally, the indicator (pill) below the taskbar applications has been adjusted to make it larger and more visible. It is used, in particular, to indicate whether an app is open in the background.
A more efficient File Explorer
Microsoft is also introducing an optimized File Explorer, with improved performance when extracting archive files. “This will be particularly useful when copying and pasting a large number of files from large 7z or .rar archives,” the developers say.
The Windows sharing feature is also getting some attention. When sharing links or web content via the dedicated window, a visual preview of this content is now displayed. Also in the Windows sharing window, you can select a compression level (high, medium, or low quality) when editing and sharing images, instead of a scale of 0 to 100.
A new PC-to-PC migration experience is introduced with this version. “You'll see the Welcome and Pairing page in the Windows Backup app, giving you a first glimpse of what to expect. In the full experience, you'll be able to transfer your files and settings from your old PC to your new one during setup,” Microsoft explains. Additionally, setup assistance will be available in a future update, with no details on when it will be available.
Windows 11 doesn't forget accessibility
Narrator, a screen-reading tool, will now explain its new features and changes to users so they don't get lost after an update. A Screen Curtain option is also built in to prevent others from seeing what you're viewing, especially in public places. The keyboard shortcut Caps Lock + Ctrl + C toggles Screen Curtain on and off.
Like any good big patch, this one comes with its share of fixes and optimizations. This release will "improve the display-related user experience, including reducing screen flickering in some display configuration transitions and removing unnecessary display resets that occurred in some cases," Microsoft says.
Regarding windowing, three bugs have been fixed:
- When pressing ALT + Tab to exit a full-screen game, other windows (like Windows Terminal) may stop responding.
- An underlying issue may cause unexpected window size and position changes after sleep/resume for some devices.
- Explorer.exe may stop working unexpectedly when moving a window if window snapping is enabled.
Hopefully, this update doesn't cause more problems than it fixes. The Windows 11 June patch caused a cascade of bugs.
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