Microsoft releases Windows 10 20H1 Build 19018 with quick web search shortcuts

In a bid to simplify the Windows Insider program, Microsoft has killed off the Skip Ahead ring that allowed users to try the version of Windows 10 beyond the one being tested by other Insiders. A smart move I think.

Insiders are now just testing builds on the 20H1 branch, due out next year, and Microsoft has rolled out another new flight for that.

SEE ALSO:

• Over half of Windows 10 PCs now running the May 2019 Update
• Microsoft releases Windows 10 20H1 Build 19013 with more ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
• Microsoft Q&A launches to replace TechNet and MSDN forums

In Build 19018, Microsoft has added four quick web searches to Search Home -- Weather, Top news, Today in history and New movies. To view them, select the search box to open Search Home. This feature is currently only available in the US.

In addition, there’s an updated design for web previews in search results.

Other changes, improvements, and fixes in this build include:

• For Insiders that did not take the Cumulative Update to Build 19013, just a note that this build, vvnmcflr (like that update), also includes the fix for the issue resulting in black screens and disconnects over remote desktop in the last couple of flights.
• Fixed an issue where the Settings app was hanging or crashing when accessing the System or Ease of Access sections.
• Fixed an issue where if a new account profile picture synced down from the cloud, your old one might not be listed in the picture history in Accounts Settings.
• Fixed an issue where Windows Update history might show an update having failed with error 0x80240017 even though the update had actually succeeded.
• Fixed an issue that could result in Search sometimes not rendering in the enter space available within the Search window.
• Fixed an issue that could result in exe using an unexpectedly high amount of CPU when your device was unplugged in recent builds.
• Fixed an issue that could result in Cortana not responding to Hey Cortana.
• Fixed an issue that could result in Cortana not being visible in the taskbar right after upgrading, or being visible but not working, until you restarted your PC.
• Fixed an issue resulting in not being able to keep the Shift key pressed in order to type capital letters in certain languages recently when typing with the onehanded touch keyboard.
• As some Insiders know, a few releases ago Microsoft announced a new keyboard shortcut (WIN + Ctrl + Shift + B) in order to help troubleshoot black screens. With today’s build, in this vein, it is announcing a new keyboard shortcut (WIN + Ctrl + Shift + L) to help investigate issues with the login screen. Simply press the keyboard shortcut while your PC is locked, reproduce your issue, and then press the keyboard short again–a reference number will be displayed that you can share when reporting your issue. Please note, currently this is only supported for local sessions that have connected to the network and power, and for whom Diagnostic Data is set to Full.
• Narrator no longer announces changes in fonts when they have not changed.
• Updated Narrator’s autocorrect sound to be more consistent with the editing experience.
• Improved Narrator’s navigation and reading experience within Chrome.
• Improved the Outlook experience with Magnifier when Magnifier is set to track the text cursor in the center of the screen. Arrowing up and down in a list of emails will no longer force the viewport to the left of the list of messages.

Known issues are:

• BattlEye and Microsoft have found incompatibility issues due to changes in the operating system between some Insider Preview builds and certain versions of BattlEye anti-cheat software. To safeguard Insiders who might have these versions installed on their PC, Microsoft has applied a compatibility hold on these devices from being offered affected builds of Windows Insider Preview. See this article for details.
• Microsoft has heard that Settings still isn’t available outside of launching via the URI (ms-settings:) for some Insiders and is investigating.
• Some Insiders are reporting that after successfully installing printer drivers from the Optional Updates section, the same driver is still showing as available for install.
• If this build attempts to download an install before you have completed the first login of a prior install (such as Build 19013), you will experience a 2-hour window before you can install this new build.

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