Microsoft 'improves' Windows 11 by bringing ads to the Start menu in the US
In a move which is likely to be greeted with a hostile reception, Microsoft is continuing its obsession with injecting advertising into Windows. The company is using Windows Insiders signed up for Beta Channel to test the controversial addition of ads in the Windows 11 Start menu.
For now, this is a trial which is limited to beta testers in the US, but even if the most negative feedback is forthcoming, it is hard to imagine that Microsoft will back down and not roll out Start menu ads to all Windows 11 users.
Experimental Windows 11 build removes some unwanted bundled Microsoft apps from clean installs
Today, Microsoft rolls out new builds for Insiders on both the Dev and Canary channels.
Build 25987 for the Canary Channel adds an option to install previously downloaded drivers when installing Windows 11, so you won’t be stuck offline if you don’t have Wi-Fi drivers. It also does away with two Microsoft apps previously installed by default.
Windows 11 Build 23580 lets users with local accounts make a limited number of Copilot AI queries
Microsoft began its rollout of Windows 11 2023 Update (23H2) yesterday, but development continues apace with both Beta Channel and Canary Channel builds arriving for Insiders today.
For those in the Dev Channel, Build 23580 makes it possible for users with local accounts to access Copilot in Windows for a limited number of queries before needing to sign in. Microsoft has also “significantly” improved the nearby share transfer speed for users on same network.
Windows 11 Build 23521 comes with Windows Copilot, taskbar and system tray improvements
Yesterday, Microsoft rolled a new flight to Windows 11 Insiders in the Canary Channel. Today the company has a new build for those on the Dev Channel.
Build 23521 introduces a number of changes and improvements, as well as fixes for known problems.
Microsoft releases experimental Windows 11 Build 25926
Microsoft today releases a new Windows 11 flight for those Windows Insiders who like to live on the cutting edge.
Canary build 25926 comes with new features from the Dev Channel, such as improvements for Windows Ink, advanced screen casting, and local file sharing tweaks, as well as a number of other changes and improvements.
Microsoft's latest Windows 11 Canary build introduces new features and lets users say goodbye to Cortana
Earlier in the week, Microsoft rolled out a new Insider build for testers in the Dev Channel. Today, arriving just in time for the weekend, it delivers a new flight for those on the Canary Channel.
Windows 11 Build 25921 brings some interesting new features including HDR background support and rich thumbnail previews for cloud files on Start. It also lets users uninstall Cortana.
Windows 11 Build 23516 introduces improved screen casting
Today is a big day for Windows Insiders. The August 2023 Bug Bash has begun (running through until August 7) and there's a new Windows 11 build for testers in the Dev Channel to get their hands on.
Windows 11 Build 23516 features the usual selection of fixes and improvements, and also improves the screen casting experience that lets users wirelessly extend a display to another nearby PC, TV or other external screen.
Microsoft releases Windows 11 Build 23511 with improvements for Windows Spotlight
Today is a big day for Windows 11 Insiders in the Dev Channel as the software giant releases a new test flight, Build 23511. The main highlight in this release is a big improvement to Windows Spotlight.
Microsoft has previously tried out various treatments for Spotlight and has now settled on a single experience that the company says "includes previewing images at full screen, multiple opportunities to learn more about each image and a minimized experience."
Microsoft releases Windows 11 Build 23506 with Windows Copilot Preview, new passwordless experience, and local file sharing improvements
Windows 11 Insiders in the Dev Channel have a new test flight to install today, and Build 23506 comes with a good number of fixes and improvements, as well as some new features.
Chief among the new additions is a passwordless experience with Windows Hello for Business (WHFB). This, Microsoft says, "provides organizations with a strong, phish-resistant credential, helping customers move to a passwordless future", and it's available to try now.
Microsoft begins rolling out its AI-powered Copilot for Windows 11
Back in May, at its Build developer conference, Microsoft announced a new Copilot feature which is designed to bring the power of AI to Windows 11.
At the time, the company said that the feature would be made available in preview form in June, and today it finally arrives for Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel. To try it out, you will need to be running Build 23493 and Microsoft Edge version 115.0.1901.150 or higher.
Latest Windows 11 build offers passwordless improvements
Microsoft, like a lot of tech companies, believes that we’re finally edging closer to be able to say goodbye to passwords. The hope is that we will soon be able to use passkeys instead, which are more secure and harder to steal.
Today, the software giant rolls out Windows 11 Build 23486 to users in the Dev Channel and the big focus with this flight is on improving the passkey experience.
Microsoft releases Windows 11 Build 23481 with Folder Options changes in File Explorer and Windows Ink improvements
Wednesdays are a pretty big deal for Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel as that's when Microsoft typically releases new builds for Windows 11.
Today, the software giant rolls out Build 23481, and highlights in this new flight include improvements for Windows Ink and Folder Options changes in File Explorer. There's also a new widget rolling out.
How to enable the new File Explorer in Windows 11
Signing up for the Windows Insider program is a great way to gain access to the latest features of Windows 11 as soon as possible. One of the most recent changes made by Microsoft is a completely new look for File Explorer which has been made available in Windows 11 Build 23475.
But even if you are part of Dev channel and have this build of Windows 11 installed, you may be disappointed to find that you're stuck with the old version of File Explorer. There is, pleasingly, a way to force Windows to give you the new look.
Microsoft's latest Windows 11 build comes with a modernized File Explorer home and address bar
Microsoft continues to work behind the scenes on improving Windows 11 and adding new features to its current operating system.
Today it rolls out a new flight for Windows 11 Insiders in the Dev Channel, and this release, Build 23475, comes with a new modernized File Explorer Home powered by WinUI, and a modernized address bar and search box.
Microsoft releases Windows 11 Build 23451 with new looks for Windows Spotlight
Good news for Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel as Microsoft today releases a new Windows 11 build with some welcome tweaks and new features.
Additions in Build 23451 include a Modernized Details Pane in File Explorer and improvements to Windows Spotlight.
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