Microsoft has given Windows 11 a helpful speed boost
When Microsoft releases a new update for Windows 11 or launches a new build of the operating system, there is much interest in the new features that have been added, as well at the security fixes and bugs that have been addressed. And with the recent release of Windows 11 Build 22572, Microsoft has sped up performance in a small but important way.
One problem that some users have been complaining about for a little while now is that the right-click menu has been rather slow. With the latest build, Microsoft confirms that steps have been taken to speed things up.
Microsoft is bringing ads to File Explorer in Windows 11
Over the years Microsoft has found various ways to squeeze advertising into Windows. We've seen the addition of "recommended" apps in the Start menu, aggressive pushing of Microsoft Edge and Office, and more. Now Microsoft is experimenting with ads in File Explorer.
This is not the first time the file browser has been used for advertising purposes; five years or so ago, the Windows 10 version of File Explorer was used as a platform for OneDrive ads. Now ads have been spotted by some users in the latest builds of Windows 11, with Microsoft again using banners to promote its own products and services.
New 'Search highlights' feature coming to Windows 11 next week
Microsoft rolled out a new Windows 11 build to Insiders in the Dev Channel today and took the opportunity to announce a new search feature arriving early next week.
The upcoming 'Search highlights' feature will show "interesting moments in time" each day in the Windows 11 search window, including major holidays and anniversaries.
Microsoft releases Windows 11 Build 22572 with new inbox apps
Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel know that Wednesday is typically the day when Microsoft rolls out new Windows 11 builds. Today sees the arrival of Build 22572, and this one comes with two new inbox apps and a good number of improvements and fixes.
From this build, Microsoft Family -- the software giant's parental control toolkit -- is now available as a inbox app (that is, an app included with the OS), as is Clipchamp, the company’s new video creation tool.
Microsoft is using the KB5012427 update to test the servicing pipeline for Windows 11
It is only a few days since Microsoft released a new build of Windows 11 in the form of Preview Build 22567, and already the company has pushed out a cumulative update for it.
With the release of the KB5012427 update, Microsoft takes the current build of the operating system available to Insiders signed up for the Dev channel to Windows 11 build 22567.100. So, what can you expect from this update?
Microsoft is bringing a much-improved 'Open with' app picker to Windows 11
For time immemorial (almost), when you double click a file in Windows, it will open in the default app that it is associated with. It has long been possible to open files in something other than its default app, using the Open with option; but as anyone who has used this cumbersome menu can attest, this is far from being an elegant solution.
And so with the latest build of Windows 11, Microsoft is making some changes. As well as giving the menu a new look and support for light and dark modes, it is now easier than ever to change the default app associated with a particular file type. Here we show you how to enable it.
Microsoft releases Windows 11 Build 22567 with a big new security feature
A month ago, Microsoft announced a change to the Windows Insider program that would see Dev Channel releases becoming "more experimental". As a result of this, the last two builds have introduced bigger changes and new features.
Today’s new flight, Build 22567, continues this trend and comes with some new features and a load of changes and improvements.
Microsoft is making it easier to manage Bluetooth devices in Windows 11
From mice and keyboards to phones and speakers, there is a virtually endless list of Bluetooth devices that you can connect to your computer. With this in mind, Microsoft is taking steps to make life a little easier for Windows 11 users, introducing a new list of Bluetooth devices in the Quick Settings menu.
The addition comes as part of the latest build of Windows 11, released earlier this week. In Windows 11 build 22563 the Quick Settings menu has been updated to give greater control over attached Bluetooth devices.
Microsoft releases Windows 11 Build 22563 with widget improvements and a tablet-optimized taskbar
It used to be we’d get a new Dev Channel Insider build of Windows 11 every Wednesday, but that’s no longer guaranteed to be the case. Insiders had to wait a full two-weeks before Build 22557 finally rolled out, although there were few complaints about the delay in the end as it was one of the most exciting, feature-packed releases. New additions included the addition of folders in the pinned apps area of Start, live captions, a new Focus experience, Quick Access improvements in File Explorer, new touch gestures, and more
It may not be Wednesday today, but Microsoft has returned to its weekly schedule with Build 22563. This flight isn’t quite as thrilling as the last one -- how could it be? -- but it still has a lot going for it.
Microsoft is bringing new Emoji Panel, Voice Typing and other shortcuts to Windows 11
The Insider builds of Windows 11 are something of an experimental playground for Microsoft, giving the company a chance to trial new features and options with beta testers before a wider rollout. In the recent Dev Channel build there are signs of new shortcuts coming to the operating system.
Users who installed Windows 11 build 22557 noticed that the language switching panel accessible from the taskbar is now home to buttons to access a range of input options. This includes the Emoji Panel, the Clipboard Panel and more.
Windows 11 will soon let you prevent apps consuming system resources unnecessarily
When an app starts to consume too many system resources it can have a huge impact on your PC’s smooth running, even causing it to lock or crash in some extreme instances.
Last year Microsoft experimented with a Task Manager feature called Eco mode which gave users control over unruly apps. That never made it into the stable version of Windows 11, but now the feature is back with a brand new name.
Windows 11's taskbar finally gets drag and drop support
Windows 11 shipped with some pretty major features and functionality missing but Microsoft is finally righting these wrongs.
Earlier in the week the first Android apps preview arrived, and today in Insider Build 22557, the company introduced drag and drop support for the Windows 11 taskbar.
Wow! Windows 11 Build 22557 introduces loads of major new features including Start menu folders and live captions
Yesterday, Microsoft released the first major update for Windows 11 (KB5010414), with Android apps, taskbar improvements and more.
Today, Windows Insiders in the Dev channel get a brand new build that comes packed with even more new features, including folders in the pinned apps area of Start, live captions, a new Focus experience, Quick Access improvements in File Explorer, new touch gestures, and more!
Microsoft releases Windows 11 Build 22000.526 (KB5010414) to Beta and Release Preview Channels -- fixes loads of issues
For the second week running quality issues have prevented Microsoft from releasing a new Windows 11 build to Insiders in the Dev Channel.
However the tech giant is rolling out a build to the Beta and Release Preview Channels, and this fixes a huge amount of issues with the new operating system.
No new Windows 11 Insider build again this week
Microsoft usually rolls out new Windows 11 Dev Channel builds to Insiders on a Wednesday, although occasionally this slips to Thursday or even Friday.
There was no new build last week due to "quality issues". The plan was to get back on track for this week, but once again Windows Insiders are facing disappointment.
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