Desktop Spotlight Archives

Winsage

March 1, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27802 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27802 has been released to the Canary Channel, with no plans for SDKs for the 27xxx series builds. Key updates include improved battery iconography, featuring colored icons to indicate charging states (green for optimal charging, yellow for energy-saving mode below 20%, and red for critically low battery). Users can display battery percentage in the system tray by toggling the option in Settings. New features include file sharing from taskbar jump lists and changes to the Desktop Spotlight icon interaction model. Several fixes have been implemented, including resolving installation errors and issues in File Explorer, Taskbar, Input, Lock Screen, Administrator Protection, Audio, and Remote Desktop. Known issues include potential loss of Windows Hello PIN on Copilot+ PCs transitioning to the Canary Channel, bugchecks in certain games and printing applications, and display issues with new battery icon colors. Insiders are reminded that features in the Canary Channel may change and that a clean installation is required to exit this channel.

Winsage

February 28, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27802 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27802 has been released to the Canary Channel. Key updates include new battery iconography with colored icons indicating charging states (green for charging, yellow for energy-saving mode, and red for critically low battery), an option to display battery percentage in the system tray, and the ability to share files directly from taskbar jump lists. Changes also include improvements to the Desktop Spotlight icon interaction and various bug fixes across different components, such as File Explorer and audio issues. Known issues include potential problems with Windows Hello PIN, certain games causing bugchecks, and printing from specific applications leading to errors. Users transitioning to the Canary Channel may face issues that require a clean installation to exit the channel.

Winsage

December 16, 2024

Windows 11 will finally support this highly requested webcam feature

Windows 11 is introducing a multi-app camera feature in Build 26120.2702, allowing multiple applications to access the same camera simultaneously. This functionality aims to improve accessibility for the Hard-of-Hearing community by enabling video streaming to both a sign language interpreter and the audience at the same time. Users can access this feature through new configuration options in the Settings app, which will also include options for basic camera features and troubleshooting. Additionally, Microsoft is adding API support for third-party passkey providers in this build. Windows 11 Build 22635.4655 included minor updates, such as improvements to the Start menu's recommended websites filtering, experiments with the lock screen's hotspot, changes to the Desktop Spotlight icon interaction, and a visual preview in the Windows share window for shared links or web content.

Winsage

December 13, 2024

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.4655 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.4655 (KB5048753) has been released to the Beta Channel. Key updates include: - Enhanced filtering for recommended websites on the Start menu. - New interaction model for the lock screen's spotlight feature, allowing users to explore images further. - Changes to the Desktop Spotlight icon, enabling users to learn more about their background images. - A visual preview of links and web content in the Windows share window. - A fix for an issue with window previews not appearing on the taskbar. Additionally, Microsoft Edge Game Assist (Preview) is introduced, providing a gaming-centric browsing experience that integrates with the Game Bar and shares browser data across devices. Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel will receive updates based on Windows 11, version 23H2, with features gradually rolled out using Control Feature Rollout technology. Features may evolve or be removed based on feedback, and localization issues may be addressed over time.

Winsage

December 13, 2024

KB5048753: Windows 11 gets better Start menu filter, new Edge gaming assist, and more

Microsoft has released a new build for Windows 11 Insiders in the Beta channel, identified as build 22635.4655 under KB5048753. Key enhancements include improved Start menu filtering for recommended websites, a new Edge Game Assist feature, and updates to Spotlight functionality. Changes include enhanced filtering for recommended websites in the Start menu, new treatments for the lock screen's top right hotspot allowing users to learn more about spotlight images, and updates to the Desktop Spotlight icon interaction model. The Windows share window now displays a visual preview of links and web content. Fixes include resolving an issue with window previews not displaying for certain open apps in the taskbar. The Microsoft Edge Game Assist (Preview) feature allows users to access browser data while gaming, providing tips and guides relevant to the games being played, and sharing the same browser data as Edge on the PC.

Winsage

September 3, 2024

One of the best tools for updating your Windows wallpaper is about to get an update

Microsoft is developing new flyouts for Windows Spotlight, which will enhance user experience by providing more options for discovering information about daily wallpapers tailored to user interests. Users must be part of the Beta Channel Insider program and enable the feature via Vivetool to access these new options. Currently, three flyout variants are being tested: a compact flyout menu without search links, a minimized flyout that cannot be expanded, and the existing flyout associated with Windows Spotlight.

Winsage

September 2, 2024

Microsoft is making the Desktop Spotlight feature hog less of your screen

Microsoft is updating the Windows Spotlight interface to enhance user experience by allowing users to minimize UI elements, which will enable a cleaner view of the wallpaper images. The new Desktop Spotlight will offer three variants, including a reduced flyout option that removes search links. Users will still have the option to retain the traditional layout if they prefer the existing search functionalities. The update aims to improve the presentation of images while providing flexibility in user preferences.

Winsage

August 30, 2024

Microsoft is trying to reduce Windows 11’s desktop spotlight clutter

Windows 11's Spotlight feature currently covers about 20% of the desktop space and directs users to Bing search results. Microsoft is refining the Spotlight experience in Windows 11 Build 22635.4145, introducing enhancements such as hotspots activated by right-clicking on the Windows Spotlight icon. The new design will feature a streamlined pop-up with a reduced flyout, and users can still access full-screen mode and the Bing landing page through right-click and double-click actions. The upcoming changes include animated hotspots for additional information without needing to navigate to Bing. Additionally, Build 22635.4145 updates the mouse settings in the Settings menu, allowing users to disable enhanced mouse pointer precision and adjust mouse scrolling direction.

Winsage

June 15, 2024

KB5039319: Microsoft brings new Windows 11 Start menu jump lists, better Android sharing

- Jump lists will now be shown when right-clicking on apps pinned to the Start menu such as PowerPoint that have jump lists. - Changes are being made to the Windows Spotlight experience on the desktop to make it easier for users to engage with the feature. - The ability to easily share content to an Android device from the Windows share window is being rolled out. - Fixes for various issues in the Beta Channel include problems with the taskbar, File Explorer, and the Start menu. - An update for Snipping Tool introduces automatic save for screen recordings. - Windows Insiders in certain channels will see improvements to Microsoft Wallet for fast and safe checkout in the Microsoft Store.