Windows 11 beta Archives

Winsage

March 8, 2025

This hidden Windows 11 Beta feature makes sharing images a breeze

Windows 11 23H2 Beta introduces an image sharing tool integrated into the Windows Share sheet, allowing users to edit images and compress them before sharing. This feature is still in development and may have inconsistencies or bugs.

Winsage

March 8, 2025

The Windows 11 Beta will finally bring peace to your chaotic file organization

The Windows 11 Beta has introduced a "Recommended Files" section in File Explorer, available in Beta build 22635.5025, which allows users to quickly access relevant files based on recent activities. This section displays a carousel of thumbnail previews of frequently used, recently downloaded, or added files. It is accessible to all Windows Insiders signed in with personal Microsoft or local accounts, although residents of the European Economic Area may not have immediate access. Additionally, the Beta version highlights commonly snapped applications in the Start menu, providing shortcuts for users to launch pairs of applications that they frequently use side by side.

Winsage

February 4, 2025

Microsoft Is Clubbing the AI Features in Paint Inside a New Copilot Menu

Microsoft released a new Windows 11 Insider Preview build (version 26120.3073) that includes enhancements to the Paint application and Windows Search functionality, available to Windows Insider users in the Canary and Dev channels. The Paint app now features a Copilot menu that integrates AI functionalities, including Cocreator for generating AI images from sketches, an Image Creator for text-to-image generation, a Generative Erase tool for removing unwanted objects, and a Remove Background function. These features are organized within the Copilot menu, with the Cocreator feature exclusive to Copilot+ PC users. Additionally, Windows Search has improved semantic indexing to support searching for documents, photos, and files in OneDrive, also limited to Copilot+ PC users.

Winsage

February 3, 2025

Windows 11 KB5050087 beta improves Lock Screen widgets, File Explorer, fixes USB issues

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Beta build 22635.4870 (KB5050087), enhancing the Lock screen widget experience, refining File Explorer, and addressing USB-related issues. This build is part of the 23H2 version, following build 26120.3073 (KB5050090) from version 24H2. The update introduces customizable lock screen widgets for users in the European Economic Area (EEA), allowing personalization of widgets like Weather and Sports. A new group policy, "Disable Widgets On Lock Screen," is also available for IT administrators in EEA regions. File Explorer enhancements include displaying people icons in the "Activity" column for users with work or school accounts, showing Live Persona Cards from Microsoft 365. Fixes include resolving Start menu crashes, color discrepancies in the account manager flyout, rendering issues in File Explorer, and USB device recognition problems. Known issues involve slow closing times for File Explorer, potential crashes in the Settings Home page, and enterprise-specific information appearing on non-managed PCs.

Winsage

November 1, 2024

New Windows 11 Beta Build 22635.4440 adds revamped Windows Hello experience

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Preview Build 22635.4440 (KB5045889) to Beta Channel Insiders, featuring a redesigned Windows Hello user experience aimed at improving authentication. The update includes enhanced visuals for Windows Hello across various platforms, a new credential user experience for passkeys, and general improvements and fixes. The Gamepad keyboard layout for the on-screen keyboard has been temporarily disabled, and issues causing touch keyboard crashes have been resolved. The updates are being gradually rolled out, and users can enable the toggle in Settings > Windows Update to receive them.

Winsage

October 4, 2024

The latest Windows 11 beta makes it easier to manage your time

Windows 11 Beta and Dev builds have introduced new Countdown and Timer widgets to enhance time management. The Countdown widget allows users to set timers for upcoming events, while the Timer widget tracks the duration of tasks. Users can access these widgets via the widgets board by clicking the “+” button. To use these features, the latest version of the Clock app (11.2408.9.0 or higher) must be installed from the Microsoft Store. Additionally, the Windows 11 Dev build includes a Copilot key setting for customizing experiences with different applications and expanded access to the Windows Sandbox Client Preview for testing applications in a secure environment.

Winsage

September 30, 2024

Windows 11 Beta build 22635.4291 lands with Task Manager and Snipping Tool improvements

Microsoft has released an update for Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel, specifically Build 22635.4291 (KB5043166). Key updates include: - Task Manager: - Redesigned Disconnect and Logoff dialogs that support dark mode and text scaling. - Improved labeling of disks by type in the Performance section. - Settings: - The Tailored Experiences feature is now called Personalized Offers, found under Settings > Privacy & security. Fixes: - Resolved explorer.exe crashes, including issues with ALT + Tab. - Fixed display disruption in the Start menu’s All apps list. - Microsoft Defender for Endpoint now syncs Work Folders files correctly. - Users no longer prompted for a PIN each time they open an encrypted email in Outlook. - Microsoft Edge no longer becomes unresponsive in IE mode. - Addressed inconsistencies in TCP connection performance analysis tools. - Updated Country and Operator Settings Asset profiles for mobile operators. - Task Manager no longer stops responding when switching themes. Snipping Tool Enhancements: Users can now customize default folders for saving screenshots and screen recordings in version 11.2408.15.0 and newer.

Winsage

September 20, 2024

Windows 11 is finally letting you change what the Copilot key does

A new Windows 11 preview build allows users with a dedicated Copilot key to customize its function to launch an "MSIX packaged" app instead of the default Copilot application. This feature is exclusive to PCs with a dedicated Copilot key and can be accessed through Windows Settings. Microsoft limits customization to MSIX packaged apps for enhanced security. Other features in the update include file sharing from the context menu in File Explorer and improved media player controls on the lock screen.

Winsage

September 5, 2024

Windows 11’s new gamepad keyboard lets you type with an Xbox controller

Microsoft has introduced a gamepad keyboard layout for Windows 11, designed for Xbox controllers, currently in beta testing. This feature enhances the on-screen keyboard experience by allowing users to type and navigate using their controllers. The layout includes button accelerators, such as using the X button for backspace and the Y button for spacebar, with a vertical alignment for easier input. Microsoft is also refining the Windows Game Bar for better compatibility with handheld devices, including a compact mode for smaller screens and improved controller navigation within the Xbox app.

Winsage

August 27, 2024

Windows 11 Start menu moves toward Windows 10 with Categories view

A new "category" view has been discovered in the Start menu of Windows 11 beta Build 22635.4082, which organizes applications into predefined groups like "entertainment" and "music." This feature is not fully customizable and is currently activated through specialized tools for hidden registry entries. Additionally, the latest beta introduces media controls on the lock screen, allowing users to manage media playback without unlocking their PCs. Microsoft has not officially acknowledged the category view feature.