Microsoft is making strides to enhance the user experience in Windows 11 with a forthcoming update that focuses on the functionality of its Share button. Currently being tested in a new Preview Build, this feature aims to streamline the process of sharing content among contacts, making it more efficient and accessible for users.
Universal Share Button Integration
The new universal Share button will be integrated throughout the Windows 11 operating system, including prominent locations such as the taskbar and Start menu. This enhancement allows users to effortlessly send files, links, or text directly from their desktops, thereby improving overall productivity.
While the availability of the Share button can differ based on the application in use, this update promises a consistent sharing experience across the platform. Users can expect to see options like the Share Icon or the phrase Share this item when they right-click within the Windows ecosystem. Enthusiastic Windows Insider user @Phantomofearth recently highlighted this feature in Preview Build 22635.4445.
Interestingly, the Share button is not immediately accessible in the preview version; it is a hidden feature that can be activated through a third-party application called ViveTool. This tool is designed to uncover secret functionalities embedded within the Windows 11 code. The user noted on X that while the Share button is disabled by default in Build 22635, it can be enabled using specific commands:
- vivetool /enable /id:45738940
- vivetool /enable /id:46493758
As this Share button feature is still in the testing phase, there is no confirmation regarding its eventual rollout as a standard feature in future updates.
In addition to the Share button, Microsoft is exploring other innovative features within its Windows Insiders Preview Build program. One notable addition is an AI-driven tool called Rewrite for the Notepad app. This feature allows users to generate alternative text tailored to their specific requirements, whether that means adjusting the length or altering the tone of the text. This functionality is part of the software update for Notepad version 11.2410.15.0, which is currently available to Windows Insider users in the Canary and Dev Channels.
