Significant Changes in Windows 11 24H2 Preview Build
In a notable update, Microsoft has rolled out the Windows 11 24H2 Preview Build 26120.3281 across its Dev and Beta channels. A key alteration in this build is the removal of several features from File Explorer, specifically the Recent, Favorites, and Recommended content sections, along with the Details Pane. This decision aligns with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), as these functionalities necessitate account-based content that could potentially expose sensitive user information.
It’s important to highlight that this change will primarily impact Entra ID users within the European Economic Area, sparing the average home user from having to explain the absence of their Favorites folder. While these shortcuts have been instrumental in streamlining workflows, their elimination is a precautionary measure to enhance user privacy and security.
Additionally, the update addresses the Location API, which was previously utilized by Cortana to track device locations. With the discontinuation of Cortana and its replacement by Copilot, Microsoft has deemed this API unnecessary. However, the company has yet to clarify whether location data will still be stored online, even if it is no longer saved locally on devices.
As these updates remain in the Dev and Beta channels, general users should not anticipate immediate access to these changes. Furthermore, the presence of these features in Preview Releases does not guarantee their inclusion in the final version, as Microsoft may still find value in the Location API or respond to user feedback regarding the missing File Explorer functionalities.
Amid these adjustments, there is a collective hope that the modifications to Windows 11 will not introduce additional complications for users. Microsoft’s track record with updates has been mixed, with past issues including a security update that disrupted sound output for PCs using external DACs and another that rendered the File Explorer app unusable, hindering access to files and folders.
