In an unexpected move, Microsoft has rolled out a second build of Windows 11 this week for participants in the Windows Insider Program, specifically within the Beta Channel. The new build, numbered 22635.4000 and identified under KB5040546, introduces a variety of enhancements, including a noteworthy addition to the taskbar, alongside several changes and bug fixes.
Notable Changes and Improvements
The update brings a series of gradual improvements aimed at enhancing the overall user experience for Insiders utilizing this build on their devices. Here are some of the key highlights:
- General: A collection of minor improvements and fixes designed to refine the experience for users.
- Taskbar & System Tray: Microsoft is experimenting with a new feature that displays jump lists when hovering over inactive apps on the taskbar. Feedback from users is encouraged through the Feedback Hub.
- Voice Access: Enhancements have been made to the spelling and corrections functionality within voice access. Users can now dictate characters at an increased speed, along with greater editing flexibility using commands for selection, deletion, and text navigation.
- Widgets: An update to the Widgets Board aims to bolster security and improve APIs for creating widgets and feeds, particularly for users in EEA regions. This update will see some existing widgets removed or modified, temporarily impacting their functionality, while laying the groundwork for new widgets and features in the pipeline.
Fixes and Known Issues
Alongside the improvements, several fixes are being gradually deployed to the Beta Channel:
- General: Resolved an issue that occasionally caused the Notification Center to become unresponsive, which was also linked to problems with the Add a Device dialog for Bluetooth devices.
- File Explorer:
- Addressed issues with Narrator not functioning correctly when navigating Recent, Favorites, and Shared tabs.
- Fixed a problem where the context menu in Home or Gallery would open in the incorrect position for users with Arabic or Hebrew display languages.
However, some known issues persist:
- General: Microsoft is currently investigating an uptick in explorer.exe crashes affecting certain Insiders.
- File Explorer:
- Users may notice that files shared with them do not appear unless there has been prior interaction.
- Keyboard focus issues may arise when selecting unselected tab items.
- Input: A fix is underway for an issue where the emoji panel closes unexpectedly when switching to kaomoji and symbols sections or after selecting an emoji.
For those interested in a deeper dive, the full blog post detailing these updates is available for review.
