Windows Insiders participating in the Release Preview Channel are now invited to explore a revamped Start Menu along with a suite of new features set to enhance the Windows 11 experience for all users. This redesigned Start Menu, which first debuted for Dev and Beta testers in June, made its way to the Canary Channel earlier this month, signaling a broader rollout on the horizon.
What’s New for Insiders
The recent KB5067036 update for Release Preview Insiders, applicable to both the 25H2 and 24H2 versions of the operating system, introduces several noteworthy enhancements:
- Redesigned Start Menu: The Start Menu now intelligently adjusts to your screen size, featuring a scrollable “All” section on the main page. Users can choose between two new views: ‘Category’ and ‘Grid’. Additionally, a new mobile device button adjacent to the Search function opens the Phone Link sidebar for seamless connectivity.
- New Battery Icons: A fresh green battery icon appears on the taskbar and lock screen to indicate that your PC is charging and in optimal condition. Conversely, a yellow icon signals that the battery level has dipped to 20% or below. Users also have the option to display the battery percentage alongside the icon in the system tray.
- Copilot Vision Integration in Taskbar: Hovering over an open app icon on the taskbar now reveals a thumbnail preview of the app window, accompanied by a new “Share with Copilot” button. This feature allows Copilot Vision to analyze the content displayed in the app at that moment, with the option to disable it in Taskbar settings.
- File Explorer Improvements: Recommended files in File Explorer Home are now accessible for personal Microsoft accounts and local accounts, excluding users in the EEA. Those signed in with a Microsoft account will also benefit from new commands such as “Open file location” or “Ask Copilot” when hovering over a file in File Explorer Home.
- Fluid Dictation in Voice Access (Copilot+ PCs only): This innovative feature enhances voice-based dictation in English, providing real-time corrections for grammar, punctuation, and filler words, resulting in a smoother user experience.
- Click to Do Improvements (Copilot+ PCs only): The Click to Do feature now enables users to translate on-screen text and perform unit conversions for various measurements, including length, area, volume, height, temperature, and speed. It can also detect tables and share them directly to Excel, while introducing a Freeform selection mode for added flexibility.
These exciting features are expected to become available to non-Insiders later this month with the optional October update for Windows versions 25H2 and 24H2. A public rollout is anticipated next month, coinciding with the November 2024 Patch Tuesday updates.
