Microsoft has released the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22557 to the Dev Channel, and it includes dozens of new features and fixes, including folders in the pinned app areas of the Start menu, live captions, File Explorer improvements, new touch gestures and productivity enhancements.
The release is highlighted by a new feature that allows users to customize Start menu pins by organization them info folders. Users can drag an app on top of another to create a folder and rearrange the apps within the folder. Future improvements will include the ability to name and rename folders.
Microsoft is also introducing do not disturb and focus features that make it easy to silence notifications and minimize distractions. Do not disturb allows users to silence notification banners, but then quirky find them afterwards. This comes with controls that allow users to set specific quiet times or allow certain apps to break through.
Similarly, users can start a focus session from the notification center that will turn do not disturb on and turn taskbar badging and flashing applications in the taskbar off. This feature integrators with focus sessions in the Clock app so users can play calming music and see a task list from Microsoft To-Do, the company says. This experience can also be personalized in settings.
The test build also comes with accessibility features, including live captions that are generated on-device from any content with audio. Microphone audio can also be included during in-person conversations.
Users also have more control over storage consumption and file syncing with a OneDrive integration with File Explorer. This allows users to see their sync status and quota usage while browsing OneDrive folders without having to leave File Explorer.
Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22557 also comes with five new touch gestures designed to make it easier to navigate Windows 11 on a touch-enabled PC. Users can use these gestures to invoke and dismiss Start, switch between Pinned/All apps, invoke and dismiss Quick Settings, invoke and dismiss Notification Center, and full screen gripper.
The new build also features an updated design of Task Manager to match Windows 11 design principles, including a new navigation bar and settings page with a command bar on each page that gives access to common actions. The company is also releasing Efficiency mode in Task Manager that helps users know when an app is consuming high resources and limit its consumption.
For IT admins, Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22557 also features a new PowerShell module to provision language and language-related features, including System Preferred UI Language, System Locale, Input method (Keyboard), Locale, Speech Recognizer, User Preferred Language List using the PowerShell prompt.
Microsoft says these commands work in conjunction with the existing International PowerShell Module to provide the user control over various elements of the UI language on a PC. Users can run the Install and Set comments as an administrator.
For more information on the features of this new test build, read Microsoft’s official blog.
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