Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.4950 (Beta Channel) brings several fixes and improvements. Key changes include resolving an explorer.exe crash, improving Narrator performance with large amounts of text, fixing an issue affecting the reliability of Start menu badges, and addressing problems with app defaults and searchindexer.exe crashes. This build also removes the previously available live captions settings within Quick Settings, directing users to the full settings page instead. While this build doesn't introduce new features, it focuses on stability and bug fixes for a smoother user experience.
Microsoft has released a new Windows 11 Insider Preview Build, specifically Build 22635.4950, to the Beta Channel. This update focuses primarily on refining existing features and implementing bug fixes rather than introducing significant new functionalities. The announcement details several key changes and improvements.
One notable enhancement is the improved support for screen readers within the new three-finger touch gesture navigation experience. This addresses accessibility concerns and aims to provide a more seamless and intuitive navigation experience for users who rely on assistive technologies.
Furthermore, the update tackles various issues encountered in previous builds. This includes resolving a problem that caused explorer.exe to crash repeatedly for some Insiders, enhancing the reliability of the taskbar search experience by fixing an underlying crash, and addressing an issue where the Start menu would sometimes unexpectedly disappear. Additionally, a bug affecting the proper display of app icons in the taskbar has been rectified.
For developers, a known issue related to the behavior of the wsl.exe --install command has been identified and documented. While the command may report a successful installation, it may not actually function as intended, and users are advised to utilize the wsl --install command instead for a more reliable installation process.
Finally, this build incorporates several known issues that Microsoft is actively investigating. These include potential problems with certain apps crashing when using the new screen reader support with three-finger touch gestures, issues with the brightness settings not working correctly on some laptops, and challenges with uninstalling, repairing, or updating certain apps. While these issues are acknowledged, they do not prevent the build from being deployed to the Beta Channel for broader testing and feedback. This allows Microsoft to gather more data and work towards providing more polished and stable future releases. The blog post encourages users to submit feedback through the Feedback Hub to help identify and address any further issues they encounter.
Summary of Comments ( 69 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43239948
Hacker News users discuss the new features in the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build, mostly focusing on practical improvements rather than revolutionary changes. Several commenters express appreciation for the return of ungrouped taskbar icons, viewing it as a positive step back from a less popular design choice. Some discuss the new screen recording feature in Snipping Tool, noting its basic functionality and comparing it to existing third-party options. Others mention the addition of a native VPN status indicator in the system tray, considering it a welcome, if overdue, feature. A few comments also touch on more technical aspects, such as the performance improvements and changes to Windows Ink. Overall, the sentiment seems to be one of cautious optimism, with users appreciating the iterative improvements but remaining somewhat reserved about the overall direction of Windows 11.
The Hacker News post titled "Windows 11 Insider Preview Build" linking to a Windows Insider blog post about build 22635 has a moderate number of comments, discussing various aspects of the update and Windows 11 in general.
Several commenters express fatigue and frustration with Windows 11's frequent updates and changes. One commenter mentions the constant UI changes as disruptive and questions the benefit, stating a preference for stability over frequent, seemingly minor updates. Another echoes this sentiment, expressing a desire for a longer release cadence with more significant improvements rather than a constant stream of small tweaks.
A thread discusses the removal and subsequent return of the "never combine" option for taskbar buttons. This feature allows users to see labels for all open windows, even when multiple windows of the same application are open. Commenters express relief at its return, highlighting its importance for productivity and usability. They also criticize Microsoft for removing it in the first place and question the decision-making process behind such changes.
Some comments touch upon the performance of Windows 11. One commenter notes improved performance with the update, while another mentions ongoing issues with File Explorer performance, specifically slowdowns and crashes.
There's a brief discussion about the development cycle of Windows. One commenter speculates that Microsoft is preparing for a larger feature update, given the focus on bug fixes and minor UI adjustments in recent Insider builds.
A few commenters express general dissatisfaction with Windows 11, criticizing its UI changes, performance, and overall direction. One commenter even states they switched to Linux due to frustration with Windows 11.
Finally, some comments focus on specific features mentioned in the blog post, such as HDR wallpaper support and improvements to voice access. These comments are generally positive, welcoming the additions and improvements.
Overall, the comments reflect a mixed reception to Windows 11 and its ongoing development. While some appreciate the new features and performance improvements, others express frustration with the frequent updates, UI changes, and lingering performance issues. The discussion around the "never combine" taskbar option exemplifies the tension between user preferences and Microsoft's design choices.