- Microsoft quietly fixes annoying design issues with the Start menu account manager.
- Windows Update will now show how long the computer will be offline until the update completes.
- You can now control the mouse wheel scrolling directions without opening the Control Panel.
- These and other changes are now available in the Beta and Canary Channels.
UPDATED 9/5/2024: Two new previews of Windows 11 are currently being released by Microsoft, build 22635.4145 (KB5041881) in the Beta Channel and build 27695 in the Canary Channel. These previews include solutions for a few known bugs as well as improvements for existing functionality.
The official notes from August 30, 2024, state that Windows 11 build 22635.4145 in the Beta Channel includes improvements to pointer precision and new options to alter the direction of mouse scrolling. Additionally, Microsoft is improving the Share interface and the Spotlight function to allow content sharing straight into the Notepad and Clipchamp programs.
Microsoft repositioned the Widgets icon entry point to the right side of the Taskbar as part of the update for Windows 11 build 27695. The duration of the computer’s offline time during the update procedure will now be displayed in the Windows Update settings. Now, you may send information straight to your Android phone from the send interface and turn off notification suggestions.
Additionally, the business is implementing updates for the Widgets board, making it possible to recover encrypted passwords while Active Directory is being recovered.
Both preview builds in this release feature a number of fixes for known problems.
Windows 11 build 22635.4145 (Beta)
Microsoft is implementing these modifications in the Beta Channel.
Start menu new sign-out option
Microsoft is testing modifications to the account manager menu in the Start menu. For instance, the More choices secondary menu now displays a list of users to switch accounts, and the Sign out option may now be accessed from the menu without opening a secondary menu.
Taskbar changes
This update will begin pinning the Microsoft 365 app in the Taskbar for managed PCs running Windows 11 Enterprise, Education, or Pro and signed in with an Entra ID.
Spotlight for desktop updates
Microsoft is experimenting with several changes for the desktop Spotlight experience once more. When you right-click the Spotlight icon in this update, the firm will add a few hotspots that you can click to view further wallpaper details. Additionally, you can receive a smaller or less noticeable flyout, depending on the version of the updates.
Mouse new scrolling direction setting
The update KB5041881 allows you to adjust the mouse wheel’s scrolling direction so that it moves up when you scroll down and vice versa under Settings>Bluetooth & devices>Mouse. Additionally, the pointer precision increases can now be configured without logging into the Control Panel. These features have been accessible in the Canary Channel for a while, but they are new to the Beta Channel.
Additionally, a new option to disable the left and right screen edge touch gestures has been added to the Settings>Bluetooth & devices>Touch page.
Windows Share improvements
The choices to send content straight into Notepad and Clipchamp should now be shown in the send interface.
Lock screen offline message
The “You’re offline” message will appear on the lock screen if your computer is not connected to a network. Whether you choose to display the weather widgets or not, the widgets are unavailable notice will still appear.
If you don’t have the weather widgets enabled, the new message overlaps with the default weather information, so it looks like a work in progress.
Gamepad keyboard layout
In order to facilitate typing and navigating with the Xbox controller, Microsoft is also working on implementing a new layout for the on-screen keyboard.
In the new layout, common keys like Backspace, Space, Left and Right, and numerals are mapped to specific buttons like X, Y, LB, RB, LT, and others. Additionally, it introduces a slightly altered vertically aligned keyboard design.
Other fixes
File Explorer crashes have been fixed with this version, and some text issues with the Phone Link features that appear on the side have been fixed in the Start menu.
Additionally, this update fixes problems with BitLocker, Bluetooth, Windows Hello for Business, Hibernation, and more.
Windows 11 build 27695 (Canary)
The Canary Channel is undergoing these alterations.
Taskbar new Widgets location
The Widgets symbol is now visible on the right side of the Taskbar in this edition. Although everyone has had access to this modification for a while, it is now a part of the Canary development.
Notifications new controls
You may now disable toast notifications that make action suggestions as part of the notifications updates. You can either go Settings>System>Notifications and disable the notice Suggestions toggle switch beneath the list of notifications for apps and other senders, or you can do this from the menu when the toast notice shows up.
The Beta Channel was the first to implement this modification.
Wireless interface update
When you use the wireless password search option under System>Network & internet>Wi-Fi, you’ll see that the interface has been modified to conform to Windows 11’s design language.
Windows Update new offline estimated feature
The Windows Update settings now indicate how long the computer is expected to be offline while updates are being installed.
Windows Share with Android support
If your phone is already linked to the computer with the Phone Link software, you may now share material straight to your Android device from the Share interface. Although it is new in the Canary Channel, this feature is not new.
Widgets improvements
Microsoft is promoting security and API enhancements for developing widgets and feeds for users in the European Economic Area (EEA) on Windows 11 build 27695. Additionally, some widgets will be changed and others eliminated, and the Microsoft Start widget will now display material via the Start Experience app.
Active Directory recovery changes
Microsoft is enhancing the Windows Local Administrator Password Solution (LAPS) as part of the Active Directory enhancements to enable the recovery of encrypted passwords while Active Directory is being recovered.
Other fixes
This preview build resolves issues that cause crashes and fixes the File Explorer shortcuts for the Windows key + E, Ctrl + F, and Shift + Tab.
Lastly, this preview fixes problems with the Sandbox and Task Manager as well.
Installation process
Enroll your device in the Beta or Canary Channel using the Windows Insider Program settings under the Update & Security section in order to download and install these Windows 11 builds. You can download the build from the Windows Update settings after enrolling the machine in the program by clicking the Check for Updates button and activating the Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available option.
Update September 5, 2024: To guarantee correctness and incorporate the most recent data, this page has been updated.