Windows 11 has continued to ditch its launch state, releasing new features that are mostly tweaks from the original approach. Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22563 is a case in point, bringing fixes to the tablet taskbar and improving the Widget experience.
That’s the topic we talked about in a recent video describing the Windows 11 spring 2022 “update”: Microsoft released its new Windows 11 operating system, users complained, so Microsoft pushed back. again. For example, Microsoft released Windows 11 with minimal changes to the taskbar experience for tablets like Surface Pro 8. Specifically, while Windows 10 changed the taskbar when tablets like SP8 did not. mounted, the stable configuration of Windows 11 is almost unchanged.
Build 22563 makes a welcome change. One of the concerns with tablets is how easily you’ll accidentally click on something you didn’t mean to. In the new build, the taskbar slides down to just a small ribbon at the bottom of the screen. If you swipe up, it expands into an easier-to-navigate area. Yes, it’s a second click, but it’s like sliding a utility knife back into its sheath when it’s not in use — you’re trading a little inconvenience for extra safety.
The changes to the Widget are more subtle — and if we’re being honest, it’ll probably be clearer once we get some hands-on time with the new build.
“We are testing some changes in Widgets to bring more dynamic content to your Widget panel, by experimenting with a mix of widgets and newsfeed experiences as a single dynamic mixed feed. contains both widgets and news content,” Microsoft said in a blog post. “This will make it easier for you to discover and engage with new widgets and news content through your feed. With a dynamic feed, it’s less of a burden to manage the canvas yourself, but you can still pin your favorite Widgets to the top if you’d like. “
From the illustration Microsoft provided, there really doesn’t seem to be any significant changes to the Widget before and after the new build:
Instead, it looks like Widgets are being made more flexible, so you’ll discover and add new widgets to the feed. Notice that the “add widget” button seems to have moved to the top, where now a small “plus” icon appears next to your avatar icon.
Microsoft also made some other small changes. The first seems to be a continuation of Windows 10’s work in Snap Assist. If you snap an app to the side or corner of the screen, Windows suggests other apps to fill the space. Now, the first three “apps” that Windows 11 suggests will be your three most recent tabs opened in Microsoft Edge, afterward other applications. Microsoft says that you should be able to control this behavior through Alt + Tab control: Settings > System > Multitasking inside the Settings menu.
Microsoft
Microsoft has also changed the search behavior in Quick Access, the search bar at the top right of any File Explorer window. Now, in addition to searching for files stored locally on your PC, Windows will also add a search for your OneDrive content.
Starting with this build, Windows Insiders can now use 37 new emoji characters in the emoji selector as part of Emoji 14.0, the company added. These include “troll”, “melt” and “glossy mirror” emojis.
Technically, these enhancements are all part of the Development Channel, so Microsoft is under no obligation to make them onto the Windows stable channel. But these are like the fixes you’ll soon see, regardless.
