Quickly after the release of the major version 0.68, PowerToys have received a new update. PowerToys 0.68.1 fixes a number of issues users found in its new tool, 'Paste as Text', along with a few others.
Author: Sergey Tkachenko
The newest Canary channel receives its first release, Windows 11 build 25314
Users who run 25xxx builds of Windows 11 in the recently introduced Canary channel now receive its very first build. Windows 11 build 25314 Canary adds key hints to the new context menu in File Explorer, a new 'Recommended' section in File Explorer, LSA Protection Enablement, and Outlook support in Narrator.
File Recommendations debuted in File Explorer with Windows 11 Build 23403 (Dev)
Microsoft has updated the rebooted Dev channel for Insiders with a new Build 23403. It comes with Keyboard shortcut hints in File Explorer, Live Captions available for more languages, a new Recommended section in File Explorer, improved Voice Access, and much more.
Microsoft revises Windows Insider Program, adds Canary channel
Microsoft has announced big changes to the Windows Insider program. They will help the company start testing builds of the next version of Windows, "Windows 12". For that, Microsoft has created the new Canary channel that will host experimental unstable builds with bleeding edge features.
Windows 11 is getting AI-powered Depth effects for wallpapers
Microsoft is experimenting with various effects for image backgrounds since Windows 8. You may remember its Parallax effect for the Start screen. Something similar exists in Windows 10, but for the lock screen. With Windows 11, Microsoft is about to bring the AI-powered 'Depth' effects for desktop wallpapers.
VBScript has become optional component in Windows 11
One more unannounced feature in Windows 11 Build 25309 is the ability to get rid of VBScript completely. It has become an optional component that can be installed on-demand.
Microsoft introduces a new Video Super Resolution feature in Edge
On February 27, Microsoft Edge has got a new flag in Canary, edge://flags #edge-video-super-resolution. As followed from its description, it allows the browser to enhance the image for low resolution videos. However, it was not clear on what devices and how it will work. Microsoft has finally announced the feature officially and provided its hardware requirements.
Hidden features that you can enable in Windows 11 Build 25309
Like many other Dev channel releases, Windows 11 Build 25309 includes several features that you can enable. Some of them Microsoft rolls out gradually, so you can force enable them without waiting. Others are a work-in-progress and weren't announced. Let's review them in detail.
Windows 11 Build 22624.1391 (Beta) is out with Voice Access improvements
Insiders in the Beta channel are also receiving a portion of new features introduced today in the Dev channel build 25309. Microsoft has released builds 22621.1391 and 22624.1391, with the latter including new Voice Access features. Both builds come as KB5023011, but build 22621.1391 has new features disabled out of the box.
Windows 11 Build 25309: new enhanced volume mixer, theme-aware icons for Widgets, and more
Microsoft releases Windows 11 Build 25309 to Insiders in the Dev channel. It includes several enhancements and feature updates. A new enhanced volume mixer, theme-aware icons for Widgets, an updated color scheme for Search, more personalized "Let's finish setting up your device" screen, an updated Voice Access are some of those improvements. This build also marks the return of new Snap Layout, but revokes new Desktop Spotlight UI. Here are the changes in detail.
