If you like to run Android apps on Windows 11 via WSA, there is a bit of good news. Microsoft prepares several major updates to the Windows Subsystem for Android. Among the improvements, there are a platform updates to Android 13, file transfer, and picture-in-picture support.
Windows Dev Box 2023 “Project Volterra” is now available to order
Microsoft has announced the start of sales of a mini PC called Windows Dev Box 2023. Formerly known as “Project Voltera”, it will help developers with creating AI powered apps for the ARM platform. The price of the device is $599.
Android 12L is finally released for Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2
Microsoft's Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2 foldable smartphones are finally receiving the long-awaited Android 12L-based firmware update. The new system update comes with an updated notification shade UI, Settings app, and other system components. Everything now has Fluent Design and feels more like Windows 11.
You can now enable search on the left in Windows 11 Build 22623.870 (Beta)
You may remember that build 25217 could have the search on the left side of the taskbar, next to the widget box. That made it look like similar to Windows 10. The same option is now landed in Windows 11 Build 22623.870, which is in the Beta channel.
How to Enable Toolbar for Widgets in Windows 11
Starting in Windows 11 build 25227, Microsoft has announced a change to the Widgets flyout. It will now have a toolbar with a number of extra buttons that allows the user to refresh widgets, access maps, news and other Microsoft's popular services, and more. The button set may vary. Also, it is available to a small select group of Insiders, so not really many see this change. Here's how to activate it.
Microsoft is working on a new PC Manager app that optimizes Windows 11 and 10
The Redmond firm is developing a new app that will help you to clean up and optimize the operating system. Simply called 'PC Manager', it includes features like temp file removal, startup app and process manager, a simple "threat" scanner which includes Windows Update status and default browser checks. There is also a storage analyzer that can uninstall apps and find large files.
Windows Subsystem for Android October updates includes performance and security updates
Microsoft has released a new version of Windows Subsystem for Android for Windows 11 (2209.40000.26.0) to Windows Insiders on the Dev and Beta channels. This update improves the stability and performance of the subsystem, and fixes security issues.
How to Enable Start Menu Badges in Windows 11 Build 25227
With recently released Build 25227, Microsoft announced a new mysterious feature for Windows 11 - Start menu badges. According to Microsoft, they will remind the user to do this or that important action. There will be a small orange dot overlay icon over the user profile, and an extra item(s) in the menu.
Windows 11 Builds 22621.870 and 22623.870 are now in Beta
Microsoft has released new Insider preview builds of Windows 11 version 22H2, 22621.870 and 22623.870, with KB5018499 to the Beta channel. Traditionally, Build 22623.870 comes with new features available for testing. Build 22621.870 - New features disabled by default.
You can now enable the new search appearance in Windows 11 22H2 Release Preview
After installing Windows 11 Build 22621.754 (KB5018496), you will be able to activate a new style for the search button in the taskbar, turn into a textbox, and more. These options were earlier spotted in Beta and Dev channels, and some of them are available on the Release Preview channel of the original Windows 11 release (21H2).
