Windows 11 Build 22631.2050 (Beta) adds plenty of new features

Microsoft has released new Windows 11 22621.2050 and 22631.2050 to Beta channel Insiders. New features are available in build 22631, and in build 22621 they are disabled by default, but will be available after the service pack is installed. The update includes a lot of new features that earlier were available only in Dev and Canary.

What's new in Windows 11 Build 22631.2050 (Beta)

File Explorer improvements

File Explorer is now built on top of the Windows App SDK, that allows Microsoft to bring more changes to its look and features. It now sports a redesigned Home page that is built using WinUI. This page displays a strip of recommended files for users signed in with Azure Active Directory (AAD). File thumbnail support will be coming soon.

The updated "Favorites" and "Recent" sections, that appear for Microsoft Account users, are also made using the WinUI library.

In addition, Microsoft introduced a redesigned address bar and an updated search field in File Explorer. The address bar automatically recognizes local and online folders. OneDrive users will notice that the address bar will now display sync status and available cloud space.

Finally, a modern File Explorer Details panel has been added to help you quickly access related content, stay up to date on file activity, and collaborate without having to open the file itself. This panel can be opened with the button on the toolbar, and with the ALT + Shift + P hotkey.

The new Details panel will display contextual information about the selected file, including a thumbnail, status, share button, file activity history, related documents and emails, and more. To enable the panel, click on the "View" button, select "Show" > "Details Pane". After that, you can control the display of the panel using the button on the right side of the Explorer toolbar. The modern Details panel replaces the deprecated Details Pane.

Dynamic Lighting

The Dynamic Lighting feature gives users and developers control over lighting devices that support the HID LampArray standard. Microsoft is committed to improving the RGB device and software ecosystem by improving device and app compatibility. You can manage your device settings through the Settings app.

Several device manufacturers, including Acer, ASUS, HP, HyperX, Logitech, Razer and Twinkly, are partnering with Microsoft on dynamic lighting. Several devices to mention.

Keyboard

• Coming soon: ASUS ROG Scope II Wireless 96 Gaming Keyboard
• Razer BlackWidow V3
• Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro
• Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini
• Razer BlackWidow V3 Tenkeyless
• Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro
• Razer DeathStalker V2
• Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro
• Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro TKL
• Razer Huntsman Mini
• Razer Huntsman Mini Analog
• Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition
• Razer Huntsman V2
• Razer Huntsman V2 Analog
• Razer Huntsman V2 Tenkeyless
• Razer Ornata V2
• Razer Ornata V3
• Razer Ornata V3 TKL
• Razer Turret Keyboard Xbox One Edition

Mouse

• Coming Soon: ASUS ROG Harpe Ace AimLab Edition Gaming Mouse
• Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse
• Razer Turret Mouse Xbox One
• Razer Death Adder V2
• Razer DeathAdder V2 Pro
• Razer Naga Left-Handed
• Razer Naga Pro

To manage and configure HID LampArray devices, go to Settings -> Personalization -> Dynamic Lighting.

Windows Ink improvements

Microsoft has updated the Windows Ink feature so that users can write ink right on top of editable fields. In addition, the accuracy of handwriting recognition technology has been improved and support for the strikethrough gesture has been added, which allows you to make edits to the resulting text. Windows Ink is designed to allow users to use the pen to write anywhere they can enter text.

Windows Ink enhancements are currently only supported in US English. Microsoft will add support for other languages ​​in the future. You can manage the new features in Settings -> Bluetooth & Devices -> Pen & Windows Ink under the Handwriting category.

New Volume Mixer in Quick Actions

An improved volume mixer is now available in the Quick Actions menu. It allows you to quickly adjust the volume for each specific application and switch between output devices. In addition, there is a new keyboard shortcut WIN + CTRL + V to quickly open the volume mixer.

Enabling the Windows Sonic feature has also been simplified. To do this, there is a list of installed surround sound technologies in the volume mixer. You can install Dolby and DTS from the Microsoft Store.

Windows Spotlight improvements

The Windows Spotlight feature now allows you to view the image in full screen mode, get additional information about the photo in the Spotlight window, and also minimize the window to its minimum size. To open the Windows Spotlight window, right-click on its icon on the desktop. Double-clicking on the icon will open a page in Bing with detailed information about the image.

To enable Windows Spotlight, right-click on your desktop, select Personalize, and then enable the new Spotlight Theme. You can also enable Windows Spotlight by going to Settings -> Personalization -> Background and selecting the appropriate option from the Personalize Background drop-down list. Microsoft rolls out this feature gradually.

Passwordless Login

Microsoft believes that in the future we will have to stop using passwords. Instead, we will use access keys that are resistant to phishing attacks, can be recovered, and are generally more user-friendly. As a result, it will be more difficult for attackers to steal and use credentials to log in to a website or application.

Register and use access keys for authorization on sites and applications

You can now sign in to any app and website that supports passkeys, create and set up a sign-in using this feature, and then sign in with Windows Hello (face, fingerprint, or PIN). You can also complete the login process using your smartphone.

Create and sign in using passkeys saved on your Windows device

• Go to a website that supports the Windows passkey feature (example: bestbuy.com, ebay.com, google.com).
• Create an access key in your account settings.
• Sign out of your account and sign in with your key.

Login with keys stored on your smartphone

• Go to a website that supports the mobile passkey feature (example: bestbuy.com, ebay.com, google.com).
• Create an access key in your account settings.
• Go to the website in Windows and sign in using the passkey you saved on your mobile device.

Manage access keys stored in Windows

Users can now view and delete access keys saved for apps and sites using the Settings app.

• Go to "Settings" -> "Accounts" -> "Passkeys".
• A list of all keys stored on the Windows device will appear on the screen.
• You can find and remove any password from the device.

ℹ️ If Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome displays the browser passkey selection interface, switch to the Windows Hello or Foreign Security Key option. Also you can use Google Chrome Canary where this function works properly. Over time, changes from Google Chrome Canary will be carried over to Microsoft Edge.

Unsafe password copy and paste warnings

In Windows 11, version 22H2, Microsoft Defender SmartScreen's Enhanced Phishing Protection now safeguards Microsoft school or work passwords from phishing attacks and unsafe usage on websites and applications. A new feature being tested in this build involves displaying a warning message to users who have activated the warning options for Windows Security under App & browser control > Reputation-based protection > Phishing protection, informing them of the risks associated with copying and pasting passwords on unsafe sites. This warning will appear in the same manner as when users enter their password.

Local File Sharing improvements

Windows 11 Build 23506 includes some improvements to the built-in Windows share window and nearby sharing for sharing local files from your PC.

• A redesigned the Windows share window to better match the Windows 11 design principles.
• Everyone will now be able to email their files through Outlook directly within the Windows share window. Just click on the Outlook icon under the “Share using” section of the Windows share window.
• The Windows share window now has a search box so you can now search for contacts across Outlook to share a file and the Windows share window will now display 8-10 suggested contacts to quickly share to – including emailing yourself a file.
• Instead of a dropdown, you will see a button to turn on nearby sharing.
• For nearby sharing, you will find your own PCs at the top of discovered devices under “Nearby Share”.
• Files will share faster from one PC to another using Wi-Fi Direct.
• Added “Share” to the context menu in File Explorer in addition to having the share icon at the top of the context menu.

Natural Narrator Voices

Added new natural voices in Japanese and English (UK) to enable Narrator users to comfortably surf the web, read and send mail, and more. Natural voices use modern text-to-speech technologies and work without an Internet connection after downloading the package to your device.

To use one of the natural voices, follow these steps:

1. Open Narrator preferences by pressing WIN + Ctrl + N.
2. In the "Select Voice" section, click on the "Add" button next to the "Add Natural Voices" option.
3. Select the language for which you want to set natural voice. A list of available voices will be displayed.
4. Select the voice you want to install. You can install all available voices, but this will need to be done individually.
   • The new Chinese voices are Microsoft Xiaoxiao and  Microsoft Yunxi .
   • New Spanish voices (Spain) - Microsoft Alvaro and  Microsoft Elvira .
   • New Spanish voices (Mexico) - Microsoft Jorge and  Microsoft Dalia .
   • The new Japanese voices are Microsoft Nanami and  Microsoft Keita .
   • New English Voices (UK) - Microsoft Sonia and  Microsoft Ryan .
5. To start downloading the selected voice, click on the "Install" button. The new voice will download and be ready to use in a few minutes. The download speed depends on your internet connection.
6. Once downloaded, select your preferred voice from the Narrator Voice drop-down menu -> Select Voice.

Changes and improvements in build 22631.2050

General

If there is a problem with camera streaming, such as the camera not being able to start or the shutter is closed, a pop-up dialog will appear recommending that you run the Get Help troubleshooter to resolve the issue.

Urgent or important notifications that appear when Do Not Disturb is enabled when using apps in full screen now display a View Notification button to view notification content hidden for privacy.

Taskbar and system tray

• In this build, under Settings -> Personalization -> Taskbar -> Taskbar Behaviors, there is an option to disable grouping of items on the taskbar, however this setting does not work at this time. The issue will be fixed in future builds for the Beta channel.
• The "End Task" button in the context menu that appears when you right-click on an open application on the taskbar is now fully functional. You can enable the option in the "Settings" -> "Privacy and Protection" -> "For Developers" section.

Emoji

Unicode Emoji 15 has become available to insiders in the Dev channel. This means you can now view, discover, and use new emojis using the Emoji picker (Win + .).

Task View and Virtual Desktops

Now, when switching between virtual desktops in the "Task View" mode (WIN + CTRL + ← or →), labels with the name of the desktop will be displayed. Also added desktop switching animation, which will be played when changing the desktop using gestures, hotkeys or through the Task View menu.

Voice Access

The Voice Control feature is now available in the Accessibility pop-up menu on the lock screen.

The Settings app

• Added an additional recommendation under Settings -> System -> Power & Battery -> Power Recommendations that suggests adjusting the screen refresh rate to save power.
• Updated the design of the lists displayed on the Settings -> Apps -> Startup and  Settings -> Apps -> Advanced App Settings -> Application Execution Aliases pages. Its design now matches the other settings pages.

Fixes in build 22631.2050

File Explorer

Fixed an issue where the context menu (in File Explorer or desktop) was displayed in the wrong place (off screen or on a different monitor).

Task Manager

Now right-clicking in an empty space on the Details page does not show the option to create a real-time kernel memory dump because no process is selected.

Known Issues

Taskbar

[New] Microsoft is investigating reports that the system tray icon is not showing the safely remove hardware icon.

Narrator

[New] You may notice that some strings aren't translated into your language. This issue will be fixed in an upcoming build for the Beta channel.

Source