Windows 11 is testing a major change to the taskbar

By Fionna Agomuoh Published July 13, 2022

Windows 11’s taskbar has been among its most controversial elements. But Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 Insider Preview (Build 25158), which is now available in its Dev Channel, could bring back some older features of the taskbar some may appreciate.

The preview build highlights several UI changes to the Windows 11 taskbar, including a reintroduction of the search bar, which was previously a well-known feature in Windows 10, The Verge noted.

Windows 11 developer preview search options. — Image used with permission by copyright holder

It has since become an optional feature in Windows 11; however, with the preview build, Microsoft is looking to test and get developers’ opinions on different design options for a possible update in the future. There is no guarantee it will become a permanent update for Windows 11; though developer feedback will likely be essential for whether it moves forward to other Insider Previews and to the public.

Recommended Videos

Microsoft is also experimenting with the notification badges for its Widgets section in Windows 11. Notification badges serve as an additional feature to Widgets and can serve as an alert or advisory to various Widgets, such as Weather. Similarly, notification badges are not guaranteed to end up as a permanent Windows 11 feature.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

There are a number of features, formerly tested through the Windows Insider Program, which have made it to public builds of Windows 11. In April, Microsoft rolled out an update, which included features, such as Focus, Do Not Disturb, and Live Captions, which were long tested in the developer and beta Windows Insider Programs.

Focus and Do Not Disturb are features that help keep users set on the task at hand. Focus “minimizes visual distractions and reduces clutter on the desktop.” Do Not Disturb allows you to track and personalize your Focus experience even more.

Live Captions is an accessibility feature that is especially beneficial for those who are deaf, in addition to language learners. It is a feature that can pair with other apps, as well as web-based audio. Video streaming websites are a particularly useful method for this feature.

Topics

Computing Writer

Fionna Agomuoh is a Computing Writer at Digital Trends. She covers a range of topics in the computing space, including…

Computing

Microsoft is making a major change to using your iPhone in Windows

The Dell XPS 13 on a table with the Start Menu open.

In a recent Windows Insider Blog post, Microsoft announced it's adding the option for iPhone users to access their phones from the Start menu. Thanks to a special widget next to the Start menu, when you connect your phone, you can see data such as notifications, battery indicators, recent contacts, connection status, and more.

To enjoy this feature, you must use the recent Windows 11 preview build from the Dev and Beta channels, and you must be a Windows Insider. You must also update the Phone Link app to version 1.24121.30.0 or higher, have a Microsoft account, and have a PC that supports Bluetooth LE. Microsoft said it does not support PCs running Pro Education or Education SKUs. Even if this doesn't affect you, the update is rolling out in phases, so reaching your PC might take some time if you don't already have it.

Computing

Microsoft just added a secret file sharing feature to Windows 11

Drag Tray feature on Windows Insiders build.

Another secret feature has been spotted in one of the latest Windows 11 Insider preview builds. Discovered by X user phantomofearth and reported by Tom's Hardware, it appears that Microsoft is trying out a 'Drag Tray' for sharing files. When you pick up a file and drag it toward the top of the screen, a tray will drop down with different sharing options.

The feature was found in Build 22635.4805 but it's not included in Microsoft's release notes, which means there's no saying if or when it will make it to the general release of Windows 11. Anything that makes sharing files easier is a welcome feature, however, so fingers crossed that Microsoft gets it working well and decides to push it to everyone.

Computing

Microsoft is axing support for its own apps on Windows 10

The Surface Laptop 7 on a table in front of a window.

Microsoft has announced that support for Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 will end this year on October 14, as reported by The Verge. This is also the end-of-support date for Windows 10 as a whole, but the move is still a little surprising considering that Microsoft is now offering the Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) Program.

Anyone who joins this program for $30 can continue to safely use Windows 10 for a whole extra year -- so you might think that Microsoft would let them continue to use the Office apps too. That said, it's not like the apps will disappear, they just won't receive any more updates. According to Microsoft, this could cause "performance and reliability issues over time" but whether these issues will pop up within the ESU program's duration or not is anyone's guess.