Comparatively late within the month, Microsoft has lastly launched the promised however non-compulsory replace for Home windows 11 model 24H2. Patch KB5040529 brings the working system to construct model 26100.1297 and introduces quite a few options which have lengthy been requested by testers.

These enhancements embrace constructive adjustments to the lock display, Begin menu, and File Explorer. Microsoft has additionally made adjustments to widgets, emojis, and the Process Supervisor. At this level, the way forward for Home windows 11 seems to be brighter than ever.

Proper now, the replace is simply obtainable to Insiders within the Launch Preview Channel, however everybody else can have entry to 24H2 when it’s formally launched within the fall. Right here’s what to anticipate from this replace.

Lock display personalization

One vital change is the redesign of the lock display. Beforehand, a brand new Climate widget on the lock display that couldn’t be personalised was annoying many customers. However now? Widgets can lastly be personalized within the settings below Personalization.

Now you can set whether or not extra details about the climate, visitors, sports activities, and even funds must be displayed in your lock display. You may have all the pieces at a look earlier than you even log in; in the event you don’t need any info, you possibly can deactivate the characteristic fully.

Begin menu and Taskbar adjustments

The Begin menu in Home windows 11 has additionally been revised. The brand new account supervisor part offers you an summary of the advantages of your Microsoft account and fast entry to your account settings.

You may as well pin apps to the Taskbar once more. This was already doable in earlier variations of Home windows, however Home windows 11 didn’t have this selection till now (to the chagrin of quite a few customers). You may merely drag functions from the Begin menu to the Taskbar and pin them there.

The widget icons within the Taskbar additionally look barely completely different due to the replace. The show is extra detailed and there are extra animated icons obtainable. Small however vital steps ahead.

Process Supervisor will get a significant improve

The Process Supervisor can also be getting a significant overhaul. If you open it post-update, it shows the efficiency of the working reminiscence in MHz to MT/s. It is a significantly better, extra correct indication of which functions are utilizing essentially the most reminiscence.

As well as, it’s now a lot simpler to regulate the dimensions of the window. Accessibility has additionally been improved, for instance by way of higher scaling of the textual content. A identified drawback the place USB gadgets couldn’t be safely eliminated whereas the Process Supervisor was open has additionally been mounted.

Improved safety

In favor of higher account safety, customers can enter an e mail handle to revive their accounts—and there’s an additional button for this now. (This perform was beforehand examined in some beta variations of Home windows 11.)

We’re additionally accustomed to the choice of saving sound settings and backing them up for future restoration, in addition to the overview for linked gadgets from different variations (see replace KB5037853 for Home windows 11).

Different notable new options

In File Explorer, customers can drag recordsdata with the mouse between the breadcrumbs within the handle bar, making navigation a lot quicker.

As well as, the Home windows sharing window has been revised and enhanced with the choice to instantly create QR codes for sharing recordsdata. You may as well ship emails to your self and replica recordsdata instantly from the sharing window.

Final however not least, Home windows 11 now helps the brand new 15.1 emoji commonplace, which not solely consists of new symbols however a greater show.

All of those new options are tentatively deliberate for Home windows 11 model 24H2, but it surely’s all topic to vary earlier than official launch. By the way, the Home windows 11 replace course of itself is getting a revamp and will likely be a lot quicker and extra clever going ahead.

Word: Regardless of plenty of additions, Home windows 11 model 24H2 may even be eradicating a number of apps and options. Simply be certain you don’t want any of them earlier than you dive into this non-compulsory replace.