- Windows 11 has a new build in the Release Preview channel
- This brings changes that will likely debut in next month’s update
- There isn’t much in the way of new features in the way of major changes, but there is notable activity in tweaking and repairing the OS
We’ve had a glimpse of what’s next for Windows 11, with a bunch of new features dropping – and while there’s nothing hugely exciting in that regard, there are signs that there’s quite a bit of tinkering going on.
Remember when Microsoft recently announced that it will “improve Windows in ways that are meaningful to people,” meaning it will go back to basics to fix bugs and performance issues with the operating system?
Well, what we seem to see here is the first result of that work. There are a number of moves to support different parts of Windows 11 in the latest incarnation of the operating system in the Release Preview channel, as detailed in Microsoft’s blog post.
This channel is the final stage of pre-release testing, as the name indicates, and what happens in here is likely to roll out to Windows 11 very soon. In fact, much of this work may well land in the next March update, which is due in a few weeks.
Want to know exactly what’s in store here? I will group the tweaks that Microsoft is implementing and group them into two broad categories: reliability improvements and performance increases. Individually, these are minor tweaks, but they will provide some useful improvements overall – especially for hibernation and printers.
After that, I’ll touch on some of the new features coming to Windows 11 that, as mentioned, aren’t particularly earth-shattering or noteworthy. There is one interesting addition to the taskbar, though, and some new emojis too – plus one disappointing extra worth grumbling about that I could honestly live without.
Reliability improvements
Microsoft says it’s smoothing out login screen reliability issues in Windows 11. The company is also making sending larger files with Nearby Sharing a more reliable process.
Microsoft further notes that it improves “the reliability of displaying the project pane after pressing the Windows key plus P”.
There is also some work that has been applied to File Explorer in this build, introducing better reliability when viewing the various devices listed on the network page.
Also, Windows 11 gets a tweak when waking from sleep in a specific niche scenario, namely those who use their notebook with the lid closed while connected to a docking station (in other words, viewing the desktop on an external monitor, not the laptop screen).
Microsoft explains: “For laptops used with a docking station while the lid is closed, improved the reliability of resuming from sleep when connected to AC power without having to open the laptop lid.”
Performance improvements
The Windows Update settings settings page is being tweaked to run in a smoother and more responsive manner, Microsoft tells us. In Storage Settings, Windows 11 will also have faster performance when it comes to scanning for temporary files.
For those using a printer, Windows 11 is getting some tweaks that, in Microsoft’s words, should “ensure smoother performance and prevent slowdowns during high-volume printing,” which sounds like it could be useful for offices.
And again, hibernation gets some attention here, with some performance tweaks related to the display that will mean a PC wakes up from hibernation faster in situations where the system is doing a lot of work (for example, with a ton of apps open) – and in other unspecified scenarios as well. In short, resuming from sleep should be a bit more snappy all-round in the near future. (All of this follows some particularly nasty hibernation bugginess in recent times).
New functions – and an unwelcome intrusion
As mentioned, there are quite a few new features here, but many of these are pretty low-key or not that relevant to the average user (business-related stuff, in other words).
Notable introductions are new emoji for those who use them regularly via Windows 11’s emoji picker. The Emoji 16.0 release brings a “thoughtfully curated set” of fresh creations, one added to each main category.
There’s also a new network speed test coming to the taskbar. You can access it via the network icon in the taskbar (at the far right of the taskbar) and the test will start in the default browser, giving you a readout of current Ethernet, Wi-Fi and cellular speeds (depending on which of these connections are available on your PC). This way, you can quickly check for uneven performance, and it’s a handy touch for Windows 11 users.
I mentioned one downside to the new introductions coming to Windows 11, and it’s this: “A new entry point in the Accounts menu on the Start menu now directs you to the benefits page” where you can “explore and manage the benefits associated with your Microsoft account”.
In other words, this is an extra promotion for why you should create an account if you haven’t already, and there’s enough of this kind of junk fluff and general persuasion of people in Windows 11 as it is.
It would be nice if Microsoft’s Windows 11 fix included not only bug squashing, reliability improvements and performance boosts – but also some streamlining of interface bloat, not adding more.
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