Your Windows 11 machine is set to enjoy a mixture of new functionality, handy redesigns, and unwanted advertising in the latest updates from Microsoft. The incoming changes were revealed with the release of new beta software for testing for Windows Insiders worldwide.
Anyone can sign-up to become a Windows Insider free of charge and gain access to the latest changes in the works from Microsoft. The catch? You'll be one of the first people outside of Microsoft to put this software through its paces ...so expected bugs, glitches, and a fair few compatibilty problems.
The latest changes were included in Windows 11 build 22635.4950, which is available to download in the Beta channel now.
First up, Microsoft has added a nifty new file sharing menu that appears at the top of the screen whenever you're dragging a file out of a folder on your desktop. It'll surface an array of icons for apps like WhatsApp, My Phone, and Microsoft Teams.
Dropping the file on any of these icons will instantly share it via these commonly-used apps.
And that's not the only way that Microsoft hopes to speed-up any file-sharing on Windows 11, which will become the only desktop operating system supported with regular security patches from the Redmond-based firm in a few months. You'll also have the ability to share files from jump lists on the taskbar. Jump lists appear when you right-click an application's icon on your taskbar and includes shortcuts to features or a list of recently-opened files.
Combined, these two new features should make it a breeze to quickly send an image, document, or PDF to someone via WhatsApp or Teams.
The teams inside Microsoft have also made some tweaks to the Start Menu, which was relocated to the centre of the taskbar with the introduction of Windows 11. In the latest beta build, Microsoft has added several new layout options for the All Apps page.
For the first time, you'll be able to choose between a grid or category views, moving beyond the standard list view. The grid view maintains the alphabetical ordering that you're used to, but extends the layout sideways, fitting more apps on screen and reducing scrolling. Meanwhile, category view will group applications under a heading like like social, productivity, and entertainment.
In this view, Windows 11 will order your apps based on usage, with most-used apps highlighted in a box featuring their icons.
Elsewhere, Microsoft has also updated Windows 11 to allow multiple apps to access a webcam simultaneously. This enhancement was specifically developed for people with hearing disabilities, enabling "video streaming for both a sign language interpreter and the end audience at the same time."
So far, so good ...so what's been so controversial about this new release?
As well as the new features, Microsoft quietly introduced an advertisement for its own PC Game Pass subscription service within the Settings app — despite Windows 11 being a paid operating system. While it's possible for those running a legitimate version of Windows 10 to upgrade to Windows 11 free of charge, Microsoft typically charges an eye-watering £119.99 for the entry-level version of the operating system.
That increases to £219.99 for Windows 11 Pro£219.99 for Windows 11 Pro. Ouch.
As such, it's easy to see why some find the presence of an advert in the Settings app so objectionable. For its part, Microsoft describes it as a "referral card" that allows users to invite friends and family to try PC Game Pass for free.
The advert will only appear for users signed into a Microsoft account who qualify for the offer, so it's possible that it won't appear on your laptop or desktop PC when you install the latest update.
This follows a pattern of Microsoft increasingly integrating promotions for its own services within the Windows interface.
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Updating to the latest version of Windows 11 is straightforward through the Settings app. Simply head to Settings > Windows Update and check for available updates. The current optional update can be manually installed by clicking Download and Install.
Those who prefer to wait can simply do nothing, as these features will arrive with the mandatory March update. After installation, you can explore the new file sharing options and Start menu layouts. Unfortunately, as the Windows Insiders have discovered, you might have to put up with some ads too.
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