Microsoft is now making available Windows 10 build 16257 for testers with PCs enrolled in the Fast ring of the Windows Insider Program. The new release includes new features and changes that will be available with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update expected to roll out in September.
Windows 10 build 16257, according to Microsoft, introduces Eye Control, a feature that allows users with disabilities to control Windows 10 using their eyes. Microsoft Edge gets more Fluent Design improvements, the Windows Console (Command Prompt) has been updated to support 24-bit RGB colors, and more.
In addition, Microsoft has also announced a number of fixes and known issues you should know before installing this Windows 10 Insider Preview build.
What’s new on Windows 10 Insider build 16257
Here are all the new features and improvements included in this new pre-release of the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update.
Eye Control
On a continue effort to make Windows 10 easy to use by everyone, Microsoft is now introducing Eye Control (beta), which is a new feature that allows users with disabilities to operate the on-screen keyboard, mouse, and text-to-speech using only their eyes.
However, the experience requires an eye tracker, such as the Tobii Eye Tracker. Once the tracker has been configured, you’ll need to enable the feature on Settings > Easy of Access > Other Options > Eye control.
Once enabled, the Eye Control launchpad will appear in the screen that allows you to access the mouse, keyboard, text-to-speech, and an option to reposition the interface on the screen. To start interacting Eye Control simply look at the control you want to use until the button activates.
Microsoft is currently only supporting the US English language keyboard layout, but there are plans to add more layouts in the future.
Microsoft Edge
On Windows 10 build 16267, the Microsoft Edge frame gets an update featuring Acrylic Material (an element part of Fluent Design) adding a new form of depth and transparency. You’ll see this new look in the tab bar and other controls. In addition, the update improves the button animation to feel more responsive.
The address bar has been tweaked so now even if the bar isn’t in focus to start with when you click and drag the text it will remain under the cursor.
Command Prompt
In this flight, Microsoft is also updating the Command Prompt (Windows Console) to support 24-bit RGB color. The default color values have been changed to improve legibility of darker colors on modern screens, and to give the Command Prompt a more modern look and feel.
In order to preserve your preferences, this new color scheme will only be visible in Properties if you perform a clean install.
Input
Windows 10 build 16257 improves the performance of launching the touch keyboard after tapping the touch keyboard button in the taskbar.
Additionally, the design of the Japanese curve-flick touch keyboard has been updated to display numbers and English letter keys in a smaller font that’s more consistent with the size of the Japanese character keys.
Windows Defender Application Guard (WDAG)
On Windows 10 Enterprise, Microsoft is updating its Windows Defender Application Guard feature with a new status string to the splash dialog to provide more information about the startup stages.
The features also includes improvements to container launch times by optimizing background preparation.
How to download Windows 10 build 16257
Microsoft is listing the complete set of fixes and known issues for Windows 10 Insider build 16257 at the Windows Blog. In case you missed it, you can read all the changes for Windows 10 build 16251 in this article.
Alongside the latest build for PC, Microsoft also released Windows 10 Mobile build 15237 with a few minor improvements and fixes, and it has made available Windows 10 build 16251 to the Slow ring.
You can also follow these resources:
Windows 10 build 16257 for PC is available immediately through the Fast ring. It’ll download and install automatically on your device, but you can always force the update from Settings > Update & security > Windows Update and clicking the Check for updates button.
The Windows 10 build 16257 ISO file isn’t officially available, but you can download the latest Windows Insider Preview ISO and then update to the latest version.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert and founder of Pureinfotech (est. 2010). With over 21 years as a technology writer and IT Specialist, Mauro specializes in Windows, software, and cross-platform systems such as Linux, Android, and macOS.
Certifications: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), VMware Certified Professional (VCP), and CompTIA A+ and Network+.
Mauro is a recognized Microsoft MVP and has also been a long-time contributor to Windows Central.
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