Microsoft is now releasing Windows 10 build 17686 for testers with devices enrolled in the Fast ring and Skip Ahead land of the Windows Insider Program. This new update is a minor release that only includes a few new features and various improvements that we’re expecting to see in the Redstone 5 update.
Windows 10 build 17686, according to the software giant introduces a new Region page, and the Language settings now have its own page. In addition, this new flight will alert users if the microphone has been blocked, and you’ll also find a few improvements with Windows Mixed Reality.
What’s new on Windows 10 build 17686
Here are the changes included in the latest Redstone 5 preview of Windows 10 coming later this year:
Settings
In this flight, the “Region & Language” settings page is getting split into two pages, including Region and Language, and both pages are also getting some interesting improvements.
In the Region page, you can now override default regional settings such as Calendar, First day of the week, Dates, Times, and Currency.
In the Language page, the Settings app is adding a link to access the Local Experience Packs from the Microsoft Store.
Privacy
Starting with Windows 10 build 17686, you’ll now see a notification letting you know that the microphone has been disabled of a particular app. This notification will appear when the first attempt to use the microphone is blocked.
Windows Mixed Reality
This Redstone 5 preview also introduces a few improvements for Windows Mixed Reality, including apps running in Mixed Reality can now make use of the Camera Capture UI API to capture images of the mixed reality world using the system capture experience.
Some adjustments have been made to the mixed reality video capture experience to make it easier to stop videos from the Start menu.
Also, it no longer requires a physical monitor to be connected while running Mixed Reality in cases such as backpack PCs.
Other changes
According to Microsoft, build 17686 ships with a more complete dark theme for File Explorer.
Microsoft is listing the complete set of improvements, fixes, and known issues for Windows 10 Insider Preview build 17686 at the Windows Blog. In case you missed it, you can read all the changes for Windows 10 build 17682 in this article.
Downloading Windows 10 build 17686
Although there are no ISO files for Windows 10 build 17686, the update is available immediately through the Fast ring and Skip Ahead for PCs. This preview build will 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. (You can learn how to join the Windows Insider Program on this video.)
You can also check out these resources:
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].