Microsoft is now rolling out Windows 10 build 18917 for devices enrolled in the Fast ring of the Windows Insider Program. This is the sixteenth preview releasing as part of the 20H1 development, and it introduces a small set of features and changes.
Windows 10 build 18917, according to the company, is a minor update that ships with Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 and improvements for Windows Ink. In addition, this flight ships with some new throttling options for Delivery Optimization.
Windows 10 build 18917
Here are all the features and changes coming to the next version of Windows 10:
Windows Subsystem for Linux 2
Starting with build 18012, Windows 10 ships with Windows Subsystem for Linux 2, which is a new version of the feature that runs ELF64 Linux binaries.
This new architecture uses a real Linux kernel, and as a result it changes the way that Linux binaries interact with Windows 10 and the hardware while maintaining the same experience like in the previous version.
Microsoft says that this new version delivers a much faster file system performance and full system call compatibility, which lets you run more applications like Docker.
Delivery Optimization
After installing this flight, you’ll also notice that the Delivery Optimization settings page includes new settings to throttle the bandwidth as an absolute value. You can set this separately for Foreground downloads or background downloads.
Narrator
As part of the Narrator experience, starting with build 18917, Windows 10 is optimizing the information you hear with Narrator when navigating a table using table navigation commands.
Narrator now reads the header data first, followed by the cell data, followed by the row/column position for that cell. Additionally, Narrator only reads the headers when the headers have changed to focus on the content of the cell.
Windows Ink Workspace
In addition, this new 20H1 update, when opening the Windows Ink Workspace, you’ll notice a new interface, which is significantly smaller, and Windows 10 is now converging the whiteboarding experiences with a new direct link to the Microsoft Whiteboard app.
File Explorer
Finally, Windows 10 build 18917 includes an update for the File Explorer search experience to now be dark when used in dark theme.
Microsoft is listing the complete set of improvements, fixes, and known issues for Windows 10 Insider Preview build 18917 at the Windows Blog.
Download Windows 10 build 18917
Although there are no ISO files for Windows 10 build 18917, the update is available immediately through the Fast ring with the Skip Ahead option enabled. 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 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].