Microsoft is now rolling out Windows 10 build 18956 for devices enrolled in the Fast ring of the Windows Insider Program. This is the preview number 23 releasing as part of the 20H1 development, and it’s a small update with various visual changes and improvements.
Windows 10 build 18956, according to the company, introduces new visual changes to improve network information in the Status settings page. This flight updates the toast notification interface with new options to adjust settings. The new Cortana app is expanding to more users in the United States. The Calculator app gets new features, such as the ability to keep it always on top, and more.
Windows 10 build 18956
Here are all the features and changes coming to the next version of Windows 10:
Settings
Starting with build 18956, Windows 10 is updating the Settings app with tweaks for the Status page with a new view of active connections and quick access to change settings.
If you have multiple connections, only the one connected to the internet will be shown in the Status diagram at the top of the page.
In addition, you can now see how much data is being used by a network right from the Status page. If it looks like you’re using a lot of data, you can access the Data Usage page to create a limit for that network, which will warn you if you get close or go over your limit. You can also see how much data each app is using on that network.
Notifications
As part of the Windows 10 20H1 update, build 18956 is shipping with several new improvements for notifications.
For example, if you hover your mouse over an incoming notification, a settings icon will appear to make it easy to adjust that notification settings for that particular app. Also, you’ll find new design changes of the per-app notification settings for visual clarity.
There’s now a direct link to notification settings at the top of the Action Center. Notifications & Action Settings now has a checkbox for muting the sound of all notifications. And by default, the senders in Notifications & Action Settings are now sorted by “most recently sent a notification.”
Calculator
This flight also includes an updated version of the Calculator app that has a new “Always on Top” mode to keep the app always visible.
Chinese IME Improvements
If you use Windows 10 in Chinese, build 18956 is available with improved the speed of toggling conversion mode ([中] mode and [英] mode).
You can now disable the Shift + Space keyboard shortcut. To access this setting, right click the [中/英] icon in the taskbar, click Settings > General > “Use Shift + Space to switch character width”.
Also, you now get the ability to change the candidate font size, separate from the rest of the system if you find that you need it to be a bit bigger from the General settings page.
File Explorer
In addition, starting with Windows 10 build 18956, when right-clicking a folder, you’ll no longer see the Homegroup options within the “Give access to” submenu.
Microsoft is listing the complete set of improvements, fixes, and known issues for Windows 10 Insider Preview build 18956 at the Windows Blog.
Download Windows 10 build 18956
Although there are no ISO files for Windows 10 build 18956, the update is available immediately through the Fast ring. 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].