Microsoft is now rolling out Windows 10 build 21301 for PCs enrolled in the Windows Insider Program’s Dev Channel. This is preview number 58 available for testers with a small set of improvements.
According to the company, build 21301 includes some refinements for the touch keyboard experience on Windows 10. For example, when undocking the keyboard, it now changes to the small layout automatically. And you can move the keyboard using the gripper region at the top of the interface.
The touch keyboard now has a new symbol’s view for the small and split layouts, and the menu now has a nested structure.
When you are in the password field, there is a new password feedback icon on the left of the spacebar to turn on the keyboard’s visual keypress feedback.
On devices with large screens (12-inches or larger), you will now see a more traditional keyboard layout with the ESC, Tab, Windows key, and some other tweaks.
Finally, the touch keyboard now centers and shows only a maximum of five candidates to make it easier to process the displayed information.
Alongside the touch keyboard improvements, you will now have two options when viewing the contents of a jump list, including Open and Open File Location.
Also, the backend dictionaries have been updated to improve spell checking and text prediction relevance. You no longer need administrator privileges to enable or disable the touchpad.
Furthermore, Windows 10 build 21301 updates the N’Ko keyboard layout to add access to currency and some other symbols by tapping the keys along the keyboard’s top row while holding the Shift key.
Microsoft is listing the complete set of improvements, fixes, and known issues for Windows 10 Insider Preview build 21301 at the Windows Blog.
Download Windows 10 build 21301
The build 21301 preview is available immediately through the Dev Channel, and it will install automatically. However, you can always get it manually from Settings > Update & security > Windows Update and clicking the Check for updates button.
You can learn more about all the changes available in the current development process of Windows 10 in this guide.
Update February 1, 2021: Microsoft has also released build 21301.1010 as update KB5000626. However, this update does not include anything new. It is only designed to test servicing pipeline.
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].