Windows 11 build 22499 outs with Taskbar changes

Microsoft is improving the Taskbar experience with the latest preview of Windows 11.

Windows 11 build 22499
Windows 11 build 22499
  • Microsoft releases Windows 11 build 22499 in the Dev Channel.
  • This update adds a new feature to share content on meeting calls from the Taskbar.
  • It also fixes a bunch of problems and introduces new known issues.

As part of the active development branch, Microsoft is releasing Windows 11 build 22499 in the Dev Channel of the Windows Insider Program. In this rollout, the company is improving the Taskbar experience, fixing a lot of bugs, and more. (See also this hands-on video with all the changes available in this flight.)

According to the official notes, Windows 11 build 22499 adds the ability to share the content of an app window directly from the Taskbar to a Microsoft Teams meetings call.

After installing this update of Windows 11, when you are in a Teams meetings call, hover over a running application in the Taskbar and click the Share this window button.

When you finish sharing the content, hover over the app button again and click Stop Sharing or choose another window and click Share this Window to switch the presentation to another app.

Taskbar share app window
Taskbar share app window (Source: Microsoft)

If you are showing a PowerPoint presentation in full-screen mode, move your mouse to the bottom of the screen, and the Taskbar will pop up for you to share or stop sharing. In addition, build 22499 is making the keyboard focus visuals more prominent in Task View and Alt + Tab to make them easier to see.

As for fixes, Windows 11 build 22499 ships with a bunch of fixes regarding the Settings app and other parts of the OS. For example, this release fixes crashes with the Settings app when checking remote sound properties while accessing a computer over Remote Desktop.

The Clipboard History feature should work as expected, and changing the accent color in the emoji panel should follow suit. In addition, this flight fixes problems with the out-of-box experience, Snipping Tool, Reliability Monitor, and lag in some games.

Finally, this flight also ships with various known issues related to the Start menu, Taskbar, Input, Search, and Quick Settings. You can find out more at the Windows Blog.

Install Windows 11 build 22499

If you want to download and install the Windows 11 build 22499, you need to enroll your device in the Dev Channel using the “Windows Insider Program” settings from the “Update & Security” section.

Once you enroll the computer in the program, you can download build 22499 from the “Windows Update” settings by clicking the Check for Updates button. However, you will need a device that meets the minimum system requirements to receive the update if you are new to the Windows Insider Program.

You can also read this guide with all the new features available with the official release of Windows 11.

Update November 12, 2021: Microsoft is now rolling out build 22499.1010 as update KB5008400. However, the update does not include anything new, it’s only designed to test the update mechanism through the Dev Channel.

About the author

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 14 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 20 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.