- Windows 11 build 22635.3930 includes a shorter date and time format and the option to hide the notification bell icon from the Taskbar.
- This update also rolls out other Taskbar, Windows Studio Effects, and File Explorer improvements in the Beta Channel.
- Windows 11 build 26252 adds weather widgets to the Lock screen, introduces drag-to-pin support from the Start menu to the Taskbar, and provides more energy recommendations.
Microsoft is now rolling out Windows 11 build 22635.3930 as update KB5040550 in the Beta Channel for version 23H2 on July 12, 2024, with some improvements for existing features and fixes. In addition, on July 10, the company made Windows 11 build 26252 available in the Canary Channel with various changes.
According to the official notes published on July 12, update KB5040550 includes an updated version of File Explorer that shows files that have been shared with you through OneDrive.
The Taskbar can now show a shorter form for the date and time in the System Tray, and Microsoft is also improving the navigation experience with the keyboard. In addition, the System Tray will now show the Studio Effects icons when opening an app that supports camera and audio enhancements.
Furthermore, there are some additional improvements and several fixes for the Windows Share, Windows Narrator, and System Info experiences.
On the other hand, Microsoft also released the build 26252, which adds the ability to drag and pin apps from the Start menu to the Taskbar, brings the Weather and other widgets to the Lock screen, and the “About” page now shows the expiration date for previews, and adds new recommendations to save energy.
Windows 11 build 22635.3930 changes
As part of the Beta Channel, Windows 11 build 22635.3930 ships changes.
File Explorer new Shared tab
In this update, File Explorer introduces a new “Shared” tab inside the “Home” page that shows files shared with you when using a Microsoft account or Microsoft Entra ID. Also, in the case of the Entra ID, you will be able to view files they shared with other people.
On the “Home” page, Microsoft is also updating the view to show “Recent” and “Favorites” files in a tab view instead of a drop-down style menu.
Taskbar with a shorter time and date format
Starting with the update KB5040550, the Taskbar can show the date and time in a shorter format, and you can also choose to hide the notifications bell icon and continue to be able to access the Notifications panel by clicking the date and time icon.
As a result of these changes, the Settings app is getting a few changes. For example, on Settings > Time & language > Date & time, you can now expand the “Show time and date in the System Tray” setting to enable or disable the “Show abbreviation time and date” option to show the shorted version of time and date.
In addition, the option to show seconds in the System Tray has also been moved to this location with the “Show seconds in system tray clock (use more power)” option.
Also, on Settings > System > Notifications, inside the “Notifications” settings, you will find a new “Show notifications bell icon” to show or hide the bell icon in the System Tray.
Furthermore, on Settings > Personalization > Taskbar, under the “Related settings” section, you will find new entries to access the “Date & time” and “Notifications & actions” pages.
Microsoft also notes that there’s an improved animation when hovering over apps in the Taskbar, and hovering over apps that are not running will now show the Jump List to take different actions.
Even further, you can now use the “Windows key + T” keyboard shortcut to bring the focus to the Taskbar, and then, if you press the first letter for the name of an app, the focus will jump to that app in the Taskbar. For example, if you press the “F” key, it will focus on the File Explorer app button, and if it’s not opened, you will get the Jump List menu.
If you have multiple apps that start with the same letter, pressing the key again will cycle through the apps that start with the same letter.
If you’re using the uncombined option for the Taskbar, the first letter navigation will use the window name.
Finally, while the Taskbar is in focus, pressing the “Home” and “End” keys will move the focus to the first and last items.
Windows Studio Effects System Tray new icon
On devices with a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), you will notice that a new icon will appear to access the Studio Effects from the System Tray when using any application with a Studio Effects-enabled camera.
Microsoft says that the Quick Settings flyout will continue to include the Studio Effects settings.
Start menu with Category view
It has also been discovered that Microsoft is working on a new option that will allow you to change views in the “All apps” menu from the Start menu. The feature doesn’t work, but it allows you to change the view between alphabetical, grid, and category.
Windows Share with Android support
If you use the Windows Share interface to share files, you can now select your Android phone to share content under the “Nearby Share” section, as long as the device is already paired.
Other changes
Windows 11 build 22635.3930 also improves the performance of Narrator scan mode, and the System Info app will now match the text size preference when changing the text size on Settings > Accessibility > Text Size.
Microsoft is also pushing a few resolutions for the Start menu and Taskbar.
Windows 11 build 26252 changes
These are the new changes and improvements in the latest preview build of Windows 11 in the Canary Channel.
Start menu drag to pin in Taskbar
As part of the Start menu, you can now drag an app from any location in the menu and pin it to the Taskbar. In the past, you needed to right-click and choose the “Pin to Taskbar” option, but you now have another option.
Weather in Lock screen
Although the Weather and the widgets for Markets, Traffic, and Sports are part of a new feature on Windows 11 in the stable channel, Microsoft is now adding this feature to the latest preview in the Canary Channel.
If this feature isn’t for you, it’s possible to disable it with these instructions.
About settings page
In the “About” settings page, the “Windows specifications” section includes the information when the preview build experience with the new “Evaluation expires on” setting.
Energy recommendations for HDR settings
Also, the “Energy recommendations” page now recommends the “Turn off HDR to conserve energy” option to minimize energy usage while conserving more battery.
Other fixes
Finally, as part of the fixes, Microsoft is resolving issues with Voice Typing in specific languages.
Also, the update addresses color rendering issues for the Performance section in dark mode for the Task Manager app.
Finally, build 26252 rolls out cosmetic bug fixes for the Settings app, more specifically for the “Startup,” “Power & Battery,” and “Windows Update” pages.
Install builds
To download and install these Windows 11 builds, enroll your device in the Beta or Canary Channels through the “Windows Insider Program” settings from the “Update & Security” section. Once you enroll the computer in the program, you can download the build from the “Windows Update” settings by turning on the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” option and clicking the “Check for Updates” button.
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].