Windows 11 build 22635.3420 brings changes to Widgets, File Explorer, Share, and Lock screen

Microsoft brings back the ability to drag and drop files in the address bar of File Explorer.
Build 22635.3420 also moves the Taskbar’s Widgets icon location, adds QR code generator for file sharing, adds new backup settings, Lock screen gets more widgets, and Copilot now works without an MSA.

UPDATED 4/1/2024: Microsoft is dropping a new preview of Windows 11 (build 22635.3420) for devices enrolled in the Beta Channel of the Windows Insider Program. This is a small update that includes a few new functionalities and several fixes.

According to the official announcement, build 22635.3420 (KB5035953) for Windows 11 brings back the drag-and-drop action to the breadcrumb on File Explorer. The “Widgets” icons will now appear on the right side of the Taskbar. The Windows Backup feature now backs up your sound settings. The Share interface introduces the option to generate a QR code for links and cloud files.

In addition, Microsoft is also rolling out some features already available in other preview channels, including the ability to use Copilot without a Microsoft account, the new weather widget and more information on the Lock screen, and various fixes and improvements.

What’s new on Windows 11 build 22635.3420

These are the most important changes that Windows 11 testers are receiving on March 29 through the Beta Channel.

1. File Explorer drag-and-drop

Starting on build 22635.3420, Microsoft is restoring the legacy functionality that allows you to drag and drop in the address bar’s breadcrumb to move files and folders between folders within the same path.

File Explorer drag and drop file in address bar

Although this is new to Windows 11, previous versions of the operating system included the ability to move content by dragging and dropping it in the address bar.

2. Taskbar with Widgets icon on the right

Similar to the “News and interests” feature on Windows 10, starting with this release, Windows 11 will now show the entry point for the Widgets dashboard on the right side of the Taskbar, next to the System Tray.

Taskbar Widgets icon on right side / Image: Microsoft

However, this change will only appear when aligning the Taskbar to the left. The Widgets icon will remain on the left side if the Taskbar is aligned to the center.

3. Share with QR codes

Microsoft is also updating the Share interface with an option to generate QR codes for web links and files stored in your OneDrive account.

Furthermore, to prevent accidentally closing the experience, the Share interface will no longer close automatically when clicking outside the window.

It’s important to note that the ability to create QR codes is not only coming to the Share interface, but Microsoft is also working to bring the same functionality to other parts of the operating system. In previous builds, the company has enabled the option to generate a QR code to share your Wi-Fi connection with other devices or people.

4. Windows Backup now includes sound settings

If you use the Windows Backup feature to back up your files and settings to OneDrive, starting with this flight, the process will also upload your sound settings and restore them automatically.

Furthermore, the company is adding an option in the Windows Backup interface to connect through a Microsoft account. (In the past, you first need to set up OneDrive to access the backup feature.)

The above changes will be available gradually for devices that use the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” option option. The following improvements are available for any device regardless of Windows Update settings configuration.

5. Lock screen with widgets

Starting with the release of the update KB5035953, the Lock screen will now have different dynamic widgets displaying weather, finance, traffic, and other information.

To enable the feature, open Settings > Personalization > Lock screen and choose the “Weather and More” option from the “Lock screen status” setting.

Microsoft has revealed that it plans to roll out this feature ahead of version 24H2 through an update in April 2024 for Windows 11 and 10 users.

6. Copilot without a Microsoft account

Users with a local account can now interface up to ten times with Copilot before requiring a Microsoft account or Entra ID.

Although these are new features in this channel, the company has been rolling out the changes for Copilot and Lock screen in other channels, and the Lock screen changes are even available for Windows 10 users.

Other fixes and improvements

Alongside the visual changes, this flight includes a slew of fixes. For example, network administrators can now turn off the prompt after signing in with an Entra ID. This update improves the Remote Desktop Session Host, allowing the setup of the clipboard redirection policy to operate in a single direction.

In addition, this release fixes problems with the Taskbar’s “Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels” option and other issues with NPUs, policies, applications, time, and more.

Microsoft has even pointed out a few known issues with File Explorer and Widgets.

Furthermore, the company is also rolling out a new update in the Canary and Dev Channels as build 26090.112 (KB5037477), but they are only designed to test the “serving pipeline,” and you won’t find anything new.

Enable experimental features using ViveTool

If you don’t already have them enabled in your installation, you can use the ViveTool to enable most of the new features. Here’s how:

Open GitHub website.
Download the ViveTool-vx.x.x.zip file to enable the new Settings’ Home.
Double-click the zip folder to open it with File Explorer.
Click the Extract all button.
Click the Extract button.
Copy the path to the folder.
Open Start.
Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
Type the following command to navigate to the ViveTool folder and press Enter:
```
cd c:\folder\path\ViveTool-v0.x.x
```
In the command, remember to change the path to the folder with your path.
Type the following command to enable the new Lock screen weather and press Enter:
```
vivetool /enable /id:47921515,47921574,47526873
```
Type the following command to enable the new QR Code generator for Share and press Enter:
```
vivetool /enable /id:46961347
```
Type the following command to enable the drag-and-drop action for files on File Explorer and press Enter:
```
vivetool /enable /id:47664723
```
Type the following command to enable the Widgets alignment on the right side and press Enter:
```
vivetool /enable /id:48468527,48468541,48660958
```
Restart the computer.

Once you complete the steps, the new experimental feature should appear on your installation of Windows 11.

It’s important to note that Microsoft is in the process of rolling these features to testers, so you may or may not see them even after running the ViveTool commands.

The company is also testing a new design for the Start All Apps menu, and you can turn on the new design with these instructions.

Install build 22635.3420

To download and install the Windows 11 build 22635.3420, enroll your device in the Beta Channel 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.

Update April 1, 2024: This guide has been updated to include additional details on how to enable the new experimental features.