- Windows 11 receives build 25163 with new features and changes.
- Build 25163 introduces the new Taskbar Overflow.
- This flight also brings improvements to file sharing.
- Also, the update receives a lot of fixes and improvements.
Microsoft is now rolling out Windows 11 build 25163 for devices enrolled in the Dev Channel of the Windows Insider Program. This update includes new features, visual changes, and fixes that should arrive as soon as they are ready or as part of the next version of the operating system.
Build 25163 for Windows 11, according to the company, introduces the new Taskbar Overflow experience, improves file sharing through Nearby sharing, and includes several fixes and improvements.
Taskbar Overflow
Starting with this flight, build 25163 introduces the Taskbar Overflow feature, which has been designed to make it easier to switch and launch apps when you don’t have a lot of space in the Taskbar. The company explains that the Taskbar will automatically transition into this new Overflow mode when it reaches its maximum capacity.
While in the Overflow mode, Taskbar will offer an entry point to an overflow menu that allows viewing the apps in one space.
The overflow menu features many Taskbar behaviors, including support for pinned apps, jump lists, and an extended interface. After invoking overflow, the menu will quietly dismiss once you click outside of it or navigate to an application.
File sharing
Starting with this preview, Windows 11 brings two new improvements for sharing files. When using Nearby sharing, the Share interface now uses the UDP protocol (for private networks) and Bluetooth to discover even more devices, including desktop computers.
If you share a local file from File Explorer and other apps that use the Share interface, you can choose OneDrive as a target to directly upload the file to OneDrive and share it further, along with access control options.
Fixes and improvements
Windows 11 build 25163 also includes various fixes and improvements for File Explorer, Settings, Start menu, and other components.
File Explorer
- Fixed an explorer.exe crash when dragging tabs around.
- Fixed a memory leak when using tabs with File Explorer.
- Fixed an issue where the preview thumbnail for File Explorer in the taskbar, ALT + Tab, and Task View might show the title of an adjacent tab, not the currently selected one.
- If “Show all folders” is enabled, the dividers in File Explorer’s navigation pane should no longer show. This change should also address the issues where dividers were unexpectedly showing in some other folder pickers.
- Fixed an issue where the Narrator wasn’t reading out the titles of tabs as the focus moved through them.
- Fixed an issue where a closed tab might appear again in File Explorer after you dragged File Explorer across your monitors.
- Fixed an issue where the tab row might unexpectedly expand vertically, covering the command bar contents.
- Removable drives should no longer unexpectedly be displayed in a section by themselves in the navigation pane, which was breaking up the section with This PC and Network.
- Fixed an issue where the add new tab button wasn’t clearly visible when using Aquatic or Desert contrast themes.
- The add new tab button shouldn’t overlap with the minimize button in the title bar when using text scaling with a lot of tabs open anymore.
Taskbar
Fixed a rare explorer.exe crash that could happen while on a Microsoft Teams call, related to sharing windows from the taskbar.
Settings
- Fixed an issue where using Windows Spotlight on the desktop might revert to solid color background.
- Improved the padding around the uninstall button when using Apps > Installed Apps in grid view.
- Fixed a couple of issues that could lead to Quick Settings crashing on launch.
Input
- Fixed an issue that was leading to certain apps freezing after a copy action if Suggested Actions was enabled.
Suggested actions
- Fixed an issue that was leading to certain apps freezing after a copy action if Suggested Actions was enabled.
Furthermore, there are some other known issues with File Explorer, Widgets, and Live Captions.
Install Windows 11 build 25163
If you want to download and install the Windows 11 build 25163, 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 25163 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.
Update July 22, 2022: Microsoft is now rolling out build 25163.1010 as update KB5016904. However, the update does not include anything new, this is only another test for the update mechanism service.
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. Email him at [email protected].