Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23403

Microsoft Reboots Dev Channel with Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23403

Microsoft has announced the release of Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23403 to the Dev Channel. Microsoft has rebooted the Dev Channel and the upcoming builds will start from the 23000 series. If you were previously part of the Dev Channel and had installed 25000 series builds, then you will be automatically moved to the newly created Canary Channel.

If you would like to remain in the Dev Channel, then you will have to reinstall Windows 11. That said, if you are currently on Build 25309 and have not moved to Canary Channel, then you will not receive the Dev Channel builds because of the lower build number. Microsoft has already initiated steps to automatically migrate all Windows Insiders with Dev Channel to Canary Channel.

Alternatively, you can manually migrate to the Canary Channel by navigating to Settings | Windows Update | Windows Insider Program. You can also perform a clean installation and re-join the Dev Channel to receive 23000 series builds. If you are in the Beta Channel you can migrate to Dev Channel via Settings without any additional steps.

Live Captions Additional Languages

The Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23403 has introduced Live Captions in more languages such as Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish and other English dialects. The Live captions will be useful for people who are deaf and unable to listen to live captions. The addition of more language enables more users to leverage the benefits of Live Captions. Live Captions can be activated using Win+Ctrl+L keyboard shortcut or via the Quick Settings accessibility flyout. The system will prompt for download of the required speech recognition support to activate Live Captions.

File Explorer Access keys

Microsoft has added access key shortcuts into the XAML context menu in File Explorer. An access key is a one-keystroke shortcut, which enables a keyboard user to quickly execute a particular command in the context menu. The access key corresponds with a letter in the display name. This feature is currently being made available to select group of Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel.

File Explorer File Recommendations

Microsoft will be rolling out File Recommendations to File Explorer. The aim is to bring users the most relevant file content right to their desktop. This feature will be available to users who are logged in with an Azure Active Directory (AAD) account. The recommended files will be cloud files associated with that particular account that are either owned or shared by the user. This feature will be pushed in a phased manner and hence it will take some time to hit the devices.

Voice access improvements

Microsoft has completely renovated the in-app command help page in voice access for simplified usage. You can make use of the search bar to locate commands and the various categories. The command will have a description and examples of its variations. You can access the relevant command help page by navigating to help | View all commands on the voice access bar. You can also use the voice command what can I say. Voice access is available in English (UK), English (India), English (New Zealand), English (Canada), English (Australia) languages. You will be prompted to download a speech model to enable on-device voice data recognition when voice access is activated for the first time.

Touch Keyboard Settings Refreshed

Microsoft has introduced updates for the new touch keyboard setting that replaces the “Show the touch keyboard when there’s no keyboard attached” checkbox. You can locate them under Settings | Time & language | Typing | Touch keyboard with a new drop-down menu. There will be three options to manage the touch keyboard edit control. While “Never” suppresses the touch keyboard without any physical hardware keyword, the “When no keyboard attached” displays the touch keyboard only when the device is used as a tablet without the physical hardware keyboard. The “Always” option displays the touch keyboard even when the hardware keyboard is attached.

Narrator Outlook Support

The Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23403 has added Narrator Outlook support. Even though there are no additional improvements to Outlook support, the latest release will throw open the availability of Outlook experience via the Microsoft Store. You will receive a notification after the completion of the download. Microsoft has added Narrator Outlook support only to US English. You can expect the addition of more languages in upcoming flights.

Multi-App Kiosk Mode

The Multi-App Kiosk mode included with Windows 11 enables an IT administrator to select a set of allowable apps that should run on the device. You will be able to create multiple different apps and access configurations for several user types on a single device. This includes limiting access to settings except for selected pages such as Wi-Fi and screen brightness. You can lock the Start menu in such a way as to display only allowable apps including blocking of toasts and pop-ups. This mode is ideal for situations where multiple people such as frontline workers, educators, and test takers make use of the same device. You can enable multi-app kiosk mode using PowerShell and WMI Bridge with support for Intune/MDM.

Additional Improvements

After the installation of Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23403, you will be able to view a copy button for quickly copying 2FA codes in notification toasts from apps. You can use this feature from both PC and smartphones linked to the PC. This feature is being rolled out in a phased manner.

Microsoft has integrated glanceable VPN status into the system tray when connectivity is established with a recognized VPN profile. The VPN icon will be overlayed over the active network connection. However, the overlayed VPN icon will not make use of the system accent color but you can expect in future.

The Taskbar search box will be lighter when Windows is set to a custom color mode. If the Windows 11 mode is dark and the app mode is light, then you will view a lighter search box on Taskbar. The Simplified Chinese handwriting recognition has been updated to work faster and more accurately including supported characters as defined in GB18030-2022. YOu will be able to uninstall the app if you right-click on a Win32 app from the Start menu.

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