Windows 11 Gets Better with Modern File Explorer via Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23475

Microsoft has rolled out Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23475 to the Dev Channel Windows Insiders. The build ships with new features such as a modernized File Explorer Home and address bar, Dynamic Lighting, and Emoji 15 support. In addition to these new features, Microsoft also revamped Microsoft Store and also resolved known issues.

The Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23475 has introduced a modern WinUI powered File Explorer Home. If you are currently able to view the pizza icon, then File Explorer is powered by Windows App SDK. The users signed into Windows with an Azure Active Directory account will be displayed as a carousel. The File Explorer will soon be upgraded by file thumbnail support.

The Quick Access folders, Favorites, and Recent have also been revamped with WinUI. You will find a modernized address bar and search box to File Explorer. The new address bar has been designed to intelligently adapt with the local vs cloud folders with integrated status. The address now has been upgraded with OneDrive sync status and quota flyout. The new features are currently being rolled out in a phased manner. Hence, it will take few days to hit the devices of all Dev Channel Windows Insiders.

Addition of Dynamic Lighting

The Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23475 has integrated Dynamic Lighting, which provides Windows users and developers with native control of Lighting devices. Microsoft has implemented the open HID LampArray standard.

Microsoft is making an attempt to enhance the RGB device and software ecosystem for users by increasing devices and apps interoperability. Microsoft has included APIs for Windows apps to manage devices not only from the background but also foreground. This also includes a page in Windows settings for users to personalize the behavior of the devices.

Microsoft has established partnerships with several device manufacturers like Acer, Asus, HP, HyperX, Logitech, Twinkly, and Razer for the integration of Dynamic Lighting. Microsoft is aware of issues related to wireless device connectivity. The company urges users to employ a wired connection with a compatible device. As of this writing, the compatible devices are mentioned below

Coming soon: ASUS ROG Scope II Wireless 96 Gaming Keyboard
Razer BlackWidow V3
Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro
Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini
Razer BlackWidow V3 Tenkeyless
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro
Razer DeathStalker V2
Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro
Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro TKL
Razer Huntsman Mini
Razer Huntsman Mini Analog
Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition
Razer Huntsman V2
Razer Huntsman V2 Analog
Razer Huntsman V2 Tenkeyless
Razer Ornata V2
Razer Ornata V3
Razer Ornata V3 TKL
Razer Turret Keyboard Xbox One Edition

Mouse

Coming soon: ASUS ROG Harpe Ace AimLab Edition Gaming Mouse
Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse
Razer Turret Mouse Xbox One
Razer DeathAdder V2
Razer DeathAdder V2 Pro
Razer Naga Left-Handed
Razer Naga Pro

You can navigate to the new Dynamic Lighting page via Settings | Personalization | Dynamic Lighting. You will be able to control and configure an HID LampArray device at both per-device and all-device level. You should note that Microsoft hasn’t verified all the above devices for compatibility. You should establish contact with the device manufacturer in case of issues.

Emoji 15

Microsoft has pushed the Unicode Emoji 15 to Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel. You will be able to view, search for and insert new emoji from the emoji panel. This includes more hearts, animals, and one smiley face. The latest flight has added support for toasts banner that was made available with Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23466 to the Dev Channel Windows Insiders.

Bugs Resolved

The build has resolved an issue where the Taskbar might not have displayed the correct apps while making use of multiple desktops. If the Narrator app was unable to navigate down to the left side panel of the search flyout, then the issue has been resolved. The issue pertaining to the Japanese display language has been resolved. The names written in Kanji language would display at the bottom of the all apps list instead of displaying alongside hiragana and katakana app names.

The problem associated with explorer.exe crash related to certain notifications has been fixed. If the Korean touch keyboard finalizes characters unexpectedly in the search flyout on the Taskbar, then the issue has been resolved. The PC Backups that were set up using a restore will display in subsequent restores. The build has added support for the restoration of solid color desktop backgrounds. The issue related to voice access commands for the movement of settings sliders and selecting things on the Taskbar to fail has been fixed.

Microsoft Store Improvements

Microsoft has also announced Microsoft Store updates such as the ability to install free apps and games from search results. This feature was rolled out to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channel recently in a phased manner but not available widely. Microsoft has revamped the design for game and movie cards. The cards provide more room for artwork by adding more color to your experience.

After the installation of Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23475, you will find one carefully curated app and game daily inside Microsoft Store. The App and Game of the Day are showcased on a beautiful and visually engaging UI module. You will be able to install the app instantly. The new improvements will be made available to Windows Insiders in the Canary and dev Channels running version 2305.1401.x.x of the Microsoft Store and higher.

Microsoft has also announced the launch of Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 25387 to the Canary Channel. However, Microsoft hasn’t published any blog post regarding this flight. Microsoft had revealed that they will publish a blog post only if there are new features included with the Canary Channel build.