Microsoft has announced the release of Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23493 to the Dev Channel. The main highlight of this build is the integration of Windows Copilot Preview. Microsoft has rolled out an early look of Windows Copilot to Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel. The preview version is designed to focus on the integrated UI experience. You need Windows 11 Build 23493 or higher in the Dev Channel and Microsoft Edge version 115.0.1901.150 or higher.
To launch Windows Copilot, you should select the new button on the Taskbar or hit WIN+C keyboard combination. Windows Copilot will make use of the same Microsoft account or Azure Active Directory account. The Copilot will be visible on the sidebar docked to the right side. It will not overlap with your desktop content and will run without any disturbances to other apps. You will be able to interact with Windows Copilot anytime.
Windows Copilot is in the pilot phase. Hence, you will be able to ask set of questions as shown below.
- Change to dark mode
- Turn on do not disturb
- Take a screenshot
- Summarize this website (Active tab in Microsoft Edge)
- Write a story about a dog who lives on the moon.
- Make me a picture of a serene koi fishpond with lily pads.
- You can submit feedback by clicking on the … icon located at the top right of the sidebar in Windows Copilot. Microsoft will expand the preview to Windows Insiders in other channels including adding policies to enable IT admins to manage the experience in their enterprise organizations.
Windows Copilot combines the power of Bing Chat to generate contextual responses and enhances productivity while working with the Windows operating system. Windows Copilot will display inline recommendations that are relevant through ads in Bing. Microsoft revealed that you will not view all the features showcased at Build for Windows Copilot will be available in the early preview.
Microsoft is yet to provide support for third-party Windows settings plugins although the team demonstrated them during Build. Microsoft will continue to enhance the Windows Copilot experience with Windows Insiders based on customer feedback. Microsoft has started to push Windows Copilot experience to select group of Windows Insiders. If you are part of the Dev Channel, you will receive the update soon.
Revamped Settings Homepage
Microsoft has completely revamped the Settings dashboard in such a way that it provides a dynamic and personalized experience. The dashboard provides a close snapshot about your device, quick access to key settings, and management of your Microsoft account. You will be able to view interactive cards that represent various device and account settings. Moreover, they are grouped by commonly accessed functions. The card is optimized to provide the most relevant information and manages controls. Microsoft has released seven cards as shown below and has promised to offer more cards based on the feedback.
Recommended settings: This card automatically adapts to your relevant usage patterns and provides timely and relevant settings options. The card will streamline your settings management and saves plenty of time.
Cloud storage: You will view an overview of your cloud storage usage and alerts you when the capacity reaches the maximum capacity. This card will be useful for tech enthusiasts.
Account recovery: This card enables users to secure Microsoft account with the help of additional recovery info. You will never get locked out of your account even if you forget password.
Personalization: You can easily change the background theme and color mode with the help of this card. You will be able to perform this activity without manually navigating to the relevant option.
Microsoft 365: This card provides an overview of your Microsoft 365 subscription status and benefits. You can perform certain actions from within the Settings dashboard without navigating to the web.
Xbox: You will be able to view and manage your subscription status with the help of Xbox card.
Bluetooth Devices: After the installation of this update, you will be able to access and establish connectivity with Bluetooth-enabled devices from the settings dashboard.
The revamped Settings dashboard is responsive, which means it evolves and grows with you. The interactive cards automatically adjust to provide most relevant and useful information based on your usage and preferences. This feature will be only available on Windows 11 Home and Pro editions. Microsoft has just rolled out the interactive cards functionality to select group of Windows Insiders for feedback. If you are unable to view this new feature, then you will have to wait until the product team rolls out the feature.
Restore for more apps
The Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23493 has extended the capabilities of the backup and restore improvements to additional apps. You will now view pins for desktop app that are restored on the taskbar and Start menu. This includes desktop apps that were not installed from the Microsoft Store. The Desktop apps that are available in the Microsoft Store can be easily restored by selecting the relevant app. You will be redirected to the web to download the installer for those apps that aren’t available in the Microsoft Store.
Additional archive file formats native support
The Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23493 adds native support for reading additional archive file formats with the help of libarchive open-sourcew project such as .tar, .tar.gz, .tar.bz2, .tar.zst, .tar.xz, .tgz, .tbz2, .tzst, .txz, .rar, and .7z.
Refreshed Volume Mixer
Windows 11 has introduced a new volume mixer experience in Quick Settings, which brings a modern volume mixer that enables quick customization of audio on a per-app basis. The mixer will have additional control to swap devices on the fly. Windows 11 also introduced WIN+CTRL+V keyboard shortcut, which will directly enable you to work with the volume mixer. The new volume mixer is designed to simply the overall entertainment experience. Microsoft also added quick access list of installed spatial sound technology via the Windows Sonic experience. You can navigate to the Microsoft Store to find additional spatial sound technology.
Narrator natural voices in Japanese and English (Great British)
The Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23493 has introduced new natural voices in Japanese and English (Great British) using which Narrator users will be able to comfortably navigate the web, read and write emails, and much more. The Natural Narrator voices make use of modern and on-device text-to-speech mechanisms. The voices will work even without active Internet connectivity once installed. The newly introduced Japanese voices are Microsoft Nanami (Female) and Microsoft Keita (Male), while the new English (Great British) voices are Microsoft Sonia (Female) and Microsoft Ryan (Male).
Microsoft has announced that the above-mentioned features will be rolled out in a phased manner to Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel. The Redmond-based software giant has announced that there will be no new builds for Windows Insiders in the Canary Channel this week.
