In the Beta Channel, Microsoft released a new set of builds, the last ones for this year (2022). The Windows 11 Insider Preview Builds 22621.1037 and 22623.1037 (KB5021304) have historically operated on the same principle, whereby the newer features are always activated by default on the build with the higher build number. As the upgrades will just provide the new Search bar treatment on the taskbar and a few voice access improvements, there are no major features or functions to look forward to.
On the recently released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 25267 in the Dev Channel, the Search feature on the taskbar is undergoing the same testing. The rounded structure is the key draw of both the longer and shorter versions of the Search, much like in that test. As we mentioned yesterday, this ongoing test for the bar design may indicate modifications beyond the Search section, as suggested by the Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella’s leaked photos. It might also be a practise run for a future floating taskbar with rounded corners, as has been rumoured. Both Build 22621.1037 and Build 22623.1037 will support this functionality.
To give users “greater flexibility” in executing instructions, the new voice access improvements will only be available in Build 22623.1037. Microsoft claims that as a result of the modifications, users should be able to interact with specific UI controls by using their voice. It includes information on the PivotTable and PivotChart in Excel, as well as the number buttons in the Calculator app. In a blog post for Insiders, Microsoft described this as well as other additional supports for particular commands.
On the other side, the fixes that will also be included in this Beta build release are listed here.
