Microsoft today announced the release of Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 25197 to the Dev Channel. This new build comes with Tablet-optimized taskbar, System Tray updates and more. Find the details below.
First, Microsoft is re-introducing touch-optimized taskbar and System Tray updates. When you remove or fold back the keyboard of your device, Windows 11 will now display the new optimized version of taskbar. There are two states of this taskbar: collapsed and expanded.
- In the collapsed state, the taskbar gets out your way, gives you more screen space, and prevents you from accidentally invoking the taskbar when you’re holding your tablet.
- In the expanded state, the taskbar is optimized to be easier to use with touch. You can easily switch between the two states by swiping up and down on the bottom of your device.
You can disable this feature by going to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors > “Optimize taskbar for touch interactions when this device is used as a tablet”
Second, this update brings changes to System Tray appearance. You can now see a rounded focus and hover treatment on all icons in the lower right. In this build, you won’t be able to drag and drop or rearrange your system tray icons. Microsoft will enable this feature in future updates.
Third, Microsoft is rolling out animated icons and illustrations in the Settings app. You can check out the animated icons in the navigation bar in the below image.
Finally, Microsoft is releasing the following app updates along with this build:
Calculator (Version 11.2208.1.0): We have added native Arm64 support to Calculator. You’ll see faster and better performance when you use the app on Arm64 devices.
Media Player (Version 11.2208.22.0): We have added the ability to edit video files in Clipchamp with a new “Edit with Clipchamp” action available when you right-click a video in your library and in the lower-right corner of the video player UI under more options (…) when playing a video file.
