Microsoft has just released a new Windows 11 build, and once again, both Dev and the Beta channels are getting it.

Windows 11 build 22598 can therefore be downloaded by users both in channels, and this is good news because users can continue to switch in one channel to a different. When the two are now being supplied with separate builds, moving in one channel to the other is no longer allowed.

Windows 11 build 22598 includes small tweaks concerning Windows Spotlight and the taskbar, whilst going live for users living in China and using a Lenovo PC.

Previously, these users were blocked from receiving new builds as part of the Windows Insider program.

"We are actually offering new builds to Windows Insiders in China on Lenovo PCs beginning with Build 22598. These users should connect with the internet for a minimum of Fifteen minutes to allow the Lenovo PC Manager to auto update to the latest version (version 5.0.0.3292 or later) to get an essential fix with the app," the Redmond-based software giant explained.

Known issues

Microsoft says this new build also comes with the Begin app configured to automatically launch on Windows 11 devices, because it once to help users get started doing their computers after upgrading towards the latest build.

Worth knowing is that quite a few users might not be getting the new build, particularly if they're running Windows 10 and now joining the Dev and Beta channels. It is really an old glitch, and Microsoft says it's working on fixing it.

"Windows Insiders running Windows 10 who join the Dev or Beta Channels to obtain the latest builds may encounter a download error code 0xc8000402 while trying to download the latest build. Like a workaround, please join the discharge Preview Channel first, install Windows 11 from there (Build 22000.xxxx), and then change to the Dev or Beta Channel to receive the latest Insider Preview build. This problem is understood and will be fixed within an upcoming build," the company explains.

Changing the default browser on a modern version of Windows has been one pretty challenging process, even for power users.

Microsoft has obviously been under fire for the entire thing, as both other browser makers available as well as Windows users criticized the organization for making it ridiculously hard to switch from Microsoft Edge to a third-party alternative.

In some instances, changing the browser involved changing the default app to deal with every extension, something that beginners would undoubtedly neglect to do and therefore end up staying with Edge.

Recently, the Redmond-based software giant presented an optional cumulative update that improved the process, offering a one-click way to change the default browser in the Settings screen. This update is projected to visit live for all Windows 11 devices next week as part of the Patch Tuesday cycle.

However, Vivaldi says the company must result in the process much more convenient for users available. Company CEO Jon von Tetzchner told The Register that Microsoft first has to offer that cumulative update to all users, not just to those who know how to install an optional patch.

As mentioned, there's a chance the one-click option to set the default browser is going to be included in the April 2022 Patch Tuesday rollout starting off in a few days.

Microsoft should do better

Nevertheless, Vivaldi requires more substantial improvements about this front, with von Tetzchner suggesting the Eu competition agency might have to consider Microsoft's practices.

"While they've made an effort, the truth that it has been done the way it has results in the assumption that it is only being done to avoid being prosecuted for anticompetitive behavior, not to actually solve the underlying problem. Microsoft helps it to be as simple for those users to make use of other browsers, as it is to use Edge, and stop abusing their power to push Edge onto users. They continue to try to make it harder to switch to and employ other browsers. Good quality towards the EU following on this malpractice," Vivaldi says.

I've reached to Microsoft for an answer to these claims and will update the article accordingly.

Microsoft is still rolling out Windows 11 to eligible devices available, but just like every big company, it's also started the entire process of upgrading its very own number of computers to the new operating system.

And more importantly, it managed to complete the procedure in no less than five weeks, with Microsoft explaining that whenever this massive effort was over, no less than 190,000 devices were running Windows 11.

"Introducing a brand new operating-system, especially across a distributed workforce, naturally resulted in questions about device downtime and app compatibility. However, with established practices and evolved solutions at hand, historical obstacles became just that-a subject put to rest. The rollout of Windows 11 at Microsoft was probably the most streamlined up to now, frictionlessly delivering employees the latest operating-system in record time," Microsoft explains.

No app compatibility concerns

The app compatibility would have been a priority, but Microsoft says it relied on App Assure to make sure no such problems occur following the change to Windows 11.

"Data from App Assure, a Microsoft service available to all customers with eligible subscriptions, shows the organization had 99.7 percent compatibility for those apps in Windows 11-that eliminated the need for extensive testing. Additionally, it meant that employees' Windows 10 apps work seamlessly in Windows 11. Additionally, Microsoft Endpoint Manager and Windows Update for Business eliminated the need for exceeding one disk image and made it easier for employees to obtain Windows 11," it says.

The procedure was split into three different plans to plan, prepare, and deploy the new operating-system.

As the world's number 1 software company, Microsoft has been obsessed about providing users around the globe with state-of-the-art security on absolutely all fronts.

However, regardless of this approach, the Redmond-based tech giant continued for everyone updates on its Update Catalog via HTTP, probably as numerous companies out there were using old browsers, possibly Internet Explorer, to download these updates.

But because spotted by Deskmodder, Microsoft has quietly switched to HTTPS sometimes recently, with all of updates now served through a secure connection.

Internet Explorer about to go dark

Microsoft has warned on several occasions that Internet Explorer is going dark, advising companies to switch to the IE mode bundled with Microsoft Edge.

Ie 11 will be retired on June 15 this season, and Microsoft is already dealing with people to provide a smooth transition to Microsoft Edge.

The company promises Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge will be supported until at least 2029.

"If you're someone using Internet Explorer at home, we recommend you transition to Microsoft Edge before June 15, 2022, to start enjoying a faster, safer and more modern browsing experience. What's promising: you most likely have diabetes already on your device. Search for "Microsoft Edge" while using Windows 10 search engine or search for the icon," the organization said.

"If you don't get it, it is simple to download it here. We've also aimed to make the upgrade to Microsoft Edge simple. Once you've signed up to moving to Microsoft Edge, it's simple to bring over your passwords, favorites and other browsing data from online Explorer in some clicks. And when you run into a site that needs Internet Explorer to open, Microsoft Edge has Ie mode built-in so that you can still access it."

iOS updates don't land all too often, but when they are doing, users out there rush to set up them on their own iPhones as soon as Apple starts the rollout

While you probably have no doubt about, manually going to the software update section in your iPhone triggers a manual check for updates, whereby the unit is automatically provided with the most recent iOS version, if your newer version is obviously available.

In other words, if you manually check for updates, you will get the most recent version of the operating-system without waiting. However, should you don't worry about software updates and don't manually look for updates, it requires up to 4 weeks for an iPhone to notify you in regards to a new version of iOS.

The phased rollout

Just in case you're wondering why the device needs a lot time to let you know an update can be obtained, Craig Federighi, Apple's senior VP of software engineering, has got the answer. Inside a mailed response offered to a reddit user, Federighi explains it's all due to the phased rollout that Apple uses for software updates.

"We incrementally rollout new iOS updates by first which makes them readily available for the ones that explicitly seek them out in Settings, and then 1-4 weeks later (after we've received feedback around the update) increase to rolling out devices with auto-update enabled," he said.

The phased rollout isn't new things within the software world, and for example, Microsoft uses a similar system for major operating-system updates, including the rollout of Windows 11.

The biggest benefit for the parent company and users themselves would be that the phased rollout assists you to find bugs and issues in early phases, and for that reason prevent them from hitting a bigger quantity of devices. Consequently, the rollout can also be suspended if your significant problem was discovered.

Microsoft is working night and day on polishing the taskbar experience of Windows 11, and also the debut of the tablet-optimized version is only the living proof in connection with this.

However, as it happens Microsoft is also going the other way around and sometimes which makes it harder to use certain capabilities in Windows 11.

Just to illustrate, the machine tray icons, because the Redmond-based software giant has removed the ability to drag icons displayed here.

In other words, if you wish to reorder system tray icons, your best option is by using the dedicated page within the Settings app for the entire thing.

Intended behavior

Microsoft has confirmed inside a post in the Feedback Hub this is a change implemented after the debut of the tablet-optimized taskbar in Windows 11 (now available within the preview builds of the operating-system and shipped as part of the Windows Insider program).

"We'll be continuing to monitor this feedback, however with the updates we made for the new tablet-optimized taskbar in Build 22563, we're no more supporting dragging icons within the system tray or between the system tray and also the show hidden icons flyout. Instead, you should use the Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > System tray section to handle these icons," Microsoft explained.

The tablet-optimized taskbar involves Windows 11 users with two different states called collapsed and expanded.

"In the collapsed state, the taskbar gets your way, provides you with more screen space, and prevents you against accidentally invoking the taskbar when you're holding your tablet. In the expanded state, the taskbar is optimized to become simpler to use with touch. It is simple to switch between the two states by swiping down and up on the bottom of your device," Microsoft explains.

At this time, it doesn't seem like Microsoft would like to undo this transformation in regards to the system tray icons, so make sure you post within the Feedback Hub to make the company aware of your opinion.

The most recent cumulative update for Windows 10, still in the preview stage for the time being (and available optionally from Windows Update) includes search highlights.

The feature was originally announced in Windows 11 earlier this year, but it's also making its way to Windows 10.

Windows 10 cumulative update KB5011543 obtainable manually on all up-to-date Windows 10 devices right now if you wish to try out looking highlights on your device. If you're not into optional updates, then the search highlights may also be area of the next cumulative updates shipped for your computer on the next Patch Tuesday cycle.

Search highlights in Windows 10

Search highlights are a new feature in Windows 10 and Windows 11 that update looking experience with content like holidays, anniversaries, and other personalized information you're going to see in the search UI.

"Search highlights will show notable and fascinating moments of what's special about each day-like holidays, anniversaries, along with other educational moments in time both globally as well as in your region. To determine additional information at a glance, hover, click, or tap around the illustration within the search engine. For enterprise customers, search highlights will feature the latest updates from your organization and suggest people, files, and much more," Microsoft explains.

As it typically happens when Microsoft introduces additional features for Windows devices, the rollout is happening in stages, and also the company explains that could require many months before all Windows 10 devices are supplied with this new feature.

"Search highlights will unveil to Windows 10 customers within the next several weeks. We're going for a phased and measured approach. Broad availability will exist in the approaching months," the company said within the release notes from the optional cumulative update.

The following Patch Tuesday (which is once the search highlights will be part of a non-preview update) takes place on April 12.

With what may be the very first time, an OS said, " It isn't you, it's me." In case your PC doesn't meet the minimum hardware requirements to correctly operate the upcoming Windows 11 operating-system, Microsoft has begun giving users the boot from its ongoing Windows Insider testing program. If you've been testing out the upcoming OS but your system has been found wanting, you'll receive this warning message.

"Your PC doesn't meet the minimum hardware requirements for Windows 11", accompanied by "our device is not eligible to join the Windows Insider Program on Windows 11. Please install Windows 10 to participate in the Windows Insider Program in the discharge Preview Channel."

It seems just like a breakup or just being passed off to a friend as Microsoft is dropping systems they've deemed ineligible from the insider program. Of course, all of this increases the recent fears from PC users that they will now be pushed to purchase entirely new devices if they desire to use the upcoming Windows 11 OS, plus some people are very unhappy about it.

Windows users trying out the upcoming OS started receiving the incompatible message the 2009 week, around the same time Microsoft announced October 5th because the release date for Windows 11. Microsoft alerted testers it's entirely possible that if their systems didn't meet minimum system requirements that they could be booted out.

Microsoft's minimum system requirements for that new Windows 11 OS happen to be a bit confusing, with a number of different lists being discovered, causing concern and confusion. There is an ISO version you can install and use but Microsoft is warning users that this kind of install won't be supported and does not receive Windows updates of any kind.

Microsoft urges users to reinstall Windows 10, that they continues to aid until 2025, only three and half years away. Most loyal Windows users will most likely buy a new PC over the following 3 years anyway, so the tech giant doesn't appear to think it is a serious problem. However, we all know people still use Windows 7 and Internet Explorer, which could get interesting.

Because of its part, Microsoft had justified the minimum requirements in line with the need for security improvements using TPM (Trusted Platform Module) technology and UEFI Secure Boot and virtualization-based security methods, that they discussed once they first announced the upcoming Windows 11 this past June.

Approaching the October 5, release date, Microsoft will most likely enhance the upcoming Windows 11 OS and release more test builds. Will Windows 11 arrive and run smoothly, or will this be a buggy disaster that we will tell our grandchildren about? We shall see.

Meanwhile, without a doubt a scary story about an OS called Windows 8, just kidding.

Everybody knows already that Microsoft is focusing on a major Windows 11 update called Sun Valley 2, and while it's expected to go live in the second 1 / 2 of the year, the software giant has so far remained tight-lipped about this highly anticipated release.

In the meantime, however, the organization has (pretty much) accidentally confirmed the existence of the Sun Valley 2 update within an announcement published in the Feedback Hub.

As spotted by Xeno on Twitter, Microsoft discussed the development of a brand new Settings design in Sun Valley 2, using the company later removing the update reference when the Internet noticed it.

"As a part of SV2 we redesigned a number of Settings pages to ensure they are updated and in conjuction with the remaining app. Prerequisites: All SV2 builds flighted after March 15th may have these features enabled automatically," Microsoft said within the original announcement - SV2 means Sun Valley 2.

The rollout of Windows 11

Before Microsoft ships the following major update for Windows 11, the organization first needs to complete the rollout of the operating-system itself.

The software giant confirmed back in January that Windows 11 entered the ultimate rollout stage, using the process likely to be completed in the very first half of the entire year.

"The upgrade offer to Windows 11 is entering its final phase of availability and it is designated for broad deployment for eligible devices. Since the launch of Windows 11 in October, we view strong demand and preference for Windows 11 with individuals upgrading their eligible PCs at twice the speed we had for Windows 10. Based on this trend, we are advancing the pace of the rollout faster than we originally announced and entering the final phase of availability for Windows 11 ahead of our initial plan of mid-2022," Microsoft said.