Microsoft has released new Windows 11 preview builds for insiders in the Beta channel, and just like before, the company is rolling out two different builds with new features activated or disabled by default.

The new builds that are available for download at this time would be the following:

Build 22622.590 = New features rolling out
Build 22621.590 = New features off automatically

There aren't any additional features in these builds, but Microsoft says it has included several fixes in build 22622.590, including for a bug that caused the classic Control Panel to no more start from the Start menu, search, or from a shortcut put into the taskbar.

This glitch was first reported in the previous Windows 11 preview build.

Additionally, Microsoft says it's disabled the option to talk about personal files to OneDrive from the desktop.

"As a direct result feedback from Windows Insiders, we have disabled the opportunity to share a nearby file straight to OneDrive while using built-in Windows share window that first started rolling out to Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel with Build 22622.436. We hope to bring this selection back in the future after further refinement of the experience. As we've mentioned previously, features we try in the Dev or Beta Channels might not always ship," the organization says.

Microsoft also warns of two separate issues in File Explorer, with investigations already underway.

"We're investigating reports that the small set of Insiders with "launch folder windows in a separate process" cannot open File Explorer after last week's flight. This problem is unrelated to the issue with accessing certain folders within the same flight, which is fixed in this week's flight. We're focusing on the treatment for an issue where command bar items like copy, paste, and empty recycle bin may unexpectedly not be enabled when they should be," the organization explains.

Microsoft has released Windows 11 cumulative update KB5016691, though necessary for know may be the update happens to be only a preview from the next Patch Tuesday cycle.

In other words, this update is now available being an optional pack of improvements, so if you want to download it on Windows 11, just head over to Windows Update and manually check for updates.

Windows 11 cumulative update KB5016691 boosts the OS build number to 22000.918, and it arrives with important fixes, including for a bug causing certain Bluetooth audio headsets to prevent working.

Furthermore, Microsoft says the update also includes enhancements for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint's ability to identify and interface ransomware and other attacks, though worth knowing is the same improvements happen to be part of the previous cumulative updates as well.

What's new in this cumulative update for Windows 11 devices

Listed here are the most crucial alterations in this cumulative update, as stated by Microsoft:

Addresses a problem related to USB printing that may cause your printer to malfunction after you restart it or reinstall it.
Addresses an element that prevents Windows 11 SE from trusting some Microsoft Store applications. This may stop you from downloading the untrusted app.
Addresses an issue that might cause certain Bluetooth audio headsets to prevent playing following a progress bar adjustment.
Addresses a known issue that causes Microsoft Edge to stop responding when you use IE mode. This problem also prevents you against getting together with a dialog.

This cumulative update comes with a single known issue, though it's a classic one that has additionally been confirmed in the previous releases too. It affects XPS Viewer, which is no longer installed automatically of all computers anyway, so if you don't manually deployed the app, you shouldn't worry about the bug anyway.

Mozilla has released a brand new major update for Firefox browser, bringing the app to version 104 on all desktop platforms where it is available.

Firefox 104 therefore comes with lots of improvements, including support for subtitles if you watch Disney+ in the Picture-in-Picture mode.

Furthermore, the profiler now provides energy usage information for every website on Apple M1 devices and Windows 11 computers.

Mozilla says it has included as well improvements for scrolling, as well as a new approach that cuts down on the footprint on system performance once the browser is minimized.

"Firefox now supports both the scroll-snap-stop property in addition to re-snapping. You should use the scroll-snap-stop property's always and normal values to specify if you should pass the snap points, even if scrolling fast. Re-snapping tries to keep the last snap position after any content/layout changes. The Firefox UI itself will be throttled for performance and battery usage when minimized or occluded, in the same manner background tabs are," Mozilla explains.

More fixes within the latest update

Additionally, the company says Firefox 104 comes with several important fixes, as well as the typical security patches which are part of the browser:

Highlight color is preserved correctly after typing Enter in the mail composer of Yahoo Mail and Outlook.
After bypassing the https only error page navigating back would take you towards the error page that was previously dismissed. Back now takes you to the previous site that was visited.
Paste unformatted shortcut (shift+ctrl/cmd+v) now works in plain text contexts, for example input and text area.

As always, our Windows team has been super-quick to update the Firefox download links, so that you can find the new installers around the page mentioned. Needless to say, existing Firefox users can also turn to the built-in Firefox update engine and therefore get the latest version without the manual installation.

Microsoft has recently released a new firmware update for the Surface Pro 6, and in addition to the typical driver updates, the company also says there's something which everybody should be aware inside.

The new firmware update, that is live at this time for devices running Windows 10 version 20H1 and newer, also includes a vital security patches. As a result, users should update the unit as quickly as possible to ensure their Surface Pros are protected.

Fundamental essentials new driver updates bundled with this release:

Surface - Firmware - 238.167.768.0 - Surface UEFI - Firmware
Surface - Firmware - 11.8.92.4222 - Surface ME - Firmware
Intel - System - 2145.1.42.0 - Intel(R) Management Engine Interface - System Devices
Intel - SoftwareComponent - 1.63.1155.2 - Intel(R) ICLS Client - Software devices

Install the update as quickly as possible

Worthwhile to learn is that the update might not be readily available for all Surface Pro 6 devices right now, as Microsoft explains that it's utilizing a gradual rollout method of make sure everything is being employed as expected for those users.

Quite simply, checking for updates may not bring anything new, but depending on how fast the rollout advances, you ought to be able to see the brand new firmware update a few weeks.

"Surface updates are released in stages-not every Surface will get updates simultaneously, but they will be delivered to all devices. Should you haven't previously received updates, you are able to manually update by following the steps at Download drivers and firmware for Surface," Microsoft explains on the Surface Pro 6 update history page.

"After the updates have completely finished installing, it's a smart idea to install all available optional updates. To set up optional updates, from Search, type View Optional updates and choose it under Best match. If updates can be found in Driver updates, click through to download to ensure that all Surface drivers listed in the discharge have been installed."

Let's be truthful about this, the support for tabs in File Explorer is among the biggest updates for the file manager in an exceedingly very long time.

This selection is definitely a high request, especially around the modern versions of Windows, and Microsoft's first make an effort to respond to user feedback took place in 2018 with the introduction of Sets.

Powered by Microsoft Edge, Sets was essentially a concept that brought tabs all over the operating-system, not only to Windows. However, this method was eventually abandoned, with Microsoft promising to explore the ways to introduce tabs in File Explorer at another time.

Earlier this year, Microsoft brought tabs in File Explorer included in the Windows Insider program, but given this is really a major update, the company is actually taking it is time to make sure things are working exactly as expected.

Available these days for those Dev insiders

File Explorer tabs have therefore been rolling out exclusively towards the Dev channel, with Microsoft staying with a gentle release. In other words, only some users have been provided with access to tabs, with everyone else told to hang about until more feedback is collected in the first testers.

The release of Windows 11 build 25179 marks another milestone in this rollout, with Microsoft explaining that users in the Dev channel are now able to check out the File Explorer tabs.

"File Explorer tabs and navigation updates (which began rolling to the Dev Channel with Build 25136) are now rolling to everyone in the Dev Channel. If you don't see these features immediately, please try rebooting. In the event that doesn't work, please file feedback in Feedback Hub," Microsoft explains in the changelog of the latest build.

Nevertheless, there's no ETA as to when the tabs could go live for all users, as features in the Dev channel don't have a specific release date.

Microsoft just released a new Windows 10 cumulative update, obviously included in the August 2022 Patch Tuesday rollout, so the focus is clearly on security improvements.

The new cumulative update for Windows 10 version 21H2, which is the most recent version of the operating-system, is KB5016616, also it obviously has the same improvements as for Windows 10 version 21H1 - these two releases share a similar codebase, so Microsoft ships exactly the same update for of these.

Given it's an area Tuesday release, KB5016616 is first of all supposed to address security vulnerabilities within the operating system.

But simultaneously, additionally, it comes with three more fixes, including for printing and the Language Bar.

Microsoft lists the next improvements as part of cumulative update KB5016616:

Addresses an element that affects the printing of files you submit to a printer.
Addresses a known issue that may avoid the Input Indicator and Language Bar from displaying in the notification area. This problem affects devices which have several language installed.
Addresses security issues for your Windows based pc.

There are also several known issues in this cumulative update, and one of these only has recently been acknowledged by Microsoft. Also affecting Windows 11, this bug impacts XPS Viewer, therefore it only affects the computers where this app has been manually installed.

"After installing this update, XPS Viewer may be unable to open XML Paper Specification (XPS) documents in some non-English languages, including some Japanese and Chinese character encodings. This issue affects both XML Paper Specification (XPS) and Open XML Paper Specification (OXPS) files," Microsoft says.

"When encountering this issue, you might get an error, "This page cannot be displayed" within XPS Viewer or it might stop responding and also have high CPU usage with continually increasing memory usage. When the error is encountered, if XPS Viewer isn't closed it could reach up to 2.5GB of memory usage before closing unexpectedly."

A treatment for this issue is already in the works, Microsoft says.

Microsoft has warned of the new issue affecting Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022, with the company explaining that some devices could end up experiencing data damage when they're equipped with the most recent supported processors.

"Windows devices that support the newest Vector Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) (VAES) instruction set may be prone to data damage. The affected Windows devices play one of the following on new hardware: AES XEX-based tweaked-codebook mode with ciphertext stealing (AES-XTS); AES with Galois/Counter Mode (GCM) (AES-GCM)," the organization warns.

The Redmond-based software giant says it has already released an area, and it is available in the late-May and June updates. In other words, if your device is already up-to-date, the fixes should be there in your device.

Latest updates also resolve the slowdown

However, the company states that devices where these patches have already been deployed could experience performance degradation, particularly when using BitLocker, TLS, or disk throughput.

"To prevent further data damage, we addressed this problem in the May 24, 2022 preview release and also the June 14, 2022 security release. After applying those updates, you may notice slower performance for nearly one month after you set them up on Windows Server 2022 and Windows 11 (original release)," Microsoft says.

In some instances, the AES-based operations could be 2 times slower.

Microsoft, however, has addressed the slowdown, and users are increasingly being told to set up the June 23 or July 12 updates for Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022.

"We added new code paths towards the Windows 11 (original release) and Windows Server 2022 versions of SymCrypt to take advantage of VAES (vectorized AES) instructions. SymCrypt is the core cryptographic library in Windows. These instructions act on Advanced Vector Extensions (AVX) registers for hardware using the newest supported processors," Microsoft further notes.

Microsoft has just released new testing builds for Windows 11 insiders enrolled in the Beta channel, so that as per the company's new approach, two new versions are live at this time.

In other words, if you're part of the Beta channel, you should be provided with either 22621.450 or 22622.450, both of them available via update KB5016700.

Just like before, the two builds include new features rolling out or off by default, as per the following configuration:

Build 22622.450 = New features rolling out
Build 22621.450 = Additional features off by default

This time, however, the Redmond-based software giant has shipped the same changelog to both branches, which makes sense given the focus continues to be on fixes and refinements rather than on additional features.

Microsoft says the brand new builds include enhanced Microsoft Defender for Endpoint capabilities to detect and intercept ransomware and advanced attacks, while also featuring improved storage replication on low bandwidth or congested WAN.

There are other fixes in these builds, as follows:

We fixed an issue that causes Windows to display tablet mode features for many devices that don't have touchscreens.
We fixed an issue that causes some application windows to possess blank sections within the Task View preview.
We fixed an element that occurs for many of you when you copy files from network drives. The mistake code is 0x80070026.
We fixed an expression leak trouble in the LsapGetClientInfoEx
We fixed an element that, in certain cases, causes sihost.exe to utilize a high amount of the CPU.
We fixed an issue that causes Microsoft Edge to stop responding when you use IE mode. This issue also prevents you from getting together with a dialog.

Needless to say, these builds are available with a series of known issues, together with a brand new one that's resulting in the audio to stop working.

Microsoft has released new Windows 11 testing builds for users who're part of the Beta channel within the Windows Insider program.

As per the company's new approach, Microsoft is now shipping two builds simultaneously, one with no latest features and a second build that comes with the most recent features.

The 2 new builds shipping to users within the Beta channel are the following:

Build 22622.440 = Additional features rolling out. Build 22621.440 = Additional features off by default.

The biggest change may be the introduction from the new taskbar overflow, which has until recently been part of the Dev channel exclusively.

Not a years ago, however, it was learned that the taskbar overflow was already available in the Beta channel, only that it wasn't enabled by Microsoft. So with this build, users who're obtaining the first build will also be allowed to test the taskbar overflow without any other changes on their side.

"We're reintroducing taskbar overflow, having a newly designed experience for Windows 11. This taskbar experience continues to be thoughtfully crafted to offer you a far more productive switching and launching experience when space is constrained. Your taskbar will automatically transition into this new overflow state when it has hit its maximum capacity. In this state, taskbar will offer you an entry point to an overflow menu that allows you to view all of your overflowed apps in one space," Microsoft says.

At the same time, this update also includes dynamic widgets around the taskbar.

"We're testing out some changes to create more dynamic Widgets happy to your taskbar. In addition to seeing live content from the weather widget, you'll also begin to see live updates from the sports and finance widgets, along with breaking news alerts," Microsoft explains.

The most recent builds can be downloaded by Beta users from Windows Update.

Twinkle Tray, the brilliant app which makes it very easy to adjust the brightness of external monitors connected to a Windows computer, has received an update to feel at home on Windows 11.

If you've never used Twinkle Tray before, you most likely didn't spot the Windows limitations when it comes to adjusting the brightness amounts of multiple monitors or you didn't know such an app exists in the first place.

The actual way it works isn't just extremely straightforward but also pretty clever, as Twinkle Tray brings a simple slider to the system tray, letting you easily adjust the brightness associated with a external monitor that is attached to the device.

Completely free

It receives data in the connected monitors via DDC/CI and WMI, and the number of monitors doesn't even matter. When they're connected to the computer and all requirements are met, Twinkle Tray can detect them and permit users to adjust the brightness level accordingly.

"Twinkle Tray enables you to easily manage the brightness levels of multiple monitors. Even though Windows 10 is capable of adjusting the backlight of all monitors, it typically doesn't support external monitors. Windows also lacks any capability to manage the brightness of multiple monitors. This app inserts a new icon to your system tray, where one can click to have instant access towards the brightness levels of all compatible monitors," the app description reads.

"Twinkle Tray uses DDC/CI and WMI to communicate with your monitors. Be sure you possess the appropriate option(s) enabled in your monitor in order that it can work with Twinkle Tray."

Built in Electron, the app is completely free of charge and comes with no ads, sporting a UI that perfectly aligns with the remainder of the OS. You can find it in Microsoft Store - you can download the app on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.