Microsoft rolls out first updates to its Windows 11 apps

Windows 11 Hero Surfaces
Windows 11 Hero Surfaces (Image credit: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • Microsoft released its first set of app updates for Windows 11.
  • The built-in Calculator, Snipping Tool, and Mail & Calendar apps have all been updated.
  • The new Snipping Tool combines features from the classing Snipping Tool and the Snip & Sketch app.

Following the release of Windows 11 build 22000.132, Microsoft released the first update to its Windows 11 apps. The first-party Calculator, Mail app, and Snipping Tool all have new features and refreshed looks. The updates for these apps will roll out first to Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel.

The Windows 11 Snipping Tool app combines parts of the classic Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch apps. The new Snipping Tool supports the WIN + SHIFT + S shortcut to start a snip and rich editing options. It also has a new settings page. After taking a snip, people can annotate, crop, or edit an image. The upgraded Snipping Tool has a dark mode, which is a theme for all of the updated apps on Windows 11.

The Calculator app has a new look and new theme settings. It's also been rewritten in C#, which lets more people help improve it on GitHub. Microsoft highlights that the Calculator app can "analyze equations on a graph, and evaluate algebra, trigonometry, and complex math expressions!" It also has tools for converting currency and units.

The Mail & Calendar app also has a visual update. It features rounded corners and some other design tweaks to help it fit in on Windows 11. The app already supported dark and light modes and continues to in Windows 11.

Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He's covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean's journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_. 

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