Microsoft tests updated ALT+TAB interface in latest Windows 11 preview build

Windows 11 Update Windowsupdate Estimate New Dark
Windows 11 Update Windowsupdate Estimate New Dark (Image credit: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central)

W11 22526 Alttab

Source: @brandonleblanc on Twitter (Image credit: Source: @brandonleblanc on Twitter)

Microsoft has released the first Windows 11 Dev Channel build for 2022, and it's packing a handful of notable new changes and enhancements! This week's build is 22526, and includes an updated ALT+TAB interface, support for wideband speech using AirPods, and the indexing of more file locations by default.

The most notable change this week is the introduction of a new ALT+TAB interface. It's another A/B test, meaning some testers may not get this new UI just yet. The new UI is a "windowed" version of the ALT+TAB experience, which is currently a full screen endeavour. Microsoft says the new UI is an experiment, meaning it may not ship, and that feedback from Insiders will be key to whether or not it stays.

Here's the full changelog:

  • We're experimenting with showing ALT + TAB as windowed instead of full screen for some Insiders.
  • We have added support for wideband speech when using Apple AirPods products (AirPods, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max), improving audio quality for voice calls.
  • Starting with Build 22518, Credential Guard is now enabled by default on Windows 11 Enterprise (E3 and E5) licensed PCs that are enterprise-joined.
  • We are experimenting with indexing more file locations so that using search to find important files in Files Explorer is quicker.

And here are the fixes:

  • Did some work to help address an issue where if you'd used search in File Explorer, and then explorer.exe crashed, the next time you tried to search in File Explorer it wouldn't work.
  • We've made another fix to help address the recent searches flyout getting stuck on the screen (appearing transparent except the border).
  • Improved the resolution of app icons displayed in search results when the display scaling was set to greater than 100%.
  • If you're using spotlight collection, the current image should migrate on upgrade now (if the build you're upgrading from is Build 22523 or higher).
  • Fixed an issue result in the Widgets board potentially not having the correct resolution when hovering over the entry point on a secondary monitor.
  • Addressed an issue where the Widgets board would temporarily be blank, showing only an Add Widgets button (which also opened to a blank dialog).
  • Fixed a bugcheck with KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED remote desktop users were encountering when attempting to shutdown or restart.
  • Microsoft Store should no longer show a message that trying to install the latest Web Media Extension update is returning error code 0x80073CFB.
  • Addressed a DWM crash impacting some Insiders on the previous flight.

As always, you can check out the Windows Blog for the known issues list here.

Zac Bowden
Senior Editor

Zac Bowden is a Senior Editor at Windows Central. Bringing you exclusive coverage into the world of Windows on PCs, tablets, phones, and more. Also an avid collector of rare Microsoft prototype devices! Keep in touch on Twitter and Threads

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