Yesterday, Microsoft released a new preview of Windows 10 for the desktop. It is the ninth build of the coming Windows 10 Fall Creators Update that may release in September. The best part of this preview is the inclusion of the recently announced feature Eye Control. It also contains improvements for Console, Edge, input, and WDAG (Windows Defender Application Guard).
One must remember that Windows 10 consists of a different kind of design compared to its predecessors. The said operating system is rather a service that can be regularly updated with not only fixes but new features as well.
The new update boosts the Windows 10 build number for desktops from Build 16251 to Build 16257. It has been available for testers since July 26. Microsoft advises checking the four known issues contained by the Build before implementing the update.
Preview Prelude – Eye Control
As in the new preview, the most significant addition is Tobii’s eye tracking technology. In fact, it was just two days before that Microsoft announced its inclusion in Windows 10. With this feature, users with disabilities can operate the system only by their eyes. The operation includes a keyboard, an on-screen mouse, and the text-to-speech experience. The only additional requirement is a compatible eye tracker for users to process the normal keyboard and mouse activities.
Eye Control still works on Beta and is so far only compatible with EN-US keyboard layout. But the best part is that more compatible keyboard layouts are coming. Eye Control can only recognize Tobii hardware such as the Tobii Eye Tracker 4C. Support for other hardware like those of I-Series, EyeMobile Plus, PCEye Plus, and Tobii Dynavox PCEye Mini is on the way. Microsoft confirmed that the company is looking forward to working with hardware vendors. The objective is to provide users with more options to enjoy the Eye Control experience.
Windows 10 Edge
Edge of Windows 10 now got a modern appearance in the browser frame. It is an inspiration by the Fluent Design System of Microsoft. According to the company, it uses Acrylic material that delivers transparency and depth to the tab bar and other controls. In the process, the animation for the buttons has become “more responsive and delightful”.
Other Changes
Windows 10 also gets an important change to the address bar. While not in focus, it will be under the cursor while clicking and dragging texts. Previously, it wasn’t this easy to edit parts of a URL, as the text would shift after the arrival of HTTPS://. Furthermore, Edge received fixes in terms of image copying, tab order, and closing tabs in full-screen mode.
As for the Windows Console, it gained support for full 24-bit RGB color. The default colors are receiving their first rebuild in more than two decades. The aim behind this is to improve the legibility of darker colors on today’s screens.
As far as input improvements are concerned, the touch keyboard will now launch faster from your taskbar. Developers removed the bugs of dictation and Japanese keyboards as well. On the other hand, WDAG received performance improvements regarding its container launch times. This tool is now capable of providing more detailed info during boot.
Bug Fixes
Following are the general bug fixes and improvements in the Windows 10 desktop build:
- Fixed issue on battery flyout message showing unexpected texts
- Fixed issue on network settings that get reverted to default after their upgrades
- Storage spaces expanded by fixing in Build 16241 for remediating the desktops in a bad state
- Fixed issue on narration starting from page top after you switched to the new tab and back to Edge again
- Fixed issue of Windows Defender recognizing folder in File Explorer for scanning purpose, even if the folder name contains #
- The Windows Search Service will no more remain frozen on startup after an upgrade
- Fixed issue on performance lag regarding games like World of Warships, World of Tanks, and World of Warplanes of Wargaming
- Fixation received on certain insiders not being offered higher builds than Build 16241
- Fixed issue on VPN connection, where the usage of a downloaded solution from Windows Store might crash the system
Interested to know more of Microsoft’s approaches behind the changes? Check out the Command Line Blog.
Microsoft released a new Windows Mobile Build as well, which is less likely to receive attention as compared to its desktop counterpart.
