Windows Insiders are getting a new Windows 10 preview for PCs. Microsoft has rolled out build 16251 on the Fast Ring, and it adds some important new features. This is the latest Redstone 3 (Fall Creators Update) branch release and focuses on Cortana, Edge, and gaming improvements.
However, the most notable addition in Windows 10 preview build 16251 is deeper integration with Android. Specifically, it is now possible to link and Android smartphone to a Windows PC. At the moment, this is oriented to web browsing across Android and PC.
Microsoft explains how this feature will work on Windows 10. Users can head to Settings > Phone to link the device. An SMS will be sent to the smartphone to install and application called Microsoft Apps.
Sharing a website from phone to PC is as easy as hitting the share button and choosing “Continue to PC”. Not unexpectedly, Microsoft says users must have a Microsoft Account on PC and Android. The company adds that is will bring this feature to mobile soon, but did not say when.
Cortana has also been given some new Fall Creators Update features. The virtual assistant will now show web results without needing to open the browser. This works by the Cortana window expanding to show instant results.
Currently, this functionality is limited to results for celebrities, movies, stock prices, weather, flights, and other Cortana quick answer queries. That is not the only trick Cortana has up her sleeve through Windows 10 preview 16251. She will also have new voice command capabilities around booting a machine:
- Hey Cortana, restart PC.
- Hey Cortana, turn off PC.
- Hey Cortana, sign out.
- Hey Cortana, lock PC.
Again, there are limitations, specifically these commands are only available in English. To avoid accidental shut downs, Cortana will ask for a second affirmative confirmation before carrying out the command.
Microsoft has also been busy making a smoother boot sequence. This newest Insider release extends the capabilities of the Windows Update sign-in features to rebooting and shutting down. Now, when you log in, shutdown, or reboot, Windows 10 will set up your account on restart. Essentially, this means users get faster sign-ins and application starts.
Windows 10 preview 16251 Changelog:
- Fixed an issue from the last flight where if you had display scaling set higher than 100 percent, you might encounter a bug where the hit targeting was offset when interacting with various parts of the shell. This was particularly noticeable in Action Center, where it might appear that nothing in Action Center could be clicked or tapped, but could also have been experienced in other UI around the system.
- Fixed an issue resulting in IMAP email accounts such as Gmail, Yahoo, and AOL potentially not syncing in the Mail app in the last two builds.
- Fixed the issue causing Windows Defender Security Center to be unable to configure and list items for Controlled folder access, Threat History, and Exclusions due to a crash in the UI.
- Narrator Scan Mode is now on by default for just the Edge app. You can continue to toggle Scan Mode on and off with Caps Lock + Space.
- Fixed a bug that resulted in poor text rendering on some machines when Magnifier was running with bitmap smoothing enabled.
- Fixed an issue where the Windows Defender Security Center icon appeared unexpectedly stretched out when using a wide-sized tile pinned to Start.
- Fixed an issue where certain inbox apps might unexpectedly show a progress bar on their Start tiles for a short time after upgrading.
- Fixed an issue resulting in explorer.exe using an unexpectedly high amount of CPU in recent flights when certain apps, such as Microsoft Edge, were running.
- Fixed an issue where Groove Music’s mini view player would reset its position to default if you used File Explorer to open and start playing a new mp3 in Groove Music.
- Fixed an issue resulting in some apps, such as Tweetium, not rendering the UI correctly and becoming difficult to use.
- Fixed an issue resulting in the notification prompting you to enter tablet mode not working properly when you access in recent flights.
- The My People emoji above the Taskbar is now referred to simply as “My People notifications.” This terminology can be found in Taskbar Settings.
- Fixed an issue where the mouse response might appear erratic on certain devices when playing games with Raw Input disabled.
- Fixed an issue where the insertion point mouse cursor appeared white for some Insiders, making it invisible against the white background of many text boxes.
- Some Insiders may have noticed the Windows Error Dialog had a new string in recent flights (“opening a portal to another dimension”) — it has now been updated to say the problem is being reported to Microsoft.
- Fixed the issue with PC Games using the Origin overlay where the use of overlay may cause game movement to lock up.
- TruePlay, formerly called Game Monitor, is a placeholder within the Windows UI. Your games cannot be affected at this time.
