Microsoft is quietly reshaping the Windows 11 taskbar into a mini‑workspace: a new suite of lightweight Microsoft 365 “companion” apps — People, File Search, and Calendar — is rolling out for business customers and will install automatically on eligible Windows 11 devices that already have...
auto install
calendar companion
companion apps
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deployment guide
enterprise it
file search companion
it administration
micro-workspace
microsoft 365
microsoft graph
opt-out
patch management
people companion
rollout
taskbar
user productivity
windows 11
Microsoft has quietly begun planting tiny, purpose-built Microsoft 365 “companion” apps directly into the Windows 11 taskbar — compact People, File Search, and Calendar helpers that promise to shave dozens of small context switches out of the modern knowledge worker’s day. These mini‑apps are...
Microsoft has quietly begun embedding three new Microsoft 365 “companion” apps into the Windows 11 taskbar — Calendar, File Search, and People — small, focused helpers designed to pull calendar events, corporate files, and contact details one click away from the desktop and reduce time lost to...
Microsoft is quietly testing a new way to put AI front and center on the desktop: references in recent Insider and server preview builds point to an “agentic companions” presence on the Windows 11 Taskbar — a dedicated button that could summon proactive, multimodal AI helpers able to see, hear...
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windows 11
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Microsoft has quietly begun embedding bite‑sized Microsoft 365 “companion” apps into the Windows 11 taskbar — compact People, File Search, and Calendar helpers designed to surface contacts, documents, and meeting controls without launching full Office or Teams windows — a shift that promises...
Microsoft appears to be testing a new AI layer for Windows 11’s taskbar: references to a “Taskbar Companion” and “agentic companions” have been found in recent preview and server builds, suggesting Microsoft is experimenting with making the taskbar an entry point for proactive, context-aware AI...
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taskbar
ui ux
windows 11
windows ai roadmap
Microsoft is reportedly planning to integrate AI capabilities directly into the Windows 11 taskbar, introducing a feature referred to as the "Taskbar Companion." This development has been identified through references in recent Windows 11 preview builds, suggesting the addition of an "agentic...
ai
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ai development
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microsoft
notification management
operating system
smart search
system improvements
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taskbartaskbar companion
tech news
user productivity
windows 11
windows 11 update
windows ai integration
windows preview builds
Microsoft’s relentless push to infuse artificial intelligence into core consumer products is once again making headlines, this time with the Windows 11 taskbar in its crosshairs. References to a new “Taskbar Companion” are emerging from recent Windows 11 test builds, signaling Microsoft’s most...
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taskbartaskbar companion
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windows 11
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A new wave of innovation is quietly building behind the scenes of Windows 11, with keen eyes in the Insider and developer communities noticing a mysterious reference to “Taskbar companions” in recent preview builds. Microsoft appears to be experimenting with readying the taskbar for intelligent...
ai assistants
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windows 11
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Here is a summary of the changes, improvements, fixes, and known issues for Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.5733 (Beta Channel) based on the official release notes:
What's New & Improved (with feature toggle ON)
File Explorer
For users with a work/school/Entra ID account, File Explorer...
bing search history
bluetooth issues
build 26120
dark mode
file explorer
insider preview
known issues
live captions
microsoft 365
preview features
privacy settings
start menu
system tray
taskbar
windows 11
windows bugs
windows fixes
windows update
xbox controllers
Microsoft has recently released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5733 (KB5062673) to the Dev Channel, introducing several enhancements aimed at improving user experience and system functionality.
File Explorer Enhancements
For users signed in with a work or school account (Entra ID), File...
beta channel
bing search
bing search history
bluetooth issues
bug fixes
build 26120
build 26120.5733
build 26200
click to do
controlled feature rollout
dark mode
dev channel
entra id
feedback hub
file explorer
file explorer enhancements
insider preview
insider program
kb5062673
known issues
live captions
lock screen
microsoft 365
microsoft 365 integration
microsoft windows
performance improvements
preview features
preview update
privacy settings
quick assist
settings
software update
software updates
start menu
system enhancement
system functionality
system improvements
system stability
system tray
system updates
taskbar
tech news
troubleshooting
user experience
windows 11
windows 11 24h2
windows 11 beta
windows 11 update
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windows development
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windows insider
windows performance improvements
windows preview builds
windows sandbox
windows settings
windows update
windows updates
xbox controllers
Here is a summary of what’s new and important in Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.5733 (Beta Channel) for Windows 11, version 24H2:
Key Changes & Improvements (Gradual Rollout with Toggle On)
File Explorer
For users with work/school accounts (Entra ID): File Explorer now shows people...
beta channel
bing search
build 26120
controlled feature rollout
file explorer
insider preview
known issues
live captions
lock screen
microsoft 365
settings
start menu
system tray
taskbar
troubleshooting
windows 11
windows 11 24h2
windows update
xbox controllers
Microsoft’s steady refinement of the Windows 11 taskbar continues to reveal the challenges and expectations inherent in modern operating system evolution. With its latest preview update, the company finally delivers long-awaited access to the notification center and calendar flyout on secondary...
ai integration
desktop environment
microsoft
multi-monitor
notification center
os evolution
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taskbar
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ui customization
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windows 11
windows 2025
windows community
windows insider
windows update
Windows 11 users who rely on multiple monitors for work or entertainment are set to receive a long-awaited usability boost that underlines a persistent theme in the Windows development story: the slow, deliberate return of features lost in the transition from Windows 10. In the most recent...
calendar flyout
desktop customization
dual monitor setup
microsoft
multi-display support
multi-monitor
notification center
productivity
software update
taskbar
ui improvements
usability update
user feedback
windows 10
windows 11
windows 11 features
windows development
windows insider
windows updates
workflow efficiency
Windows 11 is once again reshaping its usability landscape, answering years of multi-monitor user frustration by finally bringing native notifications access to every display. For professionals, gamers, and productivity enthusiasts juggling more than one screen, this small yet long-awaited tweak...
accessibility
desktop experience
hybrid work
insider preview
microsoft updates
multi-display
multi-monitor setup
notification panel
notifications
productivity
system tray
task manager
taskbar
ui enhancements
user interface
windows 11
windows 11 features
windows copilot
windows search
windows updates
Locating Microsoft Office applications within Windows environments is a simple but occasionally confusing task for both new users and those adjusting to updated versions of the operating system. Whether one is looking to launch Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or Access, Windows 10 and subsequent...
app discoverability
app pinning
application launching
desktop shortcuts
microsoft 365
microsoft office
office 365
office applications
office installations
office online
office search
office troubleshooting
productivity tools
start menu
taskbar
windows 10
windows 11
windows search
windows user guide
Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5710 (KB5062676) to the Dev Channel, introducing several enhancements and new features aimed at improving user experience and system functionality.
New Features and Improvements
Describe Image Action in Click to Do
The "describe...
accessibility
administrator protection
build 26200
click to do
copilot+
device security
file explorer
image description
insider preview
microsoft windows
on-device ai
passkeys
system updates
taskbar
third-party login
windows 11
windows hello
windows insider
windows search
windows security
Microsoft’s ongoing evolution of the Windows 11 operating system is a textbook example of how software development at a massive scale is as much about listening to users as it is about shipping new features. Nowhere is that delicate balance more visible than in the recent back-and-forth...
design reversal
feature feedback
microsoft
microsoft windows
operating system
product management
software development
system tray
taskbar
tech news
tech trends
ui customization
ui design
user experience
user feedback
user interface
windows 11
windows insider program
windows tips
windows updates
When Microsoft began testing a new, more streamlined taskbar for Windows 11, the intention seemed clear: reduce clutter, improve visual appeal, and give users a taste of leaner desktop organization. The update was modest at first glance—a tweak to the system tray that dropped the year from the...
clock format
design evolution
desktop environment
feature rollback
microsoft windows
minimalist ui
notification settings
system tray
taskbartaskbar customization
ui customization
ui revisions
user feedback
user interface
windows 11
windows 11 features
windows features
windows insider
windows tips
windows update
In the ever-evolving landscape of Windows 11, Microsoft’s bold attempts at streamlining the user interface have always sparked passionate reactions, and none more so than their experiment with a simplified System Tray layout on the Taskbar. Last year, enthusiasts witnessed Microsoft trial a new...
accessibility
digital clock
microsoft windows
minimalist ui
operating system
software development
system customization
system tray
taskbartaskbar customization
ui changes
ui design
ui feedback
ui trends
user experience
user feedback
user interface
windows 11
windows insider
windows update