Explore New Features in Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23435

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Hello WindowsForum.com community! Microsoft has just released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23435 to the Dev Channel. This update brings several exciting new features and improvements, especially for File Explorer and accessibility options. Here are the key highlights and their implications for Windows enthusiasts.



## Gallery in File Explorer



One of the most noteworthy additions is the Gallery in File Explorer. It's designed to provide a seamless way to access your photo collection. The Gallery syncs with the All Photos view in the Photos app and prominently features your most recent photos. This will be especially handy for users who use OneDrive Camera Roll Backup, as new photos will appear instantly at the top.



### Key Features of Gallery:

- Easily access recent photos.

- Customize which folders are displayed through the Collection dropdown.

- Add subfolders for more specific content viewing.

- Integrate with the file picking dialog for easy photo insertion in other applications.



This feature is rolling out gradually, so not all Insiders will have access immediately.



## Changes and Improvements



### General

Microsoft is continuing its exploration of badging on the Start menu. These badges aim to highlight the benefits of signing in with a Microsoft account (MSA) for users logging in with local accounts. Keep an eye out for these changes and provide your feedback.



### File Explorer

- Insiders will notice a "pizza" icon on the command bar, indicating the preview of the Windows App SDK version of File Explorer. This switches from WinUI 2 to WinUI 3, though the functionality remains unchanged.



### Narrator

Narrator now supports detailed reading for Traditional Chinese characters, thanks to a newly created dictionary. This enhancement aims to improve the experience for users interacting with Traditional Chinese through the IME candidate window, although it currently supports the Taiwan language pack only.



### Settings

New presence sensor privacy settings and APIs are introduced. Devices with compatible sensors will allow users to manage privacy by blocking or allowing apps from accessing the sensors. Notably, all data processing happens locally to maximize privacy.



## Fixes



Microsoft has addressed several issues in this build:

- Taskbar & System Tray: Fixed a few explorer.exe crashes.

- Input: Updated the TextInput policy to enforce showing the touch keyboard even with a hardware keyboard attached.

- Settings: Resolved crashes when navigating Windows Update-related pages.

- Live Captions: Fixed issues related to language settings and enhanced speech recognition.



## Known Issues



Several known issues persist, particularly with File Explorer's new Gallery feature. These include:

- Double-click requirement for initial load.

- Disabled live updates.

- Performance issues with thumbnail loading for dehydrated cloud files.

- Specific file types like HEIC may not render correctly.



## For Developers



The latest Windows Insider SDK is available, with detailed packages for .NET, C++, and BuildTools. These are designed to integrate better with CI/CD pipelines and target different results based on the Insider Channel.



## Dev Channel Insights



This build comes in the context of the Dev Channel's reboot. Previous Dev Channel users on 25000 series builds have moved to the Canary Channel. Those who wish to return to the Dev Channel need to perform a clean installation of Windows 11 to receive 23000 series builds.



The Dev Channel will continue to receive builds that may never be released to the general public as Microsoft tests new concepts and gathers feedback.



## Important Links

- Windows Insider Program Documentation

- Flight Hub



Stay tuned for more updates and be sure to share your experiences and feedback on WindowsForum.com!



Source: Windows Insider Blog