Windows 11 Preview Build KB5050085: New Features & Improvements Unveiled

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Microsoft has pushed out a shiny new preview build for Windows 11 through their Beta Channel, and this one is packed with goodies. Buckle up as we unpack KB5050085—a release that not only offers a new way to peek into your PC's inner workings but also brings improvements to backups, accessibility, and even how you search on Windows.
If you’re the kind of tech enthusiast who loves knowing what’s happening under the hood of your machine—or just want a smoother Windows experience—keep reading. This build might just make your day.

The Game-Changer: 'Top Cards' in the Settings App

First up, let’s talk about "Top Cards," perhaps the feature most likely to generate buzz. These cards are essentially a quick-access summary of your PC’s hardware specs displayed conveniently within the Windows Settings app. Imagine opening your computer and being greeted with a sleek little dashboard that showcases your processor, RAM, storage, and GPU at a glance—no clicking into multiple settings panels, no guessing games.

Why Does This Matter?

This feature isn’t purely cosmetic. Microsoft is marketing it as more than just eye candy; the goal is to "simplify decision-making" when it comes to hardware upgrades. Whether you’re thinking of adding more RAM for better multitasking, swapping out your HDD for an SSD, or simply identifying your GPU before diving into a game, Top Cards provide a friendly, fast snapshot of what’s under the hood. This could prove particularly handy for those less familiar with how to dig into system specs manually.
However, if you’re sitting at a managed commercial PC (typically found in corporate environments), you won’t see these Top Cards appear. Why? Likely because managed PCs have stricter privacy policies and more locked-down configurations.
And here’s where clarity becomes essential: These Top Cards should not be mixed up with Microsoft’s "interactive cards" from earlier updates in the Settings app. The Top Cards are static and meant purely for easy reference.

Windows Backup Gets Smarter

Backing up and restoring your data often feels like a maze, but KB5050085 has taken a step toward simplifying this process too. Here’s the deal: when you restore from a backup via the Windows Setup experience (the so-called "Out-Of-Box Experience" or OOBE), you’ll now return to a fresh Windows 11 desktop featuring a standard taskbar complete with the Start menu and Search bar front and center.
What really stands out is this little detail: any customized toolbar you had in your previous setup will now appear in both the Start menu and the Search function after the restore process. Microsoft is inching closer to that seamless setup experience we’ve been dreaming of.

Improved Text Scaling for Accessibility Fans

Now, let’s zoom (pun intended) into a life-saver for users who rely on accessibility features. File Explorer, file dialog boxes like Save or Open, and even copy dialogs are now more responsive when you adjust text scaling. If you frequently change text size via Settings > Accessibility > Text Size, expect smoother interactions throughout these parts of the OS.
Why is this big news? Accessibility improvements often go unnoticed by users who don’t rely on these features, but for folks who do, every tweak makes a significant difference. Larger text should no longer throw off File Explorer’s UI or cause minor glitches—making Microsoft’s commitment to inclusivity more than just lip service.

Web Search Updates (Especially for the EEA)

Residents of the European Economic Area (EEA) will notice additional tweaks to Windows Search, specifically around web search providers. Microsoft has upped its game by adding more explicit provider attribution in search tabs. This is likely related to compliance with European Union regulations that aim to grant users more transparency about which providers are handling their search queries.
Although it’s a minor change for most users, it hints at Microsoft’s broader efforts to balance functionality and privacy compliance in global markets.

Performance Boosts Across File Explorer and Beyond

Good news: File Explorer, one of the most adored (and occasionally infuriating) parts of Windows 11, has received additional performance tuning. This is especially welcome for users who’ve struggled with sluggishness in setups where high text size scaling is enabled. While the details of specific performance upgrades remain sparse, expect your File Explorer to feel snappier after applying this build.

Bug Fixes: The Good, The Bad, and the Crashing

No update is complete without a patch list, and KB5050085 is no exception. Bugs squashed in this release include:
  • Enhanced text scaling support for dialogs in File Explorer, ensuring accessibility features work as expected.
  • Standardized taskbar deployment after system restore, keeping your apps pinned and easy to find.
  • General performance tweaks tied to File Explorer.
However, there are still a couple of hiccups to watch out for, including:
  1. File Explorer Rendering Issues: If you minimize and restore a File Explorer window in this build, it might not visually render properly.
  2. Settings App Crash: The Settings app’s Home page could fail to load, although individual settings pages remain accessible via the taskbar search bar.
  3. Enterprise Features Showing Up When They Shouldn’t: Microsoft has flagged certain enterprise-setting cards as appearing on non-enterprise machines. While this is a minor oversight, it’s bound to confuse some users.

Is KB5050085 Worth a Try?

If these features spark excitement and you’re feeling adventurous, this preview build is ready and waiting for you in the Beta Channel. Remember, like any beta software, it runs the risk of including bugs or compatibility issues, so it’s worth testing on a secondary machine if you can.
For the average user, the improvements to accessibility and the Top Cards feature are easily the highlights—offering real-world convenience for those who care about system specs and performance tuning.
Meanwhile, Microsoft’s subtle adjustments to web search functionality and its ongoing enhancements for performance and usability prove that the company is listening to feedback (even if they don’t fix everything immediately).

Your Move, Microsoft Enthusiasts

So, are you ready to take KB5050085 for a spin? Whether you’re an old-school tuner who loves tweaking hardware or a casual user curious about Windows' progress, this build has a little something for everyone. Dive into the Beta Channel to explore, but don’t forget to back up your data first—just in case those known issues catch you by surprise.
What do you think of these changes? Are you excited about Top Cards or do you see it as "too little, too late"? Let us know on the forum! Windows 11 keeps evolving—now it’s your turn to weigh in.

Source: Windows Report Windows 11 Beta's KB5050085 provides a new (and very useful) way of checking out your PC's specs
 


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