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Windows Insider 22579

2022-03-22 4 min read WindowsInsider Alex

BugBashBuild! :)

Back from vacation I finally installed the new Windows Insider Build 22579 in the Dev Channel and enjoyed already some of the new Quests! 😄

In a Nutshell what’s new what I’m excited about?

  • Exclude USB removable drives from encryption, which makes sense for specialized devices like video cameras, voice recorders, conferencing and medical systems. (this can currently only be enabled via MDM custom OMA-URI.)

  • Your Phone App, continuity with office documents, this will allow you to quickly access the last three documents on your phone, if you’re running:

Your Phone app version 1.22022.60.0 or higher. Older versions will not show recent apps even if you have a supported device. Office mobile app version 16.0.14931.20106 or higher.

A supported Android device. Recent Apps requires a deeper level of integration with the Android device and the team worked directly with Samsung to light this up. It is available on select Samsung devices that have Link to Windows, with OneUI 3.1.1 or higher and Link to Windows Service 2.3 or higher, such as:

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip
Samsung Galaxy S series
Samsung Galaxy Note series

Your Android device and PC need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for apps to launch on your PC.

  • After introducing the folders feature for the Start menu, it’s possible to name them.

  • General updates to UI with the new Print Queue experience and the Taskmanager.

For me the coolest part was actually the Bug Bash and by trying out some of the new features while doing the Quests, instead of “just” noticing them along the way of using my OS.. (so I did recognize features which were actually around for a longer time and went unnoticed by me so far.)

My personal highlights:

  • Open untrusted websites in isolated Application Guard Container
    Woah, nice one! :) In case you really need to open that scary looking URL, or you just don’t know, or you just wanna know, or you know.. 😁

What you need:
Windows 11 Enterprise, Pro, or Education edition
Hypervisor capabilities enabled in BIOS
At least 8GB RAM
AMD architecture
At least 5GB free disk space 64-bit CPU with at least 4 logical cores

((Activate application guard through Windows Features (& virtualization in your Bios in case you haven’t…))

Now you can open via the Edge Browser Menu … a protected Edge Browser Window, which can not interfere with your OS! 😄

Open Edge Browser in Application Guard Mode..

Containerized Edge Browser:

Edge in Application Guard Container..

Unless you allow interactions:

Application Guard Settings..

Fun Part, this is also available as a FireFox & Google Chrome extension:

Search for the extension in FireFox and add it..

Extension Installation..

add the companion app from the Microsoft store/restart Firefox..

Missing Companions..

now you have an additional icon where you can launch the protected Edge Extension..

There you go!..

You will recognize the protected browser by it’s icon in the taskbar, which carries a Defender Shield! 😃

Defender Icon on Edge..

  • Equally impressive for me was my first encounter with Voice Commands, they are around since an earlier build:

Link: Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22518

I went through the Quest and navigated my PC only by using my voice, which is quite an impressive thing to do I think and I know people who will be happy when this feature matures..

Treats make me happy! ..

Afterwards I’ve tried to write an email by using voice commands only and recognized it takes a small learning curve to get used and acqainted with the commands and navigation the OS, plus I think that Multi Monitor Setups are not very supported (yet).

Link: Voice Commands List

So sure it is still bumby and has some edges, but altogether this is a really cool feature and definitely the right way to go..

..downside for me was, that I’ve decided to reactivate Cortana after a while and recognized her voice was changed. 😢

I initially just turned her off, as she got activated by voice commands coming from a Netflix show which wasn’t the right trick. 😉

So far so good
cheers & regards,
Alex