Microsoft has released another new Windows 11 Insider build to the Dev Channel, bumping the version number up to 25309, and at the same time released a pair of Beta Channel builds, 22621.1391 and 22624.1391. Interestingly, although the dual Beta Channel builds aren’t unusual, the “new features rolling out” build has upped the build number from 22623.x to 22624.
Here’s what’s new for the Dev Channel in 25309, as it turns out quite a bit actually:
New volume mixer experience
Quick settings is getting a new volume mixer experience, complete with a new keyboard shortcut (WIN+CTRL+V):
The updated audio quick settings experience brings a modern volume mixer that allows for quick customization of audio on a per-app basis, with additional control to swap devices on the fly.
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In addition, we’ve made it easier for users to enable their Windows Sonic experience with a quick access list of installed spatial sound technology. You can visit the Microsoft Store to find additional spatial sound technology to choose from such as Dolby and DTS.
Updated touch keyboard settings are back
Microsoft introduced a new set of touch keyboard settings with Insider build 25188, but then pulled them in 25217. Now they’re back after undergoing some fixes. The new settings replace the “Show the touch keyboard when there’s no keyboard attached” checkbox with a new dropdown menu that allows the following tweaks:
- “Never” suppresses the touch keyboard even when no hardware keyboard is attached.
- “When no keyboard attached” will show the touch keyboard only when the device is used as a tablet without the hardware keyboard.
- “Always” will show the touch keyboard even when the hardware keyboard is attached.
Expansion of Auto Color Management (ACM)
ACM first appeared last October, but now Dev Channel Insiders “will be able to turn ACM on for their SDR displays and have all colors across all Windows apps, whether or not they are color-managed, appear accurately and consistently on every supported display.”
Improvements to Voice Access
Voice Access in Windows 11 is getting some new improvements in this Dev Channel build, including:
- A redesigned command help page
- expanded English dialects support (-UK, -India, -New Zealand, -Canada, and -Australia)
- new text selection and editing commands
Start Menu treatment explorations
Microsoft is looking for feedback on these new variations on the Start Menu.
Along with these new features, there’s quite a list of changes, fixes and known issues, be sure to check out the Windows Insider blog post for all the details.
Beta Channel builds 22623.1391 and 22624.1391
As noted, the build number has been bumped up, and Windows Insiders previously in the 22623 series will be moved to 22624.x via an enablement package. They’ll then get a package of Voice Access improvements as noted above, and another list of fixes and known issues.
As we previously told you, Microsoft has opened up a window for opting out of the Beta Channel, but only for about the next week, so now’s the time to make the jump if you want out without a clean install.
How’s your Windows Insider experience? Let us know in the comments below.