The most recent Windows 11 Beta release (number 22635.3500) includes new account administration, emailing, and widget functions that Microsoft is evaluating. The majority of users will value the new Beta features.
Microsoft started testing an account notification system for the Start Menu earlier this year. The latest Beta build extends this test, enabling you to click your Start Menu profile image to view the services linked to your Microsoft account. It’s a quick and simple method to find out how much storage space you still have on OneDrive or even when your Game Pass subscription expires.
Microsoft might also offer security advice through the account management popup in the Start Menu. The popup prompt asking to create a recovery email address is seen in one screenshot.
Email-wise, this beta version enables Gmail users to send themselves emails using the Windows 11 share menu. It’s a small but useful function that was previously limited to Outlook, Live, or Hotmail accounts.
If there are no advertisements, it isn’t Windows 11. As a result, Microsoft has added a new “Game Pass recommendation card” to the Settings tab. Only those who “actively play games on your PC” while logged into Windows using their Microsoft account will see this advertisement.
Microsoft is also evaluating a few of the latest Beta build’s widget enhancements. Insiders may now navigate between a variety of widget dashboards, including the standard Discover dashboard, a more straightforward board with just widgets, and brand-new custom boards created by outside developers. The third-party dashboards have the ability to notify users and can be utilized for certain activities. Nevertheless, beta testers within the European Economic Area are the only ones who can access the beta widgets’ capabilities. A subsequent date will see a broader rollout.
To be clear, only the Beta channel will get these modifications. Microsoft has also made some minor updates to the Canary channel, but nothing significant. The Dev channel is still in place.
Keep in mind that Windows 11 24H2 will still likely release in September of Q3 2024. The 24H2 update might not include any of the new features discussed in this article because it is likely to be based on the current Dev release (v26100).
The most recent Beta build can be manually updated by Windows Insiders. If you allow “get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” in Settings, these releases will be installed automatically. Join the Beta channel to test the newest features in Windows 11.