Microsoft released the latest Windows 11 preview build for the beta channel, but it has now split the beta channel into two groups: one gets a build with new features enabled and the other doesn’t. No one can choose which group they are in, and testers risk losing previously released features.
Such is the life of a Windows Insider Beta guinea pig who signed up for the beta channel to get new features earlier than others, and perhaps forgot that he’s also here to help Microsoft build Windows 11. as he sees fit. This includes removing previously acquired new features, which Microsoft does to some beta testers, although it may annoy them.
So, as Microsoft prepares the 22H2 version of Windows 11, the company thinks it’s worth dividing the beta channel into two groups, the “haves” and the “have-nots,” for new features.
New features
The main new feature Microsoft is making available to the Beta Channel today is the “suggested actions” feature, which it made available to the Dev Channel in May when it split its test builds of Windows 11 for Channels. Dev and Beta. At that time, Microsoft closed the ability for users to switch from the Dev channel to the Beta channel.
Suggested actions can speed up copy-paste and copy-call actions between applications by giving the user guidance on what to do next. For example, if a user copies a date, Windows suggests they create a calendar item, while copying a phone number prompts them to make a call with that number.
The other feature is OneDrive storage alert and subscription management in settings. The rollout of Microsoft 365 subscription management in Settings for the Dev channel began in May.
Starting today, Microsoft is enabling OneDrive 100GB standalone subscriptions in the Accounts page of Settings, similar to Microsoft 365 subscriptions. Users can view recurring billing, payment method, and OneDrive storage usage in Windows 11.
Transition period
Microsoft says split beta groups are for a “transition period” only. As noted, only a group of Windows 11 beta testers will automatically get new features in this and subsequent releases through an “enablement package”. The other group, which does not have this activation package, sees the new features disabled by default.
Today, Microsoft released Windows 11 build 22622.290 for the group that will get the new features, while the other group gets build 22621.290 with the new features disabled by default.
This transition will likely continue at least until the consumer version of Windows 22H2, which is expected around October.
“A group of Insiders in the beta channel will receive Build 22622.xxx updates which will have new features that will be rolled out or activated through an enablement package like how we release updates for Windows 10 today” today,” Microsoft explains in a blog post. “A group of Insiders in the beta channel will receive Build 22621.xxx updates which will have new features disabled by default. »
Restoring lost functionality is possible
The majority of beta channel users will receive the build with features enabled by default, according to Microsoft. But no one can decide which group he is in.
Microsoft acknowledges that Insiders “will want to choose which update they receive.” For those who find themselves in the group of users without default features, it is possible to refuse the update without features and install the update with the features. “Insiders who end up in the group where new features are disabled by default (Build 22621.xxxx) can check for updates and choose to install the update where features are enabled (Build 22622.xxx)” , says Microsoft.
Dividing beta groups allows Microsoft to see if a feature is stable enough to roll out on a larger scale or has too many bugs to release. “Based on this insight, it will help us make decisions on whether to make new features available to more Insiders by increasing their rollout or, in some cases, disable a feature. to fix bugs. The goal is to use comparison data to ensure the best possible experience as we try out new features and experiences with Windows Insiders in the beta channel,” Microsoft explains.
There’s another potentially annoying change for some beta testers. Some Insider testers who previously had Windows 11 features “may see them disappear.” Microsoft recommends installing the activation pack to restore lost functionality. “We realize this isn’t ideal, and we’re learning how to best adjust our deployments in the future to minimize disruption in preview experiences,” Microsoft said.
Source: ZDNet.com