Windows 10 20H1 build 18945 hits Fast ring with new Cortana experience

Microsoft pushed out a new Windows x 20H1 build for Insiders on the Fast ring today. Pushing the build number upward to 18945, this release includes a new Cortana experience, along with improvements to the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).

The new Cortana experience will wait familiar to those who accept been keeping up with Microsoft's backside-the-scenes tweaks over the past month or and so. It's more of a conversational mode, better performance, and support for both nighttime and light themes.

Here'southward a full look at what'south new and improved.

What's new in Build 18945

Introducing a new Cortana experience for Windows ten

We are start to roll out a new Cortana feel for Windows 10 as a Beta to Windows Insiders in the U.S. This new feel features a brand-new chat-based UI that gives you the ability to type or speak tongue queries.

It supports most of the Cortana features people bask using on Windows, such equally Bing answers, Assistant conversations, opening apps, managing lists, and setting reminders, alarms, and timers. And we've added some new features nosotros think people will enjoy:

Cortana now supports both light and dark themes in Windows.

Nosotros have created a new, less intrusive screen for "Hey Cortana" queries so you can stay in the flow while you lot work.

We accept updated Cortana with new speech and language models, and significantly improved performance – making it faster and more reliable than ever before.

Non all the features from the previous Cortana experience are available but yet. As a Beta, nosotros plan to add more features over time with updates to Cortana from the Microsoft Store.

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Improvements: Added connecting via localhost to WSL 2 Linux apps from Windows and global WSL configuration options

You lot'll now be able to connect to your WSL 2 Linux networking applications using localhost. For example, the image below shows starting a NodeJS server in a WSL 2 distro, and then connecting to it in the Edge Browser with localhost.

Additionally, we've added global configuration options for WSL. These are options that will apply to each of your WSL distros. This besides allows you to specify options that relate to the WSL 2 virtual machine (VM), every bit all your WSL 2 distros run inside of the same VM. The near exciting selection that yous'll get access to in this build is being able to specify a custom Linux kernel!

Narrator now provides a more efficient reading experience when reading messages in Outlook or Windows Mail

When the message is opened, Scan Style volition plough on automatically. This allows the user to employ their pointer keys to read the message in addition to all other Scan Mode hotkeys to jump through the text of the bulletin.

Email letters like newsletters and marketing content are frequently formatted using tables to visually correspond the look of the message. For a screen reader user, this information is not needed while reading the message. Narrator now recognizes some of these situations and will remove the information about the tabular array to allow you to speedily move through the text independent in the message. This lets yous to be much more efficient while reading these types of email messages.

Narrator's Outlook folder reading has been enhanced for an optimal triaging experience

As you read through your emails in Outlook, such equally the inbox, Narrator now reads the information more efficiently. Each line item at present starts with the status of the e-mail, such every bit unread, forwarded, etc., followed past the other columns, such as from, subject, etc. Column headers volition exist silenced and columns with no data or that have the default (expected value) will be silenced, such as normal importance or unflagged, etc. While in Outlook, headers can exist turned back on by pressing Narrator + H which will toggle their reading on and off.

Text cursor indicator

Have you e'er had an upshot finding the text cursor in the middle of a large corporeality of text, during a presentation, or on the screen in an educational setting? The new Text cursor indicator will assistance you see and observe the text cursor wherever you are at whatsoever time! Select from a range of sizes for the text cursor indicator and brand it a color like shooting fish in a barrel for you to meet. Or, personalize the color of your text cursor indicator to your personal preference. In the Ease of Admission settings, open the new Text cursor page, turn on the text cursor indicator, and never lose track of your text cursor ever again!

Updated File Explorer search rolling out to all Insiders

Over the adjacent few days, the new File Explorer search experience will be rolling out to all Insiders in the Fast band! Thanks everyone who's shared feedback so far and helped u.s. to ameliorate the feel. Please don't hesitate to share any other comments – you can file feedback for this surface area under Files, Folders, and Storage > File Explorer in the Feedback Hub.

General changes, improvements, and fixes for PC

We have fixed the issue causing some Insides to experience install failures with error code c1900101 due to a compatibility bug with a storage driver on their device.

We've made a few fixes to improve reliability when installing a Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 distro.

We are extending Windows Defender ATP capabilities across the Windows Os and equally a result are renaming to Microsoft Defender to reverberate our cross-platform approach to endpoint security.

Nosotros fixed an issue where Settings might crash if you lot selected Activation under Updates & Security.

If your network connexion is unexpectedly asunder, the Miracast imprint will now have a close button for yous to use if needed.

We fixed an issue where the Performance tab of Task Manager wouldn't expand from a complanate land if you double clicked on the text.

We've updated the Details tab of Task Managing director so if you lot right-click a process, Provide Feedback will now be listed after End Task and End Process Tree (rather than betwixt).

We fixed an consequence where the network icon in the taskbar might show that in that location was no internet, even though there really was connection.

We fixed an issue impacting Windows Hullo reliability in recent flights.

We fixed an issue where if y'all manually updated the DNS server settings in Settings, information technology wouldn't utilise.

Nosotros fixed an consequence from the previous 2 flights resulting in mobile hotspot unexpectedly turning off if enabled.

Nosotros fixed an outcome that could upshot in the system hanging after resume from hibernation.

We stock-still an event potentially resulting in the error, "MMC has detected an error in a snap-in and will unload information technology." when you endeavour to expand, view, or create Custom Views in Event Viewer.

Your Telephone app – Expanding telephone model back up for Phone screen

We are continuing to expand support for Phone screen. Today, we're excited to announce the characteristic availability for these devices:

Samsung Galaxy A6, Samsung Galaxy A7, Samsung Galaxy A9, Samsung Galaxy A10, Samsung Milky way A20, Samsung Milky way A30, Samsung Galaxy A50, Samsung Galaxy A70, and Samsung Galaxy S8 Agile

For more than on build 18945, you can check out the full release notes, including a await at the known problems, t the Windows Blog. Otherwise, Windows Insiders on the Fast ring can download the build via Windows Update now.

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Panasonic eneloop AA batteries (From $13 at Dell)

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Belkin Qi Wireless Charging Pad ($30 at Dell)

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