Microsoft puts final touches on a gaming keyboard that’s a godsend for the ASUS ROG Ally and other gaming handhelds

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Microsoft puts final touches on a gaming keyboard that's a godsend for the ASUS ROG Ally and other gaming handhelds

What you need to know

  • Microsoft just released Windows 11 Build 22631.4387 to Insiders in the Release Preview Channel.
  • The update adds the ability to details from a connected smartphone through the Start menu.
  • A new Gamepad keyboard also makes its way to Windows 11 with this build, making it easier to enter text using a controller.

As a seasoned tech enthusiast with decades of tinkering under my belt, I must admit that the latest Windows 11 Build 22631.4387 has piqued my interest. The ability to access smartphone details directly from the Start menu on my PC is a feature I can see myself appreciating, especially when juggling multiple devices.

For Windows 11 users in the Release Preview Channel, you’ll find some exciting fresh features to experiment with and share feedback on. If your computer runs on Windows 11 Build 22631.4387 – the latest version now distributed to Insiders – you can now view mobile content directly from your smartphone within your PC’s Start menu. This updated menu will display battery status, connectivity information, and other essential details about your phone. Furthermore, Microsoft has been testing a new Gamepad keyboard with this Windows 11 Insider build.

In some instances with the Windows Insider build, certain features might not be immediately visible as they roll out progressively. Among the gradually appearing features are accessing key data from your phone and the new Gamepad keyboard, which is a significant enhancement in this version. The main advantage of the Gamepad keyboard is its ease of typing while using a controller, making it more accessible. With the Gamepad keyboard, you can use the X button for backspace, the Y button for the spacebar, and it also supports button accelerators. Unlike a physical keyboard where keys are staggered, the keys in the Gamepad keyboard are arranged vertically.

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For gamers who utilize an Xbox controller on their computer, the Gamepad keyboard appears to be a convenient supplement. It’s also expected to simplify typing when using top gaming handheld devices, especially those running Windows. However, you can continue to use other on-screen keyboards if you prefer different layouts.

In simpler terms, the Windows 11 Build 22631.4387 update introduces new features, one of which allows you to customize the Copilot key to launch a preferred application. You can find a complete list of these updates on Microsoft’s latest blog post.

Windows 11 Build 22631.4387: Gradual Rollout

  • [Start menu]New! You can directly access content on your mobile device from the Start menu on your PC. Using this feature, you can view your device’s battery status and connectivity, access your voice messages, calls, and photos, and pick up where you left off with the latest activities on your device. Only Android users who are already connected using Phone Link can get this feature. iOS support will be coming later. To manage this feature, go to Settings > Personalization > Start.
  • New! “All apps” has the new name, “All.”`
  • [Gamepad keyboard] New! This update starts the roll out of a new Gamepad keyboard layout for the on-screen keyboard. With it, you can use your Xbox controller to move around the screen and type. Button accelerators are also available; these include the X button for backspace and the Y button for the spacebar. For better movement patterns, the keyboard keys are aligned vertically.
  • [Notifications] New! You can now stop the suggestions to turn off notifications from certain apps. Select the ellipses (…) in the notification and turn it off. You can also go to Settings > System > Notifications and turn it off from there. Look for “Notification Suggestions” in the senders list. An entry will only appear in the list after you receive a notification.
  • [Settings] New! Tailored Experiences is now Personalized offers in the out of box experience (OOBE). You can find it on the Recommendations and offers page. Go to Settings > Privacy & security. Here, you can turn off the setting that sends data about your device to enhance Windows.

Windows 11 Build 22631.4387: Normal Rollout

  • [Copilot key settings] New! You can configure the Copilot key on the keyboard. On new devices, the key opens the Copilot app. If you sign in to your account using a Microsoft Entra ID, the key opens the M365 app. You can make the key open a different app or open Search. To do this, go to Settings > Personalization > Text input. To make the key open a different app, the app must be in a signed MSIX package. This ensures that the app meets security and privacy standards to keep you safe. If your PC’s keyboard does not have a Copilot key, changing this setting will do nothing.
  • [Battery use] Fixed: A device uses too much battery power while the device is in Modern Standby.
  • [Microsoft Teams] Fixed: The issue stops you from joining Teams meetings when you select an Outlook meeting reminder.
  • [vmswitch] Fixed: A vmswitch triggers a stop error. This occurs when you use Load Balancing and Failover (LBFO) teaming with two virtual switches on a virtual machine (VM). In this case, one virtual switch uses single root Input/Output virtualization (SR-IOV).
  • [Collector sets] Fixed: They do not close properly when an exception occurs during startup or while the set is active. Because of this, the command to stop a collector set stops responding.
  • [Product activation phone numbers] Fixed: This update adds new phone numbers for several regions.
  • [Multi-Function Printer (MFP)] Fixed: When you use a USB cable to connect to it, it prints specific network command text when you do want it to.
  • [Country and Operator Settings Asset (COSA)] Fixed: This update brings profiles up to date for certain mobile operators.
  • [Windows Hello for Business] Fixed: PIN reset does not work when you select the “I forgot my PIN’ link on the credentials screen.
  • [Windows Kernel Vulnerable Driver Blocklist file (DriverSiPolicy.p7b)] Fixed: This update adds to the list of drivers that are at risk for Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) attacks.
  • [WebView2 apps] Fixed: They do not detect input from Xbox 360 and Bluetooth controllers.
  • [Bluetooth] Fixed: An app stops responding because of a memory leak in a device.

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2024-10-11 16:39