- Windows 11 build 23403 is now rolling out in the Dev Channel.
- The update brings various improvements for the new version of File Explorer.
- Microsoft is also rolling out changes for Voice Access, Settings, Live Captions, Windows Narrator, and Kiosk mode.
For devices that are part of the Windows Insider Program’s Dev Channel, Microsoft is currently releasing Windows 11 build 23403. This is a major update that includes some intriguing fixes, enhancements, and new features.
According to the official modifications, Build 23403 for Windows 11 brings new features to the File Explorer, such as important shortcuts for the context menu and file suggestions. Voice Access adds new commands, improves its command help page, and adds more English dialects. Additional languages are added to the Live Captions feature. Additionally, this flight includes updates to the Taskbar, Outlook support in Windows Narrator, multi-app Kiosk mode, and Touch Keyboard settings.
It’s crucial to remember that the firm has established a new Canary Channel to test new features and updates for upcoming Windows releases (like Windows 12), therefore this is the first build in the 23xxx series that is accessible through the Dev Channel.
Windows 11 build 23403 changes
The Dev Channel’s most recent version of Windows 11 has the following enhancements and new features:
File Explorer
Microsoft includes access key shortcuts in the XAML context menu to enable speedy command execution as part of the File Explorer enhancements. Using the Shift + F10 keyboard shortcut or choosing the file and clicking the Menu key on the keyboard will bring up the shortcuts view.
Additionally, the newRecommended section on the Home page now allows users to recommend pertinent files. The recent files that are still accessible on the same page are in addition to this.
The business claims that customers who are logged into Windows using an Azure Active Directory (AAD) account can access the feature. The files that are suggested will be cloud files linked to that account, either shared or owned by the user.
Voice Access
Windows 11 improved the Voice Access app’s command page in build 23403 to make the capability easier to use. For instance, users may easily locate commands using the search box, and additional advice is offered by the several categories on the left. Additionally, each command now includes a description and examples of its alternatives, which makes it simpler to use and comprehend.
Other English dialects, such as English-UK, English-India, English-New Zealand, English-Canada, and English-Australia, will also be included to Voice Access by Microsoft.
Lastly, a few new commands are also included in the feature:
- To select a range of text in the text box say Select from [text 1] to [text 2] , or Select from have to voice access.
- To delete all the text in a text box say Delete all.
- To Apply bold/underline/italicize formatting on the selected text or last dictated text say Bold that, Underline that , Italicize that.
- To remove all whitespaces from the selected text or last dictated text say no space that.
- To insert text at the cursor and capitalize the first letter of each word say Caps [text], Caps hello world.
- To insert text at the cursor without any whitespace before text say No space [text], No space Davis.
Touch Keyboard settings
Following installation of this update, a new touch keyboard setting—which comprises the following options—will be added to the Typing settings page in place of the previous one, Show the touch keyboard when there is no keyboard attached.
-
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.
Windows Narrator
Changes to Windows Narrator are also included in Windows 11 build 23403. For instance, when Windows Narrator is launched, the feature will now retrieve updates to its Outlook support. Additionally, Narrator’s Outlook support is restricted to English in the United States. In a later flight, other languages will be offered.
Kiosk mode with multiple apps
Network administrators can now configure access to multiple apps while restricting all other system operations thanks to modifications made to Kiosk mode in this flight.
PowerShell and WMI Bridge can be used to enable the multi-app kiosk mode in this release via the Dev Channel. Future upgrades will provide support for provisioning package setup and Intune/MDM.
Taskbar
There are other small adjustments in the Taskbar. To rapidly copy two-factor authentication (2FA) codes in notification toasts from computer apps or phones connected to the device, for example, you will now have a copy button.
When connecting to a recognized VPN profile, the System Tray’s network icon now displays a VPN shield badge icon.
When utilizing a custom color style, such as dark mode, the Taskbar’s search box will now display a lighter hue.
Fixes and improvements
Numerous updates and enhancements for the Taskbar, Input, Settings, File Explorer, and other areas are also included in this flight.
Taskbar
- Fixed rendering issues when using the touch keyboard with the search box on the Taskbar.
- Fixed an issue when double-clicking the search highlight glyph in the search box makes it disappear.
- Fixed an issue where the search box would randomly disappear.
- Fixed an issue where the search icon flips incorrectly for right-to-left (RTL) languages.
- Fixed an issue where you might have seen some text flicker in the search box when you click into it.
- Fixed an issue where the search box might disappear on one monitor if you are using multiple monitors.
- Made some accessibility fixes to the settings for search under Settings > Personalization > Taskbar.
Input
- Updated the Simplified Chinese handwriting recognition engine to be faster and more accurate as well as supported characters defined in GB18030-2022.
File Explorer
- Fixed an underlying issue believed to be the cause of File Explorer unexpectedly jumping into the foreground sometimes.
Settings
- Right-clicking on a Win32 app in Start, or searching for the app, and choosing Uninstall will now take you to the Settings to uninstall the app.
Windowing
- Fixed an issue where if you maximized a window and then dragged it along the top of the screen into the corner could result in the app getting stuck and not being able to resize.
- Apps like Microsoft Edge should no longer unexpectedly show thick lines on the side of the windows.
- Fixed a DWM crash which was introduced in the latest Dev Channel flights.
- If you have two monitors on top of each other, the Desktops list in Task View should no longer appear floating in the middle of Task View.
Additionally, there are documented problems with Voice Access, Live Captions, and File Explorer with this edition.
Install build 23403
To download and install Windows 11 build 23403, use the Windows Insider Program settings from the Windows Update section to enroll your device in the Dev Channel.
You can get build 23403 from the Windows Update settings by clicking the Check for Updates button after enrolling the computer in the program. If you are new to the Windows Insider Program, however, you will need a device that satisfies the minimal system requirements in order to receive the update.