- The Settings app on Windows 11 is about to receive several improvements.
- Some of these changes include new settings to manage USB 4.0 devices.
- New Cloud PC with TaskView integration, Dev Drive settings, and backgrounds with depth effects.
- Windows 11 will also offer a new way to reinstall the operating system and more.
A new page to manage USB4 devices and Cloud PC with TaskView integration settings are among the additional enhancements that the Settings app in the most recent Windows 11 preview exposes in addition to the official revisions.
The most recent preview of Windows 11 also conceals the ability to use the Dev Drive option to build virtual drives, Depth Effects to create new wallpaper effects, a new method of reinstalling the operating system to fix issues, and the addition of VBScript as an optional feature.
USB4 Hubs and devices
To view and manage USB 4.0 devices, the Settings app on build 25314 has a new USB4 Hubs and devices settings page on Settings>Bluetooth & devices>USB. The business seems to be preparing ahead and creating the required settings to operate these devices from the Settings app, even though there aren’t many gadgets that use this technology.
Cloud PC with TaskView integration
Employees can work remotely thanks to Microsoft’s Cloud PC service, which enables companies to set up and operate virtual machines in the cloud from a desktop via a remote connection.
To access Windows 11 or 10 devices in the cloud, you currently need to install the Cloud PC app. However, the business is now striving to combine the Cloud PC experience with TaskView.
The goal of this integration is to make the Cloud PC feel like another virtual desktop within TaskView, so you can transition between your local desktop and cloud device without having to flip between them like you would with any other Taskbar app. The new option is hidden under Settings>System>Cloud PC.
Dev Drive settings
The software behemoth is also working on bringing the capability of creating Virtual Hard Disks (VHDs) to the Settings app in Windows 11, specifically under Privacy & security>For developers>Create a Dev Drive.
Along with adjusting other settings and resizing existing volumes, the new page will allow you to build and manage VHDs and Dev Drives.
Depth effects for backgrounds
Microsoft appears to be testing a new depth effects option for the Backgroundpage in the Settings app’s customization area as part of the customization enhancements. The function is designed to use AI to give backdrop images a parallax effect.
Although the exact implementation of this feature is still unknown, parallax scrolling is the process of adding various background layers that move at varying speeds to create the illusion of depth.
The option is called Depth effects, and its description is to use AI to add depth effects to backdrop photos when it’s available.
VBScript goes optional
The VBScript platform will be an optional feature in Windows 11; you can add or delete it under Settings>Apps>Optional features.
You may design and automate processes to manage files, run apps, and alter Registry settings using the well-known scripting engine VBScript.
PowerShell is currently the recommended way to build, execute, and automate procedures, even though VBScript is still used. However, Microsoft intends to make the scripting engine an optional install rather than completely eliminating it.
Reinstall option
Windows 11 already offers the option to reset your computer by either wiping everything and starting over with a clean installation, or reinstalling the operating system while preserving your files, settings, and apps. A new reinstall function, though, appears to be on the horizon.
Fix problems with Windows Update is the name of the feature, which was first found on build 25284. However, in build 25314, you can access the functionality from Settings>System>Recovery, which provides you with an overview of how it will function.
The description states that the feature will reinstall the most recent version of Windows while keeping your files, programs, and settings intact in an effort to repair system component corruptions.
According to the description, the tool will function precisely like the “Reset this PC” feature, which allows you to keep your files, apps, and settings intact. This suggests that Microsoft might divide the reset function into two distinct choices.
While build 25314 has the majority of these enhancements, build 25309 has several additional (such depth effects, VBScript, and Dev Drive). Additionally, keep in mind that these are experimental characteristics. They are therefore hidden and inaccessible during normal installation. You must use third-party tools like ViveTool in order to test these features.