TL;DR: Microsoft just released a new build for Windows Insiders, and while it may not seem significant on paper, it brings two notable upgrades to the taskbar. Build 26120.1542 for the Dev Channel enhances the Widgets icon by giving it more prominence and introduces new keyboard shortcuts for quickly navigating between apps and windows.
The first change introduces a new entry point for the Widgets feature on left-aligned taskbars. Instead of being tucked away in the corner, the Widgets icon will now move to the left side of the system tray area. Microsoft says this new positioning gives it more room to showcase “richer content” previews directly on the taskbar.
Additionally, when you hover over this newly aligned icon, the full Widgets board will slide out from the right side of the screen instead of the left.
The standout feature in this build, however, is the new keystroke navigation for switching between taskbar apps. After pressing the Win+T shortcut to focus on the taskbar, you can press a letter key to instantly jump to any open or pinned app whose name starts with that letter. If you have multiple apps starting with the same letter, you can continue tapping that key to cycle through them one by one.
This shortcut works a bit differently if you’re using an uncombined taskbar. In that case, it jumps between window titles instead of app names. Either way, it’s a quick and efficient trick for rapidly switching between your most-used programs without taking your hands off the keyboard.
As a bonus, this build also adds Home and End key functionality to taskbar navigation. A quick tap of the Home key will instantly focus on the first item on the taskbar, while pressing End will shift the focus to the last one.
As usual, Microsoft is cautious about making promises, noting that features and experiences in these builds “may never get released.”
Microsoft seems to be on a roll with Start menu and taskbar upgrades, and this fresh pair of features joins several other enhancements currently being tested.
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Conclusion:
Microsoft’s latest Windows Insiders build may not have seemed groundbreaking at first glance, but the enhancements to the taskbar with the Widgets icon and new keyboard shortcuts bring a fresh usability to daily interactions with your device.
The shift of the Widgets icon to a more prominent position on the taskbar allows for quicker access to richer content previews, enhancing the overall user experience. The new keystroke navigation for switching between taskbar apps provides a convenient and efficient way to move between programs without interrupting your workflow.
With Microsoft continuously testing and rolling out new features and upgrades, users can look forward to more innovative changes in the future. While not all features in these builds may see a public release, the experimentation and improvements being made indicate a continued focus on enhancing the Windows operating system for users.
Stay tuned for more updates and exciting developments as Microsoft continues to refine and innovate in the world of software and technology.
