14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has just released the second update for Windows 10 Technical Preview, making new features and improvements available for members who registered for the Windows Insider Program.
As was the case with the first Windows 10 Technical Preview update, the new version is available via the integrated update system, so no other input is required, as all improvements are downloaded and installed automatically.
Just like it was rumored in the last few days, the new Windows 10 TP build comes with enhancements based on consumer feedback and includes options that are supposed to make it easier for users to work on the desktop.
What's new in Windows 10 Technical Preview build 9879
First and foremost, the new Windows 10 build comes with options to hide and show the Task view and the Search buttons on the taskbar, two of the features that were initially released as part of the original 9841 Technical Preview version in early October.
Microsoft says that it received plenty of requests in this regard, so users now have dedicated options to disable them by simply right-clicking the taskbar.
“One of your top suggestions really made an impact on our designs for the taskbar,” Microsoft stated, trying to emphasize that consumer feedback played a decisive role this time.
At the same time, Microsoft also introduced new windows animations that work smoother on all computers, as some complained that the original effects were a bit annoying. A new button for Charms that adopts the “hamburger” design is also available in Metro apps, thus replacing the original three-dot symbol.
One of the improvements that have already been spotted in internal builds is finger gesture support, and with this new release, the feature finally becomes available to everyone. Here are the supported gestures for now:
3 finger up -> Task View 3 finger down -> Show Desktop 3 finger flick to left or right -> switches to previous app (go back 1) 3 finger move left or right -> Alt-Tab (Task View) pops up and you can select the app you want (remove fingers to select) 3 finger tap -> Search
OneDrive also comes with significant improvements, so now you can right-click the OneDrive folder and configure settings such as auto save, folders synced offline and many others.
Last but not least, Microsoft has also introduced the smiley-based feedback system in Internet Explorer that was first spotted a few days ago in leaked photos, as well as native MKV support which was already there since build 9860 but with some bugs.
Some new icons are also available, and so are options to pin your favorite folders to the Home section in File Explorer.
Microsoft also says that it has fixed tons of bugs that users found after the release of Windows 10 Technical Preview build 9860, so many changes have been made under the hood for better performance.
