14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has released the first preview build in a long time for the HoloLens, as the company is working on a major update for the headset that would be part of its Redstone 4 rollout.
Build 17123 comes with several improvements for HoloLens, and you can check the full changelog on Microsoft’s site here. There are also lots of enhancements for developers, and all of them are available on the same page. Keep in mind, however, that these are just part of a preview build, and certain bugs could still be possible.
This new release substantially improves the experience with HoloLens, and one of the highlights is the debut of File Explorer to manage your files. File Explorer is already a key part of Windows 10 on the desktop, and starting with this build it runs on HoloLens as well, making it easy to move and delete files straight from the headset.
Installing preview builds on the HoloLens
Additionally, Microsoft says that audio has been significantly refined and now you should be able to hear HoloLens better in noise environments, while also enjoying more “lifelike” sounds from apps.
And last but not least, this build also introduces support for MTP (Media Transfer Protocol), which technically means that users can connect HoloLens to their Windows 10 PCs and then access libraries, like photos, videos, and documents for quick transfers.
Installing the preview build on the headset isn’t exactly a simple process, but it’s not rocket science either, and if you follow Microsoft’s steps on the page linked above you should be able to complete the process quite easily. It involves downloading and installing the Windows Device Recovery Tool and then flashing the system image manually to the headset.
Obviously, only insiders can install this build, and you can opt-in to receive preview builds by going to Settings > Update & Security > Get Insider Preview builds > Get started.