14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has released a new Windows 11 preview build to users in the Dev channel, with the company this time rolling out a series of very important new features.
One of the most notable changes concerns the accessibility side of the operating system, as Microsoft has added a narrator Braille driver solution in build 25145.
“Braille devices will continue working while switching between Narrator and third-party screen readers as narrator will automatically change Braille drivers,” the company explains.
“We know that using Narrator with your braille display can cause problems when you switch to your third-party screen reader and continue to use your display. We are bringing some new technology to Windows to assist in solving this problem. Once configuration is complete you should be able to seamlessly switch between Narrator, JAWS, and NVDA with your braille display.”
Microsoft emphasizes that users must remove Narrator’s current braille support before enabling the new feature.
Other changes and improvements
The new build also comes with OneDrive storage alert and subscription management right in the Settings app of the operating system, while also making the legacy Local Administrator Password Solution, also known as LAPS, a native part of the operating system.
As it’s the case with every new Windows 11 preview build, this one comes with several other fixes and improvements, but also with other known issues, including two of them affecting live captions.
“Certain apps in full screen (e.g., video players) prevent live captions from being visible. Certain apps positioned near the top of the screen and closed before live captions is run will re-launch behind the live captions window positioned at top. Use the system menu (ALT + Spacebar) while the app has focus to move the app’s window further down,” Microsoft says.
The new build can be downloaded and installed from Windows Update right now.