14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has just released a new Windows 10 19H1 preview build for the Fast ring with lots of new features, including a simplified Start layout.
Windows 10 build 18305 is the latest major update released this year, and Microsoft introduces a new default Start layout for new devices, new user accounts, and clean installs.
“The new layout has been simplified into a sleek one column design with reduced top-level tiles. For the IT admins out there, don’t worry, commercial and education customers will also see a simplified layout tailored to these scenarios,” Microsoft says.
With this build, the software giant also introduces Windows Sandbox, a tool that lets you run files in a secure desktop environment, as well as Tamper Protection in Windows Defender Antivirus to prevent changes to security features in the operating system.
Microsoft has also updated the Protection History experience to provide more information on the discovered threats and available actions, and starting with this build, Controlled folder access blocks are also displayed in this screen.
Hello, kaomoji!
Windows 10 build 18305 continues Microsoft’s focus on emoji and provides users with access to symbols and kaomoji when pressing the Windows key + semicolon.
Clipboard history has been updated with a new look as well, and Microsoft is also working on making passwords obsolete by letting users with accounts configured with phone numbers to sign in using a code delivered via SMS.
The same build comes with a series of smaller refinements too, including shadows across the operating system.
“Shadows are part of our long-term vision of the evolution of Fluent Design, and we’re excited to bring them back to you today after addressing some of the feedback you shared with us following the initial rollout,” Microsoft says.
There are lots of other general changes and improvements, but also known issues, and you can check them in full in the box after the jump.