Home windows 11’s subsequent characteristic replace generally known as ‘Second 5’ is now rolling out, albeit it’s nonetheless an optionally available replace at this level.
The preview replace KB5035942 turned obtainable yesterday, so just about everybody on Home windows 11 (23H2 and 22H2) ought to see it now – in the event that they verify for it.
As talked about, that is an optionally available set up, so it is going to solely present up for those who manually hearth up a verify within the Home windows Replace panel, whereupon you may then select to obtain KB5035942.
Keep in mind that because it’s nonetheless in testing, there might be wrinkles within the preview replace. However in order for you these new Second 5 options and might’t wait, properly, they’re up for grabs now.
At the moment, there are not any recognized points with KB5035942, however that’s not a assure you gained’t encounter technical hitches, in fact – it’s simply that they may not have been flagged up but.
On the time of writing, there are not any reported points on the Reddit thread saying the replace at any charge, which is an effective early signal – there’s only a warning that this one is a hefty obtain. Provided that it’s a significant characteristic replace, that’s to be anticipated, in fact.
Evaluation: Lock and cargo – or look forward to subsequent month?
What new options are offered by Second 5? There’s an intensive record of the recent additions in Microsoft’s help doc for the March 2024 preview replace, however let’s contact on a few of the highlights right here.
They embody new performance for the lock display screen in Home windows 11 within the type of playing cards that pipe via information on climate, shares, visitors and extra – a considerably controversial addition as some regard it as bloat. Thoughts you, for those who don’t like the concept, you don’t need to allow the lock display screen playing cards, and we should always be aware that that is rolling out step by step inside these adopting Second 5 proper now – so you might not see it but anyway.
The Voice Entry characteristic has additionally obtained a great deal of consideration right here, together with nifty new shortcuts for customized instructions (like pasting a boilerplate piece of textual content), and the flexibility to make use of voice controls over a number of displays for the primary time. Narrator has a raft of recent options too, and that features with the ability to use voice instructions with the display screen studying instrument, so you may verbally ask it to “communicate sooner” for instance.
For these not signed right into a Microsoft account, it’s additionally price noting that Copilot now permits you to run 10 queries, so that you can provide the AI assistant a fast trial with out being logged in. (Copilot is now rolling out to extra customers, by the way, so for those who haven’t seen it but, you may do very quickly).
So, must you bag all these options now? Properly, you might want to stability your need for brand spanking new toys to play with in opposition to the potential for defective bits in testing. Typically talking, the most secure plan of action is to attend for this to change into a completed cumulative replace in April, and set up Second 5 then. Nonetheless, for those who can’t look forward to any specific piece of performance – or vital bug repair, as there are some glitches resolved right here, too – you then may wish to go early on this one.
By way of Neowin
