Microsoft has been offering a new Windows 11 beta for a few hours, build 22635.4145. It introduces some new features, improvements and bug fixes. We also have some problems.
Available via update KB5041881, Windows 11 build 22635.4145 is intended for all PCs enrolled in the beta channel of the Windows Insider program. Microsoft introduces changes and improvements gradually.
Windows 11 build 22635.4145, the highlights
For new PC users or new managed commercial device accounts running Windows 11 Enterprise, Education or Pro and signed in with an Entra ID or domain, the Microsoft 365 app will now be pinned to the taskbar for easier access to Copilot Microsoft 365 .
Bluetooth mouse settings have been updated to provide an option to disable enhanced pointer precision. A new option also allows you to change the scroll direction. Also around the Bluetooth touch settings include an option to disable touch gestures on the left or right side of the screen.
Tweaks are being tested to improve the Windows Spotlight experience on the desktop (Windows Featured), with the introduction of interactive areas when right-clicking the Spotlight icon. These changes include two new UX approaches. In full screen you will now see two hotspots that will be animated for easier detection and that will reveal additional information when held down. Clicking on a hotspot closes the full-screen experience and launches the Bing home page.
The update also introduces the ability to share content directly to Notepad and Clipchamp from the Windows Share window.
As for the fixes, some are aimed at the file explorer to resolve a crash issue when navigating to the home page or interacting with archive files. Fixed a text readability issue in the Phone Link tab of the Start menu.
The update also brings fixes for various issues such as File Explorer navigation panel not updating in certain situations, shutdown error after hibernation, Windows Hello for Business related malfunctions, hangs when accessing symbolic links, loss of Bluetooth connection, as well as errors related to Microsoft Entra single sign-on and BitLocker.
Finally, even though it is a beta version, it offers a certain level of reliability for existing known issues. One concerns the Start menu, where the list of apps can break after clicking a letter. A system or Explorer restart may be required to resolve it.