Silence! If you are in the mood for some peace and quiet then Windows 11 build 22494 is here to oblige. The main new addition in this version is a new Mute button right in the Taskbar.
This latest preview for Insiders landed in the Dev channel, primarily with fixes, but with a small array of improvements too.
As Microsoft details, the new Mute button comes in handy during Teams calls. This new addition enables you to see your audio call status, find out what app is accessing your microphone, and quickly mute and unmute your calls at any time.
This is the icon that will appear when you join a Teams call, ensuring that not only do you have easy access to it, no app or window can cover it.
In case you want to test this right away, be in the know that this feature will not be available for everyone straight away. As has become the norm for Redmond, availability of new features usually begins with a subset of Insiders, and then ramps up over time before becoming generally available.
But it should not be too long before you get in on this, if not right after upgrading to this test build.
This is about the only new thing in this version.
Unless we are talking about improvements, of which there are a handful of minor ones.
Microsoft is trying out showing snap groups in Alt + Tab and Task View, just like when you hover open apps on the Taskbar. The company plans to gather feedback on this new option and see how it lands before pushing it out to everyone.
It is also now easier to manage defaults for file and link types, as Windows 11 now shows a dropdown of options containing your current query without having to first press enter.
For the full detail, and the rather long list of fixes, point your browser to the link above.
As usual, build 22494 should be available for users enrolled in the Dev channel of the Windows Insider Program. Simply fire up Windows Update and find it there.
