Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 20197 Released For Download And Install Contains New Powerful Settings Menu

Alap Naik DesaiAugust 22, 2020
3 minutes read
Microsoft confirms Windows 10 Patch Tuesday updates
Windows 10

After a failed release earlier this week, Microsoft’s Windows Insider team has released the Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 20197 to the Dev Channel. Some of the most noted changes include an even more powerful Settings App, alteration of the ALT+TAB behavior, and few more tweaks in addition to bug fixes as well as stability improvements.

The Windows Insider team had tweeted that it couldn’t release a new build to Insiders in the Dev Channel due to a blocking bug. It appears the bugs have been addressed. The Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 20197 is following up on the commitment by Microsoft to make the Settings App even more powerful while degrading the Control Panel.

Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 20197 Released For Dev Channel:

The Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 20197 is an interesting release simply because Microsoft has indicated that the features included in the same might not make it into the earliest available final or stable. Simply put, Microsoft has insisted that these builds aren’t tied to any specific version of the operating system and can be packaged with any of the future versions.

Incidentally, in addition to the Preview Build, Microsoft has also announced it is starting the pre-release validation process for the upcoming Windows 10, version 20H2. The Windows OS maker claims the Windows 10 20H2 will be a “remarkably fast update” for those on version 2004.

There a couple of big changes to Windows 10 OS from the Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 20197. One of them is the revised Disk Management, which is now included in the Settings App. Windows 10 users will be able to manage the installed disks and their drive volumes from within the Settings app. This includes tasks such as viewing disk information, creating and formatting volumes, and assigning drive letters.

Microsoft notes that the new Disk Management is quite unlike the existing Disk Management MMC snap-in feature. It has been reportedly built from the ground up with accessibility in mind. Storage Spaces and the Storage breakdown page are now easily accessible. The new Disk Management can be accessed by going to Settings > System > Storage and clicking Manage Disks and Volumes.

The second most notable change is to the ALT+TAB Behavior with Microsoft Edge tabs. Clicking the combination will now have a default of displaying at most 5 tabs, rather than any recent tabs. This can be changed under Settings > System > Multitasking.

Notable Changes In Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 20197:

Besides the aforementioned improvements, there are several more subtle but seemingly useful changes that Microsoft is attempting to test. One of the most anticipated ones is the ‘Your Phone’ apps feature which allows users to instantly access their Android phone’s mobile apps directly from a Windows 10 PC.

The company has strongly urged Windows Insider and Dev Channel participants to offer their feedback. Below are the Changes, improvements, and fixes:

  • A Web Browsing section is included in the Settings header
  • Only the currently active profile picture will display under Your Info in Settings.
  • ESENT Warning Event ID 642 is turned off.
  • It’s now possible to select the new Microsoft Edge as your desired app in Assigned Assess.
  • Fixed an issue where ALT + Tabbing to a browser tab sometimes moved the previously active browser tab to the front of the Alt + Tab list as well.
  • Fixed an issue where the sysprep command was failing with the error 0x80073CFA in the last few builds.

There are several more changes and fixes, which users can read here. Interestingly, Microsoft has included a rather long list of ‘Known Issues’, which indicates the company still has a long way to go. Some of the issues mentioned are as follows:

  • Microsoft Store games protected with Easy Anti-Cheat may fail to launch.
  • Update process hanging for extended periods of time when attempting to install a new build.
  • The min/max/close buttons are stuck in their original positions after resizing a UWP app.
  • The new taskbar experience for pinned sites isn’t working for some sites.
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Alap Naik DesaiAugust 22, 2020
3 minutes read
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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Alap Naik Desai


A B.Tech Plastics (UDCT) and a Windows enthusiast. Optimizing the OS, exploring software, searching and deploying solutions to strange and weird issues is Alap's main interest.
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