windows

New accessibility features coming to Windows 11 Last year, Microsoft renewed and strengthened its commitment to closing the disability divide; to work toward improving educational and employment opportunities for people with disabilities around the world. And that commitment has been central to the development of Windows 11: the most inclusively designed version of Windows yet. At its launch last fall, Windows 11 included a whole host of accessibility improvements designed for and with people with disabilities: calmer, more appealing sound schemes; beautiful new contrast themes and closed caption customizations; a more responsive and flexible experience for working with assistive technologies; and a new Accessibility Settings pane to make all of these features easier to find and use. And we’re continuing to innovate. Windows 11 is the most accessible version of Windows yet Today, we’re excited to take a deeper dive [ more… ]

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22616 Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22616 to the Dev and Beta Channels. TL;DR We have another build for Windows Insiders that includes a few changes and fixes (including a fix for the “Show hidden icons” flyout in the system tray not appearing for some Windows Insiders). Windows Insiders who like to game on their PCs with an Xbox Controller on the latest Insider Preview builds in the Dev and Beta Channels can try out the new controller bar feature – see this blog post for details. REMINDER: Window for switching from Dev Channel to the Beta Channel is closing soon! Now that the Dev and Beta Channels are receiving the same builds, the window is still open (but closing soon!) for you to switch channels following [ more… ]

Windows Insiders can now try out an early preview of controller bar Windows Insiders can now try out an early preview of a feature called controller bar. Controller bar is a preview of a new view of Xbox Game Bar that provides easy, controller-friendly access to recently played games and game launchers. The controller bar opens when you pair or connect a controller to your Windows 11 PC running the latest Insider Preview build in the Dev and Beta Channels. Your most recently played games and installed game launchers are just a button press away. Invoke the controller bar when you’re not already in a game, by pressing the Xbox button on your controller. When you are playing a game, the Xbox button still takes you directly to the Xbox Game Bar and the gaming widgets you are used to. [ more… ]

Lifelong Windows user Ramon Ray helps small businesses succeed Ramon Ray’s first foray into small business was as a computer consultant, more than two decades ago. The lifelong Windows user – a self-identified geek – didn’t know why he was so drawn to technology from such an early age, but he built do-it-yourself electronic kits from Radio Shack (such as transistor radios) as a kid. His dad being an electrician also probably influenced him too. His comfort level with modern tools went hand in hand with a willingness to take on risk – something he compares with free climbing. Ray – who grew up in the Midwest, “where neighbors nod at each other and say hello” and later, New York City – projects an extrovert’s comfort with events and public speaking and pivoted toward remote versions of both during the [ more… ]