IT News on October 31st: Microsoft published a blog post yesterday (October 30th), inviting members of the Windows Insider projects from Beta and Experimental channels to test the multi-version preview updates suitable for Windows 11. The versions for each channel are as follows:

Beta Channel: Build 26220.9836 (26H2), Build 28020.3382 (26H1)

Experimental Channel: Build 26340.9843 (26H2), Build 28120.3393 (26H1), Build 29698.1000 (Future platform version)

IT Home with Windows: The progress of 11 improvements is as follows:

1. Brand-new Windows search experience expansion (Experimental, Experimental 26H1 channels)

Earlier this month, Microsoft began rolling out a new Windows search experience. This update further expands the capabilities of this experience, allowing users to perform more operations directly from the search entry point:

• Inline operations: Users can directly adjust the volume, screen brightness, or cursor size within the search results using inline sliders. The operation labels are clearer, and the system will also recommend more actionable options to help users discover additional features.
• Mobile Linkage Operations: Once connected to supported phones via Phone Link, users can directly make phone calls, send text messages to friends, and enable features such as do-not-disturb mode on their phones through Windows. Currently, this is supported on Android devices, and iPhone will be available by the beginning of next year.
• More comprehensive search results: Supports previewing files, displaying detailed information such as the last modification date, storage location, and author; allows for direct access to web answers to questions about weather, stocks, and general knowledge; also discovers applications and games available in the Microsoft Store; similar to web search results, the Store application search function can be manually enabled or disabled in "Settings > Privacy & Security > Search".
• Result filtering: Supports scrolling to view more results, and allows filtering by categories such as "Files and Folders," "Settings," "Operations," etc., to quickly locate the desired content.
• Feedback controls: Users can right-click on any search result or recommended content and choose to like or dislike it to provide feedback on the usefulness of the content; at the same time, users can remove items they do not want to see from the initial search view before entering their search query. Microsoft has also made minor optimizations to the appearance and interaction details of the Windows search based on user feedback.

It should be noted that the new Windows search feature opens by default from the centered position at the bottom of the screen. Microsoft is currently working on adaptations to accommodate different taskbar positions, as well as scenarios for invoking searches from the Start menu.

2. Commercial customers provide feedback on the new privacy policy

Microsoft has simultaneously launched a brand-new Intune policy, which is open to enterprise commercial customers. Once this policy is enabled, all feedback submitted by users within an enterprise tenant through the feedback center will remain private; it will not be published in public communities, nor will it be shared with users outside the organization. Only Microsoft and users within the same organization (same tenant) will have access to the feedback content.