Microsoft recently shipped
Windows 10 21H1 preview build to the testers in the Dev
Channel (Fast Ring) of the Windows Insider program with WSL 2
improvements. It seems that the preview build also contains
multiple hidden UI changes including a smaller search box.
Windows 10 21H1 preview update contains the long-rumoured
modern volume controls, Windows 10X-like notification toasts UI
and smaller search box on the taskbar. With Build 20150, we
might be getting an interesting glimpse of how Windows 10X
features could shape up on Windows 10.
I’ve previously reported that features meant for Windows 10X
will eventually arrive on Windows 10. Microsoft is
planning to bring Win32 apps container, Windows Update
improvements and a few other 10X changes to Windows 10.
The streamlined and modular Windows 10X was originally said to
be built for dual-screen devices like the Surface Neo, but
Microsoft confirmed that plans have changed and
10X will first ship on traditional single-screen clamshell
laptops instead of devices with new form factors.
Modern volume controls
Currently, the way you can control volume from taskbar is
pretty basic, but Microsoft is working on a new modern volume
control that would be much more user-friendly and advanced.
The new volume control uses Fluent Design and it comes with
multimedia playback controls, which will allow you to change
tracks, pause and resume the music you’re playing.
Basic information including album image about the music you’re
listening in a browser, Spotify or Groove Music will also be
displayed.
Windows 10X-like notification toasts
Windows 10X brings a major overhaul to Action Center, which
will receive a substantial facelift in this OS. In Windows 10X,
Action Center still provides you with access to your
notifications and quick actions (settings).
The new Action Center in Windows 10X also groups notifications
and houses them under different apps, and opening the center
lets you read the missed alerts.
Microsoft appears to be testing this behaviour in Windows 10
21H1 preview builds as well, but the UI is still in the early
days of development.
Technically, it’s based on the current approach as in Windows
10 May 2020 Update or older, but Microsoft plans to have
notifications in their own dialog with each displaying the name
of the app.
Notification toast will have a small ‘X’ close button in the
top right corner and you can also dismiss notifications with a
middle mouse click.
The appearance of the new 10X-like notification experience in
preview build suggests the Action Center improvements will be
coming at some point to Windows 10, but currently, we don’t
know when that will happen.
Smaller search box
Bowden
Another minor change in the preview build of Windows 10 21H1 is
support for the smaller search box on the taskbar that will
take less space.
According to Microsoft’s typical release schedule, Windows 10
21H1 update is expected to begin rolling out to the public in
the spring of 2020.
