Windows 11 Build 25163 released with new taskbar overflow feature

Windows 11 Build 25163 is now available for download in the Dev
Channel with a few new features, including a new taskbar
feature that improves the overflow UI. In Build 25163, you can
also try a new file-sharing experience that lets you discover
and share files with more devices via the built-in Windows
share window.

Build 25163 is not tied to any particular and rumours suggest
that Microsoft has cancelled
Windows 11 23H2 to focus on smaller feature updates. It’s
possible that features included in Build 25163 will arrive in
the production channel earlier than expected as Microsoft plans
to ship features outside the major releases.

After the release of Windows 10, Windows was supposed to be
serviced with features updates only. The whole strategy changed
when Microsoft confirmed Windows 10 is not the last version of
Windows and that Windows 11 will replace the old operating
system, essentially confirming Windows 12 is real.

The company plans to ship new Windows versions going forward
and Windows 11 23H2 has been cancelled. In other words,
features included in Build 25163 should ship earlier than
expected, possibly via some cumulative or monthly experience
pack updates. This may happen following the release of Windows
11 22H2.

What’s new in Windows 11 Build 25163

Windows 11 Build 25163 reintroduces the highly anticipated
taskbar overflow UI. Microsoft previously stated that the
taskbar was built from scratch to offer a more productive and
better workflow especially when space is constrained.

Windows 11’s taskbar can easily adapt to any form factor and
Microsoft is now introducing a new overflow state that allows
you to view your overflowed apps in one space. You can click on
the arrow icon to see apps that may not appear on the taskbar
by default due to limited space.

The overflow UI is essentially an entry point that lets you
view all overflowed apps in one space. The menu also lets you
pin apps, access the jump list, and extend UI and you can
always dismiss it by clicking outside the overflow pane or by
navigating to an application.

In addition to the taskbar upgrade, Microsoft is also
introducing an improved nearby sharing experience. For those
unaware, the nearby sharing feature works via Explorer, Photos,
Xbox, and other Windows apps that use the built-in sharing
window.

The existing file sharing feature has been updated
with UDP (Network needs to be set to private) and
Bluetooth to discover more nearby devices. As a result, it is
now possible to find and send more files to devices using the
native file sharing feature.

Another new addition is support for sharing a local file
directly to OneDrive. To do this, select any file in File
Explorer or other apps that use built-in share UI, and choose
OneDrive as a target. When you select OneDrive in the share UI,
you can directly upload the file to OneDrive.

This new OneDrive uploading feature works without switching
apps or opening the native OneDrive client. However, it
currently works for Microsoft accounts as the company is still
working on support for AAD.

Windows 11 Build 25163 improvements:

• Microsoft has fixed an issue where explorer.exe could crash
  when you drag tabs around.
• Microsoft has fixed an issue where the dividers in File
  Explorer’s navigation pane disappear abruptly.
• Microsoft has fixed an issue where closed tabs might appear
  again in File Explorer.
• Microsoft has fixed an issue where the tab row might
  unexpectedly expand vertically,

How to install Windows 11 Build 25163

To install Windows 11 Build 25163, follow
these steps:

1. Signup for Windows Insiders Program.
2. Open
   the Settings page.
3. Switch
   to Dev Channel.
4. Click on “Check for updates“ and select
   “Download & Install”.
5. Click on “Restart now”.