Microsoft released Windows 10 Build 18342 to the Insiders in the Fast ring. The new update brought exciting new features and performance improvements. Talking about new features, Microsoft will now allow users to access Linux files from Windows 10 and this is likely to roll-out in the final build as well. The other new feature is related to gaming. Microsoft says that while downloading and installing State of the Decay users are not likely face issue, you can read the complete changelog below.

What’s New

  • If you have already tried State of Decay and everything worked: we’d appreciate you uninstalling State of Decay and then trying the install again, to make sure everything still works.
  • If you have already tried State of Decay and something didn’t work: please try again and see if your issue has been addressed. If not, it would help us a lot if you let us know using the Feedback Hub in Windows (instructions here in this post). Even if you already sent feedback on the issue before, it’s very helpful to know that it’s still happening on a new version of Windows.
  • If you were not able to get a slot for State of Decay: we’ve opened up more slots now, so just go to the Xbox Insider hub and click Insider content to join. NOTE: we’re still limiting availability as we roll out, so we recommend joining right away. If you miss out this time, don’t worry, we’ll be adding more again soon!
  • If you are trying State of Decay for the first time: just do the following:
    • Install the Xbox Insider Hub app on the PC you’ll be flighting on.
    • Sign in to the Xbox Insider Hub with your Gamertag. If you don’t have a Gamertag, see instructions.
    • Select Insider Content in the upper left.
    • Scroll to the bottom and select the Windows Gaming program (in the System section).
    • Join the program.
    • Follow the instructions in the previous post, skipping any steps you’ve already completed above.

If you see any problems downloading or installing the game, or if important functionality like game saving isn’t working, please be sure to use the Feedback Hub to tell us. And thank you again for helping us find any issues!

Linux Files inside of File Explorer

We added the ability for users to access Linux files in a WSL distro from Windows. These files can be accessed through the command line, and also Windows apps, like File Explorer, VSCode, etc. can interact with these files. Access your files by navigating to \\wsl$\, or see a list of running distributions by navigating to \\wsl$. You can learn more about this here.

Other Updates for Insiders

New Chrome Extension for Timeline: We’re pleased to announce an extension that collects activities from your Google Chrome browser and adds them to your Timeline in Windows. You can download the new Web Activity extension now from the Chrome Web Store. Just sign-in to the extension on your Chrome browser with your Microsoft account, visit a site in Chrome, then watch it appear on Timeline – and pick up where you left off. Your Chrome activities will also sync with Timeline on Android devices using the Microsoft Launcher app. Give the new extension a try and let us know what you think in the Feedback Hub. This is just one of many updates inspired by Insiders to make Timeline even better!

General changes, improvements, and fixes for PC

  • The new tamper protection setting in the Windows Security app protects your device by helping to prevent bad actors from tampering with the most important security settings. The setting is now on by default for Insider Preview builds.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue where Windows Sandbox would not start on localized builds.
  • Microsoft has done some work to improve error reporting in Windows Sandbox. Now the error dialog includes the error code and a link to the Feedback Hub.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue where Windows Sandbox was unexpectedly throwing an error due to referencing a deleted file under Windows.old.
  • Windows Sandbox now captures hotkeys in full screen.
  • Windows Sandbox now supports configuration files! These files allow users to configure some aspects of the sandbox, such as vGPU, networking and shared folders. A blog post to explain this new feature will be available here.
  • Microsoft improved the capabilities of the wsl.exe command line interface, by adding new features such as importing and exporting distros and consolidating existing features from wslconfig.exe, such as listing distros and setting defaults.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue where if the Magnifier was enabled and set to docked mode, machine would crash and reboot on sign-in creating a boot loop.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue resulting in build unable to log into WinRE with an admin account in the last couple of flights.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue where if you unpinned groups from Start, apps might end up thinking their tiles were still pinned.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue resulting in being unable to re-arrange pinned folders in Start’s tile grid.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue where the text explaining the Downloads section of Storage Sense had unexpected characters in it.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue where Settings would sometimes crash when opening “Advanced Display Settings” from Display Settings.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue where after changing an app’s audio endpoint, it might no longer follow master volume changes.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue where it wasn’t possible to add a drive to the list of folders to exclude when setting up Enhanced Search in Settings.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue with the Settings header at certain window sizes where long names might be truncated in the middle, rather than wrapping properly.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue from the previous flight where right-clicking the desktop would bring up a light colored context menu in dark theme.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue impacting Emoji Panel and Clipboard History reliability.
  • Microsoft has made another fix to address reports of devices getting stuck with “Hibernating…” text on the screen on resume from hibernate.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue that could cause Windows logon to forget the last logged on user, and instead would display the sign-in prompt for the default user from the list after dismissing the lock screen.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue where an issue where some of the Real-Time Protection options for Malwarebytes Premium are not able to be turned on.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue resulting in Internet Explorer’s menu bar not always appearing if enabled.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue resulting in CDPUserSVC using an unexpectedly large amount of CPU for prolonged periods of time.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue resulting in DWM crashing frequently for some Insiders on the previous flight.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue resulting in certain games recently going into a black screen/not responding state if their resolution was lower than 1920*1080 and the game entered fullscreen.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue resulting in certain games no longer rendering UI updates (appearing visually stuck) after using Alt + Tab to quickly switch away and back to the game.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue resulting in significant video and audio lag when projecting videos from certain devices on recent builds.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue where turning off Location from the Action Center might take multiple clicks to react.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue resulting in single Unicode character insertion failing for IMEs, the touch keyboard, and the Emoji Panel in certain types of edit controls recently.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue resulting in the left and right arrows on the touch keyboard inserting 4 and 6, respectively, in certain languages.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue where newly installed apps might not show up in search results.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue resulting in the Search pane becoming truncated if launched after rotating the device orientation from horizontal to vertical.
  • Microsoft fixed a high impact issue resulting in a decrease in Start reliability in the last couple of flights.
  • Microsoft fixed a recent issue where if you hid the search icon in the taskbar, a number of win32 apps would unexpectedly redraw when opening the Start menu.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue that could result in unexpected flickering if you used pen or touch in certain win32 apps to launch a second instance of the app when in tablet mode.
  • Have a need to create a file that starts with a dot? File Explorer will now allow you to rename a file to be something like “.gitignore” – previously there would be an error siting that you needed to provide a name.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue resulting in File Explorer potentially hanging when trying to rename, delete, or move MKV files in the previous flight.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue resulting in some Insiders not being able to open Cortana when in Tablet Mode.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue resulting in the taskbar blinking if an AC adapter was attached when the device had less than 20% battery.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue resulting in the taskbar disappearing for a second when dismissing Start/Cortana/Search on a secondary monitor.
  • We’re updating the name of the “Windows Light” theme to now be “Windows (light)”.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue where Cortana’s icon on secondary monitors wouldn’t update colors after switching between light and dark theme.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue where when using light theme + small icons + a vertical taskbar orientation, text written on the taskbar would stay white and thus wouldn’t be readable.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue that could result in open apps not being shown on the taskbar (but being visible in Alt + Tab).
  • Microsoft fixed an issue resulting in greys having an unexpected slight pinkish/purple-ish tinge on some devices in recent flights.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue that could result in DWM crashing after enabling high contrast.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue in Ease of Access’s Cursor and pointer settings, mouse pointer size and color are now retained on upgrade. There is a remaining issue with mouse pointer showing white color instead of the selected color after signing out and signing back in.
  • When using the Magnifier with larger pointers, it pans smoothly as the pointers change shape.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue where navigation mode on Orbit display could not be changed.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue where Narrator paused unexpectedly when reading through a PDF.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue where users were unable to join or switch between Winds Insider rings.
  • Microsoft fixed an issue where the Windows Security app may show an unknown status for the Virus & threat protection area, or not refresh properly.

Known issues

  • Launching games that use anti-cheat software may trigger a bugcheck (GSOD).
  • Creative X-Fi sound cards are not functioning properly. Microsoft are partnering with Creative to resolve this issue.
  • While Microsoft has done some work to improve night light reliability in this build, we’re continuing to investigate issues in this space.
  • When performing Reset this PC and selecting Keep my files on a device that has Reserved Storage enabled the user will need to initiate an extra reboot to ensure Reserved Storage is working again properly.
  • Some Realtek SD card readers are not functioning properly. Microsoft are investigating the issue.
  • In Windows Sandbox, if you try to navigate to the Narrator settings, Settings app crashes.
  • Mouse pointer color might be incorrectly switched to white after signing out and signing back in.
  • We’re investigating reports of the Chinese version of multiple games not working.

Known issues for Developers

  • If you install any of the recent builds from the Fast ring and switch to the Slow ring – optional content such as enabling developer mode will fail. You will have to remain in the Fast ring to add/install/enable optional content. This is because optional content will only install on builds approved for specific rings.

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