Microsoft brings back new tablet-optimized Taskbar for Windows 11 in latest Dev Channel build

It’s returned to Insiders for testing.

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What you need to know

Microsoft isback with a new Windows 11 preview buildfor Insiders in the Dev Channel, which restores two shell features that werein testing earlier this yearbut were pulled from public builds as Microsoft continued to work on them internally. These features are the new tablet-optimized Taskbar, and updated System Tray.

Nothing functionally has changed with either feature, meaning they still operate as they did when they were first put into preview many months ago. The new tablet-optimized Taskbar offers a minimized view when users aren’t interacting with it, allowing them to swipe up on it to view its contents.

The updated System Tray currently lacks the ability to drag and drop icons to and from the System Tray flyout, but Microsoft says this is functionality that will be added in the future. New in today’s build is an updated to the Settings app, which now features cute animated icons that play when you click on specific categories within the app.

Here’s the changelog:

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Zac Bowden is a Senior Editor at Windows Central. Bringing you exclusive coverage into the world of Windows on PCs, tablets, phones, and more. Also an avid collector of rare Microsoft prototype devices! Keep in touch onTwitterandThreads