Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 14342: the best is yet to come but we are getting close
Two days ago, Gabe Aul announced the release of Preview Build 14342 to fast ring insiders. This build is getting closer and closer to the Anniversary update due this Summer, and it’s very much focused on Microsoft Edge improvements, as well as Ubuntu, which has been introduced as a live subsystem “breathing” under Windows 10.
Microsoft new flagship browser has gone through quite a few changes since its first inception, but the latest improvements come with a focus on security, and user experience.
Browser extensions have been a hot topic, and when Microsoft Edge was first introduced, the tech giant seemed to be very firm about a pluginless free experience which would not require additional third party components. With that said, third party extensions play a crucial part in letting users customize their experience, and enhance it with new features.
Up until now, Edge extensions have been able to load from a local folder, which is an inherent security risk. Starting from build 14342, extensions can be added and loaded from the Windows Store, for a more secure way to expand the browser’s functionality. By this token, all extensions added prior to this build will be removed, and will have to be reloaded from the Windows Store.
AdBlock and AdBlock Plus are finally available as extensions for Microsoft Edge, allowing users to block in-page ads. Other extensions available are:
- Pin It Button,
- Mouse Gestures,
- Reddit Enhancement Suite,
- Microsoft Translator and
- OneNote Web Clipper
Another enhancement of Microsoft Edge is the ability to allow websites to send real-time notifications to the Action Center. The feature is permission-based, and for now, works only with a handful of participating websites. For instance, when receiving a message on Facebook or other selected social media networks, a notification will appear in Action Center, with a link to the website.
Gesture controls in Microsoft Edge are also coming back. With this build, users will be able to swipe left or right, on a page as an alternative to the back and forward button.
Finally, a new page added in Settings > System > Apps for Websites, will soon be able to let users manage certain links to open with apps, instead of Edge itself.
The list of fixes for this build is overwhelmingly long, and it encompasses many of the issues still lingering up to the prior build, since several older builds, which is a signal that the anniversary update is very close to be complete.
No more Wi-Fi Sense
Wi-Fi Sense was a feature that allowed to share networks and login/passwords with contacts from the People App. Due to underwhelming demand, Microsoft has decided to axe the feature, leaving it to third party developers to provide an alternative, if they wish.
For a complete list of features, fixes and issues, see the original post on the original Windows Blog: https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2016/05/10/announcing-windows-10-insider-preview-build-14342/