Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23486 is now available to Dev Channel users, introducing passwordless improvements, new Dynamic Lighting effects, and Unicode Emoji 15.
Windows Insiders. This release includes 117 new emojis, including gender-inclusive emojis, new animals, and more. Known Issues, Task Manager may crash when trying to end a task. We are tracking this issue here and investigating.
Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23486
Microsoft has released the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23486 to the Dev Channel. This build includes new features, improvements, and bug fixes.
Passwordless Improvements
Microsoft is introducing passkeys, which will allow users to replace passwords when signing into websites or applications that support them. Passkeys are “phish-resistant, recoverable, and faster for users.”
“We believe that the future is passwordless.”
Enroll and use passkey to sign into apps and websites
Users can now create and sign into websites and apps using a passkey with the Windows Hello native experience. Once a passkey is created, users can use Windows Hello (face, fingerprint, PIN) to sign in. Additionally, users can use their phone to complete the application logon process.
Create and Sign in using passkeys saved on your Windows device
Users can go to a website that supports passkeys on Windows, such as Best Buy, eBay, or Google, to create a passkey from their account settings. After signing out of their account, they can sign in using their passkey.
Sign in using passkeys saved on your phone
Users can go to a website that supports passkeys on their mobile device, create a passkey from their account settings, and then go to the website on Windows and sign in using their passkey saved on their mobile device.
Manage passkeys saved to your Windows device
Users can now view and delete passkeys saved for their favorite apps/websites from Windows settings. They can navigate to Settings > Accounts > Passkeys to view a list of all passkeys saved to their Windows device and search and delete any passkey from the device.
Changes and Improvements
Microsoft has rolled back the Folder Options changes in File Explorer that removed a handful of old settings in Build 23481. Additionally, new effects are now available for Dynamic Lighting via Settings > Personalization > Dynamic Lighting. Unicode Emoji 15, which began rolling out with Build 23475, is now available to all Windows Insiders. This release includes 117 new emojis, including gender-inclusive emojis, new animals, and more.
Known Issues
Task Manager may crash when trying to end a task. Microsoft is tracking this issue and investigating.
Overall, Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23486 includes several improvements and new features. Passkeys will make it easier and more secure for users to sign into websites and applications, while Dynamic Lighting and Unicode Emoji 15 will provide users with more options for personalization. Microsoft is also addressing feedback from Windows Insiders regarding the Folder Options changes in File Explorer.
Key points from the article:
- Passwordless Improvements: Replace passwords with passkeys when signing into websites and apps
- Enroll and use passkeys to sign into apps and websites
- Create and sign in using passkeys saved on Windows device
- Manage passkeys saved to Windows device
- Dynamic Lighting Effects: Wave, Wheel, and Gradient
From the Windows Blog