Microsoft announces Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23606 for the Dev Channel, marking the last release until January 2024. This update includes a transition from Windows Speech Recognition to voice access, a renaming of the Phone Link settings page to Mobile devices, and various bug fixes. Some users may experience a download loop, but the build will eventually install successfully.
Exciting Updates in Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23606
Windows Insiders, gear up for the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23606, released to the Dev Channel. This is the last Dev Channel flight until January 2024, and it comes with some interesting changes and improvements.
What’s New?
Transition from Windows Speech Recognition to Voice Access
Windows 11 is moving from Windows Speech Recognition (WSR) to voice access, deprecating WSR. A dialog will guide you to try voice access, and a banner under Settings > Accessibility > Speech will also prompt you to make the switch.
“Voice access, our new assistive technology in Windows 11, uses on-device speech recognition, enabling control of your PC and authoring text without an internet connection.”
It will support multiple languages and custom commands in a future update, and these features are now available for Windows Insiders to try in the Dev and Beta Channels.
Renaming of Phone Link Settings Page
The Phone Link settings page under Settings > Bluetooth & devices is being renamed to Mobile devices. A new section will appear for allowing a PC to access mobile devices, although it doesn’t introduce anything new yet.
Fixes and Known Issues
Several fixes have been implemented, including an issue causing the details pane in File Explorer to unexpectedly take keyboard focus and a high hitting tabtip.exe crash when trying to use pen input. However, there are still a few known issues, such as a loading delay when the Microsoft Start feed is reenabled and incorrect spacing and fonts used in some settings pages.
For Developers
Developers can download the latest Windows Insider SDK at aka.ms/windowsinsidersdk. SDK NuGet packages are now also flighting at NuGet Gallery | WindowsSDK.
“Some fixes noted here in Insider Preview builds from the Dev Channel may make their way into the servicing updates for the released version of Windows 11.”
Stay tuned for more updates and improvements in the future flights of Windows 11.
From the Windows Blog