What you need to know
- Windows 10 20H1 build 18936 is now available for Fast ring Insiders.
- Along with the new build, Microsoft has opened up screen mirroring via the Your Phone app to more Surface devices.
- This build also introduces password-less sign-in for Microsoft accounts on Windows 10.
Another week means there's a fresh Windows 10 20H1 Insider build to check out in the Fast ring. The latest build pushes the build number up to 18936 and includes the usual batch of bug fixes and improvements, but there are also some cool new features to check out.
Most notably, launching alongside this build is the rollout of support for Your Phone screen mirroring for more Surface devices. The feature is enabled through a driver update for Insiders on the following devices: Surface Laptop, Surface Laptop 2, Surface Pro 4, Surface Pro 5, Surface Pro 6, Surface Book, and Surface Book 2.
There's also a new password-less sign-in feature for Microsoft accounts and much more. Here's a look at all of what's new.
What's new in 18936
- Your Phone app – Phone screen now available on more Surface devices: As promised, we're excited to expand the availability of the phone screen feature to more PCs. With the latest driver update in the Windows insider rings (Marvell 15.68.17013.110), the following Surface devices will preview the phone screen feature – Surface Laptop, Surface Laptop 2, Surface Pro 4, Surface Pro 5, Surface Pro 6, Surface Book, and Surface Book 2. If you have one of these devices, give it a try and let us know what you think!
- Quick Event Create from the Taskbar: Do you ever open the clock and calendar flyout to help organize your thoughts while making plans? We've been working on making it easier to create new events and reminders, and are happy to announce that as of today, all Insiders in the Fast ring should see this when you click on the date in the taskbar:
- Pick your desired date and start typing – you'll now see inline options to set a time and location. We're looking forward to you trying it out! Let us know if you have any feedback.
- Go passwordless with Microsoft accounts on your device: For improved security and a more seamless sign-in experience, you can now enable passwordless sign-in for Microsoft accounts on your Windows 10 device by going to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options, and selecting 'On' under 'Make your device passwordless'. Enabling passwordless sign in will switch all Microsoft accounts on your Windows 10 device to modern authentication with Windows Hello Face, Fingerprint, or PIN. Don't have Windows Hello set up yet? No problem! We'll walk you through the setup experience on your next sign-in. Curious how a Windows Hello PIN is more secure than a password? Please note: This feature is currently being rolled out to a small portion of Insiders and the above option may not show for all users in Settings. If the toggle isn't showing for you yet, check back in a week so.
General changes, improvements, and fixes for PC
- We fixed an issue that was causing failures when installing games via the Xbox app in the previous flight.
- We fixed an issue resulting in the Photos live tile potentially drawing outside the bounds of the tile.
- We fixed an issue where the emoji panel would crash when high contrast was enabled.
- We updated the disk type text in Task Manager's Performance tab to now match the size of the other subtext on that tab.
- We fixed an issue resulting in items not launching in the foreground when selected from the taskbar jump list of certain apps.
- We fixed an issue that could result in the virtual desktop thumbnail in task view not updating after moving a window to a different desktop.
- Running Windows Sandbox no longer requires Administrator privilege.
- We fixed an issue resulting in the composition string not being shown in certain apps when typing with the Japanese IME.
- We fixed an issue resulting in certain apps crashing when typing with the Chinese Pinyin IME.
- We fixed an issue resulting in certain games unexpectedly just showing a black screen when run in full screen mode on some devices recently.
As always, you can check out the full release notes, includign a list of known issues, at the Windows Blog. Otherwise, Fast ring Insiders can download build 18936 now via Windows Update.
Portable (and affordable) power accessories we love
Each and every one of these charging gadgets will keep your favorite gear and gadgets going for longer, and none of them costs more than $30.
VisionTek 8,000 mAh micro-USB power bank ($13 at Dell)
This compact dual-output powerbank can speedily recharge any and all your devices, thanks to a two-amp "fast charge feature," using its micro-USB out port. Its simple design includes an LED indicator, and it costs about as much as a single ticket to the movies.
Panasonic eneloop AA batteries (From $13 at Dell)
Panasonic's rechargeable batteries are among the best available, and just a couple of them will keep your favorite remote, mice or other peripherals powered up when you need them. They're also eco. And the company's affordable charger fits and charges both AA and AAA batteries at the same time.
Belkin Qi Wireless Charging Pad ($30 at Dell)
This unobtrusive Qi wireless charging pad looks good (and kind of like a UFO …) and easily charges all your Qi-compatible device up to 5W. Its LED indicator lights up when you're charging. And it costs just $30.
