Microsoft Releases First Insider Build of 2020

There’s a new Windows 10 Insider Preview build available for testers in the Fast ring, so there’s no way to know if any of this is real. Remember: New features in the Fast ring going forward may or may not appear in some future version of Windows 10. Microsoft isn’t making any promises.

Here’s what’s new.

Updated location in-use icon. There’s a new icon indicating that an app or service is using your location. And Microsoft even provides a screenshot showing off that icon. The problem is that it’s next to 7 or 8 other icons, and it never occurred to anyone there to point out which one it is. So I’ll ruin the surprise. It’s the first one on the left. I’ll even include an arrow for the visually oriented!

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New Architecture column in Task Manager’s Details tab. A new Architecture column in the Details tab of Task Manager will tell you whether a process is 32-bit Intel (x86), 64-bit Intel (x64), or whatever. You have to enable this column to view this exciting information.

And that’s it. Literally.

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Conversation 9 comments

  • madthinus

    Premium Member
    08 January, 2020 - 1:42 pm

    <p>What is the fascination with task manger? Wtf</p>

    • JerryH

      Premium Member
      08 January, 2020 - 4:31 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#510957">In reply to madthinus:</a></em></blockquote><p><br></p><p>It is one of the drawbacks of the Insider program. Technical people fill the Insider program. And technical people tend to want things in apps like Task Manager. So that is what gets voted up. I guess I am all for it as long as they don't go back to adding useless stuff like Paint 3D and all…</p>

    • Paul Thurrott

      Premium Member
      09 January, 2020 - 7:56 am

      Microsoft likes to twiddle with UIs that few people even know exist.

  • LocalPCGuy

    08 January, 2020 - 1:54 pm

    <p>Including the giant red arrow was an awesome move. I enjoy it when this site and AskWoody point out what should be obvious to Microsoft, but often isn't. Thanks!</p>

    • Paul Thurrott

      Premium Member
      09 January, 2020 - 7:56 am

      I know they seem my criticisms. So I can only include that the poor communication at this point is purposeful. The alternative is terrible to contemplate.

      Actually, screwing over everyone who reads their blog to bother me is pretty terrible too. See, that is the problem: It’s terrible no matter how you look at it.

  • dougkinzinger

    08 January, 2020 - 8:32 pm

    <p>2002 instead of 2020?</p>

    • Paul Thurrott

      Premium Member
      09 January, 2020 - 7:48 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#511105">In reply to dougkinzinger:</a></em></blockquote><p>This year is 2020. </p>

  • garethb

    Premium Member
    08 January, 2020 - 10:22 pm

    <p>For everyone else, it's the same icon that iOS uses. </p><p><br></p><p>…. and it's just replacing the old 'radio button' style icon that Win10 has always had.</p>

  • trock

    09 January, 2020 - 1:19 pm

    <p>I'm more curious in your 53 notifications on a new install…</p>

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