Microsoft has just released the Windows 11 Preview build 22567 for Insiders in the Dev Channel, which introduces a new change to make Windows updates more eco-friendly. With this new feature, Windows 11 will aim to schedule update installations on plugged-in PCs when these devices are the most susceptible to leverage renewable energy.

“Most electrical grids are powered by multiple sources, including renewables and fossil fuels. Whenever possible, Windows 11 will now prioritize installing updates in the background at times when greater amounts of clean energy sources (like wind, solar, and hydro) are available,” the Windows Insider team explained.

This new Windows Update feature will roll out gradually on the Dev Channel, and it will only be enabled in regions where regional carbon intensity data is available from Microsoft’s partners electricityMap and WattTime.

The Windows 11 Insider build 22567 also updates the Microsoft 365 subscription management experience in the Settings app. Insiders will now be able to view payment details within the subscription card experience, and Microsoft has also added some information about the Microsoft 365 benefits to the “Your Microsoft account” page for Windows 11 users who have yet to subscribe.

In this build, Windows Insiders will also notice that the “Open with” dialog box now follows the Windows 11 design guidelines, and Microsoft added an option to update your default app with just one click. The company has also started testing Smart App Control (SAC), a new security feature providing enhanced protection from untrusted apps.

If Microsoft is continuing to test new Windows 11 features with a subset of Insiders, today’s Windows 11 build 22567 also brings the redesigned Task Manager to all Insiders in the Dev Channel. There are also many other bug fixes for the Taskbar, Start Menu, File Explorer, and other experiences in this new build.

Tagged with Windows 11, Windows Insider