Windows 11 has a new preview build, but there’s only one real change (apart from bug fixes and such), although it’s useful for speeding up logins that use a double layer of security .
We are talking about two-factor authentication (or 2FA for short), which consists of using, in addition to a password, a second verification measure in the form of a code sent to the person who logs in. In this case, even if a pirate has taken your password, he will not obtain this code.
Now, starting with Windows 11 preview build 25295, when this code appears in the notification panel on the right, this notification is accompanied by a small pop-up window that allows you to simply click on it to automatically paste the numbers code to clipboard.
So instead of having to enter the code manually, you can just paste it in, saving you time and effort. Like we said, it’s a small change, but a useful one.
What else is new in build 25295? Only extending the deployment of a previously introduced feature (as of build 25252), namely the search box in the taskbar (as seen in Windows 10). This is now available to all Windows 11 testers in the Dev channel, as opposed to a select few.
On top of that, there’s a bunch of bugfixes here, including the fix for an issue with updates installing slowly, and a fix for an issue where apps could crash when using them for that a game is running. For the full list of fixes and remaining known issues, see Microsoft’s blog. (opens in a new tab).
Analysis: A paste of convenience
The ability to delete the 2FA code directly to the clipboard for immediate pasting is a nifty time saver, and it’s something that’s sure to make a difference for the full version of Windows 11 eventually. (Remember that not all testing features see the light of day).
This is going to be especially handy for those who have connected their Android phone to their Windows PC (using Phone Link), as it means they will get the codes sent to that smartphone (which is often the case). This will always be a handy feature for those who have apps installed on the Windows 11 PC that also use 2FA, naturally.
It’s good to see bugfixes coming in for some nasty issues, but there are also some new glitches introduced. If you have an ARM-powered PC and Windows Hello facial recognition has stopped working, don’t panic – this is a known issue (and you should just use the PIN option instead for now) . Likewise, if you’re worried about the system tray clock no longer showing seconds, don’t worry, that feature is coming back in a future release, Microsoft promises.
