Microsoft releases new Windows 10 preview for PCs with File Explorer notifications

Microsoft today announced the release of a new Windows 10 build for PCs that’s available to people participating in the fast ring of the Windows Insider Program. It’s the first new build since the Windows 10 Anniversary Update was released on August 2.

Build 14901 — which follows version 1607 and, before that, build 14393 — comes at a time when Microsoft is “making some structural improvements to OneCore, which is the shared ‘heart’ of Windows across PC, tablet, phone, IoT, HoloLens, and Xbox.” As a result, the next few builds might not have many new features and might actually come with a good number of visible issues, Dona Sarkar, a software engineer in Microsoft’s Windows and Devices Group, wrote in a blog post.

This build includes Microsoft’s first shot at adding notifications into the File Explorer. “They’re designed to help customers by providing quick, easy information about things they can do or new features they can try to have a better experience with Windows 10,” Sarkar wrote. Users can opt out by going to View > Options > Show sync provider notifications and disabling these notifications.

As for bugs, Adobe Acrobat Reader will crash at launch, and kernel debugging with a 1394 cable won’t work properly, Sarkar wrote.

Microsoft employees “think we’re almost ready” to release the Windows 10 Mobile Anniversary Update,” she wrote.

If you want to try the new previews, but you’re not a Windows Insider, you can sign up here.