Microsoft is getting ready to roll out news and interests on the taskbar to all Windows 10 users next month. The new taskbar widget is now available on Windows 10 versions 2004 and 20H2 via the new KB5001391 optional patch released yesterday.
In addition to the new taskbar widget, this new optional patch also brings two improvements for Live Tiles in the Start Menu and the Settings app for Windows Mixed Reality. You can check out the full release notes below:
- Introducing news and interests on the Windows 10 taskbar : With news and interests on the Windows taskbar, you get quick access to an integrated feed of dynamic content, such as news, weather, sports, and more, that updates throughout the day. You can personalize your feed with relevant content tailored for you. In the coming weeks, you will be able to seamlessly peek into your feed directly from the taskbar throughout your day without disrupting your workflow. For more information, see Personalized content at a glance: Introducing news and interests on the Windows 10 taskbar.
- Updates an issue to prevent blank tiles from appearing on the Start menu after updating to a newer version of Windows 10.
- Adds the ability to adjust the amount of idle time before a headset goes to sleep in the Settings app for Windows Mixed Reality.
After testing the new taskbar widget with Windows Insiders, Microsoft explained last week that the new feature would roll out to all users running Windows 10 version 1909 or newer in the coming weeks. News and interests in the taskbar will offer Windows 10 users an easy way to check the weather without opening any apps, as well as “snackable” updates on news, sports, stocks, and traffic. For those who don’t like it, it will be possible to remove the taskbar widget in just a couple of clicks.
