Microsoft rolling out today the Windows 10 Insider build 15031 to PC users on the Fast Ring, and this latest preview build brings exciting new features such as a compact overlay mode for UWP apps. It works like the picture-in-picture mode that you can find on modern TVs, by letting you display an app in a corner of your screen, able your other windows. The functionality will be open to all UWP app developers, but Microsoft explained that the Movies & TV app and Skype Preview should support it very soon.
Other highlights include a Dynamic Lock features, which lets you pair your phone to your PC via Bluetooth and then automatically lock your PC after 30 seconds when your phone is not around anymore. Additionally, the Windows Game Bar now supports 52 additional games in full-screen mode and you’ll find the full list of games in the changelog below. Lastly, this new build is introducing a new share icon which looks less abstract than the previous one.
Here is the full list of new features included in this build:
Do more at once with the new Compact Overlay window: Ever want to continue watching a movie while switching app to check your email? Or keep an eye on your video chat even as you’re browsing the web? We do all the time! Some tasks don’t require the user’s full attention but is perfect to leave at the corner of the screen so we’re introducing a new compact overlay mode for UWA app developers. When an app window enters compact overlay mode it’ll be shown above other windows so it won’t get blocked. The best part is that compact overlay windows work just like normal windows in all other ways so app developers can tailor the experience with what they already know. Updates to the Movies & TV app and Skype Preview app will take advantage of compact overlay windows in the near future!
Introducing Dynamic Lock: Dynamic Lock automatically locks your Windows 10 PC when you’re not around based the proximity of a Bluetooth-paired phone. If your Bluetooth-paired phone is not found near your PC, Windows turns off the screen and locks the PC after 30 seconds. To enable Dynamic Lock, make sure your phone is paired to your PC via Bluetooth and go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and toggle Dynamic lock to “on”.
NOTE: See known issues below regarding a bug preventing PCs on this build from successfully pairing devices via Bluetooth.
New Share icon: We’re introducing a new share icon. Apps that used the “share” font glyph in Segoe MDL2 assets should get the change automatically. You can read more about the change here.
Windows Game Bar improved full-screen support: We got a ton of feedback on Game Bar and we are continually adding more titles with this support. In this build, we’ve added support for 52 additional games in full-screen mode with Windows game bar. As always, just hit WIN + G to invoke Game Bar to capture a recording or screenshot.
• Aion
• Borderlands 2
• Call of Duty Black Ops III
• Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare
• Civilization VI
• Company of Heroes 2
• Crusader Kings 2
• Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
• Dishonored 2
• Elite: Dangerous
• Euro Trucks 2 Simulator
• Europa Universalis IV
• Eve Online
• F1 2016
• Fallout New Vegas
• Far Cry 4
• Football Manager 2016
• Football Manager 2017
• Garry’s Mod
• Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition
• Grand Theft Auto V
• Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
• Hearts of Iron IV
• Hitman – Full Experience
• Killing Floor 2
• Lineage 2 – The Chaotic Throne
• Mafia III
• Mass Effect 3
• Mechwarrior Online
• Metro 2033 Redux
• Metro Last Light Redux
• Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor
• Mirror’s Edge Catalyst
• Need for Speed
• Path Of Exile
• Planet Coaster
• Planetside 2
• Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare: Deluxe Edition
• Pro Evolution Soccer 2016
• Project CARS
• Roblox
• Smite
• Source Engine Titles/Half Life 2
• Team Fortress 2
• TERA
• The Sims 3
• The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings
• Titanfall 2
• Total War: Attila
• Watch_Dogs 2
• World of Warplanes
• XCOM 2Tip: You can control this feature through the Windows Game bar settings. In the settings dialog, look for the “Show Game bar when I play full-screen games” checkbox. See Major Nelson’s post on Game bar for more info on how to adjust settings for best game performance.
As usual, we invite you to read our other build 15031 posts to learn more about other fixes and known issues. Let us know if you’re excited by these new features in the comments below!
