Windows 11 has a new preview build, but there’s only one real change (other than 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), in which, apart from the password, a second verification method is used in the form of a code sent to the person logging in. In this case, even if the hacker got your password, he will not get this code.
Now, as of Windows 11 Preview 25295, when this code appears in the notification panel on the right, this notification contains a small popup that allows you to simply click to automatically paste the code numbers into the clipboard.
So instead of going through the hassle of manually entering the code, you can just paste it in, saving you time and effort. As we said, it’s a minor change, but a useful one.
What else is new in build 25295? Only an extension of the rollout of the previously introduced function (from build 25252), namely the search box on the taskbar (as seen in Windows 10). This is now available to all Windows 11 testers in the dev channel, not just a select few.
Other than that, there are some bug fixes here, including a fix for slow update installation, and a fix for an issue where apps could freeze when using them while the game was running. For a complete list of fixes and other known issues in this area, please check Microsoft blog post (opens in a new tab).
Analysis: Paste for convenience
Being able to throw the 2FA code directly to the clipboard for immediate pasting is a clever time saver, and is something that will surely see the full release of Windows 11 eventually appear. (Remember, not every feature in testing will see the light of day).
This will be especially useful for those who have connected their Android phone to a Windows PC (using Phone Link) as it means they will go through the codes sent to that smartphone (which is often the case). It will still be a useful feature for people with apps installed on their Windows 11 PC, who of course also use 2FA.
It’s good to see fixes for some nasty issues coming, but there are also some new introductions in terms of flaws. If you have an ARM-based PC and Windows Hello facial recognition has stopped working, don’t panic – this is a known issue (you should just use the PIN option for now). Similarly, if you’re worried about the system tray clock not showing seconds anymore, don’t worry, this feature will be back in a future release, Microsoft promises.