Microsoft is releasing a new build of Windows 10 19H2 to Insiders in the Slow Ring. The company is today rolling out build 18362.10005, with a number of fixes and new features.

The new build includes fixes from the KB4507453 that was rolled out for the Windows 10 May 2019 Update. It also includes some other fixes and new features, including:

• Windows containers require matched host and container version. This restricts customers and limits Windows containers from supporting mixed-version container pod scenarios This update includes 5 fixes to address this and allow the host to run down-level containers on up-level for process (Argon) isolation.
• A fix to allow OEMs to reduce the inking latency based on the hardware capabilities of their devices rather than being stuck with latency selected on typical hardware configuration by the OS.
• Key-rolling or Key-rotation feature enables secure rolling of Recovery passwords on MDM managed AAD devices upon on demand request from in-tune/MDM tools or upon every time recovery password is used to unlock the BitLocker protected drive. This feature will help prevent accidental recovery password disclosure as part of manual BitLocker drive unlock by users.
• A change to enable third-party digital assistants to voice activate above the Lock screen.

Most of these features aren’t too interesting, except for the last one. Microsoft is now allowing third-party assistants like Alexa to voice activate above the lock screen, meaning they will function just like Cortana when your device is locked. That’s a pretty bold move and aligns with Microsoft’s plans to split up Cortana from Windows 10. I am not sure if it will require companies like Amazon to update Alexa to work above the lock screen, so we will have to wait to see on that one.

There is another twist, though. Microsoft previously said that the company is testing a new system where not everyone will get new features in these new builds instantly, and it’s testing that with today’s build. That means none of the new features mentioned above is actually enabled for anyone yet. “With today’s 19H2 build, we are testing this experience. Our plan is to quickly follow-up with another 19H2 build that turns these features on for a subset of Insiders and proceed from there based on feedback and quality,” Microsoft’s Dona Sarkar explained. Interesting.

Tagged with Windows 10, Windows 10 19H2