Microsoft is working on a major change to the Windows 10 taskbar and is available to testers starting today. The new feature, which will have no ads, will add a news and weather feed similar to Google Discover, making it easier for users to access important information.
In a blog post on Wednesday, Microsoft detailed the latest feature. “With news and interests on the Windows taskbar, you get quick access to an integrated feed of dynamic content, like news and weather, which is updated throughout the day,” said Brandon LeBlanc of Microsoft.
According to Microsoft, users will be able to customize their feed with relevant content. Having everything right there on the taskbar is much more convenient than jumping between different applications or checking multiple devices.
The news feed on the Windows 10 taskbar will show you the latest headlines, sports and more from more than 4,500 global brands, including The New York Times, BBCand The Verge. When you open a news feed article, you’ll get a simplified reading view that offers fewer distractions.
“As more people spend time on our PCs to work, learn, connect and play, the news and interests on the taskbar are a great companion for those who want to stay connected with information about the latest current events,” said LeBlanc. “Over time, we look forward to taking your news and interest feeds to other places, like Microsoft Edge, so no matter where you are, you will be able to stay up to date.”
The news and weather features are available on the Windows Insiders taskbar today, starting with Build 21286 on the Dev Channel. The feature can be accessed by Windows Insiders in the United States, Canada, Britain, Australia and India.
The new features arrive amid a flurry of additions to Windows Insiders, including more modernized storage space configurations, an improved experience when transitioning between time zones, and the ability to run Linux commands at startup in WSL. If you don’t have Windows 10, there are ways to upgrade for free to Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users.