Microsoft delays one of Windows 11’s most promising new features due to bugs
Microsoft has pulled back an upcoming upgrade to the videocast feature in Windows 11 due to reported bugs. The new feature was temporarily available to Windows Insiders, members of Microsoft’s Windows Insider program who get to test upcoming additions, and has been removed from the latest Windows 11 preview.
Many users will be familiar with the video casting features if you use something like Chromecast, or if you go back even further in time you may remember using HDMI cables to connect your computer to your TV. This allows you to choose and control media on your computer (or device) and, for example, view it on your TV screen for better viewing or to share it with others.
The feature’s removal was discovered in an update released on October 19, known as Windows 11 Preview Build 22635.2486, via the beta channel of the Windows Insider program (one of four preview channels through which Microsoft releases previews). If users choose to upgrade to this preview build, they will find that it lacks the casting experience that Microsoft is currently testing. The casting feature was first added to build 22631.2129 in August this yearAnd Windows Central writes that it has been explicitly disabled by Microsoft while it fixes bugs and improves functionality.
Windows Central further quotes that Microsoft apparently plans to enable the casting feature again in a future Beta Channel release.
Highlights of the new preview build
That’s the main development that stands out in this current update, which generally doesn’t introduce any major new features. Other notable changes include the Xbox Game Bar now appearing just like “Game Bar” in the Start menuand system components that appear under the ‘System’ label in the Start menu. The latter should make system components easier to identify and find, and should appear as ‘System’ in the All apps appears (as soon as you open the Start menu). The Game Bar also appears below Settings > System > Apps > Installed appsand will apparently be updated via the Microsoft Store.
Some more minor improvements fix crash-related issues where the Start menu was affected by language settings and taskbar glitches causing problems with the search function.
Windows Central writes that dropping the upgraded video casting feature is a “good reason,” even if it temporarily reduces the functionality of Windows 11. I understand why Microsoft is taking the time to get this right. Chromecast is an extremely popular and beloved feature in Google Chrome and Google devices that has been around for years, so if Microsoft wants to compete, the feature needs to be slick and function reasonably well. If Microsoft wants users to adopt the cast feature in the same way, it needs to prove its worth.