Windows 11 Adds the Mute Button onto the Taskbar

Windows 11 Mute Button

On November 3, Microsoft released new Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22494 to the Dev Channel. In this build, Windows 11 mute button feature is added to the Taskbar. When you’re actively in a call, the mute button will automatically appear on the right side of the Taskbar.

The icon will be present throughout your call. No matter how many windows you have open on your screen, you can access this feature easily.

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This feature is very useful. With this button, you can mute or unmute the call easily. In addition, it allows you to see your call audio status and check what app is accessing your microphone. But please note that the capability to mute or unmute your call applies only to your current call.

The last but not least, this button is very conspicuous and you will not neglect to enable it. Therefore, you can avoid some awkward or embarrassing moments when you forget to unmute or mute your microphone.

Currently, this feature is only available to Microsoft Teams for work or school (a video conferencing and calling program). But Microsoft plans to bring this to Chat from Microsoft Teams (Microsoft Teams for home) later. Of course, other communications applications can also add this capability to their applications.

Mute Button Keyboard Shortcut

In addition to the mute button on the Taskbar, this new build also includes a new keyboard feature. Using the keyboard shortcut Win + Alt + K can mute or unmute the mic. But please note that this mute button keyboard shortcut is also currently only available to Microsoft Teams.

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Other Improvements in the Build 22494

In addition to the above changes, there are other improvements brought by the update build 22494. For example:

• You can see snap groups in ALT + TAB and Task View. But this feature is currently only available for some Windows Insiders (not all Insiders).
• When you’re searching for file type or link types under Settings > Apps > Default apps, you don’t need to press Enter anymore and the search result will be listed when you type. The search mechanism is like the Windows search box on the Taskbar.
• You can launch the installed apps settings page under Settings > Apps > Installed apps directly via this URI: ms-settings:installed-apps.
• Under Settings > Apps > Installed apps, the name sort option is clearer and a size sort option is added.

Of course, in addition to these improvements, there are also many fixes. This build fixes many bugs appearing on Taskbar, File Explorer, Search, Input, etc. If possible, install this update immediately and you will get a better use experience.

If you want to know more about the update build 22494, please click Microsoft’ blog: Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22494.

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Bottom Line

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