Microsoft has released a new preview of Windows 10 with a personalization feature for the Taskbar widget News and Interests and announced updates to the classic Paint app and Snipping Tool.
Windows 10’s latest preview doesn’t add much in the way of features, but Microsoft has finally made some progress with its classic Paint (or MSPaint) app, which traditionally shipped with Windows and was updated with new OS updates.
Microsoft decided in 2017 to freeze the development of Paint and disappointed fans by stating that it “may be removed in future releases” of Windows 10. At the time, Microsoft focused on Paint’s successor, 3D Paint.
SEE: Windows 10 Start menu hacks (TechRepublic Premium)
But after public outcry, Microsoft changed course, saying the classic Paint app would live on in the Microsoft Store – just not as part of Windows 10. In 2019, it changed plans again, saying the Paint app would be part of Windows 10 version 1903.
In a new blog post, Microsoft says the Paint app can now be “updated through the Microsoft Store outside of major OS updates.”
It doesn’t appear to be available in the Microsoft Store, but there are reports that it is available in the Microsoft Store.
However, Paint is getting a new icon that looks consistent with Microsoft’s Fluent Design refresh of the app icons, which have been tweaked to appear outside of the tiles. Paint is also promoted in the Start menu.
Snipping Tool – which combines the Snip & Sketch tool and is intended for taking screenshots – also gets updates from the Microsoft Store instead of major Windows 10 updates.
“It’s packaged with Snip & Sketch so we can deliver updates to both at the same time,” notes Microsoft. It will be given a promotion place in the Start menu.
Otherwise, the Windows 10 Insider Preview build 21354 for Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel will get new options to personalize the feed based on interests. Hovering the mouse pointer over the weather area in the taskbar displays a “Manage Interests” button that links to a page where users can manage their interests.
SEE: Windows 10: 20H2 preview removes old Edge, 21H1 gets the buggy printer fix
Microsoft has also added the “Tailor your feed” setting to the left of the “My Interests” page so that users can follow news publishers who partner with Microsoft.
The new personalization features are currently available to users in the US, UK, Canada, India and Australia.
There is also a new camera section in the Settings app that allows users to set up and configure front and rear cameras on a Windows 10 PC. This can be found at Settings> Devices> Camera. A “Configure” button can be used to change the default brightness and contrast.
Microsoft