Subj : Windows 11 gets a nifty change to make logging onto Wi-Fi easier To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Thu Oct 19 2023 11:30:06 Windows 11 gets a nifty change to make logging onto Wi-Fi easier Date: Thu, 19 Oct 2023 10:26:11 +0000 Description: A new preview build also makes a very smart addition on the accessibility front. FULL STORY ====================================================================== Windows 11 has a new preview version that makes a few marked improvements on the wireless front, including a feature that makes it dead easy for visitors to log on to your Wi-Fi network at home . Preview build 25977 is out in the Canary channel (the earliest test version of Windows 11) and comes with the ability to let someone join your Wi-Fi just by scanning a QR code. How it works is you head to Wi-Fi properties, and when looking at the Wi-Fi password, a QR code is now displayed. All guests need to do to log on to the Wi-Fi network is scan that QR code with their devices camera, and its done. So, theres no need to manually enter the password for your Wi-Fi router or to have to dive into Settings and the Network and Sharing Center and fiddle around in those submenus either. Its a much more convenient method, in short. Another Wi-Fi-related change is happening in this preview build, this time pertaining to privacy. Microsoft has introduced functionality to let you manage the apps that have access to the list of Wi-Fi networks in your local area (as those networks could be used to pinpoint where you are in the real world). If you dont want an application to have that power, you can simply block it (this ability lives under Settings > Privacy & security > Location). Theres more on the wireless front, but this time with Bluetooth, as this Windows 11 preview has ushered in support for using Bluetooth Low Energy Audio hearing aids. If you own such a device, you can now directly pair it with your PC in order to stream audio, take calls, and so on, which is very cool. Youll need to own a Windows 11 device that supports Bluetooth Low Energy Audio, though. For the full list of changes and small tweaks here and there, theres the usual lengthy blog post provided by Microsoft. Analysis: A new spin on the globe, too Some of those extra tweaks include a small but pretty useful one which is also worth noting. You know the internet connection icon in the system tray, on the far right-hand side of the taskbar? Currently, if theres no connection, its a disconnected globe icon, but the slight change is that if the PC is in the process of connecting but isnt yet connected youll see an animation to indicate this. In other words, the globe will only appear if youre definitely offline and no connection is present, or in the process of coming into being. Theres some useful work on the network side of things here, then, particularly the addition of quick logins for Wi-Fi with that QR code (something that has been available on Android for some time now, as you may be aware). While were picking up on smaller details, its worth mentioning that for testers actually intending to grab this Canary build, theres a big issue on the gaming front. Microsoft observes that some popular games may not work correctly with build 25977 (and indeed possibly recent builds just before it). We arent told which of the best PC games these might be, but its certainly something to be aware of if you indulge in a spot of gaming on your rig. Via Windows Latest You might also like Panic over: Windows 10 users wont be left out in the cold with Wi-Fi 7 Dont make these 5 big mistakes when using Windows 11 Copilot might be the biggest change Microsoft has ever made to its OS ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/windows-11-gets-a-nifty-change-to- make-logging-onto-wi-fi-easier --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .