This new Windows 11 setting will ‘prevent Phone Link from communicating with your mobile devices’ entirely — and you can test it right now
What if you don’t want your phone linked to Windows 11?
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What you need to know
Windows Insiders in the Dev and Canary Channels have new builds of Windows 11 to install.Build 23590,which is available for Dev Channel Insiders, is the larger of the two builds. It adds previews for natural voices, allowing people to try the voices out before having to download them. That same update also brings an enhanced image consumption experience in Narrator, including support for navigating between images with a keyboard command.
Build 25997is available for Canary Channel Insiders. It has some smaller changes, such as the option to disable Phone Link entirely.
Here’s everything that’s new and changed, as outlined by Microsoft:
Windows 11 Build 23590: What’s new
Natural Voices Previews in Narrator
We are introducingpreviewsfor natural voices of 10 new locales launched in September 2023. As a reminder, those natural voices include Chinese, Spanish (Spain), Spanish (Mexico), Japanese, English (UK), French, Portuguese, English (India),German and Korean.
These previews will allow the users to listen to the natural voices before downloading the voice model. Natural Narrator voices usemodern, on-device text to speech and once downloaded are supported without an internet connection. Please note to listen to the previews, an internet connection is required.
Enhanced image consumption experience in Narrator
We are improving the image consumption experience with Narrator. There are two major changes:
Windows 11 Build 23590: Changes and Improvements
General
Windows Share
Nearby Sharing
Narrator
Windows 11 Build 25997: Changes and Improvements
Windows Share
Settings
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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
