KB5040535 to the Windows 11 Beta Channel brings a new way to open folders

Have you ever found yourself clicking through your computer, trying to open a file, and suddenly facing the “Open with” dialog box, looking slightly different than before? If you’re part of the Windows Insider Program and dabbling in the Beta Channel, you might have noticed something new. Microsoft has just rolled out a fresh Windows 11 build, numbered 22635.3936 under KB5040535, and it’s bringing some changes to the table, including a redesigned “Open with” dialog.

First, the “Open with” dialog has been updated. Microsoft decided it was time to simplify things, removing group headers, among other tweaks. It’s all part of their effort to make Windows more user-friendly. Have you seen it yet? It’s quite a subtle change but an improvement.

Remember the simplified system tray and the shortened date/time change that started appearing with Build 22635.3930? Well, they’ve hit pause on that for a bit. Due to some issues, Microsoft temporarily disabled it, promising to bring it back in a future update. If you caught a glimpse of it before, don’t be surprised if it vanishes after this latest update.

Now, onto the fixes. Microsoft has been busy squashing bugs, especially around text suggestions for hardware keyboards and those pesky ctfmon.exe crashes that could mess with your ability to input text. And for those who’ve had trouble with certain mice and keyboards not working in safe mode, there’s good news: that issue should now be fixed.

But, as with any update, there are some known issues. Microsoft is investigating an uptick in explorer.exe crashes and some problems with the Notification Center getting stuck. Plus, if you’re using the updated Recent, Favorites, and Shared sections in File Explorer, there might be a few glitches to watch out for.

For the Beta Channel insiders, there’s something else that’s new. The Microsoft Store is getting an update, too, with improved search suggestions and more straightforward navigation through game categories. It’s a small change, but it could make finding what you’re looking for easier.

If you’re in the Beta Channel of the Windows Insider Program, you’re seeing some of the changes and improvements Microsoft is experimenting with for Windows 11. It’s a mixed bag of updates, from interface tweaks to bug fixes, and even though there are some known issues, it’s all part of the process of making Windows better. Have you experienced any of these changes yet? What do you think?

You can read KB5040535’s full changelog here.