With KB5045889, Microsoft introduces a new Windows Hello experience to Windows 11

Today, Microsoft revealed a new update for Windows 11 Insiders. Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.4440 (KB5045889) is now available in the Beta Channel.

One of the most significant changes in KB5045889 is a modernized Windows Hello experience. Microsoft says it’s updating the visuals to align with Windows 11’s modern design standards. The Windows Hello passkey creation experience has also been overhauled.

Microsoft says the new Windows Hello experience will be coming to Windows 11 “gradually.” It’s now available to Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel. Windows Hello is Microsoft’s biometric authentication platform. It’s used to sign into Windows using a fingerprint, face, or PIN.

In addition to the Windows Hello update, KB5045889 includes the following changes, improvements, and fixes:

• General improvements and fixes that improve the overall experience for Insiders.
• Microsoft has temporarily disabled the new Gamepad keyboard layout for the on-screen keyboard in Windows 11 to address some issues. The feature will be restored in a future build.
• A fix for an underlying issue causing touch keyboard crashes and preventing the IME candidate window from appearing for some Insiders.

Microsoft notes that the features and improvements it’s testing might not ship and could be removed or replaced. Some features might only come to certain regions initially, with broader availability later.

You can read KB5045889’s full changelog here.

In other news, the Redmond-based tech giant recently updated the Windows 11’s Beta Channel with new options for Dynamic Lighting.