Windows 10 build 17040 brings handwriting improvements, and more

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Microsoft just released the new Windows 10 Preview build 17040 for PC. The new build is available for Insiders on both Fast and Skip Ahead rings.

As it’s still early for new, revolutionary features of the Redstone 4, build 17040 mainly brings bug fixes and system improvements. However, there are a few minor feature updates, that some Insiders may find interesting.

New features of Windows 10 build 17040

So, let’s start with features that stand out in the new Preview build.

The new build brings the ability to adjust the brightness of SDR content on your HDR display. This option is now placed in the Settings app, under System > Display.

This build brings most improvements to touch and handwriting in Windows 10. Perhaps the news that will satisfy touch keyboard users is that shape writing is now also available on the wide keyboard. As a reminder, Microsoft introduced shape writing with the Fall Creators Update, but only for the one-handed keyboard.

And finally, the handwriting panel got some gesture improvements, including improved Insertion and Commit gesture. With the new improvements, the whole handwriting experience in Windows 10 will be more responsive and feel more natural.

Of course, as mentioned above, Windows 10 Preview build 17040 brings a handful of bug fixes and improvements. But also some known issues and bugs. For the complete list of all the bug fixes and known issues in this build visit Microsoft’s official build announcing blog post.

As always, we’ll browse through Microsoft forums for some more additional issues, that users reported during the day. A separate roundup article is coming soon!

Have you already installed the new build? Are there any unexpected issues? Let us know in the comments below!

More about the topics: Windows 10 Insider Build