Today Microsoft released Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 18917 (20H1) to Windows Insiders in the Fast ring.

What’s new in 18917

New download throttling options for Delivery Optimization

Microsoft has heard from users with very low connection speeds that setting download throttling as a percentage of available bandwidth isn’t providing enough relief in reducing the impact on their network. That’s why Microsoft has added a new option to throttle the bandwidth used by Delivery Optimization as an absolute value. You can set this separately for Foreground downloads (downloads that you initiate from Windows Store for example) or background downloads. This option already exists for IT Pros who use Group Policies or MDM policies to configure Delivery Optimization. In this build, Microsoft has made it easier to set via the settings page.

You can access this option via Settings > Update & Security > Delivery Optimization > Advanced Options

Narrator improvements

Data Table Reading Improvements: Microsoft has optimized the information you hear with Narrator when navigating a table using table navigation commands. Narrator now reads the header data first, followed by the cell data, followed by the row/column position for that cell. Additionally, Narrator only reads the headers when the headers have changed, so you can focus on the content of the cell.

Windows Subsystem for Linux 2

WSL 2 is a new version of the architecture that powers the Windows Subsystem for Linux to run ELF64 Linux binaries on Windows. This new architecture, which uses a real Linux kernel, changes how these Linux binaries interact with Windows and your computer’s hardware, but still provides the same user experience as in WSL 1 (the current widely available version). WSL 2 delivers a much faster file system performance and full system call compatibility, which lets you run more applications like Docker!

Read more about the release of WSL 2.

Windows Ink Workspace Updates

As Microsoft mentioned last week, you may notice that Windows Ink Workspace has changed on your PC. That’s because Microsoft is updating the Windows Ink Workspace experience and starting to roll it out to some Insiders.

As part of this, Windows Ink Workspace now takes up less screen real estate, and Microsoft is converging their whiteboarding experiences with a new direct link to their Microsoft Whiteboard app. Microsoft Whiteboard is a freeform digital canvas where ideas, content, and people can come together. It includes an infinite canvas, optional backgrounds (including graph paper and solid dark grey) to choose from, rainbow ink support, multiple pages, and generally addresses much of the feedback you shared with us about Sketchpad. If you used Sketchpad, don’t worry – Microsoft saved the sketch you were working on in your Pictures folder.

Microsoft heard your feedback, and Microsoft has streamlined the Windows Ink Workspace for you. Stay tuned as Microsoft continue to evolve!  If the Windows Ink Workspace icon isn’t visible in your taskbar, you can show it by right-clicking the taskbar and selecting “Show Windows Workspace Icon.”

General changes, improvements, and fixes for PC

• Microsoft fixed an issue where some users experienced a 0x8007000E error code while downloading the build due to high RAM consumption.
• Microsoft fixed an issue where users couldn’t use the desktop Features on Demand “add a feature” option.
• Microsoft fixed an issue where dragging the emoji and dictation panels was unexpectedly laggy.
• Microsoft is in the process of rolling out a change in this build to address an issue where if the taskbar was set to autohide, launching the Start menu would first hide the taskbar before bringing up the Start menu.
• Microsoft fixed an issue resulting in the Start menu and taskbar going 100% transparent on secondary monitors or after projection.
• Microsoft has updated the new File Explorer search experience to now be dark when used in dark theme. Note – this experience is still in the process of rolling out. Thanks everyone who’s tried it so far and shared feedback, we’ll let you know when the rollout expands.
• Microsoft fixed an issue where Windows Security would crash if launched from Settings when using an Arabic display language.
• Microsoft fixed an issue where the audio service might hang on shutdown if spatial audio was turned on.

Known Issues

• This update might fail the first time you try to download it with a 0xc0000409 error code.
• For Home editions, some devices might not see the “update installed” on the update history page.
• For Home editions, some devices might not be able to see the “download progress %” change on the Windows Update page.
• There has been an issue with older versions of anti-cheat software used with games where after updating to the latest 19H1 Insider Preview builds may cause PCs to experience crashes. Microsoft is working with partners on getting their software updated with a fix, and most games have released patches to prevent PCs from experiencing this issue. To minimize the chance of running into this issue, please make sure you are running the latest version of your games before attempting to update the operating system. Microsoft is also working with anti-cheat and game developers to resolve similar issues that may arise with the 20H1 Insider Preview builds and will work to minimize the likelihood of these issues in the future.
• Some Realtek SD card readers are not functioning properly. Microsoft is investigating the issue.
• Tamper Protection may be turned off in Windows Security after updating to this build. You can turn it back on.
• Microsoft are aware of an issue with the Bopomofo IME where the character width is suddenly changed to Full width from Half width and are investigating.
• Microsoft is investigating an issue where some users are reporting that File Explorer search is rendering in an unexpectedly small area and clicking it results in a crash.

Known issues for Developers

• If you install builds from the Fast ring and switch to either the Slow ring or the Release Preview ring, optional content such as enabling developer mode will fail. You will have to remain in the Fast ring to add/install/enable optional content. This is because optional content will only install on builds approved for specific rings.

Windows 10 Insiders in the Fast Ring can download the update by Checking for Updates in Settings.