New preview Windows 10 adds Auto HDR for games and enhances virtual desktops

The latest Windows 10 Insider Preview brings a load of interesting news, so it is worth noting not only among testers, but also ordinary users. Sooner or later, these innovations will be included in the stable builds of Windows 10. The just-released Build 21337 (RS_PRERELEASE), which is available to Dev Channel members, includes productivity and gaming enhancements. And let’s start with the games, as the latest build unlocks Auto HDR. If you’ve ever heard of this feature, it’s probably related to Xbox Series X / S consoles. Now, this gadget is coming to Windows 10 computers for the first time.

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Comparison of SDR (original colors), Auto HDR and native HDR

Auto HDR adds high dynamic range support to games that do not natively support this technology. HDR is characterized by richer colors and brightness, which contributes to a more realistic gaming experience. In addition, it can bring an advantage over opponents, as enemies will be better recognizable, for example, in the dark. Although many monitors on the market boast HDR support, unless the game’s developers have included this technology, the hardware itself has been useless to you. However, Auto HDR can also enhance SDR games to offer HDR-like quality. So it works similar to when TVs use upscaling to increase the resolution from Full HD to 4K.

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New options for Windows virtual desktops

According to Microsoft, more than a thousand games with DirectX 11 and DirectX 12 are supported. Of course, you can’t do without an HDR monitor. Auto HDR in Windows 10 is still just a preview, so it may not work perfectly. Another novelty will please users of virtual desktops. This function, which is available on the Task Display screen (shortcut key Win + Tab), allows, for example, to separate work life from personal life. After the last update, you can change the order of individual surfaces by dragging them or using the keyboard shortcut Alt + Shift + left / right. You can also now set a different background for each virtual desktop to make them easier to recognize.

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Minor redesign of Windows Explorer

Windows Explorer has undergone a cosmetic transformation in a new preview. The individual elements are separated by larger gaps, which should contribute to consistency with other modern UIs and also facilitate control via the touch screen. You can restore the classic layout in the Display Options menu by activating the “Use compact mode” option. Notepad has a new icon that better matches the Fluent style, and is now being updated through the Microsoft Store. It seems that the Redmond giant will now prefer Word and Notepad for text editing, while WordPad will be left behind, although it will remain in the menu.

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Over the years a new icon for Notepad

A modern command line variant – Windows Terminal – will now be pre-installed on the system. Updates will continue to run through the Microsoft Store. Windows 10 will now come with Power Automate Desktop pre-installed. In fact, Microsoft filled two empty spaces after the graphics programs 3D Painting and 3D Viewer, which have not been pre-installed in “Tens” since Build 21332.

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