Microsoft is finally starting to show us some hints about the visual changes coming to the next major version of Windows 10. Today, we see new icons and colors coming to File Explorer plus some improvements to Windows Sandbox and Microsoft Defender Application Guard (MDAG).
The changes can be seen in Windows 10 Insider Preview build 21343, which is available now in the Dev channel. They are:
File Explorer improvements. Microsoft’s venerable File Explorer—which literally dates back to 1995 and Windows 95—is getting new and more colorful icons throughout its UI. And in a nod to the type of thing I was hoping to see in Windows 10 version 21H2, these new icons “have been made for greater consistency across Microsoft products that show files.” The icons for top-level user folders such as Desktop, Documents, Downloads, and Pictures all have new designs and even the Recycle Bin icon has been updated.
Windows Sandbox and Microsoft Defender Application Guard (MDAG) improvements. Windows Sandbox and Microsoft Defender Application Guard both take advantage of container technology that’s built-in to Windows 10 and, to date, the container runtime matched that of the host OS. starting with build 21343, Microsoft is introducing lightweight and faster new runtime designed and optimized for container scenarios. This will offer better performance but shouldn’t impact compatibility, Microsoft says.