Skip to main content

Microsoft gives life to the Action Center in the newest Windows 10 build

microsoft turns on actions center in new win 10 build
Image used with permission by copyright holder
After we learned that a (buggy) version of the Windows 10 Notifications Center could be enabled in the initial build of Win 10 by employing some clever trickery, we figured that it was just a matter of time before the feature was officially enabled.

That moment has arrived.

Recommended Videos

Microsoft just released the newest Windows 10 Technical Preview build, which activates this feature, dubbed the Action Center. The new build also makes some smaller adjustments to the OS as well. Microsoft made the announcement via this official blog post.

The Action Center will be a staging area for notifications that come from all corners of your PC, including your system, as well as individual apps. You’ll also see messages that inform you of new emails, instant messages, posts to Facebook, and much more.

In the release, Microsoft says that this initial version of the Action Center is solely centered on making pop-up notifications available to PC users, and that “quick actions” and a “cleaner UI” would be added to the package at a later time.

Microsoft made two lesser tweaks to Windows 10 in this new build also, one of which concerns people with multiple monitor setups. If you want to switch an active app so that it appears on your other display, you can now hit the Windows key-Shift-left/right arrow key combination in order to move it. Also added is a new animation which makes it easier to tell when you’re switching between virtual desktops.

Microsoft claims to have integrated information from user feedback in an effort to make under-the-hood improvements that, it says, will provide a better overall Windows 10 Technical Preview experience.

“We’ve made nearly 7,000 improvements and fixes to the product between 9841 and 9860,” Microsoft says. “Many of those fixes were based on problem reports that you submitted in the Community forum or through the Windows Feedback app.”

The new build is available for download right now. You can grab it by going to “PC settings,” and clicking on “Update and recovery.” From there, click “Preview builds,” and hit “Install now.”

Konrad Krawczyk
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Konrad covers desktops, laptops, tablets, sports tech and subjects in between for Digital Trends. Prior to joining DT, he…
How to uninstall Windows 11 and rollback to Windows 10
A man sits, using a laptop running the Windows 11 operating system.

Change is a constant in the world of technology, and operating systems are no exception. Windows 11, with its sleek interface and improved features, may have tempted you into upgrading. Yet, as with any change, there can be a multitude of reasons why you might want to revert to your previous OS or explore alternative options. In this guide, we'll explain how to uninstall Windows 11.

Read more
How to downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10
Laptop screen featuring a Windows update screen.

Windows 11 might be the latest, but it's possible that you may not agree that it's the greatest operating system Microsoft has to offer. And that's fair. After all, Windows 11 has had its fair share of bugs and issues. And in your own comparison between Windows 10 and Windows 11, you might think you'd rather go back to Windows 10.

If that's the case, we can help you navigate the downgrading process.

Read more
Microsoft plans to charge for Windows 10 updates in the future
Windows 11 and Windows 10 operating system logos are displayed on laptop screens.

Microsoft has confirmed it will offer security updates for Windows 10 after the end-of-life date for the operating system for consumer users but for a fee.

The brand recently announced plans to charge regular users for Extended Security Updates (ESU) who intend to continue using Windows 10 beyond the October 14, 2025 support date.

Read more