Windows 11 Build Number 23493 Adds Copilot, RAR and 7-Zip Support

Microsoft released a new version of Windows 11 in the Dev Channel for Windows Insiders on Thursday, June 29. The new build number is 23493, which includes some of the biggest releases, such as Windows Copilot Preview, a new settings home page, built-in support for RAR, 7-Zip, a new volume mixer, and more.

Windows 11 Build Number 23493 Provides Copilot, RAR, & 7-Zip Support

Let’s take a look at what’s new in Building Number 23493:

Windows Copilot Preview

Back in May, at the Build developer conference, Microsoft introduced Windows Copilot for Windows 11 – the first PC platform to offer centralized AI assistance designed to make it easy for people to take action and get things done.

“It does not overlap with your desktop content and runs unobstructed alongside your open app windows, allowing you to interact with Windows Copilot at any time,” the Windows team said in a blog post. “Windows Copilot with Bing Chat generates responses that are contextual and enhances your experience in Windows.”

In this first, early preview, you can ask the AI-powered Windows Copilot a series of questions or request actions such as:

• “Switch to dark mode.”
• “Turn on, don’t disturb me.”
• “Take a screenshot.”
• “Summarize this website” (Active tab in Microsoft Edge)
• “Write a story about a dog who lives on the moon.”
• “Create for me a picture of a serene koi pond with lily pads.”

Since this is an early preview, Windows Copilot is not yet fully operational. For example, Windows Copilot has a basic set of Windows settings plugins but no support for third-party plugins yet.

Microsoft says it will add features over time as it refines the Windows Copilot experience with Windows Insiders.

New Settings Homepage

Building number 23493 also introduces a new homepage in Settings that offers you a dynamic and personalized experience. It gives an overview of your device, quick access to important settings and helps manage your Microsoft account.

The company has also created interactive maps that represent various device- and account-related settings grouped by commonly used functions.

Here is an overview of each card:

• Recommended settings: This map adapts to your specific usage patterns, providing timely and relevant setting options. It is designed to streamline your settings management and save you time.
• Cloud Storage: Gives you an overview of your cloud storage usage and lets you know when you’re almost at your capacity.
• Account recovery: This helps keep your Microsoft account more secure by helping you add additional recovery information so you never get locked out of your account, even if you forget your password.
• Personalization: This brings customization to the forefront by providing one-click access to update your background theme or change your color mode.
• Microsoft 365: Provides a quick look at your subscription status and benefits, along with the ability to perform some key actions in Settings instead of going to the web page.
• Xbox: Like the Microsoft 365 card, you can view your subscription status and manage the subscription from the Settings app.
  This release contains seven maps, but the company plans to add more in future releases.

Backup And Recovery

Starting with Windows 11 build number 23493, you will see pins for your desktop app restored on the taskbar and Start menu, including desktop apps not installed from the Microsoft Store.

Furthermore, you can click on the app pin to restore your desktop apps available in the Microsoft Store. For apps not available in the Microsoft Store, you will be directed to the Web to download the installer.

Built-in Support For RAR And 7-Zip

This build adds built-in support for reading additional archive file formats using the open-source project libarchive, such as “.tar”, “.tar.gz”, “.tar.bz2”, “.tar.zst”, “.tar.xz”, “.tgz”, “.tbz2”, “.tzst”, “.txz”, “.rar”, and “.7z” archive file formats from File Explorer.

New Volume Mixer Experience In Quick Settings

Windows 11 introduces a new improved volume mixer in Quick Settings. The updated audio quick settings experience brings a modern volume mixer that allows quick audio adjustment on a per-app basis, with additional control to swap devices on-the-fly.

A new keyboard shortcut key (WIN + CTRL + V) has also been added to open the volume mixer for faster control of the experience.

In addition, the development team has made it easier to activate the Windows Sonic experience with a quick access list of installed spatial sound technologies. You can visit the Microsoft Store to find more spatial sound technologies to choose from, such as Dolby and DTS.

Narrator Natural Voices In Japanese And English (British)
Build number 23493 also introduces new natural voices in Japanese and English (British), allowing Teller users to comfortably browse the Web and read and write mail.

Snap Layout

In this build, Windows 11 adds suggestions in Snap Layouts to help you click multiple apps together instantly. When you hover over the “Minimize” or “Maximize” button on an app (or WIN + Z) to open the layout box, you’ll see app icons displayed in different layout options to help you recommend the best layout option that works best.

In addition to the above features, Building Number 23493 brings several other changes and improvements. You can read the blog post here to learn more about the full list of changes and known issues.