Along with releasing a new build for the Skip Ahead Insiders, Microsoft has also rolled out a new build for Windows 10 Insiders in the Fast ring. Today’s Windows 10 Redstone 4 build 17123 introduces High Efficiency Image File Format (HEIF) in Windows 10. Along with this, Microsoft has also shared a few known issues that you should be aware of before trying Windows Mixed Reality features.
Windows 10 Redstone 4 17123 rolling out
Introducing High Efficiency Image File Format (HEIF) in Windows 10
The High Efficiency Image File Format (HEIF) has arrived for Windows 10 and the Photos app! HEIF is an image container that leverages modern codecs like HEVC to improve quality, compression, and capabilities compared to earlier formats like JPEG, GIF, and PNG. In addition to traditional single images, HEIF supports encoding image sequences, image collections, auxiliary images like alpha or depth maps, live images video, audio, and HDR for greater contrast. We have heard your feedback that these features and the ability to share photos easily with other platforms is important to you. This release we are delivering essential viewing support (You cannot edit HEIF images in this release).
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In order to try this out, you need to join the Windows App Preview Program for the Photos app and make sure you are running the March release of the Photos app (Version 2018.18022.13740.0 or newer). This version of the Photos app has been updated for RS4 to support viewing the primary image inside a HEIF file and to guide the install of dependencies like the HEIF and HEVC media extensions from the Microsoft Store. Once installed, these media extensions enable HEIF viewing in Photos as well as thumbnails and metadata in File Explorer.
Additionally, any application that uses WIC, WinRT Imaging APIs, or the XAML Image control can now add similar support for viewing single HEIF images.
Click here to open Feedback Hub and send us feedback on the HEIF experience with the Photos app and Windows 10.
Windows Mixed Reality
With this build, the Windows Mixed Reality Team would like to let you know about a few known issues as you try out the new Windows Mixed Reality features:
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- We’re investigating reports of a performance regression for Windows Mixed Reality on hybrid laptops on this build.
- In some cases, the inbox apps will fail to load inside of Windows Mixed Reality and newly placed Holograms may be empty. Restarting Windows Mixed Reality should resolve both issues.
- Occasionally there may be a long delay and restart of mixed reality when transitioning to a new place (Skyloft or Cliff House).
Since the last build, the following bugs should now be fixed:
- The ambient sound in Skyloft should now the correct volume.
- Launching the Store from Movies TV should no longer crash either app.
- 360 videos should render correctly inside of the Edge app, and the 360 Viewer can be launched from directly from the Store app.
The only known issue with this build is a small issue of connected phones. “If you had your phone linked to your PC prior to upgrading, you’ll find it has become unlinked after upgrading,” Microsoft said. You can relink your phone from Settings Phone. Looks like a stable build ready for primetime… We can’t wait for the RTM build to arrive!
– More details about general fixes available over here.
