Windows 10 receives major updates twice a year, and the operating system is always seeing new improvements. Microsoft currently is beta testing an icon in the system tray that should make consumers more aware of which apps are listening in through their computer microphone. The feature brings another touch of privacy to the upcoming Windows 10 19H1 update, and was officially unveiledin a blog poston Wednesday, November 28.
Currently, this can be previewed byenrolling a PC in the Windows Insider programand downloading Windows 10 19H1 Fast Ring build 18290. Though Microsoft warns this version of Windows is still unstable, hovering on the new microphone icon in the taskbar after installing will show which apps are recording. Double-clicking it will also open the shortcut for Microphone Privacy Settings, but Microsoft promises that more could be coming for the experience soon.
“If multiple apps are using your microphone, then it will just list how many are actively using your microphone. We still have a bit more to do, stay tuned!” Microsoft explained.
These are all just the latest set of changes for the upcoming version of Windows 10, code-named 19H1. A previous preview previously introduced the ability for consumers to removemore of the preinstalled Microsoft appson a PC. Another version also introduced anew light theme, as well as animproved search feature.
The same preview build also introduces some tweaks to the Windows 10 Start Menu. It now features more polished buttons for the sleep, shut down, and restart options. Microsoft even added in new icons to help consumers identify which of the buttons does what function. Elsewhere, the preview build brings new abilities to manually synchronize the system clock with Microsoft’s time server. Also new is an updated landing page for Windows Search and Cortana, which now have a light theme and acyclic looking effects.
There is still not an exact date for when standard non-beta Windows users can expect these features on their PCs. Microsoft usually depends on the feedback from its Windows Insiders testers to perfect new features before pushing it out to everyone else.
Major Windows 10 updates are typically released around April and again around October. Microsoftrecently missed that time framewhen releasing the Windows 22 June 2025 Update, and it actually launched on November 13 followinga round of bugs and glitches.
