As part of the April 2019 Update development, Windows 10 build 18342 is now rolling out for devices enrolled in the Fast ring of the Windows Insider Program. This is the 23rd preview releasing to testers with several new improvements and a slew of fixes.
Windows 10 build 18342, according to Microsoft, is a small update that includes (unclear) improvements for the new “Windows gaming technology,” changes for the Windows Subsystem for Linux, Windows Sandbox, File Explorer, and more.
Windows 10 build 18342
Here are all the features and changes coming to the next version of Windows 10:
File Explorer
Starting with this April 2019 Update, File Explorer now allows you to rename a file using a dot at the beginning of the name (for example, “.gitignore”).
Windows Subsystem for Linux
If you use Linux on Windows 10, you can now access the Linux files part of the Windows Subsystem for Linux environment.
The new files are accessible using command line or File Explorer. In order to access the files, you need to navigate to \\wsl$\distro_name, or see a list of running distributions by navigating to \\wsl$.
Also, build 18342 introduces improvements for the wsl.exe command line interface. For instance, you can now import and export distros, and you can now consolidate existing features from wslconfig.exe, such as list distros and setting defaults.
Windows Sandbox
The Windows Sandbox experience now captures hotkeys in full screen, and it brings supports configuration files.
Using these files allows you to configure some aspects of the experience, including vGPU, networking and shared folders.
Gaming
Starting with build 18342, Microsoft continues to mention improvements for its new “Windows gaming technology,” but the specific details are still unknown.
Additional improvements
Alongside the new features and changes, Windows 10 build 18342 ships with other minor improvements. For example, the name of the “Windows Light” theme to now be “Windows (light)”, when using the Magnifier with larger pointers, it pans smoothly as the pointers change shape, and the new tamper protection setting available in the Windows Security app that protects your device is now enabled by default for Insider Preview builds.
Microsoft is listing the complete set of improvements, fixes, and known issues for Windows 10 Insider Preview build 18342 at the Windows Blog.
Download Windows 10 build 18342
Although there are no ISO files for Windows 10 build 18342, the update is available immediately through the Fast ring. This preview build will download and install automatically on your device, but you can always force the update from Settings > Update & security > Windows Update, and clicking the Check for updates button.
You can also check out these resources:
Mauro Huculak is a Windows expert and the Editor-in-Chief who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He is also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 12 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows, software, and related technologies, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.