Microsoft has released Windows 11 Build 25346 for testers in the Windows Insider Program Canary Channel, bringing a power-saving feature to laptops and 2-in-1 devices. The preview update includes several noteworthy improvements and fixes, including support for Content Adaptive Brightness Control (CABC) on laptops and 2-in-1 devices while plugged in.
CABC is a new feature first introduced in 2021 with Windows 11. It optimizes screen brightness and contrast levels based on the content displayed on the built-in screen, adjusting the brightness and contrast when transitioning between dark and bright scenes in a video.
Until now, the CABC feature was only available for desktop PCs. With Build 25346, Microsoft has finally enabled the feature for plugged-in laptops and 2-in-1 devices, which could result in longer battery life, reduced energy consumption, and an overall improved experience.
Managing the CABC Feature in Windows 11 The feature can be managed by going to Windows Settings > System > Display under “Brightness & colour.” A new drop-down menu offers three options: Off, Always, and “On Battery Only,” which represents Windows 11’s CABC feature. The “On Battery Only” option is the default setting for battery-powered devices, such as laptops and 2-in-1s.
Microsoft is still working on the feature and wants testers to use the “Always” option instead and provide feedback on CABC’s visual quality to ensure proper tuning.
However, some users may not like how CABC works, especially for color accuracy tasks like photo or video editing. In such cases, it is best to turn off CABC, although this might reduce battery life.
Design Improvements in Windows 11 Build 25346 The update also includes several design improvements, with Microsoft trying to improve the design of legacy popups such as the popup for incompatible apps/drivers or Windows Security alerts. In this update, Microsoft has introduced an updated look for Windows Security (firewall) notification dialogs that match the Windows 11 visuals.
Microsoft has also introduced several new features and enhancements to improve the user experience, including a redesigned connection bar for remote desktop sessions with a refreshed light/dark mode design, improved file-sharing experience in File Explorer, and a new option to hide the date and time on the taskbar, making it less cluttered.
Conclusion Windows 11 Build 25346 enables CABC support on laptops and 2-in-1 devices, bringing power-saving features to these devices. Microsoft continues to improve the Windows 11 experience with design improvements and new features and enhancements. Testers can join the Windows Insider Program’s Canary Channel on a secondary device or virtual machine to try these new features. The upcoming updates for Windows 11 look promising, with more power-saving features and design improvements in the works.