In the latest test build for Windows 10 "Redstone 2," Microsoft previewed a new feature that adds customization options to three-finger and four-finger gesture controls on the touchpad.
While touchpad gestures are already put into good use in Windows 10, beta build 14946 revealed that Microsoft is going to add even more functionality to precision touch pads.
The latest preview build adds options to customize gestures using three fingers and four fingers for both tapping and swiping. By default, these gestures allow users to access the multitasking view when swiping up, access the desktop by swiping down and toggle between open apps by swiping left and right.
With the new customization options, users will be able to assign different functions for the features. The options can be accessed through the Settings section under the Touchpad option of the Devices menu. Users will also be able to see an advanced gesture configuration menu, which present more customization options, such as assigning song playback and virtual desktops to the three-finger and four-finger gestures.
There are keyboard shortcut counterparts for most of the available commands for gesture customization, but simply swiping or tapping on the touchpad is a more intuitive way to launch the commands compared to pressing several keys at the same time.
In addition, as noted by BGR's Chris Mills, Windows 10 gestures work consistently. While touchpad gestures on MacBooks work only about 80 percent of the time, touchpad gestures on Windows 10 seems to have a higher rate of success, which makes it more likely that users would actually utilize the feature.
Beta build 14946 also includes a variety of other improvements and bug fixes, such as a fix for Microsoft Edge crashes, a solution to Xbox Live sign-ins not working and a new Wi-Fi option that turns Wi-Fi on after a certain length of time from being turned off. The build has two known issues, though, with third-party anti-virus software possibly preventing the update from installing and larger Windows Store games possibly failing when launched.
Microsoft will be holding a special event on Oct. 26 in New York that might have Windows 10 as one of its main topics. It is expected that the company will reveal what the future holds for the operating system, along with its future engagements with the Xbox One platform.
In addition to Windows 10, other possible topics of discussion at the upcoming event include the rumored Surface all-in-one PC and the Surface Phone.
