Windows 11 to Feature Revamped Snipping Tool, Calculator, Mail, and Calendar Apps, Microsoft Reveals
Microsoft is improving some of the built-in apps available in Windows 11. Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel can now test new updates to the Snipping Tool, Calculator, Mail, and Calendar apps.
Some of the updates are minor, but all are designed to match the new visual style in Windows 11.
For instance, the Snipping Tool is replacing the classic Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch apps to bring an updated experience of screen capture in Windows 11.
Microsoft notes that if you have notifications turned off or Focus Assist turned on, you won’t be notified when you take a screenshot. That said, the company promises this will be fixed in a future update.
Once a screenshot is taken, the snipping menu will bring up options like Rectangular Snip, Freeform Snip, Windows Snip, and Fullscreen Snip. The new Snipping Tool will provide editing tools for annotations and improved cropping.
The Snipping Tool will also sync with the Windows Theme, so if the dark mode is turned on, then the app will also appear in the grey scheme.
Calculator
The new Calculator app has the new Windows 11 design language, including the ability the apply themes. Like the new Snipping Tool, you can apply a theme separate from Windows itself.
Calculator app also gets a new design with Windows 11 and syncs with the theme of the OS. Microsoft says that Calculator has been rewritten in C# so that more people can contribute to it on GitHub.
The Calculator app will come with a Programmer Mode that offers functionality required for programming and engineering. It will also allow for conversion between more than 100 units and currencies.
Finally, Windows 11 testers can now try out one-to-one and group audio or video calling in Microsoft Teams. You can also share your screen, just as you would in the regular Microsoft Teams app.
Lastly, the Mail and Calendar apps are also updated with a new visual style. It has added rounded corners and other adjustments to look more in sync with the new Windows 11 design. Mail and Calendar can also reflect the Windows theme, just like the other apps.
Microsoft launched the early Windows 11 preview in late June for insiders. Enthusiasts were able to get an early look at the changes Microsoft is making and test out the updated operating system for themselves. Since then, the company has been steadily adding features such as an improved search box in the Start Menu. Microsoft also cleaned up the context menus, adding copy and paste functionality right into the menu, as well as the ability to “group” commands for easier navigation.
