Announcing WinBatchX 18 Beta Build 1770

Today WinBatchX is releasing Build 1770 to the general public for testing in the beta test channel. As you see, WinBatchX 18 has entered the beta channel. The build number has also increased by 100 numbers for other builds (18.S, 16.2+, 17.1+)

Quick Read: This build includes numerous app releases for WinBatchX and a few bugs you should check below. This build is also merged with a later build of 1700 (thats was not released) and bumps up the kernel version to 0.7.

Whats new..
Introducing Task View
In this build, we introduced a early, working version of Task View Beta. This feature can be used to show what current apps are running on WinBatchX. This feature is currently at it's earliest development and will get updated throughout the next few builds.

WinBatchX Calculator Release
WinBatchX 18 now has a released Calculator App! The app's functions are mostly imported from 16.0's release. Calculator is able to be dragged around the desktop. Windowed Mode is now the calculator app, which can be found on the start menu. Improvements to Windowed Mode will be used on the next version of WinBatchX.
Calculator cannot except input from the keyboard. This app does have a fix for keyboard input only in the app.

WinBatchX Security
Also in this build is a early release of WinBatchX Security. This app currently has a scan button and descriptions on security and WinBatchX.

Improvements/Changes

• We merged WinBatchX Build 1770 with the last build (1665). It has a few changes visually, but there were intergity checks in the code.

[WBX-Wide Changes]

• Fixed up the right click start menu button actions.
• We accidently turned off mica in this build, but we are also expermenting with a better color for all of our apps.
• When running an app, using a feature and clicking out of it, it will now go back to the app rather than the desktop.
• Due to new merges with newer builds, the desktop will be more responsive to your mouse cursor (only slightly).

[Taskbar]

• Updated the active button for the Notification/Action Center.
• Updates to the taskbar app focus now tells you if the running app on the taskbar is open or not.

[Start Menu]

• Removed the build number at the bottom of the start menu.
• Reduced the size of the user photo on the bottom of the start menu.
• We reupdated the non-existant border for All Apps and locations of some of the text in the menu.
• The power button (when clicked) will show a border on the button.
• Changed the outline color of the power menu to match the design of WinBatchX.
• Regulated in-the-hood code for start menu API.
• Lightened the color of the search icon on the top of the start menu. (Not shown below)
• Added icons to the power menu buttons. (Below)

[Apps: All Apps..]

• Changed the control buttons to only a close button. (All apps have fixes for the removal of the minimize button.)

[Settings]

• Updated the about section in WinBatchX Settings.
• We also fixed the update bug from 'config.yml' in the WinBatchX Settings App.

[Calculator]

• We changed the windowed mode settings for a better responsive drag.
• The control buttons now work. Use the control buttons (the close button on the right-top side) to end Calculator.
• Debuged the in-rigged variables with notes for devs (and me).

[Calendar]

• Fixed why the app did not show it's icon.

[Security]

• The app is now executable in WinBatchX build 1770. The actual app is not in beta in this time.

Current bugs:

• WinBatchX sometimes crashes when typing from the keyboard.
• When setting the data-settings.bat file, it will spam its contents on the command line.
• When finishing the terminal prompt, the desktop will stop working due to the last key typed letter on the keyboard from the prompt.
• The configuration for taskbar allignment is not working in this build, and will not save your settings. It will be fixed with a new set of configuration changes in the coming builds.
• When opening file explorer, then using a feature on the taskbar and closing it, the top bar of the app will not appear (it shows the desktop background instead).
• The date on the desktop on startup will not work unless you 'refresh' the taskbar (by right clicking the desktop and clicking refresh).
• Calculator may be less responsive due to fixes in the Windowed Mode App before the merge into calculator.

Notice:
The quantum kernel is in pre-development stage. Builds in WinBatchX 18 will also not be compatible with older builds. After WinBatchX 18 is released, any released shipped without the new quantum kernel will be dropped and unsupported.

bes-ptah

Announcing WinBatchX 18 Alpha Build 1665

Note: his build artifically increments the build number to 1665, but is updated as 1664.

Today WinBatchX is releasing Build 1665 to the general public for testing in the alpha test channel.

Quick Read: This build is mostly testing a major bug fix.

Improvements/Changes

• We did a recheck of the code for any bug fixes, and will do more next build.
• We also fixed an update bug from 'config.yml'. _It used to be 'config.yml', which caused any updates to fail. This is first rolling out to 18.0 and is already on the first 18.S build (1210).

Current bugs:

• WinBatchX sometimes crashes when typing from the keyboard.
• When setting the data-settings.bat file, it will spam its contents on the command line.
• When finishing the terminal prompt, the desktop will stop working due to the last key typed letter on the keyboard from the prompt.
• The configuration for taskbar allignment is not working in this build, and will not save your settings. It will be fixed with a new set of configuration changes in the coming builds.

Notice:
The quantum kernel is in pre-development stage. Builds in WinBatchX 18 will also not be compatible with older builds. After WinBatchX 18 is released, any released shipped without the new quantum kernel will be dropped and unsupported.

bes-ptah
Creator

Announcing WinBatchX 18.S Preview Build 1210

For a changelog, click here.

This release does not have a build number on the unzipped folder. Please make sure you check the build number by running it to see if it's the latest build release.

18.S Releases are skipping odd numbers!

Announcing WinBatchX 18 Alpha Build 1664

Today WinBatchX is releasing Build 1664 to the general public for testing in the alpha test channel. WinBatchX 1663 was released earlier 2 hours ago. This build includes a few bug fixes to it.

Improvements/Changes
(Introducing BatchHTML- not in this build)
As the next few builds of WinBatchX roll by, the edge app will be released! Edge will be able to open web pages inside WinBatchX (still in testing, not verified). The API is not in this build at this time due to this build's quick release.
(Taskbar)

• The taskbar date time is now enabled.
• The right-click taskbar context menus has been a new option: Task Manager. (As of this time, the Windows Insider Program has gone ahead and placed it in both dev and beta)
  (Settings: Time & Language)
• We have developed the settings app to show you the time, but changes will only happen on Windows.

Current bugs:

• WinBatchX sometimes crashes when typing from the keyboard.
• When setting the data-settings.bat file, it will spam its contents on the command line.
• When finishing the terminal prompt, the desktop will stop working due to the last key typed letter on the keyboard from the prompt.
• The configuration for taskbar allignment is not working in this build, and will not save your settings. It will be fixed with a new set of configuration changes in the coming builds.

Notice:
The quantum kernel is in pre-development stage. Builds in WinBatchX 18 will also not be compatible with older builds. After WinBatchX 18 is released, any released shipped without the new quantum kernel will be dropped and unsupported.

bes-ptah
Creator

Announcing WinBatchX 18 Alpha Build 1663

Today WinBatchX is releasing WinBatchX 18 Beta 1: Build 1663 to the general public for testing in the alpha test channel.

The next few dozen builds are based on new app releases and bug fixes.

Improvements/Changes
(General)

• Also fixed all context menus on the desktop from opening twice.
• Fixed most buttons on the taskbar from opening twice.
• Fixed a update-github server-side bug that causes 'config.yml' to not be deleted because it does not exist.
  (Desktop)
• The current app running will show a blue bar under the icon on the taskbar.
• The start menu's search bar is now the same size as the start menu all apps' search bar.
• The Recycle Bin's Icon has now been fixed to be like current Windows 11 releases
  (Context Menus)
• Right-clicking the desktop/file explorer will have a bigger, expandable option menu.
• The Display Settings button will now direct you to the correct settings page in Settings.
• Submenus are available for the View, Sort by, and New buttons.
• The shutdown button doesn't exist on the main desktop context menus now.
  (Paint App)
• The paint app is now working after it was tested with the new kernel.
• You can only draw in the white canvas. You will see the change in color to show where you can draw (and what will only be saved -coming in future builds)
  (File Explorer)
• Added new pages (open up the Desktop Folder, Documents Folder, Downloads Folder ,etc) to represent the folders of the file system.
• The Quick Access folders (home) now have labels below the icon.
  (Terminal)
• Removed the 'wondering' settings icon near the control buttons (the close button)

Current bugs:

• WinBatchX sometimes crashes when typing from the keyboard.
• Certain apps do not load correctly in WinBatchX. They're executed before the kernel is notified about it and doesnt show it as the current running app. (A bug fix has been applied)
• When setting the data-settings.bat file, it will spam its contents on the command line.
• When right-clicking the current app running, the batch label is not found due to imcomplete features.
• When finishing the terminal prompt, the desktop will stop working due to the last key typed letter on the keyboard from the prompt.
• The configuration for taskbar allignment is not working in this build, and will not save your settings. It will be fixed with a new set of configuration changes in the coming builds.

Notice:
The quantum kernel is in pre-development stage. Builds in WinBatchX 18 will also not be compatible with older builds. After WinBatchX 18 is released, any released shipped without the new quantum kernel will be dropped and unsupported.

bes-ptah
Creator

Announcing WinBatchX 18 Alpha Build 1662

Quick Read: Mostly a bug fix build; there are new features too!

The changelog below was auto-generated from the build notes.

Today WinBatchX is releasing Build 1662 to the general public for testing in the alpha test channel.

Quick Note: Builds are now getting more stable and lots of more features released! The next few builds after 1663 will be mostly bug fixes and improvements inside WinBatchX.

New features

WinBatchX Terminal Release
The terminal app is for experienced users that are used to the Windows Command Line. Many of the commands in the terminal app are just like Windows. If you ever need help, type 'help', or click on the question mark next to the control buttons.

Revisiting WinBatchX Settings: Version 17.0.6
The settings app is geting a new personalization page! It also includes some new configuration for customizing your taskbar listed below.

Left-center Taskbar Alignment
In this build, you can now shift the taskbar icons to the left. That includes the start menu, search, widgets. and taskbar overflow being shifted to the left. As of right now, all the actual features (opening the icons up) will not shift to the left yet. We're still working on shifting it to the left later on.

Update 10/16: The configuration settings for Taskbar Alignment is broken. It will not save your settings for the next run.

New Action / Notification Centers
The action center is now part of WinBatchX 18.0 Beta! This is the first, really developed action center. Some features are incomplete right now due to early release of the Settings App and will be fixed up by the next build. These centers will be updated regularly each build for new improvements and fixes!

Many changes to batch apps on WinBatchX
Apps are now having more function since the switch of the kernels. Some apps (example: Task Manager) have been restored after being held back due to compitability with the NI kernel image files. In this build, apps should load more faster due with the new kernel, and the time to load the app has been reduced.

Plenty of other code-end features.. (listed below this section)
Throughout the next few builds, WinBatchX's code is being revisied repeatedly for issues and bugs. We're also making kernel improvements and some visual changes until 1670.

Improvements/Changes

• Improved spacing between the apps and features on the taskbar.
• You can now click on 'Taskbar Settings' when right clicking on the taskbar. It will open the taskbar settings page.
• As seen in build 1661, there is now a shutdown screen (that will soon stop winbatchx services too) and a revisited login screen.
• Certain apps were not executable in WinBatchX Builds 1660 and 1661. They are now fixed.
• There is now an outline to the icons on the desktop.
• There are some back-end windowed mode fixes- including connecting the current looping of the windoed mode app to the main kernel.
• An expermental 'no-lock-screen-background' is in this build.
• The bug 'The system cannot find the drive specified' is spammed each time it is called via the kernel. It's now fixed throughout this build.
• Plenty of in-code changes to IF statements. '==' were swapped out for 'EQU' for easier reading on code.
• Adjusted the word 'Recycle Bin' on the desktop. Centering words is not actually working at this time, so new files in the future on the - desktop could be put on the left.
• The 'About' Section of Settings is slightly more developed with more infomation about your running computer.
• 'data-settings.bat' has new configuration settings for the Settings App.
• Some changes in the boot process was made for new personalization settings.
• Parts of the settings app will show up after closing the Windowed Mode App. The bug is now fixed.
• The context menu for the destkop will only open once. This will be applied through the entire build in 1663.
• Fixed a possible crash on login when clicking on letters from the keyboard while on the lock screen.
• Fixed a bug where the start menu did not show search due to adding system themes.
• Clicking on the start menu's search bar will now open up the search feature.
• Users should not see any other apps techinally ghost 'running' behind while WinBatchX is on the destkop.
• The windowed mode app is no longer at the bottom of the WinBatchX batch file. It is above the WinBatchX Applications list (simpily above the notepad app)

Current bugs:

• WinBatchX sometimes crashes when typing from the keyboard.
• Typing special keys (example; tab) will cause WinBatchX to crash.
• Some parts of WinBatchX will be spammed on the command line when starting WinBatchX. These lines may be part of the wget executable, which pulls update data from github.
• Certain apps do not load correctly in WinBatchX. They're executed before the kernel is notified about it and doesnt show it as the current running app.
• Task Manger is currently broken in this build (and previous builds)
• When setting a new variable for data-settings.bat, it will spam its contents on the command line.
• Certain context menus will open twice after clicking on a button of the menu.
• The paint app is broken and will cause the WinBatchX Desktop to crash.
• The sound button's background image is not the same color as the taskbar. It will be fixed in 1663.
• When right-clicking the current app running, the batch label is not found due to imcomplete features.
• The file 'batchinstaller-light.bmp' and dark version need to be converted to 'batchinstaller.light.bmp' to respect the other icon files in the BMP folder.
• The search bar on the start menu 'all apps' is smaller than the actual size of the start menu.
• The terminal app still says 'NI Kernel' at startup. This app was imported from an earlier build, which will be fixed in 1663.

Notice:
The quantum kernel is in pre-development stage. Due to a switch in kernels, WinBatchX has been 'recompiled' from scratch, with new variables and labels, compitability and more. Builds in WinBatchX 18 will also not be compitable with older builds. After WinBatchX 18 is released, any released shipped without the new quantum kernel will be dropped and unsupported.

bes-ptah
Creator

Announcing WinBatchX 18 Build 1661

Today WinBatchX is releasing Build 1661 to the general public for testing in the alpha test channel. As you've seen, github has been moved over to WinBatchX's new website! We'll be hosting the source files/updates in github from now on.

New features

Revising the settings app
A new settings app has been created for WinBatchX! The settings app has come out of beta for testing in the alpha channel. Plenty of performance issues were fixed in this build. Not all the new features are set in, but there are noticable changes!
The settings app is updated to 17.0.2; more will be released in 1662 and 1663! Not all of these settings work right now due to new updated configuration needed.

Expermential Audio System
Starting in WInBatchX Build 1662, we will have another test app to make sounds for WinBatchX. Of course, the audio will respect your Windows Settings (if they are muted, you will not hear the sound). It will be adjustable in the action center too!
Audio (soon) will be adjustable in WinBatchX Settings > Sound.

Right clicking Start menu
Right-clicking the start menu in the desktop will open a semi-new menu! This menu is almost similar to Windows' start context menu. Other menus will start using this type of menu, including the power options on the desktop.

The list of undeveloped features:

• Taskbar Overflow
• Configuration switches

Improvements/Changes

• The photos app has been 'reiconed' from Windows 11 Developer Builds.
• There's a small demostration of a windowed mode app for WinBatchX! It will appear when you join the desktop.
• Windowed Mode: Due to the ongoing changes for WinBatchX, all apps will be imported to a windowed-mode prototype. You will be able to move settings, calendar, file explorer, etc but will not have images due to the command line. If you pull the app to full screen, you will see the images.
• There is more space between menu buttons when right-clicking to open a context menu.
• Using 'f8' for disabled parts of settings instead of 'f7', as it causes accessibility reading issues
• Quantum Kernel number bumped to 0.5.1.

Current bugs:

• Plenty of bugs! Don't expect a smooth experience with this build. Some bugs come up randomly (as of we know right now), while others have a response from the line with it.
• WinBatchX sometimes crashes when typing from the keyboard.
• The bug 'The system cannot find the drive specified' is spammed each time it is called via the kernel.
• Typing special keys (example; tab) will cause WinBatchX to crash.

Notice:
The quantum kernel is in pre-development stage. Due to a switch in kernels, WinBatchX has been 'recompiled' from scratch, with new variables and labels, compitability and more. Builds in WinBatchX 18 will also not be compitable with older builds. After WinBatchX 18 is released, any released shipped without the new quantum kernel will be dropped and unsupported.

bes-ptah
Creator

Announcing WinBatchX 18 Build 1660

Today, WinBatchX is releasing Build 1660 to the general public for testing in the alpha test channel. Please note we have restarted the development cycle, so expect many bugs ahead.

(Is this a 18.0 build? Yes it is!)

This build has a lot of new features that come from earlier 'canary' versions of WinBatchX! Although this build does not have all the new features I have been working on, it includes a good list of fixes and features. Listed below:

Appualing new features

New Desktop/Taskbar

The deskop has a new experience: the desktop has light and dark mode! In this release, dark mode is on by default. However, the desktop apps have not been edited for the modes (The apps will stay as light mode). You may also notice a few apps on the desktop! These will be customizible in future builds.

The taskbar also has a new experience. There is a new button on there; taskbar overflow! (The '...' icon) The overflow feature will be released in 1661. You can also move the taskbar allignment icons to the left in settings.

Windowed Mode
WinBatchX is having first expermential ideas of windowed mode! The only deflect with windowed mode is that images can't be displayed (windowed mode is based on console), and the window can't be expanded/de-expand. Windowed mode can be tried on a demostration app on the WinBatchX Desktop.

There are several dozen undeveloped features listed below:
Taskbar Overflow
Right click desktop
Action Center
Taskbar location
Background switches
Configuration switches

Kernel-wide improvements: (Under the hood improvements)

Quantum Kernel

This kernel is in pre-development stage. Due to a switch in kernels, WinBatchX has been 'recompiled' from scratch, with new variables and labels, compitability and more. Builds in WinBatchX 18 will also not be compitable with older builds. At the time of writing, any release that is less than 18 will be dropped and unsupported. It also introduces these new packed features that I will be releasing in the weeks ahead in this channel.

Several GUI changes

Some of the GUI programs used to draw WinBatchX are now changed and are not compitable with older release GUI programs. A few were fixed up for performance-related changes that may come with heavy bugs, and you can take a look (if you want) for possible problems!

Current bugs:

• Desktop: The command line will spam the 'drive is not specified'. Will be fixed in a future build.
• Plenty of bugs! Don't expect a smooth experience with this build. Some bugs come up randomly (as of we know right now), while others have a response from the line with it.

Major changes and improvements:

• Changed many of the variables and labels in boot
• The NI folder was renamed back to the System Folder
• There are new GUI files in the System Folder
• Changed many of the image names in the BMP folder.
• AT least 50 other minor changes, fixes or improvements not listed

Coming in WinbatchX Build 1663...

Ways to install WBXapps

We are deploying a new command on the terminal app in 1663 that will be able to install apps:
WBXINSTALL -install (yourapphere).(yourfilenamehere)
Example: WBXINSTALL -install notepad6-0.txt

How this works:
A user will (1)download a installer file, OR (2)paste the code down to Windows Notepad, and save it into the "System/apps" folder.
User will execute in the terminal app "WBXINSTALL -install (appname).(filenamehere)
The app will pop up in the 'all apps' section on the start menu!
Fully created settings app
A new settings app has been created for WinBatchX! The settings app has come out of beta with new personalization features for users to find! Plenty of performance issues were fixed in this build.

bes-ptah

WinBatchX - 17.0 - 1640

The Windows 11 Pre-Update
NI 11 (Last kernel version to release)

WinBatchX 17.0 requires about 40 MB of disk space.

Few changes since 16.0. this is a minor and beta release.:

• New login and upgraded boot sequence
• New Configuration, developers cannot use 16.0 apps to intergrate into 17.0
• New Start Menu, Search and Widgets!
• Task View does not work with the 'center render' (not in this build)
• A notification center
• New GUI (The Quantum Kernel!)
• Power Button moves to start menu
• Right click for a context menu
• Security Scans available (required)
• Security, Photos, Calculator, Edge and Clock App aren't available in this build.
  Some apps are not actually working as of this build. (I see this as a bad build to be released, but I can not release a unstable app)

Other:

• Removed the Recomended Section on Start
• Moved the Version Tag to the bottom of Start
• Rounded the outline of Start
• More than 125 bug code fixes, improvements, changes, and recoding!

Bugs: (edited)

• This release has beta numbers in the code! 17.01 will fix that issue later on.

For developers- if you're wondering why this build is actually 1640 and is short of build 1700, you may notice I am not skipping odd build numbers in the 1600-1700 builds. Build 1700 will represent the 17.01 release in the coming weeks!

Try WinBatchX 17.0 out!

WinBatchX 17.0 supported until March 2023! The next release is 17.01,

This build is most likely stable enough for everyday use with a new GUI, but be cautioned. It has a expermential kernel with a old kernel, which can crash your build!

WinBatchx - 17.0 Developers 2 - 1639

This developer's 2 release is more toward apps in this build:

What's new

• File Explorer
  • I've been working on making and editing the file explorer many times for a long time, and had to edit it again when windows 11 released explorer tabs to the dev and beta channels. It's now ready, and is based off the 16.0's explorer works! (which had no gui)
  • The tabs do not work yet.
• Task Manager
  • Find this app in the start menu!
  • Task Manager shows the running apps and services
  • It actually shows what is running on WinBatchX (its not in real time yet) and still in the works!
• The Settings App will get new configuration in the next build!

Note

• Internally, WinBatchX has returned back the NI kernel (the same old kernel that sometimes doesn't work for some reason!), which makes the next few build(s) slightly unstable for a bit. It's mostly stable due to the new apps and changes to keep it in 'shape'. and the kernel has been recently optimized in the last 10 builds!

Changes/Improvements

• Fixed the amount of time taking WinBatchX to boot.
• Added the names of the WBX apps back in the start menu.
• Some NIFS files were changed/or deleted in this build.

Bugs
-Fixed Bug: The WinBatchX Username and Password change is not available in this build due to a wrong configuration issue. It has been fixed while making this build.

• New Bug: The File Explorer does not have mica material on the top bar yet. To be fixed in a future build.
• Fixed Bug: In the code for the window manager, the variable 'settings.exe' is typed wrong. It's now fixed to '_settings.exe' (with caps lock)
• Fixed Bug: Fixed where after opening a feature (Start Menu, Search, Task View, etc.) and closing it, some apps do not focus back into position. It has been fixed in the desktop.

[EDIT!:] Fixed the title from developers 1 to 2.