Windows 11 KB5045889 tests modern UI for security, hides taskbar bell icon

Windows 11 KB5045889 is now available to testers in the Beta Channel. It has several new features that will be available to everyone. Windows 11 24H2 and 23H2 in the coming weeks. First of all, it comes with a modern Windows Hello interface and a new animation that makes the security feature look cute. The latter hides the notification bell by default.

KB5045889 is only available to Beta channel participants, but you don’t need to join the Windows Insider Program to notice the changes since Windows has already installed the Latest update. We’ll share some screenshots and GIFs to show off the new Windows Hello experience.

Microsoft is changing the look of Windows Hello in Windows 11. This doesn’t change functionality, but it is an aesthetic update to one of Windows 11’s most important security features.

As shown in the screenshots below, Windows Hello now has a new visual look and is compliant with Windows 11 design guidelines.

Visual communication is clearer now.

Cute, right? You will see this animation when you sign in to Windows 11 using Windows Hello (PIN, Face recognition or fingerprint). Or when you use Windows Hello to sign in to websites or apps.

Windows 11’s security pop-up for passkey sign-in has its own share of changes. The first screen in the screenshot above is the first prompt, where you’ll see your email at the top and the website or app you’re trying to access (like “github.com” in this example).

Windows 11 KB5045889 includes a friendly smiley face with the message “I’m looking for you…”, which indicates that Windows Hello is trying to identify you.

Once it recognizes you, the pop-up will move to a confirmation screen. Here we invite you to “Hello Alice Hawkins!” Greetings with your name like. and displays a verification symbol (a dotted square) to confirm your identity. This screen also has the option to choose a different password if you wish, or you can cancel the login process if necessary.

The third screen is the password selection screen, where you can choose between a variety of multiple emails, phones (like a Pixel or iPhone), and even a security key. If you change your mind, you can return to the previous screen or cancel the process once and for all.

You’ll be able to try this new Windows Hello and passkey experience in the coming weeks without joining the Windows Insider Program.

The taskbar bell icon is hidden by default

An undocumented experiment and what we noticed immediately after installing the update (KB5045889) was the absence of a notification bell icon in the taskbar.

Microsoft now hides the notification bell on the taskbar by default. It’s an interesting experiment and Microsoft’s intentions aren’t clear, but it looks like The company wants the taskbar to look less cluttered.

You can still open the notification center by tapping on the date and time, and the icon can be restored from Settings.

To restore the icon, right-click on the date and time, select notification settings and check “Show notification bell icon” to restore the icon in the taskbar.

We think Microsoft is still experimenting with this idea, and it remains to be seen whether it will roll it out to everyone in the coming weeks.