Microsoft is releasing a new Windows 11 Insider Preview Build that brings a significant update to the operating system's battery icon. The traditional black icon is being replaced with a colorful design that aims to provide users with a quick and easy way to monitor their laptop's battery life.

The new battery icon features three colors to communicate the battery status of a PC. A green icon indicates that the computer is charging and in a good state, while a yellow icon appears when the battery has dropped below 20% charge and has entered energy-saving mode. A red icon signals a critically low battery, warning users to plug in their computer as soon as possible to avoid it dying.

The updated battery icon will be visible in the taskbar's system tray, quick settings flyout, and general Windows Settings. Microsoft plans to extend this feature to the Lock screen in a future build. This change is a response to a highly requested feature by Insiders and customers, who will now have a more intuitive way to track their battery life.

In addition to the colorful design, the new preview release includes two other improvements to the battery icon. Microsoft has simplified overlays, such as the lightning bolt charging icon, to prevent them from blocking the icon's progress bar. The company has also added the ability to show the battery's charge percentage next to the icon in the system tray, which can be enabled by going to Settings > Power & battery and turning on the new "Battery Percentage" setting.

The updated battery icon is already available to Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel who have opted to receive the latest updates as soon as they're available. However, Microsoft plans to monitor feedback before pushing the feature out to everyone, which means it may take some time to reach general release and could undergo tweaks before it reaches other early adopters.

The new battery icon is a welcome upgrade over the current Windows battery icon, which provides minimal information and a vague representation of a battery's remaining charge. With the colorful design and added features, users will have a more accurate and convenient way to track their laptop's battery life, reducing the risk of unexpected battery drain and improving overall user experience.

This update highlights Microsoft's ongoing efforts to refine and improve the Windows 11 operating system, responding to user feedback and requests. As the company continues to iterate and innovate, users can expect to see more features and enhancements that make their computing experience more efficient, intuitive, and enjoyable.