Enhancements to Windows 11: Expect a Revamped Start Menu and Significant Upgrades
Hop on Board, Windows Fans!Microsoft's latest unveiling doesn't just include some snazzy new Surface devices, no siree! They've also got some slick updates in store for Windows 11. We're talkin' upgrades to the Start menu, Copilot AI, and core utilities like Paint and the Snipping Tool. Buckle up, it's gonna be a wild ride!
The revamped Start menu is a game-changer, and I spilled the beans on it last month when it first surfaced in hidden code. Long story short, the menu is getting bigger, more customizable, and more user-friendly. You'll be able to see all apps immediately, and there are several options for arranging them on-screen, like a damn paint-by-numbers!
If you're tired of those pesky recommended shortcuts (think: recent files), you can hide 'em. And, if you wanna up the ante, you can increase the size of the pinned apps panel. Oh, and there's a nifty new "phone companion" (essentially the Phone Link app) on the right side of the Start menu.
This update is comin' to the Windows Insider channel in the next month, says Microsoft. And, like it ain't enough, there are several other updates on the same timetable.
AI Actions in File Explorer, for example. Think doc summarizing and image editing right from the right-click menu. And, if you're a Notepad enthusiast (in which case, might I ask, what's your deal?), you'll be happy to know that AI text generation and summarizing are coming soon to the Windows Insider channel. You'll even be able to make text bold and italic, a feature that'll make you feel like a bloody graphic designer!
Already available to Windows Insiders, Copilot Vision is comin' soon to everyone else. And if you ain't fam with it yet, Copilot Vision lets you chat with the AI about whatever's on screen. Need shopping advice or help with image editing? This girl's got you covered!
But, wait! There's more! If you own a Copilot+ PC (these bad boys meet a certain performance criteria and have a Snapdragon chipset), you'll get some exclusive features first. Why? Because you're special.
Microsoft's putting an AI agent inside Settings, so you can get help finding the toggle switch you need or figuring out how to do something. Wanna find the font size setting? Just type "my text is too small" and voila! The AI agent can even change settings for you, if you give it permission.
We're also gettin' more actions for the Click to Do feature, including options to schedule meetings in Teams or launch the Immersive Reader mode for text. Windows search is gettin' a boost too, with greater coverage for photos, settings, and the Microsoft Store.
The Photos app built into Windows is getting better and better, and it'll soon have a relight feature for dynamic lighting control. You'll be able to set up to three lighting sources, and adjust the brightness and intensity, while seeing the changes on the image in real time.
As for Paint, it's gainin' the ability to create custom stickers from text prompts, and a new object select tool that'll use AI to select objects with a single click. Need to move or remove something in an image? This'll make the process faster and more straightforward.
The Windows Snipping Tool is also gettin' some love: intelligent screenshot cropping, the ability to extract text from screenshots, and a color picker. Finally, the Narrator on Copilot+ PCs is bein' upgraded to offer rich image descriptions, so it'll be able to describe charts, photos, and other visual elements that are on screen.
So there ya have it, folks! Windows 11 on Copilot+ PCs is about to get some serious upgrades, and you don't wanna miss out! Stay tuned, because these updates are gonna blow your mind!
- The upcoming Windows 11 updates not only include a revamped Start menu, but also improvements in core utilities like Paint and the Snipping Tool, making it an exciting time for tech enthusiasts.
- The insider group will be among the first to experience the new AI actions in File Explorer, which will offer features like document summarizing and image editing.
- Copilot Vision, Microsoft's AI assistant, will soon be available to all users, allowing interaction with the AI about elements on the screen, making tasks like shopping and image editing easier.
- For owners of Copilot+ PCs, there are exclusive features and technological advancements to look forward to, such as AI agents integrated into Settings, AI-assisted object selection in Paint, and enhanced image descriptions by the Narrator feature.
