On October 14, 2025, Microsoft will initiate the rollout of its Patch Tuesday update for Windows 11, marking the tenth month of the year with a blend of innovative features and essential security enhancements. This update will introduce artificial intelligence integrations within File Explorer, alongside visual updates to the Windows Share experience. Noteworthy additions include Administrator Protection, a revamped Settings app featuring an Advanced page, and support for third-party passkey providers, all while migrating several legacy features from the Control Panel.
Windows 11 new features coming in October 2025
Microsoft’s approach to deploying these improvements is gradual, meaning users may experience varying timelines for feature availability. Additionally, certain enhancements will necessitate specific hardware configurations, while others may be limited to select markets.
1. Desktop indicator relocation option
The October 2025 Security Update will introduce a feature allowing users to reposition hardware indicators—such as volume, brightness, and airplane mode—on their desktops. This feature, aptly named “Position of on-screen indicators,” can be accessed via Settings > System > Notifications, offering options for “Bottom center,” “Top left,” and “Top center.”
2. File Explorer new AI actions
File Explorer will welcome AI actions through a new submenu titled “AI actions,” which appears in the context menu. This feature allows users to leverage AI capabilities from other applications, such as Photos and Paint, directly from the file manager. For image files like .jpg, .jpeg, or .png, the context menu will include:
- Bing Visual Search: Initiates an image search via Bing using the selected file.
- Blur Background: Opens the image in the Photos app, enabling background blurring.
- Erase Objects: Utilizes Generative Erase in Photos to remove unwanted elements.
- Remove Background: Launches the Paint app for background removal.
For Microsoft 365 subscribers, a new “Summarize action in Copilot” will also be available, allowing users to create summaries of files stored in OneDrive and SharePoint without opening them.
3. Windows Share improvements
With the new cumulative update, users will notice an enhancement in the Windows Share interface, featuring a new option to “Pin” favorite apps for quick access under the “Share using” section.
4. Advanced new settings page
This update will replace the “For Developers” page with a newly designed “Advanced” page, organizing settings into distinct sections. The new layout will include dedicated settings for Taskbar, File Explorer, Virtual Workspace, Terminal, and Dev Drive, along with a feature for version control.
5. Administrator Protection new security feature
Introducing a new layer of security, Administrator Protection will generate an authorization dialog when an unsigned or untrusted app requests elevation. Unlike User Account Control (UAC), which relies on user tokens, this feature creates a temporary, isolated system-managed account for elevation requests, enhancing security by minimizing potential vulnerabilities.
6. Passkeys with provider support
The operating system will now support third-party passkey providers, starting with a partnership with 1Password. This integration allows users to create, save, and utilize passkeys seamlessly with Windows Hello on Windows 11, enhancing security and convenience.
7. Control Panel new legacy features in Settings
Several legacy features from the Control Panel will be migrated to the Settings app, including the ability to display two additional clocks and options for changing date and time formats. Users will also find new settings to manage time servers and regional formats.
8. Braille viewer new accessibility feature
A new Braille viewer will be added to Windows Narrator, allowing users to visualize output as it would appear on a Braille display. This feature aims to enhance accessibility and can be managed through Settings > Accessibility > Narrator.
9. Click to Do changes
The Click to Do actions menu will receive updates with new popular tags to help users discover frequently used features. Additionally, the “Summarize” action will be refined to generate shorter, more focused summaries.
More resources
For those looking to delve deeper into the latest updates, a variety of how-to guides, troubleshooting advice, and essential tips for maximizing the Windows 11 experience are readily available.
