In a recent announcement, Microsoft unveiled a series of significant upgrades for Windows 11, coinciding with the launch of new Surface devices. These enhancements span various aspects of the operating system, including the Start menu, Copilot AI, and essential utilities like Paint and the Snipping Tool.
Start Menu Upgrades
The changes to the Start menu are particularly noteworthy. Previously hinted at in hidden code, the revamped menu is set to become larger, more customizable, and user-friendly. Users will have the option to view all apps at once and choose from multiple arrangements for app display.
- Users can opt to hide recommended shortcuts, such as those for recent files.
- The size of the pinned apps panel can be increased for better visibility.
- A “phone companion” feature, essentially the Phone Link app, will be integrated into the right side of the Start menu.
This overhaul is expected to roll out to the Windows Insider channel within the next month, accompanied by several other updates. Among these is the introduction of AI actions in File Explorer, which will allow users to access AI-driven features directly from the right-click menu, such as document summarization and image editing.
Notepad Enhancements and Copilot Vision
Another exciting addition is the AI text generation and summarization feature in Notepad, which will also include lightweight formatting options. For the first time, users will be able to apply bold and italic styles, create lists, and introduce headings, along with support for Markdown formatting.
Copilot Vision, already available to Windows Insiders, is poised to enhance user interaction by allowing conversations with AI about whatever is displayed on the screen. Whether seeking shopping advice or assistance with image editing, this feature promises to streamline user experience significantly.
Features for Copilot+ PCs
Some of the newly announced features will initially debut on Copilot+ PCs, which meet specific performance criteria and are equipped with Snapdragon chipsets. These updates will first appear in the Windows Insider channel before being made available to a broader audience.
- An AI agent will be integrated into Settings, assisting users in locating toggle switches or performing tasks. For instance, typing “my text is too small” will guide users to the font size adjustment option.
- The AI agent can also modify settings on behalf of users, provided permission is granted.
Furthermore, the Click to Do feature will see an expansion, offering additional actions such as scheduling meetings in Teams and launching the Immersive Reader mode for text. Windows search functionality will also be enhanced, providing improved coverage for photos, settings, and the Microsoft Store.
Enhancements to Photos, Paint, and Snipping Tool
The Photos app continues to evolve, soon introducing a relight feature for dynamic lighting control, allowing users to set up to three lighting sources and adjust brightness and intensity in real-time.
Paint is set to gain new capabilities, including the ability to create custom stickers from text prompts and an AI-powered object select tool that simplifies the process of selecting elements within an image.
The Snipping Tool will also receive several enhancements, such as intelligent screenshot cropping, text extraction from screenshots, and a color picker. Additionally, the Narrator on Copilot+ PCs will be upgraded to provide rich descriptions of images, including charts and other visual elements displayed on the screen.
