Microsoft Introduces New Features in Windows 11 Preview Build
As the week unfolds, Microsoft is unveiling a fresh preview build of Windows 11 for testers engaged in the Dev Channel. This latest iteration brings with it an intriguing addition: an undocumented menu within the Settings app, aptly named “Actions.” This new feature empowers users to manage which applications can present themselves as suggested actions throughout the operating system.
Currently, the sole area where applications appear as contextual suggestions is within the Click To Do feature, which is exclusive to Copilot+ PCs. The newly introduced Actions section in Settings provides a comprehensive overview of all applications utilizing this functionality, allowing users to toggle their visibility at will.
It’s worth noting that prior to the expansion of Click To Do and AI integration in Windows Search over the summer, these features were limited to Copilot+ PCs. This exclusivity hinges on the presence of a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) capable of delivering over 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS), meaning users without such hardware will not have access to these enhancements.
In addition to the current updates, Microsoft has plans to roll out more “proactive” Copilot features across the Windows 11 interface later this year. These forthcoming enhancements will enable the AI assistant to suggest actions, tasks, and activities tailored to users’ ongoing work across various surfaces of the operating system, extending beyond just Click To Do.
Given this trajectory, the introduction of a settings menu in the Windows Settings app to configure suggested actions is a logical step forward. This becomes particularly relevant if third-party applications are permitted to engage with this proactive Copilot experience, further enriching the user interaction with the operating system.