Copilot+ Features and User Experience Adjustments
Microsoft is steadily advancing its integration of artificial intelligence into personal computing, particularly through the rollout of its Copilot+ features. These enhancements are primarily available to PCs equipped with Intel and AMD processors, which receive updates slightly later than their Qualcomm Snapdragon+ counterparts. The latest iteration introduces “agent-powered search,” a feature designed to simplify the often complex Settings app by allowing users to engage in natural-language queries. For instance, users can ask questions like “my mouse pointer is too small” or “how to control my PC by voice,” with the system responding intuitively to these prompts.
At the heart of these capabilities lies the neural processing unit (NPU) embedded in the devices, which ensures that all processing occurs locally, enhancing speed and privacy. Additionally, Microsoft has rolled out a tutorial for the “Click to Do” feature, which offers suggestions for actions based on the content displayed on the screen, whether it be images, text, or other elements.
However, not all features have been met with enthusiasm. The “Second Chance Out of Box Experience” window, affectionately dubbed “SCOOBE” (pronounced “scooby”), has garnered a reputation as more of a nuisance than a helpful tool. This setup screen appears intermittently on Windows 11 PCs, even for users who have been operating their systems for an extended period. Its primary purpose is to prompt users to enroll in Windows Backup, switch their default browser to Microsoft Edge, and import browsing history and favorites from other browsers.
For those who find the SCOOBE screen to be an unwelcome interruption, there is a straightforward solution. By navigating to Settings, then System, and selecting Notifications, users can expand the “additional settings” drop-down and uncheck the relevant boxes to eliminate the SCOOBE screen along with other persistent reminders.
The majority of these features are being introduced simultaneously across the Dev and Beta channels of the Windows Insider program, which is structured from least to most stable: Canary, Dev, Beta, and Release Preview. Features that appear in the Beta channel are typically on the cusp of public release, suggesting that non-Insiders can anticipate these updates on their PCs in the coming weeks. Furthermore, Microsoft is preparing for the launch of the Windows 11 25H2 update, the significant annual update for this year, which will introduce several features that are already being gradually deployed to devices running version 24H2.
