Microsoft has commenced the rollout of the Windows 11 24H2 update, commonly referred to as the “Windows 11 2024 update.” This latest iteration enhances security, introduces new connectivity options, and enriches the AI capabilities of Copilot+ PCs.
Enhanced User Experience
Among the notable enhancements is a revamped Quick Settings feature, now presented as a scrollable list that users can customize by reordering options to their preference. The Wi-Fi selection interface has also received an upgrade, now featuring a Refresh button that simplifies the process of scanning for nearby networks.
For users equipped with compatible hardware, this update introduces support for Wi-Fi 7, promising significantly faster data transfers. Furthermore, Windows 11 has expanded its compatibility to include hearing aids that utilize Bluetooth LE Audio technology.
Scrollable quick settings • Wi-Fi 7 support
Power Management and AI Innovations
Another addition to the Quick Settings is the Power Saver toggle, which, while previously available only for laptops, can now be activated even when the device is plugged into mains power, allowing users to manage energy consumption more effectively.
Devices equipped with advanced NPUs, branded as Copilot+, will benefit from a suite of new AI features. One of the standout capabilities is the system-wide availability of auto-generated captions for video players, which transcribe audio and can translate it into the user’s preferred language, all processed locally to minimize latency.
System-wide captions with translation • Windows Studio Effects
Additionally, new Windows Studio Effects are now accessible across the system, utilizing the webcam to blur backgrounds or apply various styles to video feeds. The Voice Focus feature leverages the NPU to eliminate background noise and cancel echoes, enhancing audio clarity. A teleprompter function is also included, featuring an “eye contact” mode that adjusts the user’s gaze to maintain engagement with their audience during presentations.
The much-discussed Windows Recall feature is making a return, now fortified with enhanced security measures. Users will have the option to opt-in for saving snapshots, with secure Windows Hello sign-ins required for access. Windows Recall is set to be available on Snapdragon X devices starting in October, followed by Intel and AMD-powered devices in November.
Windows Recall • Windows Search now also has AI
Intelligent Search and Image Enhancement
Windows Search has also been infused with AI capabilities, allowing users to describe what they are looking for instead of recalling file names—such as searching for “photos of a barbecue party.”
In the realm of photography, the new Super Resolution feature can upscale images by as much as 8x, all processed on-device to ensure user privacy. Windows Paint has also been upgraded with AI tools, including generative fill and generative erase functionalities, enabling users to modify images with ease.
Super Resolution for photos • Generative editing in Paint
Streamlined Access to Features
For those concerned about keeping track of these new features, the Click To Do function serves as a straightforward gateway. By clicking while holding the Windows key, users can access a context menu that provides relevant actions, such as performing a visual search on Bing, blurring backgrounds in photos, removing objects, summarizing text, and more.
Additional improvements include the ability to set HDR images as desktop backgrounds and enhanced functionality in File Explorer, which can now natively create and read RAR and 7z archives. Ongoing operations in running apps will now display progress through a new progress bar located beneath the app’s icon.
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