Windows 11 simply acquired a variety of new options, and 2023’s massive replace isn’t nearly AI taking up your desktop. There are plenty of different updates to take a look at, together with the return of many customers’ favourite taskbar possibility. (I do know many people who find themselves very excited.)It’s straightforward to overlook new options Microsoft provides to Windows as a result of they’re typically scattered all through the working system with out a variety of fanfare; you would possibly effectively stumble throughout them years later and assume, “Wait, when did Microsoft add that?”Let’s look at what’s new in Windows 11 so you can put these features to use now.Want the latest Windows advice? My free Windows Intelligence newsletter delivers all the best Windows news and tips straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get free copies of Paul Thurrott’s Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides (a $10 value) just for subscribing!What you need to know about the updateMicrosoft never makes talking about these updates easy: technically speaking, this is the “Moment 4” replace for Windows 11. Its options have been beforehand anticipated as a part of 11’s 23H2 replace, however most of them (together with Copilot) technically arrived earlier than the discharge of 23H2. Let’s not get into the weeds — that is, for all intents and functions, the October 2023 Update for Windows 11, first launched in preview kind in late September.You most likely have already got it in your Windows 11 PC. However, Microsoft’s fashionable replace course of trickles these updates out to completely different PCs at completely different occasions. If you don’t see these options but, you may head to Settings > Windows Update and activate “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available.” Most options must be obtainable to everybody, though Copilot hasn’t rolled out in each nation simply but. Microsoft says, “The initial markets for the Copilot in Windows preview include North America, United Kingdom and parts of Asia and South America. It is our intention to add additional markets over time.”Windows 11 function #1: Copilot, the AI assistant for WindowsEverybody’s already heard quite a bit about Copilot, the splashy AI software for Windows. It’s mainly a superpowered Bing Chat sidebar in your desktop. The Windows integration is just not all that superpowered but, although: It can solely do a couple of issues with Windows itself, similar to altering a handful of settings like toggling darkish mode on and off.Still, that is the primary massive AI integration in Windows, and Microsoft clearly plans to maintain engaged on it. Copilot brings the GPT-4-powered Bing Chat function to the desktop, giving customers easy accessibility to AI. You can present it with textual content and pictures out of your clipboard, and information out of your PC. You can have it rewrite and generate textual content. You can ask it to generate photographs, too — it’s fairly good at that because of the usage of OpenAI’s new DALL-E 3 picture era mannequin.There’s a lot you may attempt — simply click on the Copilot taskbar icon or press Windows+C to open it. Chris Hoffman, IDG
Copilot has a scattershot method to altering Windows settings.
Windows 11 function #2: The superb return of taskbar labelsWindows 11 has taskbar labels as soon as once more! I do know many customers who completely love this function — individuals who have requested me repeatedly whether or not Windows 11 has this but. (Many refused to improve to Windows 11 earlier than it was restored.) When you allow this function, your taskbar goes again to the way it was earlier than Windows 7: fairly than small utility icons with no textual content, you see buttons for every open window and the window title.To allow this function, right-click an empty spot on the Windows 11 taskbar, click on “Taskbar settings,” and scroll right down to the underside of the window. Expand the “Taskbar behaviors” part, click on the “Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels,” field and choose ”Never.” Chris Hoffman, IDG
Before Windows 7, each Windows taskbar had massive buttons like this.
Windows 11 function #3: Windows Backup (and Restore)Windows 11 additionally simply acquired a brand new “Windows Backup” app, which you’ll be able to launch from the Start menu. It’s not only a backup app — now, whenever you set up a brand new PC (or arrange the identical PC after refreshing it and ranging from a recent state), you may “restore” from a backup, too.Despite the identify, there isn’t a ton of latest performance right here. The Windows Backup utility is a streamlined interface that exhibits which of your folders are being synced to your OneDrive storage within the cloud. It additionally tells you your apps, some system settings, and credentials (similar to Wi-Fi passwords) are being backed up. The app backup function is fascinating: Windows will keep in mind which apps you’ve pinned to your taskbar, and whenever you restore the backup on a PC, it can both obtain them from the Store or immediate you to redownload them from the online.In different phrases, it’s all about your Microsoft account. You gained’t discover native backups right here — although Windows 11 nonetheless has options similar to File History inbuilt if you wish to again as much as native storage. But now Windows has “smartphone-style” backup and restore options that ought to make it straightforward for the common consumer to maneuver from PC to PC. (It would possibly even assist individuals use extra of the 1 TB of storage you get without spending a dime with Microsoft 365.)This app was additionally lately added to Windows 10: You can “back up” a Windows 10 PC with Windows Backup, and the “restore” function is out there whereas establishing a Windows 11 PC. Chris Hoffman, IDG
Windows Backup is all about backing as much as the cloud.
Windows 11 function #4: Yet one other File Explorer redesignFile Explorer has been tweaked, and it’s not all good. Overall, it feels related — although the toolbar is noticeably completely different. Unfortunately, we’ve misplaced a drag-and-drop function as soon as once more. You can’t drag information and folders to the toolbar to maneuver them to different folders, as you could possibly in earlier variations of File Explorer. There are additionally reviews that this new File Explorer could also be even slower — one thing that wouldn’t be shocking, as Microsoft has moved it to a extra fashionable framework.There are some new options, nonetheless. One is a snazzy Gallery that gives a distinct technique to view images. There’s additionally deeper integration of OneDrive all through File Explorer: You’ll see extra details about syncing standing and the way a lot on-line storage you might have obtainable. Chris Hoffman, IDG
The new File Explorer appears good and smooth.
Windows 11 function #5: Inking assist for textual content fields in every single placeWindows 11 simply acquired higher assist for inking, too. Now, you may draw with a stylus to put in writing instantly in any textual content subject within the working system. Just write on prime of the field and Windows will remodel your writing into textual content.Previously, this relied on particular assist in particular person purposes (similar to OneNotice), or by writing in a textual content recognition field. It ought to make issues quite a bit smoother for stylus-lovers who wish to use their pen to enter textual content wherever in Windows.Windows 11 function #6: Text recognition for screenshotsThe Snipping Tool has a brand new “AI” function that Microsoft recommends to be used with Copilot: textual content recognition. It’s one thing you are able to do on Android and the iPhone, and it’s lastly part of Windows.To use this, press Windows+Shift+S to begin taking a screenshot with the Snipping Tool. By default, you may simply draw a rectangle round no matter you wish to take a screenshot of. You’ll see a notification saying you simply took a screenshot — click on the notification to open the picture within the Snipping Tool window.Click the “Text Actions” button on the toolbar. The utility will scan the picture for textual content, and you’ll shortly copy the textual content. It’s a handy technique to get textual content out of photographs and into Copilot, and it has a ton of different makes use of. Chris Hoffman, IDG
This function used to require one in all Microsoft’s EnergyToys.
Windows 11 function #7: A Settings dwelling web page that wastes much less timeA new dwelling web page within the Settings window might not look like the largest productiveness function, however hear me out: The web page doesn’t simply convey collectively incessantly used settings like Bluetooth units and wallpapers. It additionally adjusts to how you utilize your PC, placing settings you incessantly (and lately) used proper up entrance. That’s fairly helpful.Windows 11 function #8: Easy per-application quantity controlsWindows has lengthy allow you to change the quantity of particular person purposes. But the function was buried, and there was no handy technique to entry it instantly from the taskbar.That’s modified: Now, simply click on the standing icons to the left of the clock to open Quick Settings, click on the “Select a Sound Output” icon to the fitting of the quantity bar, and also you’ll see the quantity sliders for you open purposes. (You can press Windows+Ctrl+V to entry this instantly, too.)Previously, you wanted a third-party utility similar to EarTrumpet to get fast entry to utility quantity controls from the notification space. Chris Hoffman, IDG
Windows 11’s Settings app (and Quick Settings) are higher than ever.
Windows 11 function #9: RAR, TAR, and extra archive codecsWindows lastly acquired an enormous improve to its archive assist! Now, you don’t should obtain 7-Zip, WinZip, or WinRAR whenever you wish to open something fancier than a ZIP file.Now, you may simply double-click archive information in codecs like 7Z, RAR, and TAR and open them instantly in File Explorer, simply as you may with ZIP information. Even in the event you favor your individual file archiver, it’s good to know that every one Windows 11 customers can open these codecs.Windows 11 function #10: Colorful LEDs with out the gamer appsThis replace provides a brand new Dynamic Lighting web page to Settings. This is an enormous improve for Windows: You can lastly management the LED lighting in your units with out additional third-party purposes which are typically heavy and gamer-focused, and should not discuss to one another.Now, whether or not you might have a laptop computer keyboard with color-changing keyboard LEDs or an entire choice of peripherals with customized lighting, you’ll be capable to management all of them from one place — even when they’re by completely different producers.You’ll discover these choices at Settings > Personalization > Dynamic Lighting. Chris Hoffman, IDG
You can match the LED-lit units in your workspace to your Windows accent colour, too.
There’s extra to come back within the subsequent few months, too: Microsoft Paint is getting built-in AI picture era. (But you may already try this with Copilot, after all — no want to attend!)Get much more Windows suggestions and tips with my Windows Intelligence e-newsletter — three issues to attempt each Friday. Plus, get free copies of Paul Thurrott’s Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides (a $10 worth) for signing up.
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