Today, Microsoft will launch December’s month-to-month patch for Windows 11. The final Patch Tuesday in 2025 might be enormous, as a result of based on Windows Central, there might be no fewer than 16 new options included within the replace.
These embody varied design modifications to necessary parts such because the Start menu, particular enhancements to present features and utterly new options. Let’s take a peek in any respect new options at a look.
1. Visual enchancment of the Windows search
The Windows search discipline has been visually improved to match the peak of the brand new Start menu design. This ought to remove some inconsistencies within the design. However, there’s nonetheless the issue that the new Start menu covers large parts of the screen for a lot of customers. It stays to be seen whether or not Microsoft will handle this concern going ahead.
2. New “Share with Copilot” characteristic within the taskbar
Microsoft’s Copilot AI can also be making its method into Windows 11, this time within the taskbar, the place the “Share with Copilot” choice will quickly seem. You will then see a thumbnail of the app you might be at present utilizing and may shortly begin a dialog with the chatbot through Copilot Vision. In addition, the transition between apps within the taskbar ought to be smoother if you transfer the mouse pointer over them.
3. Changes to Windows Spotlight for the desktop
Windows Spotlight, the characteristic for dynamically altering background pictures in Windows 11, can also be receiving enhancements. You can right-click on the desktop to vary the background extra shortly. There can also be the “Explore background” choice, which gives extra details about the background.
4. Option to disable Drag Tray
Microsoft is introducing the choice to disable Drag Tray extra simply. This usually permits you to choose recordsdata and drag them to the highest of the display to show choices for direct sharing. However, many customers discovered this annoying. After the replace, you may deactivate Drag Tray underneath Settings > System > Nearby sharing .
5. Better darkish mode in File Explorer
There can also be one thing for followers of darkish modes. The darkish mode of File Explorer has been improved and given a extra uniform design in dialogue home windows, for instance for copying or transferring. The affirmation dialogues and different views are additionally being tailored. However, it’s nonetheless attainable that some parts don’t correspond to the brand new design or that the File Explorer briefly flashes white on startup. Microsoft will proceed to work on this.
Windows Central
6. New machine info card within the Start settings
If you might be in search of details about your machine, you not must click on by menus. This is as a result of a brand new tab referred to as “Device information” seems proper on the beginning web page of the settings, which shows details about your PC’s processor, reminiscence, RAM and graphics card, amongst different issues.
7. Settings for cell units within the settings
A brand new configuration menu for cell units seems within the Windows 11 Settings app. Here you may add new units, entry the settings of linked cell units or take away a tool out of your account. It’s easy and simple.
8. Redesign of the information web page
Microsoft can also be altering the look of the information web page with the December replace. It will now solely comprise a thumbnail view of the desktop background with an choice to rename your laptop. Some sections may also be renamed or obtain new entries with additional info.
9. Advanced settings with digital workspaces
Changes are additionally being made to the “Advanced” part. It accommodates a brand new web page referred to as “Virtual Workspaces”, the place you may handle virtualization features such because the Windows Sandbox or protected hosts.
10. Settings for Bluetooth keyboards and textual content cursors
Under Settings > Bluetooth and units > Keyboard you’ll find new choices for keyboards and textual content cursors after the patch. For instance, the keyboard repetition charge, reassignment of the copilot key or accessibility.
11. New default configuration for Quick Machine Recovery
Since September, customers have been capable of use Quick Machine Recovery to quickly restore Windows 11. Microsoft is enhancing the default setting for this selection in December to make it simpler to make use of.
The new configuration solely searches for options as soon as after which prevents the consumer from utilizing different choices to resolve the issue. This ought to forestall the pc from persevering with to seek for options in a form of steady loop as a substitute of providing focused assist.
12. Redesign of the widgets board
On Tuesday, Windows 11 will introduce a brand new widgets board with a extra constant design. The new widgets might be extra clearly separated from the Discover board and can not use a web page overlay. Notifications may also be displayed with an icon of the board to which they belong.
Windows Central
13. Haptic suggestions for digital pens
Windows 11 units with contact operate obtain haptic suggestions for using pens within the type of vibrations. These accompany the interplay with sure parts, for instance when closing home windows.
14. New “Click to execute” motion menu
Copilot PCs have a brand new context menu referred to as “Click to execute”. Actions akin to open, save, copy or share are organized on this menu. There can also be a brand new enter discipline that permits you to entry Copilot extra shortly.
15. Xbox full display mode for extra handheld units
The new Xbox Full Screen Mode is now accessible on extra units. Until now, customers might solely apply it to the Asus ROG Ally and Ally X, however now the full-screen expertise in console design can be used on regular PCs.
Navigation ought to be a lot simpler and smoother, particularly with a controller. The mode additionally reduces the useful resource consumption of the desktop and saves as much as 2GB of reminiscence.
You can activate the mode underneath Settings > Gaming > Full display expertise after which apply the change by restarting.
16. Windows Studio Effects for exterior cameras
If you have got a Copilot PC, you may also prolong the AI-powered digital camera options of Windows Studio Effects to secondary cameras. This contains USB webcams and built-in rear cameras.
In addition to the brand new options, the December patch of Windows 11 may also comprise some bug fixes and closed safety gaps. As all the time, we’ll report on these in a separate article.
