Microsoft has started rolling out the big Windows 11 24H2 update, which is simply known as the “Windows 11 2024 update”. This version improves security, brings new connectivity options and adds more AI capabilities to Copilot+ computers.
One useful change is that Quick Settings is now a scrollable list that you can customize by rearranging the various options. The Wi-Fi selection user interface has a Refresh button so you can easily rescan for nearby networks.
If your PC has the right hardware, this update adds Wi-Fi 7 support for much faster data transfers. Additionally, Windows 11 now works with hearing aids that support Bluetooth LE Audio.
Another feature you’ll find in Quick Settings is the power saving toggle. This has always been on laptops but now it’s also available when connected by cable in case you want to reduce power consumption.
Devices with fast enough NPUs, those branded Copilot+, have a number of new AI-based features. One breaks down language barriers – automatically generated subtitles are available system-wide for all video players. They transcribe the audio and can translate it into your language.
Also available system-wide are the new Windows Studio Effects. These work with your webcam to blur the background or apply various styles to your camera feed. In addition, Voice Focus uses the NPU to remove background noise and cancel any echoes from the room.
There is one more function for those who have prepared speeches and this has the “eye contact” feature which adjusts your gaze to maintain eye contact with your audience.
Windows Recall is back with additional security features. Saving snapshots is now an option. Windows Hello secure logins are required to use these snapshots. Recall will be available on Snapdragon X devices from October and on Intel/AMD devices from November.
Windows Search also has a little artificial intelligence – instead of trying to remember file names, just describe what you’re looking for, e.g. photos from a party.
Staying with photos, the new Super Resolution mode can upscale your old images by up to 8x. This one runs on device, so it doesn’t upload your photos to the cloud. Windows Paint has new artificial intelligence tools that let you add and remove things from photos as you like.
Finally, the new Click To Do is a simple gateway to all the new features. Clicking while holding down the Windows key brings up a context menu with related actions, such as visual search in Bing, blurring the background of a photo, removing objects from a photo, summarizing text, and more.
A few other improvements are worth mentioning. For example, you can now use HDR images as your desktop background. Also, File Explorer can now natively create and read RAR and 7z archives. Running apps now have a new way of showing the progress of ongoing operations with a progress bar below the app icon.
Source: techblog.gr
