With Windows 11, Microsoft has significantly reduced the update frequency. But before the new version is published for 2023, the company is already introducing extensive innovations. In addition to more than 150 new functions, Windows 11 gets the AI-supported Copilot, which is intended to fundamentally change the operation.
On Thursday, Microsoft held its September event, where it presented, among other things, new Surface devices. Among the innovations announced is a comprehensive update for Windows 11, which makes the Copilot an integral part of the operating system. TECHBOOK summarizes what changes AI brings to users and what else is part of the update.
Windows 11 gets AI-supported Copilot
With Copilot, Microsoft integrates the GPT 4-based Bing Chat directly into Windows 11. Copilot appears as a new icon in the taskbar and opens in a sidebar. There, users can ask questions and have commands executed. Examples include travel destinations for specific preferences, help furnishing a small apartment and activating dark mode in Windows. You can choose whether the artificial intelligence should be “more creative”, “balanced” or “more precise” when it comes to answers. In addition to local files and Windows functions, the AI can also access the Internet and thus provide up-to-date information. If you’re looking for specific music, Copilot can find a Spotify playlist and open it directly in the app.
The new tool is now omnipresent in Windows 11. For example, if you have an Edge window open with text, you can right-click on the Copilot icon to create a summary, an explanation or a paraphrase. Quick access appears in Word that allows users to write text drafts.
The snipping tool for screenshots and screen recordings also gets a connection. Copilot can not only describe, brighten or enlarge the images, but can even remove or blur the background using machine learning (ML). Sensitive information in the screenshot can be removed quickly and easily with automatic text editing. The AI then makes the image directly available for further processing in Paint.
Microsoft Paint is becoming more professional
Speaking of Paint: The Windows veteran is getting a comprehensive upgrade that gives users significantly more extensive image editing options. With the Windows 11 update, layers are added to the otherwise simple program for the first time.
This allows you to edit the foreground and background as well as other layers independently of each other. An AI-supported tool has also found its way into Paint: The co-creator can, among other things, create individual backgrounds and artwork.
New photos app with automatic bokeh function
The photos app also gets new, AI-supported functions. The program can now automatically detect the background in portrait photos and blur it at the touch of a button to put the subject in the foreground. The photo search has also been improved. You can now find images in OneDrive based on their content and where they were taken. This is already possible in Google Photos and Photos on the iPhone.
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The file manager gets a fresh look
One of the biggest changes in the Windows 11 update is the new file manager. Not only is the program now more visually coordinated with the rest of Windows, but it also more skillfully integrates local files and files stored in OneDrive. A new carousel view shows recently opened files as a quick overview. Additionally, photos and videos are now organized in a gallery for easier access.
Further innovations in Windows 11
In addition to the new features that have already been introduced, there are a few other updates worth mentioning:
- Notepad: The simple text editor gets an automatic save function and can therefore also restore unsaved content.
- Outlook: Built-in AI can help compose emails and integrate files from OneDrive.
- Backup: Moving to a new Windows 11 PC with files, apps and settings should become even more seamless and easier.
- Edge: The Bing Image Creator receives support from the generative AI Dall.e 3. The tool is intended to better understand user specifications and deliver more suitable images.
Availability of the Copilot update for Windows 11
Microsoft is initially releasing the Copilot update on September 26th as an extension of Windows 11 version 22H2. The new functions must therefore first be activated in the enterprise version of the operating system. At a later date, the company plans to roll out the innovations to all users as part of the annual Windows 11 update to version 23H2. 23H2 is scheduled to start in the fourth quarter of 2023, i.e. between October and December.
In addition to Copilot, Windows 11 23H2 will get, among other things, a new volume control, native support for the RAR and 7-zip formats and control over RGB accessories.