Windows 11 23H2 replace coming this fall, here is what’s new

As Microsoft prepares for the upcoming rollout of Windows 11 23H2, they have been creating numerous progressive options designed to enhance person expertise, streamline workflows, and introduce next-generation functionalities.

This article will discover Windows 11 23H2 options, from dynamic lighting to Windows Copilot upgrades.

Windows Copilot

Microsoft has unveiled the Windows Copilot, the primary AI assistant unified inside a PC platform, in its newest Windows 11 23H2 replace.

This ground-breaking characteristic amalgamates Bing Chat and extra plugins to help customers in numerous duties through the Copilot sidebar. This main shift represents a brand new period in PC use, with the AI assistant able to information customers all through their digital duties.

Activating Windows Copilot is a simple course of, conveniently positioned on the taskbar. The sidebar is current throughout all home windows, applications, and apps, guaranteeing constant help.

This built-in AI assistant allows customers to streamline operations, work together with most well-liked purposes, personalize settings, and execute actions extra intuitively.

Windows Copilot enhances options similar to Snap Assist, copy/paste, Snipping Tool, and personalization. It provides a utility layer; for example, Copilot can rewrite, summarize, or clarify content material copied and pasted by customers.

Thanks to the Bing Chat integration, the progressive characteristic can reply a various vary of inquiries. Whether easy duties like checking the native time in Cyprus or advanced ones similar to planning a visit, together with discovering flights and lodging, Windows Copilot is designed to help in all.

While the mix of Bing and ChatGPT plugins in Windows Copilot alerts a brand new frontier in AI capabilities, the preliminary preview has not met the expectations.

Despite promising options like simply switching to darkish mode, the AI integration feels extra like an internet wrapper than a local characteristic of Windows 11. The expertise is extra akin to operating Bing.com inside Microsoft Edge than a totally built-in a part of the working system.

Notably, Windows Copilot tends to misconceive the person’s intent. For instance, when requested to show off gentle mode whereas already in darkish mode, Copilot would search the question on Bing.com and supply directions as a substitute of comprehending the person’s request.

Further, Windows Copilot’s efficiency might be sluggish.

The assistant tends to delay whereas looking the net and executing actions, resulting in a less-than-optimal person expertise. Since the present model of Copilot depends closely on web connectivity, customers could face points with responsiveness and seamless integration, particularly when the web connection is gradual or unavailable.

The present type of Windows Copilot, which primarily operates as an internet wrapper, fails to offer a seamless mix with the remainder of the working system.

Native integration of Windows Copilot, coded immediately into Windows 11, may present an answer.

Such an improve would guarantee extra integration with the OS, probably providing customers a extra dependable, responsive, and strong AI assistant expertise.

As Microsoft continues to innovate and refine the platform, Windows Copilot’s shortcomings current a problem to beat and a stepping stone in the direction of a extra seamless and superior AI-integrated OS.

A Modernized File Explorer Experience

The revamped File Explorer, powered by Windows App SDK and designed with WinUI, presents a modernized residence interface. Here, advisable recordsdata for Azure Active Directory (AAD) customers are showcased in a carousel, with thumbnail help arriving quickly.

Quick Access folders, Favorites, and Recent sections additionally profit from a refreshed WinUI-based look.

The new handle bar differentiates between native and cloud folders and options built-in standing icons. For OneDrive customers, sync standing and quota flyouts are actually readily seen on the handle bar.

Microsoft can also be introducing a revamped particulars pane in File Explorer (accessible through ALT + Shift + P).

It is designed to show related file data and permit collaboration with out the necessity to open recordsdata. When a file is chosen and the pane enabled, customers will see a thumbnail, share standing, exercise, associated recordsdata and e-mails, and extra. The new pane might be toggled on or off through the View menu and an accessible button on the command bar.

FEEDBACK: For suggestions, file in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) beneath Files, Folders, and Online Storage > File Explorer.

Dynamic Lighting for Windows Users and Developers

Dynamic Lighting offers customers and builders with native management of lighting units implementing the open HID LampArray customary.

This transfer in the direction of an open customary is designed to reinforce the RGB system and software program ecosystem by rising the interoperability of units and apps. The new characteristic additionally contains APIs for Windows apps to regulate units from the foreground or background and a customized settings web page for customers.

Major system producers like Acer, ASUS, HP, HyperX, Logitech, Razer, and Twinkly have partnered with Microsoft on this venture. An inventory of at present suitable units might be discovered on the Dynamic Lighting Hardware MS Learn web page.

To configure a HID LampArray system, navigate to the brand new Dynamic Lighting web page in Settings > Personalization > Dynamic Lighting.

FEEDBACK: For suggestions, file in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) beneath Devices and Drivers > Lighting.

Windows Ink Enhancements

The up to date Windows Ink permits customers to allow inking immediately onto edit fields, considerably bettering the popularity know-how and scratch out gesture for when customers must make edits.

The goal is to let customers handwrite anyplace they will sort on their Windows system.

At current, these enhancements solely help English (U.S.), however further language help is forthcoming. This expertise might be managed through Settings > Bluetooth and units > Pen and Windows Ink beneath “Shell Handwriting”.

FEEDBACK: For suggestions, file in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) beneath Input and Language > Pen enter.

Enhanced Volume Mixer in Quick Settings

Windows 11 23H2 introduces a brand new enhanced quantity mixer in Quick Settings, permitting fast customization of audio on a per-app foundation and system swapping on the go.

A brand new keyboard shortcut (WIN + CTRL + V) offers quicker entry to the quantity mixer. It additionally features a fast entry checklist of put in spatial sound know-how and suggests further choices like Dolby and DTS from the Microsoft Store.

FEEDBACK: For suggestions, file in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) beneath Desktop Environment > Quick Settings.

Revamped Windows Spotlight Experience

The upgraded Windows Spotlight affords a extra immersive expertise with preview photos, full-screen views, and a number of alternatives to study extra about every picture.

Users can activate it by right-clicking the Spotlight icon on the desktop or by selecting the brand new Spotlight theme within the “Personalize your background” dropdown in Settings > Personalization > Background.

FEEDBACK: For suggestions, file in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) beneath Desktop Environment > Windows Spotlight.

Striving for a Passwordless Future

Microsoft is on a mission to make passwords a factor of the previous. The firm is rolling out improved passkey experiences, the place you’ll be able to create and register utilizing passkeys with the Windows Hello native expertise for any app or web site that helps them.

Windows 11 additionally permits you to handle passkeys saved to your Windows system, providing you with management to view and delete any passkey from the system.

FEEDBACK: For suggestions, file in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) beneath Security and Privacy > Passkey.

Warnings for Unsafe Password Copy and Paste

Starting with Windows 11, model 22H2, Enhanced Phishing Protection in Microsoft Defender SmartScreen protects faculty or work passwords in opposition to phishing and unsafe utilization on websites and apps.

Users who’ve enabled warning choices for Windows Security will now obtain a warning when performing an unsafe password copy and paste operation.

FEEDBACK: For suggestions, file in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) beneath Security and Privacy > Microsoft.

Narrator Natural Voices

The newest replace introduces recent pure voices for Narrator customers in numerous languages together with Chinese, Spanish (Spain and Mexico), Japanese and English (United Kingdom). These fashionable, on-device text-to-speech pure voices present a easy and handy shopping, studying, and writing expertise.

The better part? They can be found offline as soon as downloaded.

To use these pure voices:

1. Access Narrator Settings with WIN + Ctrl + N.
2. Select the Add button beneath Narrator’s voice subsequent to Add pure voices.
3. Choose the voice to put in. Installation of all voices is permissible however needs to be finished one after the other.
4. For Chinese, you’ve gotten Microsoft Xiaoxiao (Female) and Microsoft Yunxi (Male). Spanish (Spain) options Microsoft Elvira (Female) and Microsoft Alvaro (Male), whereas Spanish (Mexico) affords Microsoft Dalia (Female) and Microsoft Jorge (Male). Japanese customers can use Microsoft Nanami(Female) and Microsoft Keita (Male), and English (United Kingdom) presents Microsoft Sonia(Female) and Microsoft Ryan (Male).
5. To start downloading, hit Install. The new voice needs to be prepared to make use of in minutes, topic to web obtain pace.
6. Once downloaded, choose your new voice from the drop-down in Narrator settings beneath Narrator’s voice > Choose a voice.

Remember, in case your show language doesn’t match any of the languages above, step 3 would require you to pick “Choose a unique language” first.

Submit any suggestions beneath Accessibility > Narrator within the Feedback Hub (Win + F).

Local File Sharing Improvements

Windows has revamped native file sharing with notable enhancements to the Windows share window and close by sharing. Updates embrace:

1. A brand new Windows share window design in keeping with Windows 11 ideas.
2. An built-in Outlook possibility for emailing recordsdata immediately from the Windows share window. This is accessible beneath the “Share utilizing” part.
3. A search field within the Windows share window for looking contacts throughout Outlook.
4. Up to 10 urged contacts for fast file sharing.
5. A brand new button for activating close by sharing.
6. Your personal PCs are on the high of the checklist beneath “Nearby Share”.
7. Faster file sharing between PCs through Wi-Fi Direct.

These experiences apply to sharing native recordsdata from numerous apps that use the built-in Windows share window.

For suggestions, head to the Feedback Hub (WIN + F) and look beneath Desktop Environment > Share for the Windows share window and Desktop Environment > Nearby Sharing for close by sharing.

Changes and Improvements in Windows 11 23H2

• Alerts for detected digicam streaming points, with suggestions to launch the Get Help troubleshooter.
• Important or pressing notifications show a “view notification” button for privateness when utilizing full-screen apps.
• Never mixed mode for the taskbar in Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviours (not totally purposeful but). With this new characteristic, you’ll be able to flip off by no means mixed and see labels for apps.
• Task ending possibility when right-clicking an app on the taskbar, managed beneath Settings > System > For builders.
• Introduction of Unicode Emoji 15 to Windows Insiders within the Beta Channel. This replace contains new hearts, animals, and a smiley face.
• Labels and sliding animations when switching between desktops in Task View.
• Accessibility flyout on the Lock display screen.
• Energy-saving suggestion for adjusting refresh price in Settings > System > Power & battery > Energy suggestions.
• Updated design for lists beneath Settings > Apps > Startup Apps and Settings > Apps > Advanced App Settings > App Execution Alias.

Windows 11 23H2 replace arrives within the fall

Microsoft confirmed that Windows 11 23H2 shall be launched within the fourth quarter of 2024 as a small enablement package deal, making it a fast set up for customers already operating 22H2.

If you want to strive the replace at present, be part of Windows Insider Program’s Dev Channel and examine for updates to get began.