Microsoft today announced the first major batch of updates for Windows 11 in 2023, part of the company’s plan to release new Windows features “when they’re ready”instead of waiting for the big annual update in the fall.
The main thing, at least for people who signed up for the AI-powered “new Bing” preview, is support for AI-powered Bing features (including the infamous Bing chatbot) on the Windows taskbar. We wrote more about these functions separately. The other changes are more typical of a regular release of Windows 11 and are a combination of what we’ve seen before and what Microsoft has been testing in its Insider Preview channels over the past few weeks or months.
Some add-ons enhance existing applications or features of Windows 11. The Notepad app, relatively recently updated with a Windows 11-style design and dark mode support, now supports tabs so you can view multiple notes in one window. The redesigned Quick Assist app makes it easy to remotely connect, view the screen, and control the computer you’re providing remote technical support to. The Snipping Tool now supports screen recording in addition to screenshots, making it more useful for capturing quick app demos or other snippets.
Microsoft has also added several taskbar and start menu features. New native and third-party widgets will aim to make widgets more useful than they currently are – screenshots show new widgets for Facebook Messenger and Spotify, as well as the Microsoft Phone Link and Xbox Game Pass apps. A “collapsed”version of the taskbar with no icons will now appear on convertible PCs when the keyboard is detached or folded, giving a bit more room for websites and apps.
There’s also a “power recommendations”section in the Settings app that will recommend adjusting your sleep and power settings to optimize battery life – they basically boil down to things like “let your computer sleep faster”and “leave automatic screen brightness on.””., “useful tips for regular PC users, but nothing groundbreaking for experts.
One potentially exciting addition for iPhone users is the addition of iOS support to the Phone Link app, which should be available now (or soon) through the Windows Store for anyone signed up for any of the Windows Insider Preview channels. As with Android phones, you will be able to make and receive phone calls, view and send SMS text messages (photos or videos are not allowed, whether sending or receiving), and view your phone’s contacts. But the apparent lack of iMessage support will likely prevent the vast majority of iPhone users from feeling indispensable, especially those used to getting full-featured and seamless iMessage support on an iPad or Mac. (We asked Microsoft to confirm if iMessage is supported,
The Your Phone app supports more features when paired with Android phones, especially Samsung phones; This update will also allow Samsung phone users to take advantage of a simple hotspot connection from the Windows Wi-Fi menu and send browser tabs from phone to PC.
It’s worth reading the full post to learn more about all the changes, which include support for braille displays and more voice control options, easier access to Windows 365 PCs in the cloud, and new ways to control AI-based Webcam Studio effects settings . for several PCs that support them.
All of these updates require Windows 11 2022 Update (also known as 22H2) to be installed first. If you’re running Windows 11 22H2, most of the new changes are available for download today by checking Windows Update and manually installing an available preview update. Barring major issues, the update will automatically roll out to all PCs running Windows 11 22H2 starting next month.
We’ll likely get a few more major Windows 11 feature releases this year, including the 23H2 update in the fall. We’re still waiting for this update to take shape, but based on leaks and snippets found in preview builds, it looks like Microsoft is testing a redesigned File Explorer with a more modernized codebase and a possible replacement for the nasty RGB lighting controller apps. Issue 22H2 was completed in May 2022, a few months before its release in September, so we hope to hear more about the 23H2 additions this spring.