Microsoft is rolling out the new Windows 11 2024 update today — and it’s arguably the most highly anticipated version of the OS this year.
Why?
Among a slew of other new features, it’s expected to come with the new-and-improved (and controversial) Recall feature that attracted scrutiny from security experts.
However, as we reported on Friday, the Redmond-based tech giant announced new privacy-focused protocols to ease concerns about the up-and-coming AI-powered feature.
Curious about what Microsoft has up its sleeves with the new Windows 11 2024 update (also known as Windows 11 24H2)? Stick around.
Windows 11 2024 update: 5 new features
As mentioned, one major feature coming to the next big update is Recall. For the uninitiated, Recall is an AI-powered feature that keep tabs on your PC activities by consistently taking screenshots.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
It’s designed to help the forgetful among us rediscover lost webpages, or anything else we’ve done in our past, using a timeline scrubber and/or AI-powered natural language search.
On Friday, Microsoft quieted concerns about security by announcing that Recall will be secured with Windows Hello (a security feature that lets you access Recall with fingerprint ID, facial recognition, and other credentials). Plus, Microsoft promised encryption, the option to disable and uninstall, and more.
Click-to-do
Click-to-do, after hitting the Windows Key and clicking your trackpad or mouse, places an an interactive overlay on top of your PC screen.
Credit: Microsoft
This will give you easy access to the following:
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Visual Search with Bing (Microsoft’s answer to Google Lens)
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Background blur
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Object removal in Photos
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Background removal in Paint
This list is non-exhaustive, though, so there’s more to explore. Click-to-do will also help users with text-related functions, including rewriting, summarizing, and explaining in-line text.
New-and-improved Windows Search
Windows Search has gotten smarter. According to Microsoft, you no longer need to worry about remembering file names. You can simply type what’s on your mind and Windows 11 will do its best to find the file for you.
Credit: Microsoft
For example, if you have some pictures of you having a blast at a July 4th gathering, you can type “BBQ party,” and Windows 11 will find what you’re looking for.
This new-and-improved search functionality will come to File Explorer first before expanding to Windows Search and Settings.
‘Super Resolution’ in Photos app
Have you ever looked an a low-resolution photo and thought, “Gee, I wish I could just make this look sharper and clearer?”
Credit: Microsoft
Well, with the new Super Resolution feature in the Photos app, you can do just that. Thanks to on-device AI, Super Resolution can upscale your photos up to 4K in seconds — and you don’t need to spend a dime to make it happen.
Generative Fill and Erase in Paint
In late June, we showed off how Microsoft Paint now lets you use text prompts to help you create stunning AI-generated masterpieces in the rudimentary graphics program.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
With the Windows 11 2024 update, Microsoft has improved the model that underpins Paint to deliver faster results. Plus, with new generative fill and erase tools, the Microsoft boasts that you can now use an adjustable brush to remove “unwanted or distracting elements” in your image. You can also add new elements exactly where you want them.
Other new features include Energy Saver (extends battery life even when your PC is plugged in), improved hearing aid support with Bluetooth LE Audio, and Wi-Fi 7 compatibility.
This update, also called Windows 11 24H2, will start rolling out today. Windows Insiders will get to experience the features first before a wider rollout in November.
To be among the first to experience the new features, navigate to Settings > Windows Update and turn on “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available.” (Eligible devices must be running Windows 11 version 22H2 or 23H2.)
It’s also worth noting that you’ll need a Copilot PC+, like Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 and HP OmniBook X, to enjoy these new features.
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