Microsoft has started rolling out the Windows 11 24H2 update, known simply as the “Windows 11 2024 Update.” This release improves security, offers new connectivity options, and adds more AI capabilities to Copilot+ PCs.
One useful change is that the Quick Settings is now a scrollable list, which you can customize by reordering the different options. The Wi-Fi selection UI 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.
Browseable quick settings • Wi-Fi 7 support
Another thing you’ll find in the Quick Settings is the Power Saver toggle. This has always been there for laptops, but is now also available on AC power in case you want to reduce power consumption.
Devices with sufficiently fast NPUs, called Copilot+, have a large number of new AI functions. One breaks language barriers: automatically generated subtitles are available system-wide for all video players. They will transcribe the audio and can translate it into your language. All this also from a local model, which keeps latency as low as possible.
System-wide subtitles with translation • Windows Studio effects
Also available system-wide are the new Windows Studio effects. These work with your webcam to blur the background or apply different styles to your camera feed. Additionally, Voice Focus uses the NPU to remove background noise and suppress echoes from the room. There’s a teleprompter feature for those who have prepared speeches and it has an ‘eye contact’ mode that adjusts your gaze to maintain eye contact with your audience (instead of flicking your eyes left and right as you read).
The controversial Windows Recall returns with additional security features. Saving snapshots is now an opt-in feature. Secure Windows Hello 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 Recall • Windows Search now also has AI
Windows Search also got a touch of AI: instead of trying to remember file names, you just describe what you’re looking for, say photos from a barbecue party.
Speaking of photos, the new Super Resolution feature can upscale your old images by up to 8x. This works on-device, so your photos won’t be uploaded to the cloud. Windows Paint has new AI tools, including generative fill and generative erase, so you can add or remove things from photos as you please.
Super resolution for photos • Generative editing in Paint
If you don’t remember all these things, don’t worry: the new Click To Do is an easy gateway to all the new features. Clicking while holding down the Windows key displays a context menu with relevant actions, such as performing a visual search on Bing, blurring the background in a photo, removing objects from a photo, summarizing text, and more.
A number of other improvements deserve mention. For example, you can now use HDR images as your desktop background. Additionally, File Explorer can now natively create and read RAR and 7z archives. Running apps now have a new way to view the progress of ongoing actions with a progress bar below the app icon.