Microsoft is revamping the Windows 11 Start menu and introducing several new AI features this month, initially available to Windows Insiders running Snapdragon X Copilot Plus PCs, including the newly announced Surface devices. The updated Start menu is roomier, offering easier scrollable access to the all apps view with category organization.
The new Start menu will also include a phone companion panel, providing quick access to recent contacts, messages, calls, battery level, and other information from a synced iPhone or Android device. This update is expected to be particularly beneficial on large displays.
Aside from the Start menu overhaul, Windows 11 is receiving a range of new AI features. These include an AI agent integrated into the Windows settings menu, allowing users to ask for adjustments to settings or troubleshooting assistance. The AI agent will flag recommendations with a warning that they are AI-generated and may be incorrect.
Other AI features include Click to Do text and image actions, AI editing features for Paint, Photos, and the Snipping Tool, Copilot Vision visual search, improved Windows Search, rich image descriptions for Narrator, AI writing functions in Notepad, and AI actions within File Explorer. The Snipping Tool’s new Perfect Screenshot feature can automatically crop to the most important content, while the Photos app will gain a “Relight” feature, enabling users to add up to three positional light sources to a picture.
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The Paint app will receive a content-aware selection tool for tasks like moving, erasing, and generative fill, and will be able to generate digital stickers from text prompts. Windows Search is also being improved to better find files based on general prompts. Initially, these features will be available to Windows on Arm users with Snapdragon X chips, with Copilot Plus PC owners using Intel and AMD chips receiving the updates later.
