Microsoft has previewed some of their upcoming AI innovations coming to Copilot+ PCs and Windows 11.
Microsoft introduced new experiences for the Windows 11 PC that aims to streamline daily tasks but also empower users with new capabilities to tackle complex challenges. These new features will make getting things done on your PC faster, simpler and more personalized.
Innovation is not just about creating new products, but rather an opportunity to reimagine how we solve everyday problems. You can quickly and easily find what you’re looking for using your own words, and applications will reveal themselves where and when you need them.
AI enabled innovation at the Windows 11 OS-level is focused on empowering customers and achieving better output in everything we do, making everyday tasks easier and more efficient.
In May, Microsoft announced the Copilot+ PC, a new class of PCs that introduced AI-enabled experiences to Windows customers. The wait is almost over for Copilot+ PC and Windows 11 customers who will get access to even more new features designed to make your PC smarter, more useful and more secure.
Microsoft has release a quick teaser video for the announcement.
Microsoft says the reaction has been extraordinary and through their partner network, they likely have the sales numbers to back that up. Pointing to industry accolades deeming these PCs a “must buy” and many retailers seeing increased customer demand, Microsoft’s famous $10 Billion investment in OpenAI who’s models ultimately power Copilot, is certainly helping to drive this momentum.
New Copilot+ PC experiences will soon arrive on Windows 11 PCs from Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Samsung and Microsoft Surface, showcasing silicon from Qualcomm, Intel and AMD.
As we race towards Christmas, perhaps you can ask Santa for a Copilot+ PC to be under the tree this year.
New features will become available to our Windows Insider community, with a phased rollout to select devices and markets beginning in November.
Microsoft details the features coming to a device near you, including the controversial Recall feature that will finally ship. Controversially the Recall feature would randomly take screenshots of your desktop, then understand what’s in the image and make that searchable. Naturally this raised security concerns, given users wouldn’t be in control of the timing and that mean passwords could potentially be captured, combined with further concerns about the ability for admins to access these screenshots.
Recall (Preview):
Recall is an entirely new way to instantly find something you’ve previously seen on your PC. Following the announcement in May, we listened to our community emphasizing the need for additional default security layers. We have taken the time to make Recall even more secure by default, ensuring our customers feel confident that their data is safe and secure, right from the start.
Customers will now have the choice to opt-in to saving snapshots and if they do opt-in, they will use Windows Hello to confirm presence and securely unlock the Recall experience. And with the sensitive information filter, Recall will apply filters over sensitive information when highly confidential data, like credit card details or personal identification numbers, needs to stay just that – confidential. Learn more about the security and privacy integrated into Recall.
Starting in October, Windows Insiders will begin to see Recall on Snapdragon powered Copilot+ PCs. Customers who purchase an Intel- or AMD- powered Copilot+ PC will see Recall initially in our Windows Insider program starting in November. Timing details on the broad availability of Recall will be shared at a later date.
Click to Do (Preview):
Click to Do is designed to help simplify your workflow by magically placing an interactive overlay on top of your PC screen, enabling suggested quick actions to appear over images or text. At your request, Click to Do seamlessly connects you to tools and actions to accomplish tasks, like suggesting help with Visual Search with Bing, background blur or erasing objects in Photos, removing backgrounds with Paint, and more.
It also assists with text-related actions such as rewrite, summarize or explain text in line, opening in a text editor, sending an email (with a recognized email address), web searches, and opening websites (with a recognized URL).
Click to Do is context-aware, and accessible from any Copilot+ PC screen – simply press the Windows key and click your mouse to find Click to Do in Snipping Tool or Print Screen to get started. With a clear focus on enhancing productivity, customers will see additional rich actions added in the coming months.
Improved Windows Search:
Finding the right files, including documents, settings or photos, on Copilot+ PCs just got easier. Using your own words, like “BBQ party” you can now describe things to find what you’re looking for on Windows.
You no longer need to remember file names, settings locations or even worry about spelling – just type what’s in your mind to find it on a Copilot+ PC. You can even find photos in OneDrive by describing the content in the same way.
Thanks to the power of the 40+ TOPS NPU onboard Copilot+ PCs, it works even when you’re not connected to the internet. Improved search will be available first with File Explorer and expanding to Windows Search and Settings in the coming months.
Super resolution in Photos:
Reimagine and enhance your lower-resolution and older photos into high-quality images without worrying they’ll look blurry or pixelated. You no longer have to deal with a distorted, pixelated photo after increasing its size. Using powerful on-device AI, super resolution in Photos will transform your old or lower-quality images into reimagined memories. Simply use the slider to increase the resolution by up to 8X, and precisely control and adjust the output. And this work won’t take all night. With the power of the 40+ TOPS NPU, super resolution in photos can upscale a photo up to 4K within seconds, for free.
Generative fill and erase in Paint:
Pre-release build shown; subject to change
Paint is your creative companion, making it effortless to bring your visions to life. Using AI tools announced in May, creators are using their own words to describe their vision in a prompt, or a few swipes of the brush, to create incredible images all for free and without the need for a subscription.
Now, with the addition of generative fill and generative erase, you can edit and alter images with greater precision and creative freedom. Using an adjustable brush, you can remove unwanted or distracting elements in your image or add new ones, exactly where you want them. We’ve also improved the underlying diffusion-based model to deliver better results faster, and with built-in moderation, it’s a creative experience you can trust.
Even more new Copilot+ PC Arm enabled applications from top developers:
We continue to expand the long list of native apps and emulated experiences available for Arm-based Copilot+ PCs. With new apps landing every day, we’re excited to see developers leaning into the power of the industry leading NPU, offering unique experiences and performance across categories such as Productivity, Entertainment, VPN and Security.
Many of the most popular applications are already available for Windows on Arm. You can enjoy brands such as Chrome, Zoom, Brave, Opera, Slack, Spotify, Adobe (InDesign, Illustrator and Premiere), Davinci Resolve, Algoriddim djayPro, Libre Office, 1Password and Todoist today, with new native apps on the horizon including Vegas Pro, Fantastical, Sketchbook Pro, Arc Browser, Google Drive and more.
We also see strong momentum in the VPN and printer space. Popular apps like ExpressVPN, Private Internet Access, Surfshark and Windscribe are available now, with NordVPN coming soon. And, with over 90% of printers purchased in the last seven years working seamlessly, our Copilot+ PC customers have access to the apps and performance they expect on their Windows PC.
Windows 11 2024 update begins rolling out
Starting today, the Windows 11, version 24H2 update begins to roll out to Windows 11 customers. This update includes new features like Energy Saver designed to extend battery life and reduce energy use, even when your device is plugged in. We are thrilled to announce improved Hearing Aid support with Bluetooth LE Audio, with new capabilities to control audio presets, ambient sounds and experience enhancements.
We are also introducing Wi-Fi 7 compatibility, offering unprecedented connectivity speed, reliability and efficiency. Windows 11, version 24H2 also offers HDR background support.
We have also made significant improvements to the taskbar and system tray, File Explorer and Settings to make it even easier and more intuitive to do the things you want on your Windows PC. Learn more about how these features will roll out to customers.
For commercial customers, you can learn more about the related IT Tools for this update.
Looking ahead
At Microsoft, we’re proud to be at the forefront of this journey, driving momentum with innovation at the Windows 11 endpoint on Copilot+ PCs. These advancements not only enhance the experience but also empower our customers to bring their ideas to life with secure, cutting-edge Windows 11 solutions.
As the way we interact with technology continues to evolve, we are committed to ensuring that our innovations are not only cutting-edge but also secure and privacy focused. We understand that in today’s digital age, protecting our users’ data is paramount.
That’s why we have integrated advanced security safeguards and privacy measures into our products, ensuring that AI is both useful and secure in everyday life. Our Copilot+ PCs are equipped with intelligent features that enhance productivity while maintaining the highest levels of security. Whether you’re working on sensitive documents, communicating with colleagues or managing personal information, you can trust that your data is safe.
Join us as we continue to innovate and push the boundaries of what’s possible on Windows this holiday with Copilot+ PCs.
Please visit aka.ms/copilotpluspcs for more detail on the rollout as it becomes available.
