The Ultimate Windows 11 Update: Copilot AI and More Features Explained

Windows 11 continues to push the boundaries of what your PC can do, harnessing the power of AI to elevate your digital experiences. Yusuf Mehdi, in a recent announcement, unveiled a wave of new features that span accessibility, security, and more. With over a billion users worldwide relying on Windows for work, play, and learning, the latest Windows 11 innovations promise to enhance your computing journey.

In this article, we'll explore how to access these cutting-edge Windows 11 features, delve into the availability details, and take a sneak peek at what lies ahead in the Windows roadmap.

Getting the Latest Innovations

At Microsoft, our commitment to delivering continuous innovation remains unwavering. We're dedicated to providing you with the best experiences by seamlessly introducing new features through our established processes. Today, we are excited to introduce Copilot in Windows (currently in preview), along with a host of newly announced features. These include Windows Backup for effortless file and settings transfers to your new Windows 11 device, voice-based login and text correction, and Passkey for replacing traditional passwords on apps and websites.

The rollout of these features will vary for Windows 11 devices, as we will be progressively introducing them in the coming weeks through a controlled feature rollout (CFR) to consumers. For those eager to experience these enhancements immediately, including Copilot in Windows, follow these steps: Go to Settings > Windows Update, then enable "Get the latest updates as soon as they're available" and select "Check for updates." Most of these new features are expected to be broadly available by the November 2023 security update release.

New Additions in the Microsoft Store

Windows 11 users can now explore a selection of exciting apps and experiences in the Microsoft Store. To access them, simply head to Microsoft Store > Library and search by title. Some notable additions include:

1. Clipchamp with Auto-Compose
2. The New Outlook for Windows
3. Instant Games: Enjoy select casual games instantly, without the need for installation.
4. AI-Enhanced Apps: Look out for AI-enhanced versions of Paint, Photos, and Snipping Tool, with full availability expected in the coming months.

Exciting Experiences for Developers

Developers, we haven't forgotten about you. We're thrilled to share new information about familiar dev tools, including the general availability of developer experiences announced at Build '23. These include:

1. Dev Home: A productivity companion tailored for developers on Windows.
2. Dev Drive: A new storage volume designed to offer top-notch performance and security for developer workloads.

For Commercial and Education Customers

The October 2023 optional non-security preview release will enable most new Windows 11 features across all editions of Windows 11, version 22H2, including the Windows 365 Boot and Windows 365 Switch capabilities. IT administrators seeking to access these features can use a newly introduced policy to enable optional updates for their managed devices. To ensure a seamless transition, Copilot in Windows with Bing Chat Enterprise is temporarily disabled by default behind an enterprise feature control.

Windows 11 2023 Update

As previously announced in July, the Windows 11 2023 Update (version 23H2) is set to launch in the fourth quarter of 2023. This update shares the same servicing branch and code base as Windows 11, version 22H2, and will encompass all the newly announced features. Devices running version 22H2 will receive this update through a small enablement package (eKB). This update aligns with our annual feature update cadence, with new feature updates typically released in the second half of the calendar year. Notably, this version resets the support timeline to 24 months for Home and Pro editions and 36 months for Enterprise and Education editions.

Experience the Latest Innovations in Windows 11

Updating your Windows device is crucial to ensure protection and access to the latest features and innovations. If you're still on an older version, now is the perfect time to transition to Windows 11. With the availability of Windows Backup, you can effortlessly migrate and get started quickly. We'll closely monitor the rollout of these new features and provide timely updates on their status and known issues through the Windows release health dashboard and @WindowsUpdate. Please share your experiences, comments, and suggestions via Feedback Hub; your feedback drives our improvements.

Note:

1. Windows Backup is available for Microsoft Accounts from supported devices running Windows 10 or higher, with restoration available on devices running Windows 11 22H2 or higher.
2. Copilot in Windows is gradually releasing in preview to select global markets, with additional markets planned.
3. These Windows 11 apps and experiences are available to all Windows users at no cost.
4. Paint Cocreator will initially be available in preview to Windows Insiders via a waitlist.
5. Devices managed by Windows Update for Business or WSUS must install the Windows 11, version 22H2 August 2023 version non-security preview release or later for end users to access the latest features.
6. Copilot in Windows with Bing Chat Enterprise requires Windows 11 and licensing for Microsoft 365 Business Standard, Business Premium, Enterprise E3, and E5.
7. Windows 11 eligible devices on Windows 11, version 21H1 require a full OS swap to update to Windows 11, version 23H2.