Windows 11 24H2 Update: A Comprehensive Look at New Features and AI Integration

The Windows 11 24H2 update introduces a range of new features and improvements, with a particular focus on AI integration and enhanced functionality for users across different device types. This article provides a detailed overview of the update, covering general improvements available to all users, as well as specific features for Copilot+ PCs.

General Features Available to All Users

New Start Menu

The Windows 11 24H2 update introduces a revamped Start Menu aimed at enhancing user experience and customization. Key improvements include:

Smarter Search Integration

The search bar now includes AI-assisted suggestions, dynamically adjusting to user behavior and search patterns. This allows for quicker access to relevant files, apps, and web results.

Pinned App Folders

Users can now organize pinned apps into folders, making it easier to categorize and declutter the Start Menu.

Personalized Recommendations

The Start Menu offers personalized app and content recommendations, powered by AI. It highlights recently opened files, frequently used apps, and even suggests new apps based on usage patterns.

Search Highlights

The daily search highlights feature introduces timely information like trending news, weather, or sports updates, directly integrated within the Start Menu, providing a more interactive experience.

These changes make navigating and managing apps more intuitive and efficient, further leveraging AI capabilities to enhance productivity.

1. SMB Protocol Enhancements

The Server Message Block (SMB) protocol has received several updates aimed at improving security and network efficiency:

• SMB signing is now required by default, enhancing data integrity.
• SMB client encryption can now be set to require encryption for all outbound connections.
• Administrators can block NTLM for remote connections, reducing the risk of pass-the-hash attacks.
• SMB over QUIC now supports alternative ports, improving performance in certain network environments.

2. Security Improvements

Windows 11 24H2 includes several security enhancements:

• Local Security Authority (LSA) protection is automatically enabled after upgrading, providing additional safeguards against unauthorized access to sensitive credentials.
• Personal Data Encryption (PDE) ensures user documents are encrypted, using Windows Hello for secure access.

3. Wi-Fi 7 Support

The update adds support for Wi-Fi 7 (IEEE 802.11be), which offers potential improvements in wireless speeds, latency, and connection reliability for compatible devices.

4. Bluetooth LE Audio Enhancements

Improved support for Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) Audio is included, particularly benefiting users of assistive hearing devices. The update allows for direct pairing, audio streaming, and settings customization from Windows PCs.

5. Energy Saver Mode

Replacing the traditional battery saver, the new Energy Saver Mode aims to optimize system performance to extend battery life. It functions by limiting background processes, pausing non-critical updates, and reducing app syncing during low power situations.

6. Sudo Command for Windows

The update introduces the Sudo command to Windows, allowing users to run administrative tasks directly from the command line without needing to open programs in admin mode.

7. Native Archive File Support

Users can now create 7-Zip, TAR, and other archive formats natively in Windows without requiring third-party software, potentially streamlining file compression and management tasks.

Introduction to Copilot+ PCs

Copilot+ PCs represent a new category of devices optimized for AI workloads. These computers are equipped with Neural Processing Units (NPUs) capable of performing up to 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS). This hardware enables a suite of AI-enhanced features not available on standard PCs.

Key Characteristics of Copilot+ PCs:

• Presence of a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU)
• High TOPS performance (up to 40 TOPS)
• Optimized architecture for AI-related tasks

Features Exclusive to Copilot+ PCs

1. Windows Studio Effects

This feature utilizes AI to enhance video and audio quality during calls:

• Automatic background blur
• Noise suppression
• Automatic framing

These effects are designed to work across various communication platforms.

2. Cocreator in Paint

The Cocreator feature in Microsoft Paint leverages AI for image creation and manipulation:

• Generate artwork from text prompts
• Enhance or modify existing sketches
• Explore various artistic styles using AI assistance

3. Auto Super Resolution (Auto SR) for Gaming

Auto SR is an AI-powered technology that aims to enhance the resolution of games:

• Real-time resolution enhancement
• Potential for improved visual detail and smoothness
• Designed to work across a range of games

4. Image Creator and Restyle in Photos

The Microsoft Photos app now includes AI-powered features for image creation and editing:

• Generate new images from text descriptions
• Apply style transfers to existing images
• Create variations of existing images

5. Live Captions with Translation

This feature provides real-time translation of audio and video content:

• Translates audio from 44 languages into English subtitles
• Works across various applications and media types

Advanced Copilot+ Exclusive Features

1. Recall

Recall is an AI-powered feature that indexes on-screen activities:

• Maintains an encrypted history of screen content
• Allows for natural language search through past activities
• Designed to keep indexed data local for privacy

2. Click to Do

This feature uses AI to analyze screen content and suggest actions:

• Offers context-aware actions like background removal or text summarization
• Aims to streamline common tasks through AI-powered suggestions

3. Generative Erase and Fill in Paint

Building on the Cocreator feature, Generative Erase and Fill allows for AI-assisted image editing:

• Erase elements from images
• Fill erased areas with AI-generated content
• Operates locally using the NPU for processing

Copilot + Voice Update

The Copilot feature in Windows 11 24H2 has been enhanced with voice recognition and AI-powered voice command features. This allows users to interact with their devices in more natural and efficient ways. Key features include:

Voice Commands for Productivity

With voice integration, users can now perform tasks like launching apps, typing text, or searching the web entirely through voice commands. The voice command interface leverages AI to understand context better and offer more accurate results.

Voice Dictation with Auto Punctuation

Improved voice dictation allows users to seamlessly dictate text across apps, with automatic punctuation to ensure accuracy and reduce the need for manual edits.

Voice-Activated Copilot Suggestions

Copilot now offers voice-triggered suggestions, analyzing screen content and providing recommendations based on natural language voice prompts. This can include summarizing content, generating responses, or offering follow-up actions based on the user’s workflow.

These voice enhancements create a hands-free, AI-driven experience, streamlining common tasks and making Windows 11 more accessible.

Conclusion

The Windows 11 24H2 update introduces a range of new features and improvements for all users, with a particular emphasis on AI integration for Copilot+ PCs. While general users benefit from enhanced security, improved protocols, and new functionalities, Copilot+ PC users have access to a suite of AI-powered tools designed to enhance productivity and creativity.

As AI continues to play an increasingly significant role in personal computing, updates like Windows 11 24H2 demonstrate the ongoing evolution of operating systems to incorporate and leverage these technologies.