Microsoft is continuing its AI push with the announcement of seven new AI features for Windows 11, many of which are launching now for users in the Windows Insiders program. These features, however, are largely dependent on having a Snapdragon X Series Copilot+ PC, such as the newly unveiled Surface Pro and Surface Laptop models. For those with eligible hardware, the update brings meaningful enhancements that go beyond novelty—each one aimed at making the system more intelligent, efficient, and accessible.
Arguably the most impactful update is the Copilot on Windows app, which allows users to share their screen or app windows with the AI and get contextual, voice-driven help. Whether you’re editing a photo in Photoshop or learning to navigate a new tool, Copilot can guide you in real time—visually highlighting steps and answering questions as you work. It’s not just a chatbox; it’s a true assistant built into your workflow. This integration marks a step forward in turning generative AI from a text-based novelty into a practical, task-based productivity tool.
Another key addition is an AI-powered settings assistant. Instead of searching through endless menus, users can now type (or say) what they want to change in plain language. The AI can locate the right setting—and even make the change automatically. For a system as sprawling as Windows, this could dramatically reduce friction for users at every experience level.
The Photos relight feature in the Microsoft Photos app brings lighting adjustments to the forefront, allowing users to simulate up to three light sources for more dynamic edits. Unlike more controversial generative image editing, this tool leans into established photography principles, making it a subtle but valuable addition for casual editors.
Microsoft is also improving core system tools. The Snipping Tool now uses AI to automatically identify and crop the most relevant part of your screen, and can extract colors and text from images, speeding up design and documentation tasks. Meanwhile, Click to Do integrates AI actions across open apps, enabling users to do things like schedule meetings from emails, move data into Excel, or get Copilot help within Microsoft 365 apps—all without switching context.
For power users and professionals, AI actions in File Explorer offer direct interaction with files via right-click, allowing for content summarization or quick edits in supported apps like Paint or Word. This brings everyday file management closer to intelligent automation, with context-aware suggestions built into the UI.
Lastly, accessibility sees a significant upgrade with Narrator’s rich image descriptions. Designed for blind and low-vision users, this AI feature provides more detailed spoken feedback about images, charts, and UI elements, offering a clearer understanding of visual content. It can describe people, objects, and even text within images—making the system significantly more inclusive.
Many of these features are launching now for Windows Insiders on Snapdragon-powered devices, with support for Intel and AMD machines expected in the near future. Microsoft’s continued push into local AI processing through dedicated hardware is also noteworthy—suggesting a strategic shift toward privacy-friendly, latency-reduced experiences that don’t rely entirely on the cloud.
Together, these updates are more than just tech demos. They represent a clear direction for Windows as a platform that blends traditional computing with seamless, context-aware AI assistance—potentially reshaping how people interact with their PCs in the years ahead.
