The New Windows 11 and Changes to it

In the recent Windows 11 insider builds (Canary 26xxx series), there are many tiny but very good improvements to Windows. Let me show you them, so you know what to expect in the final stable build you receive. First up, Windows default share menu finally shows WhatsApp there to share directly instead of you having to open WhatsApp every time.

Second, updates to the snipping tool: we got a screen recorder with the following options:

1. Capture full screen

2. Capture a part of the screen both with and without system audio and with or without internal as well as external mic.

this is the screen recording UI having area and audio options:

Next up we have, a new action center (Win+A), with a new layout and refresh button to refresh the Wi-Fi Network list!

Next up we have, a new action center (Win+A), with a new layout and refresh button to refresh the Wi-Fi Network list! pic.twitter.com/tlSaFPrWys

— Vedant Kalore (@VedantKalore) January 8, 2024

Next up, we got a new Microsoft Paint. It has transitioned from being a dumb app to one powered by AI! Now it has layer support, background removal, and AI-generated images using text-based prompts.

Next up, we have the new Photos App, it too got powered by AI. It has the following new AI features: 1. Portrait Blur: Adds portrait effect and background blur to any image.

2. Auto Enhance: uses AI to automatically enhance the image.

Next up, In the file manager, we have a Gallery to view all photos in one place.

yes, finally it’s there! The file manager also has tabs, but it has already rolled out for everyone so I’m not mentioning it.

Now for those gamers and RGB lovers, we have Dynamic lighting controls right in the Windows settings, compatible accessories work with it, and support for many keyboards, mice(mouse), fans, etc is being added.

and now Windows shows a dialog asking permission to access the microphone, camera, etc, and the same applies to apps when they want to and you have not permitted them.

And now you can manage all your Microsoft subscriptions from the Account page in settings:

and the new Settings Home has already rolled out for stable users so I’m skipping it. Also, the volume control menu in the action center now allows you to change audio sources and manage volume levels of multiple apps and also use Dolby, DTS, or Windows Sonic Headphones spatial audio. it has been rolled out I guess. And I don’t know when will they improve this widget which is basically MSN feed, nor we can place widgets on home screens like window vista or 7.

Next up, In the file manager, we have a Gallery to view all photos in one place.

yes, finally it’s there! The file manager also has tabs, but it has already rolled out for everyone so I’m not mentioning it.

Now for those gamers and RGB lovers, we have Dynamic lighting controls right in the Windows settings, compatible accessories work with it, and support for many keyboards, mice(mouse), fans, etc is being added.

and now Windows shows a dialog asking permission to access the microphone, camera, etc, and the same applies to apps when they want to and you have not given them permission.

And now you can manage all your Microsoft subscriptions from the Account page in settings:

and the new Settings Home has already rolled out for stable users so I’m skipping it. Also, the volume control menu in the action center now allows you to change audio sources and manage volume levels of multiple apps and also use Dolby, DTS, or Windows Sonic Headphones spatial audio. it has been rolled out I guess. And I don’t know when will they improve this widget which is basically MSN feed, nor we can place widgets on home screens like window vista or 7.

Of course, we have the Copilot to help us, it’s rolling out slowly to everyone, in supported countries.

Thanks for reading and hope you find it informative and like it.