It’s official: There will be no Windows 12 in 2024. Instead, the annual feature update will come in the form of Windows 11 24H2. These innovations are planned.
Windows 11 receives extensive innovations with the update 24H2. (Source: [email protected] / depositphotos.com)
The Internet has long been puzzled as to whether Microsoft will update the popular Windows operating system to version 12 this year. A blog entry on the US technology group’s website now makes it clear: Windows 12 will not be available in 2024. Instead, Windows 11 will receive many new features with the 24H2 update in the second half of the year. We give you an overview of the new features that Microsoft is planning.
Microsoft Copilot
The Copilot, Microsoft’s central AI project for the Windows operating system, will probably play a large role in the 24H2 update and should be easier to access. Microsoft will move the Copilot button in the taskbar to the far right in 24H2, replacing the “Show Desktop” button.
There will also be new, context-based animations and a separate copilot area in the Settings app. Not yet confirmed, but according to rumors it is possible that the new update will also include an “Advanced Copilot” that brings even more AI features for particularly powerful computers.
Phone Link
There will be various innovations for Phone Link in Windows 11. The software allows users to pair their smartphones with the PC and receive notifications or calls there. Windows 11 24H2 will, among other things, expand Phone Link with another app that will enable basic features such as sharing photos even without a direct connection to the PC.
Sudo for Windows
Warning, it gets a little nerdy: Anyone who regularly deals with the development or administration of GNU-based operating systems such as Linux or macOS knows the sudo command. This allows you to run commands as an administrator without being in an admin command line window. With Sudo for Windows there will be a Windows counterpart with the update 24H2 that will have similar functionality.
New energy saving mode
A long overdue project: In the new Windows 11 update, Microsoft would like to finally revise the outdated energy saving settings. There will be a new power saving mode that will be available for both battery and non-battery devices. It is intended to work similarly to all other energy saving modes – reducing system performance saves battery or electricity. In addition, power saving settings that were previously only accessible in the Control Center have been moved to the Settings app.
User experience and interface
There will probably be some innovations in the general user experience with Windows 11 24H2:
- Snap Layouts: In Windows 11, the new ways to arrange windows on the screen were introduced under the name Snap Layouts. This allows users to easily dock their windows on one screen page. In Windows 11 24H2, this feature will be expanded based on AI – you will then automatically receive intelligent suggestions for the placement of your windows based on which apps you want to arrange.
- Quick settings: The Windows quick settings will be expanded to include a scroll function with Windows 11. There will also be an update button in the Wi-Fi menu so that you don’t have to deactivate and reactivate Wi-Fi if you want to search for new networks.
- Pre-installed apps: If you reinstall Windows 11 24H2 on your PC, the Cortana, Email, Calendar, Maps, People and Movies & TV apps will no longer be pre-installed. WordPad will also be removed from the operating system.
- Windows-Explorer: In the Windows file explorer, the new update should make it possible to compress files not only into ZIP archives, but also into 7z and TAR archives directly in the explorer. The ability to unpack such archives using File Explorer was already introduced with update 23H2.
- Voice Clarity: With the new AI-supported Voice Clarity function, Microsoft is installing a noise reducer for microphone recordings directly in the operating system in Update 24H2. This will be particularly useful for calls using software that doesn’t include native noise cancellation.
- Neue Offline-Installation: The offline installation menu for Windows 11 will be revised with the new update and, among other things, will have a button with which you can install the necessary device drivers with just one click in order to connect to the WLAN and log in to your Microsoft account.
- Greater bandwidth for USB connections: Windows 11 24H2 will enable USB speeds of 80 gigabits per second. This means that the operating system meets the updated USB 4 standard. The first hardware with these USB speeds is expected to appear this year.
- Secure print mode: Windows 11 24H2 gains support for a new, protected print mode. This is intended to enable Windows computers to communicate with modern printers that have been certified according to the Mopria standard and do not require third-party servers to receive print jobs.
There are also other little things, like a new icon for the task manager or a button for diagnosing network problems in the quick settings. It is also very likely that many more innovations that Windows 11 24H2 will bring will become known over time.
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