markdown # 7 New Windows 11 Features You'll Actually Care About

2022 marks a fresh start for Windows 11, which Microsoft has dubbed as the “Year of Copilot+ PC.” With the approaching end-of-support date for Windows 10, many users are encouraged to consider upgrading to Windows 11 this year. Intrigued by what the future holds, I thought it would be interesting to delve into Microsoft’s plans for Windows 11 in the year 2025.

Some of the new elements we’re examining haven’t been officially revealed yet. Enhancements to the Start menu, System Tray, Battery Indicator, and File Sharing are planned, and we have the opportunity to preview them early thanks to the latest Windows 11 previews and @phantomofearth on X, who has uncovered most of the undisclosed features being developed at this stage.

Here are seven exciting advancements and updates being developed for Windows 11 that we can’t wait to explore!

Start menu upgrades

It seems that a significant upgrade to the Windows Start menu, our first major one in quite some time, might be on the horizon by 2025. Microsoft is actively developing two fresh designs for the layout of the Start menu’s app list, allowing users to choose their preferred view when displayed, whether it’s a customizable arrangement of all their applications.

The upcoming modification for Windows 11’s Start menu will offer an organized grid view of all your applications, much like the app shelf on iOS and iPadOS. This new feature will categorize your installed apps into various predefined sections, effortlessly arranging them so you can quickly locate them.

The fresh perspective is incredibly practical and gives the App list within the Start menu a noticeably tidier appearance. If you don’t fancy this updated layout, don’t worry! You have the option to revert back to the traditional alphabetical list view if that suits you better. Additionally, an upcoming change will introduce an alphabetical grid view as well.

By keeping the sentence structure simple and using conversational language, we aim to make it easier for users to understand the content presented.

New file sharing interface

An innovative method for file sharing is being developed, where you can effortlessly transfer a file by simply dragging it towards the upper part of your screen. Upon picking up a file, a subtle tip will appear at the top of your screen guide you to move the file upward. This action will unveil a larger menu filled with various apps for sharing your selected file.

This fresh approach to sharing is incredibly handy, as it simplifies the entire procedure significantly. It’s particularly useful for sending files to contacts via social media platforms or launching a file within a specific application. Simply pick up the file, drag it towards the top of your screen, and release it into the app you wish to share from.

Smaller Taskbar icons

Microsoft is developing a new feature allowing you to reduce the size of app icons on the Taskbar. This function will automatically activate when the Taskbar is filled and requires extra room for additional apps to display, but you have the option to keep it active all the time if you prefer.

On smaller screens or for users who prefer a cluttered Taskbar, reducing the size of individual icons doesn’t decrease the overall Taskbar size, but rather increases the number of app icons displayed simultaneously on the screen, making it more efficient to use.

Battery icon improvements

It’s been quite some time since the battery symbol on Windows received an update with fresh features, but it seems that change is in the works for this year. Microsoft is now experimenting with a revamped battery icon and indicator that will adapt its color based on your current power status. Initially, the icon appears white, similar to its usual form, although it’s slightly elongated compared to its previous version.

Whenever you connect it, the symbol will switch to green, showing that power is being supplied. In contrast, when you activate the energy-saving mode, the symbol will change to red, signifying low power levels. These alterations enable quick identification and comprehension of your current power status by simply taking a look at it.

Besides the fresh, updated colors, Microsoft is also incorporating a novel feature into the battery icon. Soon, you’ll be able to activate a percentage indicator for the battery, which will sit alongside the icon directly in the Taskbar. This is a feature that most contemporary operating systems already have, and it’s set to debut in Windows 11 this year.

Better emoji panel access

As an observer, I can’t help but notice that if you’re a frequent user of emojis, your experience is about to get even better! Microsoft is planning to introduce a dedicated emoji panel button right on the Taskbar for Windows 11. This will make locating this feature a breeze, as it has been somewhat hidden in previous versions like Windows 10. The emoji panel itself has been around since the Windows 10 era, but its discovery was not always straightforward.

The emoji panel in Windows isn’t explicitly introduced or explained, so users can only find it if they’re informed about its existence by someone else or stumble upon it accidentally. To open it, press the Windows key along with the (.) buttons.

From now on, the emoji panel will have its own separate button on the Taskbar which users can find effortlessly while they type. By default, this button only appears when you’re typing, but you have the option to make it a constant part of your Taskbar or hide it completely if preferred.

Lock screen widget customization

On Windows 11, Microsoft is introducing a significant modification to the lock screen, enabling users for the first time to personally select which widgets show up there. Previously, the choice of widgets on the lock screen was determined by Microsoft, with the user’s options being limited to simply turning them on or off.

In the near future, Windows 11 will allow you to customize the widgets displayed on your lock screen. You’ll have the ability to add, remove, or rearrange these widgets according to your preference. Both built-in and third-party widgets can be shown, and you can even set the order of appearance for your favorite widgets.

Recall, Click To Do, and AI in Search

In addition, it’s important not to overlook the significant new features of Microsoft’s Copilot+ for PCs, which will begin shipping this year. Two key ambient AI productivity tools, Windows Recall and Click To Do, are being introduced with Windows 11. Furthermore, artificial intelligence in Windows Search is being developed to enhance the overall search experience across Windows.

Essentially, Click To Do and Recall serve similar purposes but with a slight difference: While Click To Do offers an AI overlay that allows you to quickly start tasks or examine content currently displayed on your screen, Recall enables you to go back in time, find things you’ve seen or worked on previously, and search for them using conversational language.

The new AI-powered feature in Windows Search will significantly enhance your experience by enabling you to perform searches using everyday language, finding files, documents, and pictures not only in File Explorer but also within the Search bar and Settings.

More to come

2025 is expected to bring a host of new features and modifications to Windows 11, with us here at Windows Central keeping you updated on every development.

Certainly, it’s important to note that as-yet unannounced features from Microsoft could potentially be discarded or altered significantly prior to their release.

2025-02-04 17:13

markdown # 7 New Windows 11 Features You’ll Actually Care About