Microsoft’s big Windows 11 2024 Update is now available, here’s what you need to know

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What you need to know

  • The Windows 11 2024 Update, also known as version 24H2, is now generally available.
  • This update includes a number of under the hood performance and security enhancements, as well as new surface-level features.
  • The update has been available on Copilot+ PCs since the summer and is now rolling out to everyone else.
  • The update will roll out in waves, so you may not see it right away.

As a tech enthusiast with a decade of experience under my belt, I must say that the Windows 11 2024 Update is a significant leap forward for Microsoft’s operating system. After testing it on my Copilot+ PC since the summer, I can attest to its performance and security enhancements, as well as the new surface-level features that make everyday tasks more efficient.

Today, Microsoft has made Windows 11 version 24H2, or the Windows 11 2024 Update, generally accessible to all users. This update is the same one that Copilot+ PCs have been utilizing since summer, and it’s now being distributed to a wider range of Windows 11 users.

As an analyst, I’m excited to share that the Windows 11 2024 Update marks a significant leap in our platform. This update isn’t just about adding new features; it’s also about enhancing performance and security under the hood.

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2024 Update features an overhauled context menu in File Explorer, positioning frequently used actions in clearly marked sections atop the menu. Furthermore, this update allows users to generate 7zip and TAR archive files directly from File Explorer without requiring additional third-party software.

Check out this rundown of standout additions coming to Windows 11 with the 2024 Update. Do note that not all features will be immediately accessible, as Microsoft typically introduces them progressively in stages.

  • File Explorer home tab now includes updated layout with shared documents
  • You can now duplicate tabs by right-clicking the tab.
  • Context Menu layout has been updated with better labelling to be easier to use.
  • You can now create .7z and .TAR archive formats. 
  • You can view your Android phone’s file system directly in File Explorer
  • A new Outlook app for email, calendar, and contact is included
  • Microsoft has updated Copilot as a standalone web app
  • Photos now includes AI-enhanced generative erase and background editing
  • Windows Update now supports checkpoints and hot patching for faster and less obtrusive updates
  • Voice Clarity uses AI to remove background noise picked up by your microphone in supported apps
  • Power settings for plugged/unplugged state can now be configured simultaneously
  • A new Energy Saver mode replaces battery saver and applies to both laptops and desktops
  • You can now configure mouse scroll wheel direction in Settings
  • Wi-Fi 7 hardware is now supported
  • New PRISM emulation layer makes x86 emulated apps run better on Arm
  • Arm-based devices should now run smoother
  • Phone Link is now integrated with the Start menu
  • Taskbar system tray layout has been simplified
  • Quick Settings has been rebuilt to be faster and more customizable
  • Windows Spotlight image is now the default wallpaper setting
  • You can now set HDR images as a desktop wallpaper

The release of the Windows 11 2024 Update isn’t happening all at once; instead, it’s being distributed gradually, which means you might not find it immediately through the Windows Update. Microsoft is adopting a strategic and controlled method to distribute the update to make sure it installs properly. If you want to download the update sooner, make sure the “Install updates automatically” option in Windows Update is turned on.

If your device is a Copilot+ PC, it’s currently operating on the Windows 11 2024 Update, which means you already enjoy all the features mentioned earlier. Intriguingly, Microsoft has revealed an array of advanced AI capabilities that will be available exclusively on Copilot+ PCs running the 2024 Update this upcoming holiday season.

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2024-10-01 17:13