Microsoft has already released one feature update for Windows 11 this year. However, the “Moment 5” update was quite minor, with some notable changes and new features. Version 24H2, which will be released in the second half of 2024, will offer users much more.
Although the full list of new features in Windows 11 version 24H2 is not finished yet, we already know about quite a few changes that will soon come to the operating system. Here are five cool ones (some will arrive before version 24H2).
1. Use your phone as a webcam
Windows 11 will soon let you use your Android smartphone as a wireless webcam. Modern phones have excellent cameras, and even expensive webcams often cannot match their capabilities. Future Windows updates will allow you to use different cameras on your smartphones for video calls on your computer, apply additional effects (HDR, for example), and more.
Microsoft wants to make the experience as convenient as possible. Windows 11 will offer a dedicated port with all controls and additional information, such as connection status and battery level. Currently, the ability to use Android smartphones as webcams with Windows 11 PCs is available to all Windows Insiders with the Windows Link app version 1.24012 or later.
2. Deeper Copilot integration
Copilot on Windows still feels like a massive afterthought with a very limited set of actually useful Windows-related features. Fortunately, Microsoft is making its new AI assistant more capable in terms of interacting with your hardware. Soon you’ll be able to ask Copilot to scan Wi-Fi networks, display device information, report battery level, toggle battery saver, clear some storage, take a screenshot, interact with accessibility features, and more.
This may not sound too impressive, but it may make working with a Windows computer much easier for less experienced customers.
3. Built-in QR code generator
It’s pretty minor, but tiny things like that are often what make a comfortable OS. One of the future Windows updates will allow you to generate QR codes when sharing links, which will make transferring websites from PC to phone much easier. No more emailing links to yourself or waiting for Microsoft Edge to sync your history.
4. Energy saving
Microsoft is working on extending existing energy savings to more devices, meaning desktop computers that traditionally don’t rely on rechargeable batteries. The new energy saver will trade more performance for battery life and allow you to reduce your energy consumption when reaching a certain battery life or even when plugged in.
Enabling Power Saver from the Settings app or Quick Settings menu will place a new leaf icon in the notification area to let you know that your system is running at a lower performance level to save power.
5. More lock screen widgets
The lock screen in Windows 11 will soon display more useful information. Its current version allows you to place a weather widget, and future updates will add more. Pay attention to stocks, traffic, sports games and more. Of course, these widgets are optional, so you’ll still have the option of running a simple and clean lock screen on your Windows 11 PC.
And by the way, these widgets are also coming to Windows 10.
Bonus: Wi-Fi refresh button
The network will finally have a dedicated refresh button so you can rescan for available networks if you can’t identify the network you need. It’s hard to know why it took Microsoft so long to implement this tiny thing, but I guess better late than never.
These are just five neat features coming soon to Windows 11. The upcoming version of Windows 11 24H2 will bring a lot more to the table later this year, so expect more news in the coming months. We’ll revisit this list after the May 2024 Surface event and the Build 2024 conference, where Microsoft is expected to announce plenty of AI and other features.