Microsoft has been busy refining Windows 11, rolling out a series of exciting new features that promise to enhance user experience and productivity. From seamless Android integration to improved input shortcuts and more, here’s a look at what’s new in Windows 11 this week.
Android Integration: Resuming Apps with Ease
Windows 11 now lets users resume apps from their Android phones directly on their PCs. Imagine listening to a song on your phone, and when you switch to your PC, you’re prompted to continue right from where you left off—no interruptions, just seamless integration. This feature supports multiple apps and is currently live in the Dev and Beta channels.
Enhanced Lock Screen Battery Displays
Battery icons have come a long way. Microsoft has now introduced new taskbar-style battery icons onto the Windows lock screen, making it easier than ever to keep track of your device’s charge status. Available in the Dev and Beta Channels, these icons provide clear indicators of charging status, complete with optional battery percentages.
Simplified Input with New Emdash Shortcut
For those tired of memorizing ALT codes, Microsoft brings relief with a new shortcut for inserting emdash (—) and endash (–) characters. By simply pressing Win+Minus or Win+Shift+Minus, users can insert these punctuation marks. This ease of use bears similarity to Mac’s experience and is available in the Beta Channel.
Effortless Sharing with Windows Share
Efficiency takes a front seat with the ability to pin apps in the Windows Share menu. Pinning your frequently used apps means quicker access every time you share something on your Windows device. This improvement is being tested in the Dev and Beta Channels, aiming to streamline productivity.
Boosting Gaming Performance
Gamers rejoice! Microsoft has enhanced game performance by refining the Game Bar and overlay interactions, particularly beneficial for setups with multiple monitors possessing diverse refresh rates. An additional fix speeds up the taskbar’s response post-sleep mode, which might come included in upcoming stable versions.
Copilot App Evolves with New Features
The Copilot app on Windows 11 is seeing a transformation with a fresh home page design, shortcut integrations, and improved semantic file searches. This redesign aims to provide a more intuitive interface for managing tasks within Copilot, and while it’s in the testing phase, it promises to enrich user interaction once released widely.
These novelties showcase Microsoft’s commitment to refining Windows 11, providing users with practical, cutting-edge tools to enhance their digital journeys. For those in the Insider Channels, these updates pave the way for exciting developments soon to reach all users. According to How-To Geek, these advancements mark a pivotal step in Windows 11’s evolution.