【2022 Archives】

A significant Windows 11 update022 Archivesrolling out to PC users on Tuesday, delivering a cornucopia of AI-focused features that are designed to streamline your workflow. 

Why is this Windows 11 update, in particular, the talk of the town? Well, the Redmond-based tech giant is officially debuting Copilot, an intelligent AI assistant, which is finally coming out of its testing phase for a wider public release.

Let’s dive into the five cool new features Windows 11 users will get to enjoy with this new update.

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1. Paint is getting an AI boost

Microsoft boasted that the ever-so-popular Paint app is getting pumped with Copilot’s AI smarts. For example, you’ll have the option to quickly extract backgrounds from your creative works. The Redmond-based tech giant is also introducing layers to Paint, bringing the app closer to some of your favorite graphics editors.

Windows 11 Paint app Credit: Microsoft

In the coming weeks, the new Windows 11 update will also introduce a preview of Paint Cocreator, which will allow you to create masterpieces by simply inputting text prompts. 

2. Use Snipping Tool to get quick recipes on food pictures

At the 2023 Microsoft Surface event, the Redmond-based tech giant showcased an eye-catching AI feature that utilizes Snipping Tool to select photos of food on your PC — and Copilot will give you the recipes for them (if you prompt it to do so).

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Microsoft rep showcases Snipping Tool in action at Surface event Credit: Kimberly Gedeon/Mashable

You can also use the enhanced Snipping Tool to redact sensitive information in documents. 

3. Go totally passwordless

As we mentioned last week, the new Windows 11 update will allow PC users to go passwordless with passkeys.

Windows 11 passkeys Credit: Windows

In other words, you can use the biometric authentication that you use for Windows Hello on your laptop, whether it’s fingerprint scanning or face unlock, to sign in to other supported apps in Edge, Chrome, Firefox, and other browsers. This makes it more difficult for hackers to hijack your PC. After all, no one has your unique fingerprint but yourself.

4. Photos will be easier to find

Have you ever been in a situation in which you don’t remember where you saved your decade-old vacation photos? No worries. With the newly enhanced Photos app, you can search for photos by simply typing in the objects you remember from your pictures.

Windows 11 Photos app Credit: Microsoft

For example, you can type in “beach ball,” and, if Microsoft’s claims are true, you should be able to find every photo that has a beach ball in it, including the specific memories you're looking for.

5. Windows Backup

Hopping from your old PC to a new one will get less frustrating with Microsoft’s new Windows Backup feature.

Windows 11 Backup feature Credit: Microsoft

As long as you're logged in using your Microsoft account on both devices, you can easily transfer most of your files, apps, settings, and credentials with ease via the cloud. Microsoft offers 5GB of free cloud storage, but if you need more, you can upgrade to a Microsoft 365 subscription.

For a more in-depth look at the new Windows 11 goodies coming your way, check out the Redmond-based tech giant's new blog. You can update to the new version of Windows 11 by navigating to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Make sure to select "Check for Updates."

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