What New AI Features Are in Windows 11?
The influence of artificial intelligence (AI) powered tools across various industries, such as health, entertainment, and manufacturing, is undeniable. These tools have been instrumental in lowering operational costs, reducing employee burnout, and maximizing productivity.
This transformative wave of AI is sweeping across industries and significantly impacting our personal computing experiences. This change is reflected in Microsoft's Windows 11 design, which strongly emphasizes its support for AI-driven applications.
In the following sections, we will discuss some of the AI features available in Windows 11, including virtual assistants and media editing tools.
Enhanced AI-Powered Virtual Assistant
Microsoft launched Cortana, its personal voice assistant, in 2014. Initially, Cortana helped users set reminders and create calendar events.
However, it never gained the popularity of its competitors, such as Siri. By June 2024, Microsoft had deprecated Cortana as a standalone app and retired it from its productivity apps, marking the end of an era.
Although Cortana is no longer available in Windows 11, other AI-powered virtual assistants have replaced it, offering enhanced functionality and significantly boosting productivity.
Voice Access
Voice access is a powerful tool that uses advanced speech recognition algorithms to detect and understand speech accurately. It operates using a built-in recognition engine, so you don’t need an internet connection to use it.
This accessibility feature allows users to control their PCs or dictate text for added convenience. To enable it, navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Speech and toggle on Voice access.
You can browse, open apps, and read and write emails with simple voice commands. Here are some useful commands you can try:
To get voice access to listen to your instructions: Say, “Voice access wake up.”
To launch Microsoft Word: Say, “Open Microsoft Word.”
To find out what command to use: Say, “Show all commands.”
Microsoft Copilot
Microsoft Copilot is arguably the best AI feature in Windows 11. It leverages advanced AI capabilities to process information, understand context, and generate relevant responses.
The Copilot app can be found on the taskbar or accessed through the web version on Microsoft Edge. You can interact with it by typing or speaking your questions.
Here are a few things it can help you do:
Research a topic: “Tell me about the latest advancements in cancer research.”
Draft messages: “Write a thank you note to my colleagues for throwing me a birthday party.”
Troubleshoot code: “Analyze this code and tell me why it’s not working.”
These AI-powered assistants in Windows 11 are accessible through devices like our HP Dragonfly 13.5-inch G4 Notebook PC. This ultraportable laptop, which weighs only 2.2 lbs, allows you to work from anywhere and leverage these AI tools to enhance efficiency and productivity.
AI-Driven User Interface Enhancements
Snap layouts are predefined ways to organize windows on your screen. This feature allows users to view multiple applications side by side without manually resizing each window, saving time and effort.
To use Snap layouts, hover the mouse over a window's minimize or maximize button to launch the Snap Layout box. Choose from the available layout options. Then, select a spot on the layout diagram to place the window, and the apps will adjust to fit the chosen layout.
Touch gestures in Windows 11 make navigation faster and more intuitive. Users can trigger specific actions using simple touch gestures. For example, tap the screen to select an item, swipe up from the taskbar to open the Start menu, or use two fingers to pinch in or stretch out to zoom in or out.
To enable touch gestures, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touch > Three- and four-finger touch gestures and toggle the feature on.
These AI-driven features are especially effective on devices like the HP Envy 17-da0097nr laptop, which boasts a 17.3-inch touchscreen. The larger screen with a 16:9 aspect ratio provides more real estate, allowing you to see all your Snap groups with less scrolling for more efficient multitasking. Plus, the touch screen's responsiveness makes using touch gestures more efficient, further enhancing productivity.
AI-Powered Security Features
Windows 11 uses AI algorithms to analyze vast amounts of data, identifying patterns and anomalies that could indicate potential threats, such as malware or ransomware. This capability enables Windows 11 to detect and remove zero-day attacks in real time.
The new Smart App Control feature in Windows 11 continuously scans apps you download and install. It allows safe apps to run while blocking harmful ones that might give cybercriminals access to your computer.
Moreover, Windows 11 enhances security with Windows Hello, a feature that allows users to log in to their devices securely using fingerprints, facial recognition, or a PIN. This method offers a higher security level than traditional passwords, which can be compromised.
AI in Productivity Tools
Copilot for Microsoft 365 is an AI assistant integrated into the Microsoft Office 365 suite. It uses data across apps like Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to streamline workflows and elevate productivity.
For example, Copilot in Word suggests sentence improvements and corrects grammar. In Excel, it analyzes data to identify trends and provide valuable insights, which help users interpret large datasets.
AI features in Microsoft Teams for improved collaboration
Copilot in Teams provides real-time transcription of meetings. This makes it easier for participants to follow along and for those who missed the meeting to catch up. It highlights key points and action items to ensure everyone is on the same page. Plus, it assists attendees in brainstorming ideas and even drafting responses to questions asked during the meeting.
AI for Enhanced Multimedia Experiences
Windows 11 leverages AI to transform how you collaborate, edit videos, and stream your favorite shows.
AI-driven video and audio enhancements
New AI features in Windows 11, such as Live Captions and Windows Studio Effects, significantly enhance the quality of videos and audio, elevating your overall experience.
Live Captions converts any video or audio into subtitles in real time. It's handy for watching tutorials or content in a language you don’t speak, ensuring you don’t miss any vital information.
Windows Studio Effects enhances your conference calls by blurring backgrounds more effectively, improving lighting, and suppressing distracting noises. It's compatible with several apps, including Teams, Skype, and Zoom.
Improved media editing and creation tools
Windows 11's AI-enhanced tools empower YouTubers, video editors, and artists to unleash their creativity and produce professional-quality content.
Artists can use Cocreator in the Paint app to transform text prompts into beautiful, realistic artwork. Students and casual users can use the Photos app to adjust lighting and blur backgrounds in photos before sharing them on Instagram.
Additionally, for those who prefer video content, the Clipchamp app offers advanced editing features to produce high-quality content.
Machine Learning and AI Development Tools
Windows 11 supports popular machine learning (ML) frameworks such as TensorFlow and PyTorch. This support allows developers to write, test, and deploy AI-driven applications directly on their Windows 11 devices.
Windows 11 integrates with Azure Machine Learning. This integration allows developers to train, deploy, and manage their machine-learning models using powerful cloud-based tools and resources. Developers can create robust and scalable AI solutions by combining their system resources with cloud capabilities.
Additionally, it provides various Software Development Kits (SDKs) and developer kits that include sample code, documentation, and tools to help developers get started with AI development. These kits provide a foundation for building AI-powered applications and accelerating growth.
Personalized AI Recommendations
Windows 11 also provides AI-driven insights to create more personalized user experiences. It can analyze your browsing history and interactions to curate a customized feed with news articles, videos, and other content that matches your interests. For example, if you frequently search for TV show reviews, your news feed may include similar content.
When the "Personalization" feature in Microsoft Copilot is turned on, the AI uses your chat history to learn and adapt to your unique style. For instance, if you often ask for explanations or tutorials on specific topics, Copilot will remember this preference and start providing more detailed explanations or suggesting relevant tutorials.
Future AI Developments in Windows 11
Microsoft envisions a future where generative AI capabilities are integrated into the Windows platform. This vision includes establishing a robust hardware foundation that allows computers to harness the potential of AI assistants fully. Furthermore, Microsoft aims to use generative AI to enhance the capabilities of built-in applications, catering to the needs of developers and users.
Upcoming features and AI enhancements
Some of the features we’ve discussed, such as Cocreator for Paint app, Windows Studio Effects, Live Captions, and Creative filters, are slated for release to Windows 11 users later this year.
However, these features are already installed on newer Copilot+ PCs equipped with Snapdragon processors, such as the HP EliteBook Ultra 14-inch G1q Notebook AI PC.
Conclusion
Windows 11 is a versatile operating system incorporating several AI features to cater to users of all expertise levels. Content creators can leverage tools like Clipchamp for professional video editing. For hybrid workers, Copilot in Teams is available to boost collaboration.
Developers are provided with a secure, user-friendly environment for creating and deploying their applications.
At HP, we go a step further. We pre-install Windows 11 on our laptops, providing users with immediate access to these innovative AI features. This allows you to explore and utilize the AI capabilities we’ve discussed, thereby enhancing your productivity.
