Microsoft has officially launched Windows 11 24H2, introducing a host of new features—some of which are not only intriguing but also quite useful. However, it comes alongside a notable list of known issues.
Welcome to the Thunderdome…
This week’s update is now accessible for Copilot+ PCs, with additional enhancements on the horizon for them as well. The focus is now on rolling it out to the rest of the Windows 11 users eligible for the latest update.
For individual users, the deployment will occur gradually in waves, while enterprise users can find it available via channels like Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) and Windows Update for Business.
The release can be categorized into three main sections: features tailored for Microsoft’s core enterprise audience; enhancements that appeal to end users and consumers; and unique functionalities that are exclusive to Copilot+ devices.
It encompasses all the modifications introduced to the operating system since version 23H2. For IT professionals, this includes numerous adjustments to the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol, the activation of Local Security Authority (LSA) protection, and modifications concerning the management of local accounts.
The changes related to SMB have been unfolding throughout the year, so administrators are unlikely to be caught off guard. In Windows 11 24H2, these updates feature alterations to firewall rules, the ability to block NT Lan Manager (NTLM), transitioning SMB to utilize the QUIC transport protocol instead of TCP, and revisions to SMB signing and encryption processes.
Additionally, other updates that are now enabled by default include Personal Data Encryption (PDE), which applies user-authenticated encryption to recognized Windows folders (like Documents), and App Control for Business, designed to enhance the protection of digital assets against malicious software (previously known as Windows Defender Application Control).
Additionally, there’s now Rust integrated into the Windows kernel, as well as support for SHA-3 and Sudo for Windows.
While the inclusion of Wi-Fi 7 is likely to capture the attention of both end users and administrators, enhancements to File Explorer, such as the ability to drag files between breadcrumbs and new support for 7-zip and TAR archives, significantly improve user experience.
Further enhancements include direct pairing and audio streaming capabilities for Bluetooth Low Energy Audio (LE Audio) compatible assistive hearing devices on suitable PCs, along with visual animations in the system tray and taskbar to indicate when a network connection is being established. Quick settings now feature greater configurability and accessibility.
Not surprisingly, Microsoft has garnered the most attention with its announcements regarding generative AI, seemingly overshadowing the launch of the latest version of its flagship operating system. In a gesture towards gamers, Copilot+ PCs will feature Auto Super Resolution, which claims to enhance gaming experiences with improved resolution details. However, Copilot+ PCs have not been well received by the gaming community, facing criticism over performance issues compared to traditional gaming setups.
Windows 11 24H2 offers a range of features for Copilot+ PCs, including Live Captions, which convert audio and visual content into English subtitles, and Windows Studio Effects that enhance video calls by improving lighting and reducing background noise.
New functionalities for Copilot+ PCs add options like searching for files using simple text. In addition, a functionality similar to Google’s Circle to Search, known as Click to Do, allows the system to identify images or text on the screen and propose actions. This could include visual searches through Bing or summarizing written content.
Click to Do is currently in its preview phase. Screenshot from Microsoft’s announcement.
Microsoft Paint, which has recently been undergoing constant changes, already adopted the Cocreator feature earlier this year, enabling image creation based on text prompts. For Copilot+ PCs, Paint will also introduce Generative Fill and Generative Erase, tools typically found in software like Adobe Photoshop. This shift is unusual, as Microsoft Paint has traditionally been a straightforward pixel-editing application. The influx of AI features seems to complicate Paint unnecessarily, especially considering that free alternatives like GIMP offer capabilities that far exceed those of the non-AI version of Paint.
Generative fill and erase features are coming to Paint – please note, this is a screenshot from a pre-release build from Microsoft’s announcement – so the final version may differ.
Though it’s a relatively new offering, Microsoft Copilot is set to receive a variety of new functionalities that do not necessitate the AI hardware of a Copilot+ PC.
Mustafa Suleyman, the executive vice president and CEO of Microsoft AI, characterized Copilot as “an AI companion for everyone” in an open letter. “With your permission,” Suleyman mentioned, “Copilot will ultimately be able to act on your behalf.”
Among the new features debuting in Copilot are voice interactions, an overview of news and weather termed Copilot Daily (which exclusively sources information from “authorized content providers” like Reuters and the Financial Times), a visual search capability known as Copilot Vision (“a profoundly new way of interacting with a computer,” according to Microsoft), and Think Deeper, which lengthens response time in pursuit of delivering more meaningful answers.
Some updates have an unmistakable “me too” vibe. For instance, OpenAI’s chatbot has featured voice interaction for quite some time. The new Copilot Vision promises to “understand” the web page a user is viewing and provide answers regarding it. However, this is merely an experimental feature and will be limited to “a select list of widely used websites” as Microsoft continues to refine the technology.
Mere reference to the Windows Recall issue, labeled as a privacy “nightmare” for its screen-capturing for analysis, prompts Microsoft to emphasize that “Copilot Vision sessions are completely opt-in and momentary. None of the information that Copilot Vision interacts with is stored or utilized for training purposes — once you conclude your session, the data is erased permanently.” Additionally, it won’t operate on content that is paywalled or sensitive in nature.
Furthermore, Microsoft revealed the Personalized Discover feature for Copilot, aimed at providing users with an initial interaction point and evolving personalization based on the user’s conversation history over time. Navigating user data has consistently posed challenges for Microsoft and Copilot, and the company acknowledged: “We’re still in the process of finalizing methods to offer personalization to users in the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom.”
Not all features will be available in Copilot at the same time. Both Copilot Vision and Think Deeper will be accessible in Copilot Labs, allowing users to experiment with these new functionalities.
As expected from Microsoft, the launch of Windows 11 24H2 comes with various issues. Certain fingerprint sensors may not function correctly (the specifics are not disclosed by Microsoft, which has implemented a compatibility hold), there are problems linked to Intel Smart Sound Technology drivers and wallpaper customization apps, and as an added challenge for gamers, “some devices using Easy Anti-Cheat may stop responding and experience a blue screen.”
Assuming everything goes smoothly, Windows 11 24H2 is being deployed gradually. While it includes numerous features aimed at enhancing user experience, there’s no option to revert functionalities to resemble Windows 10, particularly concerning the Start Menu. Additionally, the update offers many enhancements for administrators.
Nevertheless, as with any Microsoft update, it is essential to proceed with caution before implementing it organization-wide. The list of known issues is likely to give administrators reason to reconsider, despite Microsoft’s assurance that this is “the most compatible Windows operating system ever.” ®
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