Microsoft begins rolling out the Windows 11 2024 update with numerous useful improvements.
Numerous sections of Windows 11 are being updated and improved.
Microsoft has started to roll out the 2024 update for Windows 11, known as version 24H2, which brings several useful improvements to the operating system. This update modifies the Start menu, File Explorer, system settings, and other key aspects.
One of the main features of the Start menu is the inclusion of a sidebar for users employing Microsoft’s Phone Link software. This sidebar provides information about the phone's battery status and notifications, as well as quick access to messages, calls, and photos. This functionality is a practical addition for those who use this linking tool with their phones.
For those with an HDR monitor, the new update adds support for HDR wallpapers and allows users to easily switch screen color profiles from the settings. File Explorer also receives useful changes, such as a redesigned Home section that groups recent, favorite, and shared files in a tabbed view. Additionally, context menus have been updated so that common actions like copy, paste, and rename are clearer and easier to use, with visible labels and a larger appearance. There is also an ability to create files in 7z and TAR formats.
In the notifications area, Microsoft has simplified the date and time interface in the system tray by removing the year display. Furthermore, the quick settings have been revamped to include all default actions and now allow users to drag and drop items at will. The company has also introduced a new Power Saver mode designed to extend battery life on laptops, along with adjustable options for how the device responds when pressing the power button or opening the laptop lid.
Other enhancements in the settings interface include the ability to invert mouse scroll direction without needing to access the Windows registry, as well as the option to enable enhanced pointer precision directly from the settings, thus avoiding the need to use the old Control Panel.
A notable aspect of this update is the implementation of Sudo, a familiar tool in Unix-based operating systems, which will allow developers to run elevated tools directly from non-elevated console sessions.
Among the additional changes is a unified version of the Microsoft Teams app, which serves both professional and personal accounts. Additionally, the Mail and Calendar apps have been replaced by a new Outlook client, and the Copilot app has transformed into a web tool that no longer interacts directly with Windows 11 settings.
The 2024 update also adds support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth LE audio, as well as performance enhancements for the latest AMD desktop processors. Microsoft is rolling out this update gradually, starting with devices that already use earlier versions of Windows 11, ensuring they have a good experience.
For the 24H2 update, Microsoft has opted for a method of operating system swapping, replacing the existing version with the new one, unlike the previous update which was limited to enhancing the current system. This means that the new version will only be offered to fully compatible devices, thereby avoiding incompatibilities with applications or drivers that may arise.
