Microsoft has released a substantial update for Windows 11, adding a wide range of new features and improvements. The company highlights these enhancements on its official blog, underscoring how the latest release expands the OS’s capabilities and user experience for a broad audience in Canada and the United States. The centerpiece of this update is the enhanced Copilot chatbot, now equipped with deeper integration and practical plugins that extend its usefulness across everyday tasks. The update makes Copilot more than a conversational helper by giving it direct access to popular services through new plugins and smarter control over the device itself.
The core focus of the new Windows 11 version centers on Copilot, now enhanced with plugins that connect to services like OpenTable, Shopify, and Kayak. This integration enables seamless, in-chat actions such as booking a restaurant reservation, managing an e-commerce workflow, or planning travel right from the chat interface. The Copilot experience also gains practical compute-level controls: it can adjust system power modes, present real-time system information, enable subtitles, surface nearby Wi-Fi networks, reveal the device’s IP address, and help users manage connectivity and visibility settings. These capabilities were visible in early preview builds and are now part of the general experience, making Copilot a more capable assistant for daily computing tasks.
In addition to Copilot enhancements, the Photos application gains a notable editing capability. The update introduces a feature that lets users remove unwanted objects from photos and fill the resulting gaps with an adaptive background that blends naturally with the surrounding content. This capability, referred to in updates as Productive Delete, streamlines post-capture corrections and supports creative workflows without leaving the Photos app. The functionality is designed to feel intuitive, letting users touch up images quickly while maintaining a cohesive look across scenes and tones.
Another improvement comes to the Phone Link app, which now supports turning Android smartphones running version 9 or newer into high-quality webcams for the PC. Users can select between the main rear camera or the front-facing camera, and if the paired device supports it, HDR mode can be used to improve video quality during calls, streaming, or conferencing. This feature makes it easier to repurpose existing devices as reliable peripherals, reducing the need for separate webcam hardware and delivering better integration with Windows collaboration tools.
The Clipchamp video editor arrives with an automatic audio enhancement feature that can remove pauses from tracks, streamlining the post-production timeline. This release also includes the capability to control the PC via preset voice commands, enabling hands-free operation for common tasks. The combination of audio clean-up and voice-driven control supports creators and casual users alike, making it simpler to produce content and navigate the system during editing sessions. These enhancements expand Clipchamp’s usefulness within the Windows 11 ecosystem and align with a broader trend of AI-assisted productivity tools within the platform.
Altogether, these and many other features are part of Windows 11 update releases 23H2 and 22H2, which are gradually rolling out to users’ devices around the world, including those in North America. The staged deployment approach helps ensure compatibility and allows users to explore the new tools with guidance from built-in tips and onboarding experiences. As more devices receive the update, users can expect a more connected Copilot experience, richer media editing options, and improved integration with everyday hardware tasks that emphasize convenience and productivity.
There has also been chatter about future platform directions, including conversations about Windows 12 Mobile for smartphones. While this concept stirred interest, the current official direction focuses on evolving Windows 11 with ongoing updates and enhancements designed to maximize compatibility and performance across a wide range of devices.