5 just-released Windows 11 features you need to try pronto

Windows 11 might have switched to once-yearly main updates, however that doesn’t imply new features can’t present up extra usually. Case in level: This week, Microsoft abruptly and surprisingly dropped a large replace for Windows 11 that’s completely brimming with contemporary goodies to play with.

My colleague Mark Hachman lined the whole lot new within the February 2023 Windows 11 replace. There’s plenty of stuff that merely isn’t related to me, reminiscent of higher AI instruments on Qualcomm-powered PCs, tweaks to the native Teams chat expertise, Facebook widgets, and so forth. But there are a number of nifty new features with a broader attraction that I can’t wait to try out—and you most likely will too. Let’s dig in.

AI-powered Bing Chat search field

Microsoft

Microsoft actually isn’t losing its time bringing the brand new AI-powered Bing Chat to the lots. The firm revealed the ChatGPT-powered device mere weeks in the past, rolled it out to cell Bing and Edge customers briefly order, and now it’s coming proper to the Windows 11 taskbar, built-in into the newly returned search field. You’ll need to be enrolled within the Bing AI preview to use the chat, although. Here’s how to get began with Bing Chat in Windows 11.

Honestly, whereas asking Microsoft’s AI to plan holidays and whip up meals from a listing of components is cool and all, I’m most excited concerning the easy revival of the search field. I take advantage of it on a regular basis in Windows 10, however Windows 11 dumped it in favor of a search button that summons a separate window the place you conduct system searches, including considerably extra clicks and complications to the method. Even if you don’t care about Bing Chat, the return of the search field is a serious win for on a regular basis Windows 11 customers.

Notepad tabs

Microsoft

Tab all of the issues! I’m a large fan of Stardock’s $5 Groupy software program to flip each window right into a tab, however it received’t be wanted for for much longer if Microsoft retains this up. At the top of 2023, Windows 11 lastly added File Explorer tabs after years of begging by fans, and the February 2023 replace brings tabs to the venerable Notepad app.

Oh, and in case you missed it, Notepad was additionally up to date final yr to help Windows 11’s Dark Mode. Chef’s kiss.

iPhone help in Phone Link

Microsoft

Android customers have been in a position to management their telephones through the Windows Phone Link app for years now, however Apple’s tighter guidelines have prevented iPhone help. No longer. You’ll need to be a Windows Insider to use it proper now, however Windows 11’s February Update lastly provides the flexibility to handle iPhones out of your PC.

You’ll have the ability to ship and obtain calls, texts, and extra proper in your desktop, however Apple’s guidelines imply there are a number of catches concerned in Windows 11’s new iPhone help. Because of that, you could also be higher off utilizing Intel’s Unison app to get iMessage on Windows as a substitute. It ostensibly solely helps Intel-based PCs although, so AMD Ryzen customers (like myself) nonetheless have rather a lot to look ahead to in Windows 11’s new native iPhone capabilities.

Microsoft

Windows has provided a rocking Snipping Tool for a lengthy time now, however it might solely be used to rapidly seize screenshots. With the Windows 11 February 2023 Update, the Snipping Tool can now file movies as nicely. Finally!

All you have to do is click on the brand new file button in Snipping Tool to begin capturing a video, then click on it once more to cease. Boom! You now have a fast clip to share with pals, helpfully saved to a default folder. This may very well be insanely helpful whereas troubleshooting or explaining a course of to different folks.

Energy suggestions

Microsoft

Electric payments are skyrocketing, yo. Mine has virtually doubled prior to now yr, and Europeans have it even worse. Enter the brand new vitality suggestions in Windows 11, designed to assist ease the burden on each the atmosphere and your pockets.

You’ll a listing of settings strategies in Settings > Power & battery > Energy suggestions, the place you can apply them piecemeal or whole-hog on the press of a single button. Even if you resolve not to take each motion Microsoft recommends—I detest auto-adjusting brightness—each little bit helps.

But wait, there’s extra!

That’s it for this look into 5 new Windows 11 features energy customers received’t need to miss. Again, try Mark Hachman’s protection of the February 2023 Windows 11 Update to get a glimpse on the myriad different goodies stuffed into this launch, or wander over to our have a look at 10 obscure Windows features that can blow your thoughts if you need to wade even deeper into different helpful features already lurking deep inside the working system.