Windows 11: How to Install the New Update

Microsoft is rolling out a new Windows 11 update packed with a handful of AI-powered features through Copilot across several system applications. This new version specifically brings improvements to Photos, widgets, Snap Layouts, and the tools that enable synchronization of Windows services with tablets and smartphones.

One of the applications receiving updates in this new Windows 11 release is, once again, Photos. Starting with this version, users can take advantage of generative erase to remove unwanted elements from an image. The AI will automatically fill in the empty area — a feature very similar to what we already see on devices like the Google Pixel 8 or the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Microsoft’s video editor, on the other hand, is gaining a feature also found on Google’s mobile devices: the ability to remove background noise using AI.

Snap Layouts, which lets you organize windows on screen, has been improved and made a bit smarter. The feature will now be able to remember which apps were used with Snap in order to recommend layouts based on the user’s habits. Additionally, as a measure to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, Windows 11 now allows users to disable Microsoft Start. Under the new law, the Widgets panel — which until now only displayed content distributed by Microsoft — will become interoperable, allowing companies like Google to create add-ons for their own services.

Windows 11 also improves the experience on touch-enabled devices that support a Stylus. Users can now write by hand in any text field — a feature that has been available on iPadOS for several years.

In addition, the new Windows 11 update also improves content casting to a nearby screen: the service will now display notification suggestions and device discovery has been enhanced.

Near Share, meanwhile, now features faster transfers and lets you rename your device to make it easier to find when sharing content. The Phone Link feature now allows you to use your smartphone as a webcam in video calling applications. And finally, Microsoft now lets you create custom commands to automate tasks in Windows 11, including the ability to open URLs or perform any other action that users can trigger with a keyboard and mouse.

How to Install the New Windows 11 Update

Microsoft has confirmed that the March 2024 update for Windows 11 is already available for some users, and that most features are enabled by default. Some of them, however, will not arrive until a later date. Here are the steps to install the new version.

• On your PC, go to Start and then Settings.
• Next, navigate to the Windows Update section and click on ‘Check for updates’.
• The system will begin searching for the new version and will ask whether you want to install it once it becomes available.

The new Windows 11 update may, however, still take a few weeks to arrive. If you prefer, you can install it sooner by joining the Windows Insider program. To do so, go to Start > Settings > Windows Update and in the side menu, click on the option that reads Windows Insider Program. Then click Get started, sign in with your Microsoft account, and accept the terms. Finally, follow the steps outlined above again so the system can search for the new update.