AI in Windows: Smarter Settings, Photos, Word and Even the Blue Screen of Death (Only on Copilot+ PCs)
Microsoft is doubling down on integrating artificial intelligence into its products, and Windows 11 is the latest to get an AI upgrade. With the new 24H2 update, the operating system becomes noticeably smarter but most of these features are available only on Copilot+ PCs, primarily laptops powered by Snapdragon X chips.
Smart Settings That Understand You Like a Human
The Settings app now includes an AI assistant that interprets natural language commands. You can simply describe what’s bothering you, and Windows will take care of it. For example:
- Type “The mouse cursor is too small,” and Windows will suggest enlarging it.
- Say “Set the resolution to 1920×1080,” and it’ll adjust it automatically.
For now, this feature is exclusive to Snapdragon-powered devices, but support for Intel and AMD-based Copilot+ laptops is on the way.
Click to Do: Useful, Even If You Might Not Use It
Windows introduces several new tools under the “Click to Do” banner built-in features that might not feel essential but can be surprisingly helpful:
- Reading Coach: Helps improve reading skills, offering feedback and tips.
- Immersive Reader: Cleans up visual clutter, adjusts fonts and backgrounds, reads text aloud, and adds images for difficult words.
- Draft with Copilot in Word: Turns rough outlines into polished documents.
- Teams Smart Actions: Click an email to instantly schedule a meeting or send a message no extra steps needed.
Paint, Photos, Snipping Tool: Now AI-Enhanced
AI is also breathing new life into classic Windows apps:
- Photos App now includes Relight Mode, letting you adjust lighting, add up to three light sources, or apply preset lighting styles. Currently limited to Snapdragon-based PCs.
- Paint can now:
– Generate custom stickers
– Separate objects from the background even if they’re on the same layer
- Snipping Tool gets smarter with:
– Perfect Screenshot for clean, precise crops
– A built-in color picker that identifies colors in various formats this works on all PCs, not just Copilot+.
Copilot Now Tells You What You’re Actually Doing
With the new Highlights feature, Copilot provides real-time suggestions and tips tailored to the app or window you’re currently using displayed directly over your desktop. It’s like having a digital guide that actually understands context.
A New Look for the Blue Screen of Death
Yes, even the infamous Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) has had a makeover. It now has a fresh design and Microsoft has introduced Quick Machine Recovery, a rapid recovery tool to get your system back on track if things go horribly wrong (and let’s be honest they sometimes do).
Want It Now? You’ll Need the 24H2 Preview Update
To access all these AI-powered features today, you’ll need to install the optional (and slightly risky) Windows 11 24H2 update.
And if your laptop isn’t Copilot+? You won’t see many of these changes just yet but hang in there, more is on the way.
Read: Windows 10 Support Ends in 2025: What You Must Do Before It’s Too Late
