Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC initiative is about to get a major boost, with the company finally putting the neural processing unit (NPU) inside these devices to work. Starting today and continuing over the next two months, Microsoft will be rolling out the 24H2 update for all Windows 11 PCs, unlocking a host of new features for Copilot+ users, including the much-anticipated ‘Recall’ feature.
Recall, which will start appearing on Copilot+ laptops equipped with a Snapdragon X chipset in October, is a game-changer. It allows users to retrieve past actions, essentially bringing back the ability to retrace steps. Addressing earlier concerns, Microsoft has implemented several security enhancements, including defaulting Recall to off and granting users more control over their snapshots, even allowing them to delete all their data. While Snapdragon X laptops will be the first to get Recall, Microsoft has confirmed that Intel- and AMD-based Copilot+ PCs like the Asus Zenbook S 16 will also receive the feature starting in November. Although Microsoft has previously announced Copilot+ availability for these PCs, a firm date for the free Windows updates remains elusive.
But Microsoft isn’t stopping at Recall. They’re also introducing enhanced versions of the Photos and Paint apps. Photos now boasts an AI-powered super resolution feature, capable of increasing the resolution of low-quality images in seconds, rivaling the capabilities of apps like Upscayl. Meanwhile, Paint gets a major upgrade with the addition of generative fill and erase. This allows users to draw on an image to delete unwanted objects or add new ones based on text prompts. This powerful feature, previously exclusive to high-end software like Photoshop, is now accessible to all Windows 11 users.
Beyond these immediate enhancements, Microsoft is actively developing additional Copilot+ features. One standout is the improved Windows search, initially confined to File Explorer. This AI-powered search lets you find files by describing their contents rather than relying on their filenames. For example, you can search for photos featuring a barbecue, even if the filename doesn’t mention it. Microsoft plans to expand this search functionality to the Settings app and general Windows search in the coming months.
Finally, Microsoft introduces ‘Click to Do,’ a preview feature accessible on Copilot+ PCs by holding the Windows key and clicking anywhere on the screen. The NPU analyzes the on-screen content and presents context-aware actions through a menu. For instance, clicking on an image might offer options to search Bing for the image or remove an object using Paint, while clicking on text might provide choices for summarization or opening a word processor. This powerful tool is designed to simplify tasks and boost productivity.
While Recall is rolling out to Copilot+ PCs now, the other new features will debut for Windows Insiders first, beginning in November. For those eager to experience these enhancements firsthand, Microsoft provides guides on becoming a Windows Insider and exploring the best Copilot+ laptops.
In addition to these Copilot+ advancements, Microsoft has also announced several new features for the broader Copilot app, hinting at an ongoing commitment to expanding the reach and capabilities of AI across its ecosystem.
