Windows 11 launched in late 2021 to much fanfare and controversy. I reviewed it and said it was an exciting new era of Windows. Nearly half a year later, there are still some reasons to be excited about Windows 11.
With help from Windows Insiders who have been beta testing new and upcoming Windows 11 features in the Developer Channel, there’s a lot of new coming to Microsoft’s new operating system. Some of these are required by longtime Windows users familiar with Windows 10 and some are completely new. From folders on the Start Menu to edits for tablets and even Live Captions, here are six of the upcoming Windows 11 features you really need to try.
Folders in the Start Menu
The first feature that many have asked for – the ability to create folders in the Windows 11 Start Menu. With the Start Menu having limited space compared to Windows 10, this allows you to organize your applications by more efficient way. It works as you would expect. Just drag one app icon over another and then you get both apps together in one folder.
Unfortunately, it is currently not possible to name folders or change colors. Microsoft says it’s working on improving this feature in future Windows Insider builds. Still, it’s useful, I have folders on the Start Menu for work and personal apps, to keep myself organized.
Live subtitles
Second on the list are live subtitles. If you’re an Android user, you’re probably familiar with this feature. On Android phones, when live captioning is enabled, the generated captions are automatically displayed on your video or whatever you’re watching, allowing you to read what’s being said on the screen. Well, the same thing happens on Windows 11, but with some cool tweaks.
On the Windows 11 Developer Channel, you can also enjoy this feature. Just press Windows key > Control key > ERROR on your keyboard. Once prompted to set up and download the feature, you’ll see a bar at the top of the screen with captions. It’s a bar that fits the Windows 11 mica effects, perfectly fitting in its own space above your existing content. I find it helpful when my speaker is muted, so I can read what’s happening in a Teams meeting or what’s being said in the video.
Changes that make Windows tablets more useful
I have written before about the need to change the tablet mode in Windows. The non-beta public version of Windows 11 offers a lot of tweaks in that respect. It’s mainly thanks to the newer touch pad and the increased spacing between icons. However, in the Dev Channel version of Windows 11, Microsoft is testing a lot of new features that make Windows tablets more useful.
The first of which is the new touch gestures. Just like in Chrome OS or iPad OS, you can now swipe up on the Taskbar to bring up the Start Menu. You can also swipe up on Quick Settings to call up the controls for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. This is natural, instead of having to touch your finger on an icon.
Also included in this section is a new Taskbar status designed just for tablets. There are “collapse” and “expand” modes available. When collapsed, the taskbar is more offset, so you have more screen space and won’t accidentally summon it while holding the tablet in your hand. In extended mode, the taskbar is more optimized for touch. You can easily switch between the two states by swiping up and down from the bottom of your device.
Installation options are available in Setting>Personalized>Task bar>Actions on the taskbar. Then you can check if automatically hide the taskbar when using your device as a tablet available.
“Microsoft is finally combining hardware with software and that’s amazing.”
One more thing in this regard has to do with Snap Layouts, the signature feature of Windows 11. Previously, it wasn’t catered to tablets but keyboard and mouse. You’ll hover over the maximize button to see ways to “stack” your open windows. Well, in the Dev Channel version of Windows 11, you can now hover over the window with your finger in the center of the screen and you will get the Snap Layouts UI. Just drag the window over one of the layouts in the UI and you’re having fun multitasking!
Some of the smaller changes to tablet mode in the Dev Channel version of Windows 11 include new sound controls on the lock screen and a clearer volume slider. As I said almost two years ago, Microsoft is finally combining hardware with software and that’s awesome.
Easier ways to manage your Microsoft Account
One great thing about iPads, iPhones, and Macs is the ability to manage your Apple ID and subscriptions directly from the operating system’s settings app. Well, this is now also possible in Windows 11 Dev Channel. Instead of having to go online to check your Microsoft Account, you can now do it directly from the Settings page.
Got a new one Your Microsoft account options for all of this. You can view the status of your Microsoft 365 subscription and OneDrive storage plans, manage payment options, and even view benefits. Microsoft says even more experiences can come to this Microsoft Account settings page, as it will use the Online Services Experience Pack to add more features here.
Improved Task Manager
The Task Manager is an area where many proficient Windows 11 users spend a lot of time. It is used to eliminate unresponsive tasks, review system performance and more. However, the design has not changed much compared to Windows 8.1. However, Windows 11’s Dev Channel has finally tweaked the design a bit – and it’s never been nicer.
Unlike before, Task Manager now has a dark mode that supports your system theme. It also has a new sidebar, matching the theme of Windows 11. The sidebar has a tabbed interface for Processor Performance, App History, Startup apps, users, insights and services . There’s even a new dedicated settings menu. It all looks very clean and modern, and after 10 years of the old design, it’s an eye-popping image used for Windows 10 and Windows 8.1.
Improved search experience
Last, but not least, on the list is an improved search experience. Microsoft calls this “Featured Search” and it adds some cool improvements to the search box in Windows 11. Although it hasn’t been rolled out at the time of writing, Microsoft promises that this makes the Search Box a Swords became a little more fashionable and frequent. . You’ll find fun illustrations to help you discover more, stay connected, and stay productive. You’ll also see remarkable and exciting moments – like holidays, anniversaries, and other educational moments that are timely both globally and in your region.
Every day brings more to see. And, if you sign in to Windows with a work or school account, the Search Box will even show a graph of the people in your organization, the documents you’ve collaborated on, and what’s going on at work. your. And don’t worry about your recent apps, because the actual search bar is still there. Instead, recently opened apps will show up on the left side of the box.
Sign up today to try these features
All of these features are being tested in the Dev Channel branch of the Windows Insider program, and you can check them out as well. While this is where you’ll get the new Windows 11 features first, it’s also the most unstable version of Windows 11, with lots of bugs and the risk of PC crashes. Features in the Dev Channel are not guaranteed to appear in the final Windows 11 releases, but they are the latest and greatest. Sign up today by going to Install Windowss, choose Windows Updatethen go to Windows Insider Program. Sign in with a Microsoft Account and select Development Channels. Your PC will reboot a few times and you’ll be done.
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