Because even your Start menu deserves a little main character energy.
The Microsoft Start menu just got a serious AI-Powered glow-up. This isn’t just another random update it’s a smart redesign powered by Copilot and packed with tons of features to make your Windows 11 experience smoother, faster, and actually helpful. Coming out over the next month, the update introduces a wave of AI tools designed to assist and not overwhelm you, making everyday tasks easier and more natural.
What new features?
Let’s start with the main character aka “the Start menu”. It’s smarter and enlarged display which is less cluttered and more like a well curated workplace for people with OCD. It’s got scroll-friendly and now with categorised organisation. No need to search anymore, you can find everything in one place. All your apps are just a scroll away.
Phone Companion Panel in the New Start Menu
Yes, your phone’s getting involved too. A new panel in the Start menu that syncs with your iPhone or Android. Giving you fast access to recent contacts, texts, calls, battery level, and more. It’s like the best parts of your phone, but without lifting it off your desk. In a different room no worries, you can check it in your laptop.
Copilot and Start Menu
This update brings Copilot straight into the Windows Settings menu. Since Copilot powered with GPT-4o it can adjust display settings, troubleshoot problems, or even walk you through accessibility features. Just ask Copilot, and it’ll suggest all the setting changes or offer fixes. But everything comes with a price likewise Copilot comes with a disclaimer “AI-generated recommendations may be incorrect.” But obviously you can skip that just like you skip those youtube ads.
File Explorer Gets a Sidekick
Even the File Explorer is using AI now. Right-click on a file and you’ll see “Click to Do” style shortcuts. That means you can generate text summaries, edit images, or perform quick actions without opening apps. Less clicking, more doing. Making your hour long task end in minutes.
Creative Tools
Microsoft’s built-in editing apps are also leveling up with photos app, paint and the most important snipping tool.
- Photos App gets a Relight feature – This let’s you add up to three light sources to tweak lighting like a pro.
- Paint – You can add content-aware selection, erasing, and AI-generated digital stickers from text prompts. Think Photoshop, but easier and less complicated.
- Snipping Tool now has Perfect Screenshot – It’ll auto-crop to the most relevant part of your screen. You can also extract text from images and use a new eyedropper tool to grab exact colors.
Who Gets the Update First?
We know it’s frustrating but the first come first serve policy remains the same. Even in this case the Windows Insiders using Snapdragon X Copilot Plus PCs like the newly announced Surface devices will be the first ones to receive the updates followed by Intel and AMD Copilot.
Last but not the least
Windows 11 isn’t just catching up to the AI hype, it’s integrating it in practical, user-friendly ways. From smarter organization to hands-free mode. It’s clear that Microsoft wants your everyday experience to feel faster, easier and might I say maybe fun. So whether you’re a OCD person or someone who likes their devices do the work, this update, power and polish is your way to go.
