Microsoft is set to revamp the Windows 11 Start menu and introduce a range of new AI features to the operating system this month. The updates will initially be available to Windows Insiders running Snapdragon X Copilot Plus PCs, including the newly announced Surface devices.

The new Start menu, which was first spotted in an early build preview last month, boasts a roomier design and provides easier scrollable access to the all apps view, complete with category organization. This redesign is likely to be particularly beneficial for users with large displays. Additionally, the updated Start menu will feature a new phone companion panel, offering quick access to recent contacts, messages, calls, battery level, and more on synced iPhone or Android devices.

Beyond the Start menu, Windows 11 is getting a slew of AI-powered features, including an AI agent built into the Windows settings menu. This agent will allow users to ask for assistance with adjusting Windows settings or troubleshooting issues, such as a mouse cursor that is too small. However, it's worth noting that Microsoft's example image suggests that these AI-generated recommendations may be incorrect, which could raise concerns about the potential risks of relying on AI in critical system settings.

Other AI features coming to Windows 11 include more Click to Do text and image actions, AI editing features for Paint, Photos, and the Snipping Tool, Copilot Vision visual search, improved Windows Search, rich image descriptions for Narrator, AI writing functions in Notepad, and AI actions from within File Explorer. According to Microsoft, these features are designed to "make our experiences more intuitive, more accessible, and ultimately more useful."

For users who rely on Microsoft's core Windows apps for image editing, the updates bring some exciting new features. The Photos app will gain a "Relight" feature, allowing users to add up to three positional light sources to a picture. The Paint app will get a new content-aware selection tool for moving, erasing, and generative fill, as well as the ability to generate digital stickers from a text prompt. The Snipping Tool will also receive several new features, including Perfect Screenshot, which automatically crops to the most prominent content, the ability to copy text from images and screenshots, and an eyedropper tool for sampling on-screen colors.

While Windows on Arm users with Snapdragon X chips will be the first to receive these new features, Copilot Plus PC owners with Intel and AMD chips will also get the updates later on. The rollout of these features marks a significant step forward for Windows 11, and it will be interesting to see how users respond to the increased emphasis on AI-powered functionality.

As the tech industry continues to evolve, it's clear that AI is playing an increasingly important role in shaping the future of operating systems and user experiences. Microsoft's latest updates to Windows 11 are a testament to this trend, and it will be fascinating to see how other companies respond to the challenge of integrating AI into their products in a way that is both useful and responsible.