Microsoft is rolling out the major Windows update 23H2 to the general public. After many insider testers started working on various functions, “normal” Windows users can now also get started with all the new functions.

The biggest Windows update in years is available today. With 23H2, many existing functions are expanded, but there are also completely new things to report. Dive in with us, in this overview we will look at the most important additions and new features of the over 150 updates and qualities. We’ve put together a top eleven because, after all, it’s about Windows 11.

Begin

Of course, to enjoy all the news you must download the update. To do this, go to Start and then click on your Settings.

Scroll briefly and then click Windows Update. The updates may be ready and you can get started right away. Otherwise, just to be on the safe side, click “Check for Updates.” Such a rollout will not occur on all systems worldwide at the same time, but in phases, so you may need to check back.

Wondering if you have the latest version? Then open it begin and type winver and press Input. A dialog window will now appear in which you can read which version of Windows 11 is running on your system.

1 – Copilot on Windows

AI has been dominating the tech world for some time now and of course it shouldn’t be missing from a Windows update of this magnitude. With Copilot for Windows, the virtual assistant is seamlessly integrated into the system. When you click on the icon, a bar with all the options will appear on the right. This ranges from creating a summary to activating Spotify to finding the right settings.

2 – Painting

The app was once on the verge of disappearing completely, but now it seems to be making a comeback. Thanks to AI, Paint gets a number of new features. For example, you can generate images yourself using Dall-E 3 technology. You can then edit it, for example with additional layers or by simply removing the background. You can now also use the app in dark mode.

3 – Explorers

It doesn’t always have to be spectacular changes to popular apps, even an upgrade to something practical like Explorer can be a very pleasant improvement. Both the address bar and search functionality have been updated and there is a whole new gallery for viewing media with larger thumbnails. The app now also works with tabs.

4 – Cutting tool

With this feature you can now copy text from a recording into a word processor. Another nice update is the ability to create a video screen recording with sound.

5 – Outlook

Mail is dead, long live Outlook. The updated mail tool adopts the name Outlook and, in addition to its own Microsoft addresses, also supports accounts from Yahoo or Gmail, for example. You can also just stay in the app to add files to OneDrive. When you switch to the new version, all of your settings will be adopted in just a few seconds. The new icon will appear in the taskbar, but you still have to pin it yourself.

6 – Notepad

There is no longer any need to save things yourself before closing, the app does it for you automatically. If you close and reopen the app, you can pick up where you left off. Notepad now also works with tabs if you want to work on different texts in the app at the same time. Data protection aspects have not been forgotten either: you now have the option to hide things like telephone numbers or email addresses.

7 – RAR support

From now on you no longer need to download and install WinRAR, Windows simply supports RAR files itself.

8 – Photos

Now make the central subject of a photo stand out even more with the option to blur the background of an image and make the subject stand out more in a photo. You can adjust the intensity of the blurred part and even change the parts.

9 – Security

Windows 11 now also supports passkeys. With this, Microsoft is taking another step away from password protection. You can create the passkeys via Windows Hello for Business. This has the advantage that passkeys are stored on your device itself and not on a server somewhere.

10 – Vol

First of all, the volume function is visually enhanced, but there are also practical innovations. You can now also use this panel to adjust the volume of individual apps. In the same place, you can, for example, lower the volume of YouTube to increase the volume of the video call you just started.

11 – Fuse

Migrating all your digital assets to another Windows 11 computer just got easier. Everything from files to settings is transferred automatically. Even the pinned apps on your taskbar are included.

This is the biggest Windows update Microsoft has released in a long time, and it’s almost as hotly anticipated. However, patience is a beautiful virtue; An important update does not mean that everything is perfect, (minor) errors can still occur and sometimes it is worth waiting a little longer. Be sure to keep this in mind if the excitement gets too much.

What also needs to be treated with caution is the general rollout. Not every region or even every system is served equally quickly and it may take a while until yours actually receives all the updates and innovations. This also applies here in the editorial office; our test system, for example, has to do without Copilot or the complete list of upgrades for Paint. So be sure to keep an eye on your updates in Settings and to be on the safe side, reboot in the coming days.