Microsoft Windows 11 Update Enhances AI Features with Copilot+ Integration

Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 update for Copilot+ PCs delivers a sweeping testament to the company’s AI ambitions, integrating a suite of new features poised to change how users navigate, edit, and streamline everyday computing. This strategic push expands the promise of generative AI, weaving it deeper into the fabric of Windows’ user experience. The highlights include a context-aware AI agent in Settings, a one-click Relight tool in Photos, expanded Click to Do features, and intelligent upgrades to the Snipping Tool. Initially exclusive to Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, these enhancements will soon reach Intel and AMD devices, marking a significant milestone in Windows 11’s ongoing evolution.

A New Era for Windows 11: AI at the Core​

It’s impossible to ignore the growing significance of artificial intelligence in modern operating systems. As Apple doubles down on “Apple Intelligence,” Microsoft is taking a multifaceted approach with Copilot+, embedding AI directly into the OS experience. The latest Windows 11 update exemplifies this approach, delivering features that allow users to interact with their PC in conversational language, edit photos like a pro, and effortlessly extract information from the screen.
Let’s explore each of the four headline features, their practical impact, technical strengths, and where users should exercise some caution.

1. Talking to Windows: The AI Agent in Settings​

A Natural Language Revolution​

Navigating Windows’ labyrinthine Settings panel has long been a pain point, especially for less tech-savvy users. The new AI agent—in the Settings app’s search box—offers what may be a paradigm shift: instead of manual digging, users can describe their goals in plain English. Commands like “change my resolution to 1920x1080” or “connect Bluetooth device” trigger direct actions or personalized recommendations, radically streamlining the process.
Early hands-on reports from Tom’s Guide and other tech media validate the agent’s surprising accuracy with common settings. The feature recognizes a wide dictionary of phrasings, understanding both specific (“enable dark mode”) and general (“make text easier to read”) requests, thanks to a blend of local AI processing and cloud-based resources for complex intent parsing.

Undo and Safeguards​

One thoughtful addition: if you don’t like the changes, you can revert any setting the agent has altered with a single click. This is crucial for building trust in automated controls, reducing anxiety about making mistakes.

Limitations and Cautions​

• Availability: As of now, this feature is only on Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon X Series chips. Intel and AMD support is expected “soon,” but there’s no concrete timeline, creating a staggered experience.
• Edge Cases: If the agent cannot fulfill a request—either due to lack of permissions or unsupported settings—it defaults to classic Windows Search rather than attempting risky automation.
• Privacy and Data: The agent is designed for local intent recognition on user devices, but ambiguous language may trigger cloud processing for accuracy. Microsoft claims no personalized data is stored or shared, but given the company’s broader telemetry practices, privacy-conscious users should review analytics settings carefully.

Practical Walkthrough​

• Open Settings (Windows key + I)
• Type a command or question into the search box
• Let the agent suggest actions, offer explanations, or execute the change
• Use the “Undo” option as needed

On balance, this feature targets a long-standing frustration, making the depth of Windows’ customization more accessible. It is likely to become a default way to interact with settings—at least for those on Copilot+ hardware.

2. Relight in Photos: Pro-Level Editing for Everyone​

Bringing AI to Everyday Imagery​

Microsoft’s Photos app has steadily matured, but the new Relight feature represents its most powerful leap yet. Leveraging on-device AI, users can add, adjust, or shift up to three virtual light sources in any photo, mimicking expensive studio lighting effects with real-time feedback.
Presets such as “Studio Portrait” and “Cinematic Glow” join granular controls for intensity, color, and light position, offering both instant fixes and deep customization. The workflow is admirably simple—select a photo, click Edit > Relight, and experiment with presets or manual sliders.

Independent Verification​

Early testing and Microsoft’s own demos confirm that the AI-driven engine capably analyzes faces and key subjects, with natural-looking shadow and highlight adjustments. Professional photographers may still prefer high-end tools for pixel-perfect edits, but for most users wanting glamorized portraits or vivid landscapes, Relight sets a new standard for built-in photo editing.

Strengths​

• User-Friendly: Non-destructive edits and an intuitive interface make it hard to “ruin” a photo.
• AI-Powered Realism: The engine compensates for poorly lit shots and produces realistic results without manual masking.
• On-Device Processing: All edits are performed locally, minimizing cloud dependency or privacy risk.

Risks and Limitations​

• Snapdragon-Exclusive (for Now): As with the Settings AI agent, Relight is currently limited to Snapdragon-equipped Copilot+ PCs. Wider rollout to Intel and AMD devices is in progress but unconfirmed for exact timing.
• Complex Scenes: While faces and simple backgrounds are reliably relit, unusually complex lighting scenarios or indistinct edges may result in artifacts or “halo” effects.
• File Size: Enhanced images can be larger in size, though this is standard with advanced editing effects.

How to Use Relight​

• Open Photos and select your image
• Click Edit, then Relight
• Choose a preset or drag sliders to tailor the effect
• Apply changes or revert anytime

In summary, Relight is a practical showcase of what AI can bring to mainstream photo editing—making expressive, professionally lit images just a click away.

3. Click to Do: Everyday Tasks, Now Supercharged​

Expanding Copilot’s Reach​

Introduced alongside Copilot+ PC hardware, the Click to Do feature is gaining new capabilities, turning simple keyboard and mouse gestures into context-aware actions. Activation is easy—Windows key plus mouse click, or Windows key + Q. Recent updates unlock new educational and productivity features:

Practice in Reading Coach​

A powerful tool for education, this feature enables text-to-speech and real-time feedback on reading pronunciation. Highlight any text and trigger “Practice in Reading Coach” for fluency guidance—a boon for learners, language students, or accessibility use cases.

Immersive Reader Integration​

Borrowed from Microsoft’s popular accessibility suite, Immersive Reader now works broadly in Windows 11. With a single gesture, users can adjust text spacing, font size, and background; invoke read-aloud; break words into syllables; and even view picture dictionaries for unfamiliar terminology. This is especially notable for dyslexic users or those with reading challenges.

Draft with Copilot in Word​

Click to Do isn’t limited to reading—users can highlight text and prompt Copilot in Word to generate coherent drafts based on a simple summary, shifting basic notes into polished documents with AI assistance. The drafting tool leverages large language models to suggest structure, grammar, and professional tone, reducing the time needed for business communications or creative writing.

Microsoft Teams Actions​

Business users aren’t left out: highlight an email address to trigger Teams integrations—sending a message or scheduling a meeting instantly. For enterprises standardized on Microsoft’s ecosystem, this promises time savings and fewer context switches.

Availability Gaps and Supported Languages​

Currently, these Click to Do enhancements are limited to Windows 11 users in English, with Europe excluded at launch—a notable omission that may frustrate multilingual workplaces. The feature works across most Copilot+ PCs, though the AI’s contextual accuracy appears strongest with longer-form or well-formatted input.

Safety and Privacy Considerations​

Most AI-powered features run locally, but when drafting content or providing contextual understanding (especially with Copilot in Word), content may be sent to the cloud for processing. Enterprises concerned with compliance or sensitive data should consult Microsoft’s privacy policies and consider using device management tools to restrict cloud interactions if necessary.

4. Snipping Tool Upgrades: Perfect Screenshots with AI​

From Simple Captures to Smart Cropping​

Windows’ Snipping Tool has remained a user favorite for quick screenshots. The latest AI enhancements, however, take efficiency to new heights:

• Perfect Screenshot: The tool can now automatically detect and crop to relevant app windows or content within a selected region, minimizing manual cleanup. This is a boon for tutorials, documentation, and rapid sharing, ensuring only the important parts of the screen are captured.
• Color Picker: Designers and web developers are sure to appreciate the new color picker, allowing them to grab any on-screen color, view its HEX, RGB, or HSL code, and zoom in for pixel-perfect selection.

Access is straightforward—use the standard Print Screen shortcut or trigger Snipping Tool, then select the “Perfect screenshot” button or the new color picker icon. Both are now on the toolbar for instant use.

Strengths​

• Workflow Efficiency: One-click cropping means less post-processing.
• Accessibility: Color codes can now be copied directly, bypassing the need for third-party utilities.
• Usability: The interface remains as simple as ever, adding power without sacrificing accessibility.

Limitations​

• Initial Rollout: As with other AI features, these upgrades are initially restricted to Copilot+ PCs powered by Snapdragon processors. Support for other devices is promised, but users may have to wait weeks or months.
• Detection Edge Cases: While the “Perfect screenshot” tool is accurate most of the time, it can occasionally misjudge window boundaries—users should verify cropped output before sharing sensitive content.

Copilot Vision: On-Screen Guidance​

An additional enhancement not to be overlooked is the expansion of Copilot Vision in the US. By clicking the glasses icon in the Copilot sidebar app, users can activate the Highlights tool, providing in-context help based on current screen content. Whether demonstrating app functionality or providing step-by-step guides, this blends the traditional help system with AI smarts, reducing friction for both beginners and advanced users.
Microsoft plans to expand Copilot Vision’s field of “view” soon—including support for the entire desktop—offering more holistic assistance. This unified approach is reminiscent of the original vision for Cortana, distilled into a modern, AI-first paradigm.

Staggered Rollouts: The Snapdragon First Approach​

Despite the excitement, it’s critical for readers to note the rollout is segmented. Microsoft’s Copilot+ signature features are initially available only on Snapdragon X Series-powered PCs. This choice is strategic—Snapdragon’s NPU (Neural Processing Unit) hardware is ideally suited for on-device AI inference, resulting in faster responses and lower power draw.
Intel and AMD systems will eventually receive parity, but Microsoft’s statements thus far avoid committing to firm delivery dates. This exclusivity, even if temporary, might frustrate early adopters who chose x86 hardware—a detail consumers need to weigh before expecting an instant upgrade.

Critical Assessment: Strengths, Risks, and What’s Next​

Notable Strengths​

• Local AI Processing: Offloading as much as possible to the device’s NPU ensures privacy, speed, and responsiveness. For photo editing and settings changes, lag is kept to a minimum.
• Accessibility: The cumulative impact of Read Aloud, Immersive Reader, and Smart Cropping makes Windows 11 more approachable for users with different abilities.
• Workflow Integration: Features such as Copilot in Word and Teams actions are intelligently embedded, not tacked on, promoting seamless multitasking.
• Rollback and Safety Nets: For settings changes, instant undo protects users from accidental misconfigurations—essential for mainstream adoption.

Potential Risks and Weaknesses​

• Cloud Reliance in Some Areas: Even with local processing, ambiguous commands and complex AI inferencing sometimes require cloud resources. Users should be aware of potential privacy tradeoffs—especially in enterprise settings.
• Fragmented Experience: The staggered deployment by chip architecture could sow confusion in mixed hardware environments, with some users gaining access long before others.
• Incomplete Rollout by Region/Language: European users and non-English speakers have limited access to certain AI tools at launch, undermining Microsoft’s universal accessibility claims.
• AI Artifacts and Missteps: Relight in Photos can occasionally mishandle complex lighting scenarios, and “Perfect screenshot” may not always detect the optimal crop area. Microsoft’s support documents suggest manual review before sharing sensitive or important captures.

User Recommendations​

• Review Microsoft’s privacy and telemetry settings, especially if your workflow involves sensitive information or you’re in a regulated industry.
• Experiment with the AI agent in Settings and Relight to understand their boundaries—and keep expectations realistic for early-stage technologies.
• For Click to Do and Copilot in Word, avoid using highly confidential data until your organization approves their cloud interaction model.
• If you’re eyeing a Copilot+ device for these features, verify hardware compatibility, chipset specifics, and local language support before purchasing.

The Broader Context: AI-Powered OS Evolution​

The rapid evolution of Windows 11’s AI capabilities shouldn’t be viewed in isolation. Apple’s push with Apple Intelligence, Google’s improvements to Gemini workflows, and Linux’s budding AI features all point toward a world where operating systems aren’t just passive platforms, but active, anticipatory agents. Microsoft’s bet on Copilot+ and the deep integration of NPU-specific tasks mark a significant shift toward this AI-first era.
How these features will be adopted, and how effectively they’ll scale to millions of users across diverse devices and regions, remains to be seen. Early signals from the Copilot+ PC launch and hands-on reviews indicate a largely positive reception, but the true test will come as Intel and AMD devices join the fold and as enterprise IT, privacy experts, and international users rigorously stress-test the system.

Final Thoughts: Progress with Prudence​

Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 update—anchored by Copilot+ hardware—ushers in a new generation of intelligent computing. The AI agent in Settings finally makes system configuration intuitive. Relight in Photos democratizes professional-level imagery. Click to Do brings proactive guidance to everyday tasks, and the Snipping Tool’s upgrades eliminate repetitive workflows.
Strengths abound: accessibility, responsiveness, and real-world productivity all receive meaningful boosts. Yet prudent users and organizations must remain vigilant to privacy, rollout fragmentation, and AI’s torpid learning curve on edge cases.
For those on Snapdragon-based Copilot+ PCs, the future of AI-powered Windows is no longer a promise—it’s a reality waiting to be explored. For everyone else, the wait may be frustrating, but given the blistering pace of development, broad access likely isn’t far behind.
As competition intensifies, the stakes are clear: operating systems of tomorrow will not just respond to users—they’ll anticipate needs, assist proactively, and, with luck, make technology more human than ever before.

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Source: Tom's Guide Windows 11 gets new AI-powered features in latest update — here's 4 tools to try out now