Windows 11 continues its rapid evolution, and in 2025, Microsoft has shown few signs of slowing down. With the upcoming 25H2 feature update on the horizon, alongside recent monthly enhancements, the operating system is becoming a richer, more refined platform. For enthusiasts and everyday users alike, the latest preview builds—available to Windows Insiders—offer an early taste of significant changes. However, as with any pre-release features, some may be delayed, altered, or ultimately scrapped before reaching the stable channel. Here’s an in-depth exploration of the top ten features coming soon to Windows 11, analyzing both their potential impact and the questions they raise.
The Start menu has been at the heart of Windows’ identity for decades, and few changes evoke as much discussion—or controversy. Recognizing this, Microsoft’s newly announced Start menu is not just a cosmetic refresh but a substantial overhaul. User feedback played a leading role in its redesign. Now, the menu offers a unified scrollable view, giving users easier access to more apps and files without extra clicks. Perhaps the most notable shift is the ability to disable the oft-criticized Recommended section, allowing a more “classic” experience that Windows 10 loyalists may appreciate.
The new menu also introduces larger sizes and new layouts, making it easier to customize the interface. This flexibility could help convert holdouts still clinging to Windows 10, while also attracting new users accustomed to other ecosystems. Importantly, the team shared that they explored multiple concepts behind the scenes—demonstrating Microsoft’s renewed willingness to listen to community voices. Available in late-stage preview builds, this Start menu is both a functional and symbolic update.
Strength: Flexibility and user empowerment, at long last.
Caution: Some advanced requested features—like full taskbar repositioning—remain unaddressed.
Crucially, Adaptive Power Saver promises not to dim your screen—a persistent annoyance in the earlier system. This change extends battery life without compromising visibility, and it works across all Windows 11 portables with batteries, from ultrabooks to handheld gaming PCs.
Strength: Smarter, less intrusive power-saving.
Risk: Fine-tuning is crucial; overly aggressive triggers could disrupt workflows.
However, the continued omission of more transformative options, like freely repositioning the taskbar (a major request from Windows devotees), illustrates Microsoft’s careful balance between innovation and legacy constraints.
Strength: Subtle enhancements for power users.
Caution: May not go far enough for those seeking full taskbar freedom.
The search interface itself is also visually improved, with a larger, more prominent top-center search box. However, as this feature leverages new on-device AI capabilities, it may not be universally available.
Strength: Dramatically improved accessibility and productivity, especially for the average user.
Risk: Reliability and transparency—will users understand what’s changed, and will AI suggestions always be accurate?
Despite this positive step, the notification calendar flyout itself remains basic. There are growing calls for further modernization—a reminder that user expectations rise alongside small victories.
Strength: Responsive to user nostalgia and practicality.
Caution: Partial fix; more calendar upgrades are needed.
The mechanic is straightforward: Settings > Personalization > Lock Screen now provides granular toggle controls. This not only empowers the privacy-conscious, but can streamline the lock screen to just the essentials.
Strength: User agency and privacy.
Risk: Over-customization could fragment the user experience or lead to inconsistent defaults.
This has the potential to reduce downtime and service calls, especially for organizations managing fleets of Windows devices. However, some technical questions remain—particularly around network requirements, security in the recovery environment, and how third-party recovery solutions will interact with this system.
Strength: Smarter self-healing, potentially saving IT personnel significant time.
Risk: Network dependency, and possible compatibility issues with custom or restricted environments.
This improved structure is not just about convenience. It signals an intent to make advanced functionality more discoverable—without forcing users down a rabbit hole of submenus or command-line gymnastics. Whether you’re a developer, sysadmin, or just a tinkerer, these tools promise a smoother workflow.
Strength: Accessibility for advanced features, with a cleaner UI.
Caution: Early builds sometimes omit promised settings, and migrations from third-party tools could be bumpy.
Microsoft frames this change as an effort to streamline crash reporting and clarify that not all system failures originate with Microsoft’s code. By emphasizing technical information over branding, the company may be seeking to help experienced users and support professionals diagnose issues faster.
Strength: Reduced ambiguity, clearer focus on error details.
Risk: Removing the QR code may impede less technical users who need guided recovery instructions.
This aligns with broader industry efforts (such as FIDO2/WebAuthn standards) to replace stubborn password habits with more robust, user-friendly authentication. The new system enables storing, syncing, and auto-filling passkeys, and integrates with third-party managers for added flexibility.
Strength: Seamless, secure authentication built into the OS.
Caution: Full feature rollout depends on third-party support; legacy systems and browsers may lag behind.
However, as with any ambitious roadmap, not every preview feature is guaranteed to make it to general availability. Delays, redesigns, or outright cancellations are all part of the process, as the company prioritizes stability and feedback from its vast Insider community.
Ultimately, the most important voice remains that of the user. As these changes start to reach more devices, the collective feedback of millions—and the ingenuity of Windows’ vast developer and enthusiast community—will play a decisive role in shaping the future of computing’s most widespread desktop operating system.
What new features excite you most, and where would you like to see Microsoft invest next? As always, dialogue is open—join the discussion, and help steer the evolution of Windows 11 into its next era.
Source: Neowin Top 10 cool features coming soon to Windows 11
The New Start Menu: A Reinvention Driven by Feedback
The Start menu has been at the heart of Windows’ identity for decades, and few changes evoke as much discussion—or controversy. Recognizing this, Microsoft’s newly announced Start menu is not just a cosmetic refresh but a substantial overhaul. User feedback played a leading role in its redesign. Now, the menu offers a unified scrollable view, giving users easier access to more apps and files without extra clicks. Perhaps the most notable shift is the ability to disable the oft-criticized Recommended section, allowing a more “classic” experience that Windows 10 loyalists may appreciate.The new menu also introduces larger sizes and new layouts, making it easier to customize the interface. This flexibility could help convert holdouts still clinging to Windows 10, while also attracting new users accustomed to other ecosystems. Importantly, the team shared that they explored multiple concepts behind the scenes—demonstrating Microsoft’s renewed willingness to listen to community voices. Available in late-stage preview builds, this Start menu is both a functional and symbolic update.
Strength: Flexibility and user empowerment, at long last.
Caution: Some advanced requested features—like full taskbar repositioning—remain unaddressed.
Adaptive Power Saver: Smarter Energy Efficiency
Battery life remains a pressing concern, especially as portable devices proliferate. Enter Adaptive Power Saver, Microsoft’s refined approach to energy management on Windows 11. Unlike traditional battery saver modes that trigger based on charge percentage, this AI-infused system reacts to device workload. For example, if your CPU or GPU are dormant, power saver can kick in even if you’re plugged in or have ample battery, nimbly adjusting in real time.Crucially, Adaptive Power Saver promises not to dim your screen—a persistent annoyance in the earlier system. This change extends battery life without compromising visibility, and it works across all Windows 11 portables with batteries, from ultrabooks to handheld gaming PCs.
Strength: Smarter, less intrusive power-saving.
Risk: Fine-tuning is crucial; overly aggressive triggers could disrupt workflows.
Customizable Hardware Indicators: Small Changes, Big Flexibility
Although less headline-grabbing, Microsoft is finally giving users finer control over where hardware “flyouts”—such as volume and brightness indicators—appear on screen. Options now include top-left or top-center, rather than the standard bottom-corner. While this may seem niche, even small quality-of-life improvements can lead to a more personalized operating system.However, the continued omission of more transformative options, like freely repositioning the taskbar (a major request from Windows devotees), illustrates Microsoft’s careful balance between innovation and legacy constraints.
Strength: Subtle enhancements for power users.
Caution: May not go far enough for those seeking full taskbar freedom.
Agentic Search in Settings: AI-Driven Troubleshooting on Copilot+ PCs
Among the more futuristic additions is Agentic Search—a Copilot+ feature exclusive to a new generation of AI-powered PCs. Users can simply describe a problem in plain language, such as “My cursor is too small,” and Windows will interpret, recommend, and often implement the solution automatically. This elevates the idea of “search” in Settings to a true assistant, potentially lowering the barrier for non-technical users who often struggle to find the right fix.The search interface itself is also visually improved, with a larger, more prominent top-center search box. However, as this feature leverages new on-device AI capabilities, it may not be universally available.
Strength: Dramatically improved accessibility and productivity, especially for the average user.
Risk: Reliability and transparency—will users understand what’s changed, and will AI suggestions always be accurate?
The Notification Center Clock: A Beloved Detail Returns
Sometimes, it’s the small touches that foster user satisfaction. The return of an expanded notification center clock—last seen in Windows 10—caters to the many users who missed seeing the time prominently when viewing notifications or the calendar flyout. Now, the clock will be more prominent and, crucially, optional. If you prefer a minimalist look, it’s easy to turn off.Despite this positive step, the notification calendar flyout itself remains basic. There are growing calls for further modernization—a reminder that user expectations rise alongside small victories.
Strength: Responsive to user nostalgia and practicality.
Caution: Partial fix; more calendar upgrades are needed.
Lock Screen Customization: Tailoring At-A-Glance Info
The ability to personalize the lock screen isn’t new in mobile operating systems, but it’s only now arriving in earnest to Windows 11. Soon, users can select which widgets—such as weather, calendar events, or traffic—are visible when the device is locked. This change brings real utility, allowing a cleaner aesthetic or quick, focused access to information.The mechanic is straightforward: Settings > Personalization > Lock Screen now provides granular toggle controls. This not only empowers the privacy-conscious, but can streamline the lock screen to just the essentials.
Strength: User agency and privacy.
Risk: Over-customization could fragment the user experience or lead to inconsistent defaults.
Quick Machine Recovery: Resilience in the Face of Outages
Frequent, large-scale outages can paralyze productivity. Microsoft’s new Quick Machine Recovery feature seeks to add an extra layer of resilience for devices that become unbootable. Drawing lessons from widespread incidents in the summer of 2024, this technology allows a machine stuck in the recovery environment to connect directly to Windows Update. From there, it can automatically download and apply fixes or workarounds, even if the normal boot process fails.This has the potential to reduce downtime and service calls, especially for organizations managing fleets of Windows devices. However, some technical questions remain—particularly around network requirements, security in the recovery environment, and how third-party recovery solutions will interact with this system.
Strength: Smarter self-healing, potentially saving IT personnel significant time.
Risk: Network dependency, and possible compatibility issues with custom or restricted environments.
Windows Advanced Settings: Power Tools Made Accessible
With the deprecation of the Dev Home app, advanced tools for developers and power users need a new home. Microsoft is responding by rolling out a unified “Windows Advanced Settings” section in the main Settings app. Here, features like enabling long file paths, toggling advanced File Explorer behaviors (such as source code integration), managing virtual workspaces, and more are grouped into tidy categories for easier navigation.This improved structure is not just about convenience. It signals an intent to make advanced functionality more discoverable—without forcing users down a rabbit hole of submenus or command-line gymnastics. Whether you’re a developer, sysadmin, or just a tinkerer, these tools promise a smoother workflow.
Strength: Accessibility for advanced features, with a cleaner UI.
Caution: Early builds sometimes omit promised settings, and migrations from third-party tools could be bumpy.
The Black Screen of Death: A New Look for an Old Problem
The infamous Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) has become an icon—if a dreaded one—of the Windows experience. Now, Microsoft is rebranding this critical error as the Black Screen of Death. The new, starker appearance drops the smiley face, QR code, and even the Windows 11 branding, instead focusing solely on error details.Microsoft frames this change as an effort to streamline crash reporting and clarify that not all system failures originate with Microsoft’s code. By emphasizing technical information over branding, the company may be seeking to help experienced users and support professionals diagnose issues faster.
Strength: Reduced ambiguity, clearer focus on error details.
Risk: Removing the QR code may impede less technical users who need guided recovery instructions.
Passkey Improvements: Seamless Password-Free Security
The move toward a passwordless future accelerates with Windows 11’s enhanced support for passkeys—especially for users of popular password managers like 1Password. Once implemented, Windows Security will allow users to access and store passkeys natively across websites and supported apps, reducing friction and improving the overall security landscape.This aligns with broader industry efforts (such as FIDO2/WebAuthn standards) to replace stubborn password habits with more robust, user-friendly authentication. The new system enables storing, syncing, and auto-filling passkeys, and integrates with third-party managers for added flexibility.
Strength: Seamless, secure authentication built into the OS.
Caution: Full feature rollout depends on third-party support; legacy systems and browsers may lag behind.
Looking Ahead: The Road to 25H2
While these ten changes headline the next wave for Windows 11, they are far from the whole story. Microsoft’s ongoing development cadence promises further improvements in monthly cumulative updates, which often introduce unexpectedly valuable tweaks. Some users, for instance, are monitoring upcoming improvements to Snap Layouts, search, and local AI integration—though details remain closely held.However, as with any ambitious roadmap, not every preview feature is guaranteed to make it to general availability. Delays, redesigns, or outright cancellations are all part of the process, as the company prioritizes stability and feedback from its vast Insider community.
Critical Takeaways: Strengths, Risks, and What’s Missing
Notable Strengths
- User Feedback Loops: The embrace of user-driven changes, especially to the Start menu and minor UI elements, marks real progress in Microsoft’s community engagement.
- AI-Powered Convenience: Features like Agentic Search represent a bold bet on natural language interfaces, reducing friction for less technical users.
- Security and Resilience: Emphasis on smarter power saving, self-healing recovery, and modern authentication highlights Microsoft’s recognition of evolving threats—and the need for adaptive defenses.
- Advanced User Support: The new Advanced Settings section shows a commitment to making power-user functionality less esoteric.
Potential Risks
- Preview Volatility: Features in preview may arrive late, change significantly, or not ship at all—especially those tied to hardware dependencies like Copilot+.
- Bifurcation: AI-centric features exclusive to specific hardware could create fragmentation, undermining universality.
- Legacy Concerns: Opportunities remain for more transformative changes (e.g., true taskbar freedom), suggesting Microsoft’s balancing act between loyalty and innovation persists.
What to Watch For
- Wider AI adoption—will Agentic Search and Copilot+ features trickle down to mainstream devices?
- Continued support for third-party utilities—especially amid gradual native integrations.
- The evolution of the Black Screen/critical error experience; how will users adapt and will support documentation keep pace?
- Long-term impact of Quick Machine Recovery, especially in enterprise and education deployments.
Final Thoughts
Windows 11, as it moves toward its major 25H2 update, is increasingly defined by meaningful—if sometimes incremental—progress. While no single feature may seem revolutionary on its own, their combined effect signals a platform that is both stabilizing and innovating. The next six months, culminating in the 25H2 release, will likely test the company’s ability to deliver on high expectations set by preview builds.Ultimately, the most important voice remains that of the user. As these changes start to reach more devices, the collective feedback of millions—and the ingenuity of Windows’ vast developer and enthusiast community—will play a decisive role in shaping the future of computing’s most widespread desktop operating system.
What new features excite you most, and where would you like to see Microsoft invest next? As always, dialogue is open—join the discussion, and help steer the evolution of Windows 11 into its next era.
Source: Neowin Top 10 cool features coming soon to Windows 11
