Windows 11 Update 2025: New Start Menu, AI-Powered File Explorer, Notepad & Copilot Enhancements

Microsoft’s Windows 11 continues to evolve rapidly, introducing a string of significant updates aimed at enhancing productivity, user experience, and artificial intelligence integration—not just for the latest Copilot+ PCs, but also for a broad swath of “traditional” hardware. As of early May, a host of new features and refinements are rolling out, including a redesigned Start menu, AI-powered enhancements to File Explorer, major upgrades for Notepad, and meaningful improvements to Copilot. Here, we break down exactly what’s changing, critically analyze these developments, and explore what they mean for Windows users—whether you’re running the newest Surface or an older Intel- or AMD-powered device.

The Start Menu: Auto-Categorization, Streamlined Design, and a Nod to Mobile​

One of the most prominent and visible changes to Windows 11 is the redesigned Start menu. For years, the Start menu’s two-page design and live tiles have inspired both loyalty and criticism. Now, Microsoft is openly embracing a more fluid, mobile-inspired approach, reminiscent of the app library found in iOS.

• Automatic Categorization: After months of leaks and hints in Windows Insider preview builds, Microsoft has confirmed that the Start menu will auto-categorize installed apps. This means programs will be sorted by type (like Productivity, Games, Social, etc.), reducing the time needed to hunt for software. This auto-categorization closely mirrors the philosophy behind the app libraries found on smartphones.
• Single Scrollable View: Microsoft is ditching the two-page Start menu for a persistent, scrollable interface. The design is intended to make navigation far more approachable and modern, eliminating friction for both new users and those accustomed to mobile devices.
• Phone Link Integration: A new dedicated Phone Link button is being added, providing at-a-glance access to your phone’s status, messages, recent contacts, calls, and shared files—all directly from the Start menu. Phone Link was previously somewhat buried, but now it becomes much more accessible.

Critical Analysis: Strengths and Questions​

The revamped Start menu addresses long-standing complaints about complexity and fragmentation. By drawing design cues from iOS, Microsoft is betting that familiarity with smartphone app layouts will ease the learning curve. This decision is supported by usability research that shows users overwhelmingly prefer single-pane, categorized interfaces on mobile and touch devices.
However, as with all such sweeping changes, there are caveats:

• Power Users and Customization: Some traditional Windows users may lament the loss of deep customization, as well as the unique feel of the legacy two-page design. Microsoft must balance modernity with continuity for its vast and diverse audience.
• Performance Implications: There are, as of yet, no major reports of increased system resource usage due to these visual changes, but early Insider reports have sometimes noted sluggishness in rapidly categorizing thousands of apps. This could matter for users with heavily customized software libraries or lower-end hardware.

File Explorer Gets Smarter: AI Actions, Content Summarization, and Image Editing​

Perhaps more consequential than visual polish are the new “AI actions” incorporated within Windows 11’s File Explorer. These features are meant to democratize the power of artificial intelligence—making it accessible without requiring users to launch separate apps or learn new workflows.

• AI-Powered Context Menus: Right-clicking a file will now offer AI-powered capabilities, such as document summarization and instant image editing. Verified in recent builds, these features are similar to the Click to Do functionality exclusive to Copilot+ PCs, but are now arriving for a much wider base of users.
• Summarization: Users can choose to have AI quickly summarize the contents of text and document files. For example, right-clicking on a meeting notes file will provide a concise summary, ideal for rapid information triage.
• Image Editing: Simple AI-driven image manipulation is being integrated as well. Instead of opening images in Paint or third-party editors, users will be able to perform basic edits or enhancements (e.g., cropping, color adjustment) directly from the context menu.

Critical Analysis: Democratizing AI, but at What Cost?​

The move to put AI actions front and center is bold and arguably overdue, given that Apple and Google already integrate AI into core OS components.

• Accessibility: These features break down barriers for less technically inclined users, making once-complex actions trivial. This advances Microsoft’s stated goal of making AI “useful for everyone.”
• Privacy and Security: However, critical questions remain around privacy. Summarization and editing likely happen either on-device or in the cloud. Microsoft’s documentation has not always been explicit about which operations send user data to external servers. This ambiguity may concern users dealing with sensitive documents.
• Performance Overhead: While early tests on Copilot+ hardware showed near-instantaneous results, the experience may vary significantly on older or less powerful systems, particularly when files are large or numerous.

Notepad Evolves: AI Text Generation, Summarization, and Rich Formatting​

Among the more surprising upgrades is the transformation of Windows Notepad—a staple since the early days of Windows—into a far more powerful and modern tool.

• AI-Driven Features: Notepad now gains the ability to summarize text documents or generate drafts based on a prompt, similar to Microsoft Word’s AI features introduced through Microsoft 365 Copilot. This allows users to quickly create outlines, pitches, or meeting notes with minimal manual effort.
• Rich Formatting: For the first time, Notepad includes basic text formatting: bold, italics, headings, markup, and bulleted/numbered lists. These capabilities closely resemble the recently discontinued WordPad, positioning Notepad as more than just a plaintext editor.
• Alignment with Modern Workflows: The additions reflect a recognition that even “lightweight” apps must evolve to support modern productivity demands. Lightweight document editing without jumping to Word or a cloud app meets real user needs.

Critical Analysis: More Than a Plaintext Editor​

• Strengths: The new features bridge the gap between basic note-taking and full-fledged word processing. This is especially valuable for students, writers, and professionals who need quick, local editing tools with just enough sophistication to get real work done.
• Potential Risks: As with File Explorer’s AI features, questions remain about the privacy of AI-generated responses. It is reported that most on-device AI features remain local, but no exhaustive technical assessment has yet confirmed this for all use cases. Security researchers caution that added features could increase Notepad’s attack surface, though no significant vulnerabilities have yet been reported.

Copilot Upgrades: Voice, Hot Word, and Copilot Vision​

Microsoft’s Copilot continues to mature at a pace rivaled only by mainstream virtual assistants. Key new features enhance both accessibility and interactivity.

• Push-to-Talk: Hold down the Copilot key (standard on new Copilot+ keyboards) to activate voice mode and issue commands by speaking, not typing. This streamlines hands-free interaction, making Copilot more competitive with digital assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant.
• Hot Word (“Hey, Copilot”): A returning “trigger command” allows users to invoke Copilot by simply saying, “Hey, Copilot.” The feature is rolling out first to Windows Insiders and will be opt-in, reflecting a growing emphasis on privacy and user control.
• Copilot Vision: Perhaps the most advanced feature, Copilot Vision will analyze on-screen content and answer questions or provide context about what’s displayed—a capability akin to Google Lens, but built directly into Windows. Early previews indicate it can, for example, summarize a webpage, identify an image, or explain technical components shown in a screenshot.

Critical Analysis: A Leap Toward a More “Conversational” OS​

• Usability: Voice and hot word activation lower barriers for users with disabilities and those who multitask. The vision features promise context-aware assistance, positioning Windows at the frontier of accessible, assistive technology.
• Privacy and Security: As with all voice-activated products, questions around microphone activation, data collection, and cloud processing loom large. Microsoft representatives told Neowin and The Verge that hot word detection is opt-in and processed locally unless a cloud query is needed—but full transparency on data usage is still awaited. Recent scrutiny over Microsoft’s handling of voice data (especially in the context of smart speaker integrations) means users are right to remain vigilant.
• Competition: These moves keep Microsoft competitive with both Apple’s improved Siri and Google Assistant. However, adoption will heavily depend on execution, reliability, and user trust.

Who Gets What? Copilot+, Older PCs, and Feature Availability​

A core part of Microsoft’s pitch is that these upgrades are not limited to the emerging wave of Copilot+ devices like the new Surface Pro (12-inch) and Surface Laptop (13-inch). While those devices claim exclusive access to certain advanced AI features due to specialized neural processing units (NPUs), Microsoft is working to ensure that many improvements land on a broader range of traditional Intel and AMD-powered machines.

• Copilot+ PCs: These systems, with dedicated NPUs, will benefit most from low-latency, on-device AI features and more aggressive updates.
• Traditional PCs: Most of the interface updates (Start menu, formatting tools, some AI actions) are confirmed to be arriving for older hardware as well. Some features may be rolled out in stages or require users to opt-in via Windows Insider builds.
• Global Rollout: Copilot Vision and certain AI actions are initially launching in the United States; international expansion will follow pending localization and regulatory review.

Critical Analysis: Inclusivity with Hidden Margins​

• Strengths: By broadening its reach beyond Copilot+ PCs, Microsoft avoids alienating the vast user base still running on legacy hardware. This aligns with their longstanding approach of maximizing backward compatibility while gently nudging users toward new devices.
• Caveats: Still, some features will inevitably remain unavailable or perform sub-optimally on older devices. Users hoping for the seamless, always-responsive Copilot+ experience may find performance uneven on mid-range or legacy CPUs—especially where heavy local AI processing is required.

User Impact: Productivity, Accessibility, and Learning Curve​

Productivity Gains​

By aligning core OS components like File Explorer and Notepad with AI-driven workflows, Microsoft is making advanced productivity features available to a much larger population. Summarizing files, editing documents, or extracting insights becomes a matter of right-clicking, not wrestling with third-party apps. For businesses and knowledge workers, this could drive tangible gains in efficiency. Early corporate feedback on Copilot’s features in Microsoft 365 has been generally positive, particularly for summarization and idea generation.

Accessibility​

Push-to-talk and hot word features, along with Copilot Vision’s context awareness, mark substantial progress toward a more inclusive Windows experience. These affordances benefit users with motor, visual, or cognitive disabilities by reducing the reliance on mouse and keyboard.

Learning Curve and Adoption​

Transitions always entail some friction. Microsoft’s move toward a streamlined, mobile-influenced interface may face pushback from traditionalists, especially those who value the “old school” Windows approach. However, usage analytics repeatedly show that less cluttered, more discoverable interfaces yield higher engagement and satisfaction—assuming the rollout is stable and optionally revertible.

Potential Risks and Unanswered Questions​

Data Privacy and Security​

The main shadow over these innovations is data privacy. When AI features involve document analysis or voice activation, users need ironclad assurances of local processing—or explicit, opt-in cloud handling with transparent policies. Microsoft’s communications to date have improved, but gaps remain in documentation, particularly regarding which actions are processed locally versus in the cloud.

Compatibility and System Overhead​

Integrating AI deeper into system processes carries the risk of compatibility issues with legacy software or specialized workflows. Power users and IT administrators should monitor early adopter feedback closely, and enterprises may wish to delay broad deployment pending further independent evaluation.

Long-Term Support and User Choice​

AI features, especially those powered by the cloud, are subject to changing terms of service, data retention policies, and potentially the phasing out of lower-performing hardware. Users and organizations should scrutinize Microsoft’s commitments to long-term support for both new and legacy features.

Conclusion: Windows 11’s Balancing Act​

Microsoft’s latest changes to Windows 11 represent a concerted effort to leap ahead in usability, accessibility, and AI-powered productivity. The new Start menu, the democratization of file and document AI, and transformative upgrades to legacy apps like Notepad stand out as both evolutionary and revolutionary. Yet, as with any major platform update, the devil is in the details.
Performance, privacy, and accessibility stand as potential strengths—or risks—depending on how thoroughly Microsoft executes on its promises. While Copilot+ PCs will offer the purest vision of Microsoft’s future, the company’s effort to support traditional hardware shows a welcome focus on inclusion and continuity.
Ultimately, the direction is clear: Windows is no longer just a desktop operating system. It’s a bridge between traditional computing and an environment where AI is a seamless, invisible companion—provided Microsoft manages the transition with care, speed, and unwavering transparency.
As these features hit general release and user feedback pours in, the Windows community will be watching closely, ready to embrace (or critique) each step forward. For Windows 11 users, both present and future, these are transformative times—and the significance of these changes may be felt for years to come.