Latest news with #WindowsInsiders
The Verge
22-05-2025
- The Verge
Microsoft Notepad can now write for you using generative AI
Microsoft is now testing a new feature in Notepad that can generate text for you using AI. It's part of a Windows 11 update being released to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev channels with Copilot Plus PCs. The update also includes new AI-powered features for Paint like a sticker generator, and improvements to the Snipping Tool that can automatically crop and resize screenshots based on what you're selecting. Notepad's new Write feature can be used to 'quickly draft text based on your prompt,' according to the Windows Insider Blog, 'or build upon existing content with AI-powered assistance.' You can either right-click where you want new text to be inserted in a document or after selecting existing text you want to use as a reference. After selecting the new Write feature in Windows' Copilot menu, a prompt will appear where instructions can be entered. The AI-generated output will appear in the document but you'll have the option to keep it, discard it if it's not what you're looking for, or refine the output by entering follow-up prompts. The feature was first discovered earlier this year in code included in test builds of Windows 11. Write follows two other AI-powered tools Microsoft has been testing with Notepad. Summarize, first introduced last March, can generate a summary of the text in a document while Rewrite, which began testing last November, can adjust the tone of text, shorten or lengthen it, and rephrase sentences. Joining AI features already being tested in Microsoft Paint like Generative Fill, Generative Erase, and the Cocreator tool that can create images based on text prompts and reference sketches, is a new Sticker generator. A new button in the Copilot menu opens a prompt where you can describe the sticker you want to create. Paint will then generate a small set of stickers based on your description that can be added to your canvas or copied over to other applications. Paint is also getting a new Object select tool that relies on AI to create smart selections that takes most of the grunt work out of isolating and manipulating specific elements in a photo or painting. To potentially make it easier to screenshot exactly what you need and immediately share it without edits, Windows 11's Snipping Tool is gaining a new Perfect screenshot button on its toolbar. When framing a screenshot using the rectangle tool Perfect screenshot will use AI to 'intelligently resize based on the content in your selection,' but you'll still have the option to resize or reposition the selected region of your screen before capturing it. It's being joined by a new Color picker in the Snipping tool that lets you see the HEX, RGB or HSL color values below an eyedropper cursor, and it can be zoomed for more precision by either scrolling or using Ctrl +/- keyboard shortcuts. You'll need to be signed into your Microsoft account to use Notepad's new Write feature which will use the same credits system as other AI-powered Windows 11 features do. Microsoft hasn't yet announced what pricing for these credits will be if it eventually starts charging for them.
Indian Express
15-05-2025
- Indian Express
Microsoft unveils redesigned Windows 11 Start menu: Here's how the new one looks like
Microsoft has finally introduced the redesigned Windows 11 Start Menu. Developed in collaboration with more than 300 Windows 11 'fans', the designer team at Microsoft said they aimed to preserve it's core functionality, which is to quickly help find apps, files and other content. To do so, Microsoft says they followed four guiding stars – 'Apps at a glance', 'Accelerate the Day', 'Honor the Icon' and 'Make it Yours'. This means that the redesigned Start Menu should offer quick access, have customisation options and streamline tasks without affecting the users muscle memory. You can see the redesigned Start Menu in the video below. Microsoft goes on to say that the upcoming redesigned Start Menu makes app discovery easier, offers greater control, useful suggestions and makes it easy to distinguish between mobile and desktop content. The new Start Menu features three 'All Apps' view at the top, which also includes a category based grid that lists frequently used apps. For those who don't like the new layout, Microsoft says users can switch to the familiar A-Z list or a categorised view anytime they want. As for recommendations, the tech giant says the new Start Menu now adapts to the user's real time behaviour and also offers an option to hide suggestions you may not be interested in. It also features quick switches that lets you either show more pinned apps, more recommendations or go with a balanced approach The developers have tested the new Start Menu across a wide range of devices, ranging from the Surface Go to a 49-inch ultrawide monitor. The redesigned Start Menu will be available to Windows Insiders sometime by the end of the month, but there is still no word if and when it will be rolling out to everyone.
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Business Standard
15-05-2025
- Business Standard
Microsoft tests 'Hey Copilot' voice command to wake AI on Windows 11
Microsoft is testing a feature akin to Siri, Google, and Alexa. According to a Microsoft blog, the company is testing a feature for its native artificial intelligence app, named Copilot, that would trigger a conversation upon saying 'Hey Copilot!' As per the report, the US technology giant has rolled out access to this feature to Windows Insiders. Similar commands like 'Hey Google!', 'Hey Siri!', and 'Alexa!' have been in the market for a long time and it seems like Microsoft is planning to join the league. Notably, Microsoft has provided this feature to consumers long back with 'Hey Cortana!' when Cortana was its default virtual assistant before it was pulled down from across its ecosystem in 2014. Hey Copilot: How does the feature work According to a frequently asked question (FAQ) shared in Microsoft's blog, the system relies on an on-device wake word detector with a 10-second audio buffer. It doesn't upload audio to the cloud or store it locally. According to Microsoft, the wake word can be detected even without an internet connection but, in order to use Copilot Voice functions, an online connection is required since the feature depends on cloud-based processing.
The Verge
14-05-2025
- The Verge
Microsoft starts testing ‘Hey, Copilot!' in Windows
Microsoft is testing a feature for Copilot Voice that will let Windows 11 users start a conversation with the app by saying 'Hey Copilot!' Windows Insiders who have the updated app can try it out once they opt in and activate the feature. Similar commands have been available for years with Siri, Google, Alexa, and even Microsoft's now-departed Cortana assistant that Copilot has replaced. But it is a new addition for Copilot, if a dedicated key or combination of keys wasn't making it easy enough to get into the app, and arrives following the launch of a more conversational Copilot Voice experience. According to a blog post, you'll need to enable the feature for it to be able to respond to the wake word. Also, the update isn't available to all Insiders right away, but it is rolling out to testers worldwide who have English set as their display language. To find out if you have it, check your Copilot app version to see if it's 1.25051.10.0 or higher. Once it's activated, you'll see the Copilot microphone floating UI on the bottom of your screen and get a chime notification that shows it's listening in. The FAQ also says that it's using an on-device wake word spotter with a 10-second audio buffer, and isn't sending clips to the cloud or saving them locally. It can recognize the wake word even if you're offline, but for the Copilot Voice feature to actually do anything, you will need internet access so that it can access cloud processing capabilities.
Hans India
14-05-2025
- Hans India
Microsoft Unveils Scrapped Concepts for Windows 11's Start Menu Redesign
But this isn't the only version that could have made it touser desktops. In a detailed blog post, Microsoft's Windows design teamrevealed several early concept designs that were ultimately rejected, some ofwhich radically reimagined how the Start menu could look and function. Among the discarded ideas was a rounded Start menu withwidget-like tiles and a "For You" section that surfaced Teamsmeetings, YouTube suggestions, and recent documents. Another concept featuredan app-category-focused layout with the personalised "For You" feedplaced off to the side. One prototype went even further, transforming the Start menuinto an immersive landing page, combining app shortcuts, recent files, creativetools, and seamless access to your Android phone. A particularly bold visioneven took over the screen's vertical space, letting users scroll throughsegmented sections in a completely restructured experience. 'Whiteboards, Figma frames, floor-to-ceiling paperprototypes—nothing was too scrappy,' said the Windows design team. 'We sketchedout a plethora of layouts, letting ourselves go wild and discover new thingsbefore applying the editorial pen.' To refine its final design, Microsoft didn't work inisolation. The team collaborated with more than 300 Windows 11 enthusiasts,gathering feedback through user testing, co-creation sessions, and behaviouranalysis. 'We watched eye-tracking heat maps swirl, counted scrollwheels, and listened for 'oh!'s of delight to know where we were hitting themark,' added the team. The finalized design places emphasis on ease of access,personalization, and respecting long-time user habits. Microsoft says the goalwas not to reinvent the Start menu entirely but to improve its customizabilityand speed while honouring 'three decades of muscle memory.' The new Start menu is now being tested with WindowsInsiders, and Microsoft is expected to roll it out more broadly in the comingmonths.
