Windows 11 24H2: A Deep Dive into Performance and New Features

Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 update, version 24H2, is here, and it’s bringing significant improvements focusing on performance, user experience, and new AI capabilities. This review dives deep into what’s new, what’s improved, and what might still need work.

Bij SLEUTELS GALAXY, we’re committed to providing you with the original software licenses you need, delivered digitally and swiftly. This review will help you understand the key changes in Windows 11 to make informed decisions about your technology.

Key Improvements in Windows 11 24H2

The 2024 update, also known as version 24H2, introduces several noteworthy enhancements. These range from underlying platform improvements to user-facing changes that aim to make Windows 11 a better OS. The update is particularly focused on improving performance, especially for users with ARM-based devices.

Release Date and Availability

The Windows 11 24H2 update started rolling out in two waves. The first wave began on June 18, exclusively for new Copilot+ PCs. For everyone else, the update became available from October 1st. However, the roll-out is staggered, which means you might not receive it immediately. If you don’t want to wait, you can manually download and install the update.

Start Menu and Taskbar Enhancements

Microsoft continues to refine the Start menu and Taskbar with each update. In 24H2, the Start menu now features Phone Link integration, providing a quick overview of your phone’s status and recent photos. The system tray has been simplified, hiding the full date and time format by default, which some users might find cleaner.

De Quick Settings panel has been rebuilt to be faster and more customizable, but it comes with a downside – you can no longer hide specific icons. All available quick settings are always visible, requiring you to manually move less used ones to the back of the grid.

File Explorer Improvements

File Explorer receives numerous quality-of-life improvements. The context menu has been redesigned, making common actions like cut, copy, and paste much more accessible with labels. Additionally, File Explorer now supports creating .7z and .TAR archive formats, alongside ZIP files. Another notable update is the ability to drag files between directories using breadcrumbs in the address bar.

The home tab now includes an overview of shared files, which is useful for those who share documents with others. However, there’s still no progress on the dark mode front. Many dialogues, like properties and copy file dialogs, still do not support dark mode, which is disappointing.

Windows Copilot

De Windows Copilot experience has undergone a significant change, transitioning from a sidebar to a standalone app. Now, Copilot is pinned to the taskbar and behaves like any other application window, it can be unpinned, repositioned, or even uninstalled. Unfortunately, this has made it feel less integrated with the operating system, losing some of its ability to control Windows settings. This version of Copilot is more of an online chatbot, than a true OS assistant.

App Changes

Windows 11 version 24H2 deprecates several in-box apps, including Windows Mail, Calendar, Cortana, and WordPad. Many of these have modern replacements, the most significant being the new Outlook app, which replaces the classic Mail, Calendar, and People apps. However, the new Outlook is essentially a web app, which is slower and less smooth than its predecessors, and is not optimized for touchscreens.

Other apps, like Photos, have gained new AI-enhanced features like generative erase and background editing. The Microsoft Store app now separates app libraries from updates and downloads, which helps improve user experience.

Windows Recall

Windows Recall is a controversial AI feature exclusive to Copilot+ PCs, designed to capture everything you do on your device, making it easier to find past activities. This functionality raised privacy concerns, which resulted in Microsoft delaying the release to implement more safeguards. Recall is fully optional and features multiple privacy options, allowing users to blacklist specific apps and configure data retention times. However, despite the safeguards, it remains a debated feature.

If you are using a Copilot+ PC, you can look forward to using this function when the release is complete, allowing you to jump back in time to see your past activity.

Copilot+ PC Exclusive Features

Copilot+ PCs have unique features beyond Recall, including local AI image generation capabilities in the Photos and Paint apps. These tools allow users to generate images using the NPU. However, they do require an internet connection to operate, which somewhat negates the local processing benefit. Other useful Copilot+ PC features include on-device live captions, advanced studio effects for webcams, and AutoSR for enhanced gaming performance.

Settings and Other Miscellaneous Improvements

Windows 11 version 24H2 brings platform-level enhancements, especially for Arm-based PCs. The x86 app-emulation layer, now called PRISM, has been rebuilt and is said to be faster. Windows Update now supports hot patching for faster and less obtrusive updates.

De Settings app includes new mouse scroll direction configurations and better power settings. Also, the Battery Saver is renamed to “Energy Saver” and is available for both laptops and desktops, further enhancing the performance of the OS. Wi-Fi 7 hardware is now supported, bringing the OS to the modern standard.

Conclusie

The Windows 11 24H2 update is a significant release with a focus on improving overall performance and user experience. The enhancements in the Start menu, File Explorer, and taskbar are solid improvements that users will appreciate. The new AI features like Recall, Studio Effects, and AutoSR are impressive, but not all will be able to utilize them due to Copilot+ PC exclusivity.

However, the new Copilot app and Outlook might be a step back for some users, especially if they do not enjoy web based application experience for these programs. The incomplete dark mode in Windows also remains an issue. As a company that prioritizes excellent user experience, this remains an important matter to improve in future releases.

Bij SLEUTELS GALAXY, we aim to keep you informed about the latest technology developments. Ensure your Windows operating system is up to date by purchasing an original license key for a seamless experience.

Trefwoorden

• Windows 11 24H2
• Windows 11 update
• Copilot+ PC
• Windows Recall
• AI features
• File Explorer improvements
• Start menu changes
• Taskbar enhancements
• Microsoft Outlook
• AutoSR