Microsoft officially dropped a new Windows 11 update on Tuesday. However, it’s a minor one, so don’t expect it to blow your mind.
After all, in late September, the Redmond-based tech giant already dropped a major update — the one with all the cool new Copilot-based AI features that improved popular apps such as Snipping Tool and Paint. This juicy update introduced a new passwordless experience, too.
This time around, Microsoft is dropping a new “scoped, cumulative release,” according to John Cable, Microsoft’s VP of Windows Servicing and Delivery. In other words, the new October Windows 11 update contains all the features Microsoft recently announced — yes, Copilot included — as well as a few minor enhancements.
3 new Windows 11 23H2 features
If you haven’t updated your PC in September, this is your chance to finally get all those AI goodies Microsoft has been boasting about – plus a little bit extra. The new three features coming to Windows 11 version 23H2 mainly affect Microsoft Teams. Let’s break it down.
Teams on the new Windows 11 23H2 update.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
1. The ‘Chat’ app is now Microsoft Teams
Before the update, the Chat app was pinned to the taskbar. Now, with Windows 11 23H2, you’ll notice that it has been renamed to Microsoft Teams. When you click on it, you’ll see a more compact window that lets you communicate with friends, family, colleagues, and more.
There’s a People tab on Teams that lets you add contacts.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
2. You can send and receive texts within the Microsoft Teams app
Although you can use the “Your Phone” app to link your Android to your PC, you can do the same within this new compact Teams window. You’ll also find a new “People” experience, which lets you migrate your contacts to the Teams app. “Because Teams syncs with your Outlook and Skype contacts, you can connect to them whenever you want,” Cable said.
3. Apps that are “system” programs will get a new label
Under the “All apps” section in the Start menu, system components will be given a “system” label, giving you an easy way to determine which apps were pre-installed with the PC. Plus, instead of these apps being listed under Settings > Apps > Installed Apps, they’ll be placed inside Settings > System > System Components.
Again, this is all in addition to all the Copilot-assisted features Microsoft already dropped last month. As mentioned at the outset, this update isn’t particularly remarkable. But it’s got a few nice-to-haves.