2023-06-30 02:22:46
Microsoft is making good on its promise to release Windows Copilot to Windows 11 beta testers later in June.
The current version of Windows Insider Dev Channel (23493) includes early access to Windows Copilot, native support for RAR and 7-Zip files, new settings home page, and even better volume mixer.
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Windows Copilot
Microsoft first announced Windows Copilot in the build earlier this year, and the version that testers can access today works like a docked sidebar on the right side of Windows 11.
It doesn’t overlay your desktop content and runs unobtrusively alongside your open application windows, allowing you to interact with Windows Copilot whenever you need to.
Windows Team, in a blog post, this Thursday (29)
You can ask AI-powered Windows Copilot questions that Bing Chat normally answers, or even issue system commands such as:
Switch to dark mode;Take a screenshot;Turn on do not disturb.Image: Disclosure/Microsoft
Windows Copilot can also be used, much like Bing’s sidebar in Microsoft Edge, to summarize content you’re looking at on the web or to create AI-generated images and text.
Microsoft says it will provide “inline recommendations that we think are relevant through ads on Bing,” so you’ll see ads on that interface as well.
As this is a preview, Windows Copilot is not fully functional, so it only controls some basic Windows settings, and third-party plug-ins are not supported yet. “Over time, features will be added as we refine the Windows Copilot experience with Windows Insiders,” Microsoft commented.
Native support for RAR and 7-Zip files
If you’re a fan of RAR or 7-Zip files, Microsoft is finally adding native support;Additional archive formats include tar, 7-zip, RAR, gz and many others using the libarchive open source project; There should be some initial performance issues with this new support as it works to improve it in future Windows Insider builds.
Microsoft said at the Build event that this improved file format support will ship to everyone in September. “We also plan to provide support for creating these files in these formats in 2024,” said Sharla Soennichsen, product manager at Microsoft.
Image: Disclosure/Microsoft
new sound mixer
Another feature that Windows Insiders will now be able to officially try out is an improved volume mixer UI in the Windows 11 Quick Settings section.
“The updated audio quick settings experience features a modern volume mixer that allows for quick audio customization in the base app, with added control to switch devices on the fly. We’ve also added a new keyboard shortcut (WIN + CTRL + V) to take you directly to the volume mixer for a faster experience control.
Windows Team, in a blog post, this Thursday (29)
Image: Disclosure/Microsoft
New Settings page
Microsoft is also adding a new Settings homepage to Windows 11. It now includes an overview of the device you’re using, combined with important settings.
Now, you immediately dive into the system section of Settings, so this new homepage is designed to be less jarring with up to seven cards of information.
You’ll be able to view information about Microsoft 365 or Xbox subscriptions, manage Bluetooth devices, quickly customize a wallpaper, and check how much OneDrive cloud storage you have left.
Lastly, Microsoft is testing a new Suggestions feature for Snap Layouts in Windows 11. When hovering over Minimize or Maximize, there will be app icons displayed based on which apps would work best snapped next to each other.
With information from The Verge
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