Today, Microsoft released an update to current Windows 11 users on version 22H2 (non-Insiders) that brings the newly sorta rebranded Copilot for Windows (as opposed to Windows Copilot), along with new features for Paint, Snipping Tool, Photos, and more. Insiders in the Windows 11 22H2 Release Preview Channel began to get these updates late last week, and today, Windows 11 Insiders in the 23H2 Release Preview are beginning to get them too, with build 22631.

That is, Windows 11 23H2 Release Preview Insider commercial customers are being offered these updates. Consumer users will have to wait for a bit longer, unless they’re “seekers” (more below).

Along with the updates offered in this “Moments” package, commercial Insiders in the Windows Insider Program for Business will see some other changes, too:

• Chat is now Microsoft Teams (free)
• Access is available for Phone Link for Microsoft Teams (free)
• A new People experience can help you find “relevant people easily on Teams and makes it possible to access and connect with contacts synced by users.”
• A new Play Together widget in Windows Game Bar

Windows Insiders for Business users can get the update via WUfB, WSUS, and/or via the Azure Marketplace. ISOs are now also available (for anyone) for build 22631.

For those not in the Windows Insider for Business program, you’ll have to either wait until the update is made available to all Release Preview Insiders, or, as long as your machine meets the Windows 11 hardware requirements, can go to Settings > Windows Update, and choose to install build 22631.

Microsoft’s September 21, 2023, event focused heavily on Copilot features coming to Windows 11 this week, but even the hour-long showcase couldn’t detail all the company’s operating system-based generative AI developments destined for PCs soon, so here is comprehensive list to explore.

While it’s easier to identify each version of Copilot by its associated platform experience, Microsoft mentioned last Thursday, the company is consolidating the title of its disparate platform specific generative artificially intelligent experiences under a single Copilot branding.

The Copilot experience for Windows is centered around helping users not only have quick access to resources for collaboration, research and creativity, but also as means for navigating and troubleshooting OS-specific questions, request, or issues.

After the update brings Windows Copilot to the desktop, users can navigate via the new icon or by using the WIN + C key combination to surface the side pane experience.

Paint

However, Microsoft hasn’t relegated its AI efforts just to a single pane on the desktop, users can also experience AI enhancements in many of the in-box Windows apps such as Paint.

The old school image editor has been updated with its own mini-Copilot where users can interact with a text prompt to search for styles and journey through creative suggestions similar to Bing Image creator.

Paint will also get the coveted Adobe Photoshop Layers experience, which should allow for more precise editing within the platform versus the Undo and Redo dance most users have mastered.

While Paint represents Microsoft’s AI revitalization of a classic OS editing tool, the company is also bringing its AI to its new editing toy Clipchamp.

Users can now use new settings such as Auto Compose to save time by letting the system sift through the editing process based on a brief QA about a project. Once the QA about a project is completed by a user, Clipchamp will use generative AI to produce several recommended scenes, edits, and narratives based on the uploaded content.

Snipping Tool

Microsoft’ Snipping Tool has slowly been gaining more features over the past two years and its evolution continues with the addition of audio capture via audio and mic support recently implemented.

Snipping Tool also gains the ability to extract and redact text from a still or video capture image through a new beefed up Microsoft’s Lens technologies.

Photos

Microsoft Photos is constantly getting updates, but many have landed deftly with the broader Windows community due to several evolving image curation behaviors from phone to desktop, but for those who still navigate images via a laptop, the Search in Photos is getting a boost.

Once an image is found, AI can help users adjust backgrounds with an enhanced resolution tool to apply blurred effects to images, after the fact.

Windows Backup

Microsoft is reducing the time it takes to set up new PCs with its new Windows Backup feature that acts like Samsung’s Smart Switch between phones.

Instead of having to go through the rigmarole of manually searching for and redownloading apps, resetting manual settings and preferences and uploading previous logins and credentials, users will now have those items transferred over via the cloud and applied to their new device shortly after the out-box intro setup is complete.

Voice access

Microsoft is beefing up its Voice Access platform in Windows with support for voices during log-in and preferred PC voice settings and complex dictation of standard and non-standard words.

Users can also make use of new spelling, auto corrections and recognition experiences through Voice Access when the Windows 11 Moments 2 update lands this week, according to Microsoft.

Narrator Natural Languages

Windows users who make use of Narrator can now do so with support for even more languages such as Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, and UK and India versions of English.

To try grab a Natural Language package that better suits the region, accents, or colloquialisms to help navigate Window, users can simply use the Win + Ctrl + Enter keyboard commands.

Passkeys

Microsoft is following Apple a bit with its new Passkey feature for Windows 11 that will piggyback Windows Hello integration to offer secure sign-in management for password-based logins and confirmations.

A passkey creates a unique, unguessable credential and allows you to sign in using your face, fingerprint, or device PIN. Passkeys on Windows 11 will work on multiple browsers including Edge, Chrome, Firefox, and others.

Presence Sensing

Some Windows OEMs have been building proprietary versions of Presence Sensing for some time now, and it seems Microsoft is ready to finally support it as a standard operating-level feature.

Combined with new Adaptive Dimming, Wake on Approach, and Lock on Leave, Presence Sensing is intended to help secure PCs when users are away as well as conserve battery.

Presence Sensing can also be added to external monitors if support is built into them. For now, Presence Sensing is an opt-in feature that will allow users to customize how their system reacts when they are way or idle long enough in front of their screens Windows 11 Moments 2 hits.

Admins can also assign Passkey functionality as a replacement for traditional password security, as a policy set through Microsoft Entra ID to access company resources.

Config Refresh

Moving to the nittier and grittier details of Windows 11’s Moments 2 Update involves resetting the settings in the PolicyCSP for Windows 11 devices every 30 or 90 minutes to help IT Admins access saved files for troubleshooting situations.

Admins can also pause the Config Refresh for select times, but the feature will eventually startup again unless monitored by Admins.

Intune

Intune with App Control for Business now replaces Windows Defender Application Control for Admins but still allows the same level of application control as before Admins via the Settings in the Admin console.

WDAP is not a system level update and thus comes to only current Microsoft Intune customers with Intune managed Installer whenever it does make it to the mainstream rollout of Windows Moments 2 Update.

Windows 365 Boot

Windows 365 Boot will be coming out of preview and hitting general availability for commercial Windows 365 subscribers enabling to port Windows 11 login experiences from one device to another via Cloud PC technologies.

The Windows 365 Boot is free to use current, and Microsoft 365 subscribers.

Mobile Application Management (MAM)

Microsoft is now making it easier for Admins to assign access to company information from personal devices through MAM.

Through Microsoft Edge on unmanaged devices, Admins can assign access to company content as well as putting in conditions like timed, location based and the number of access attempts from employees when dealing with company data on personal devices.

File Explorer & Start Menu

Microsoft will be beefing up its File Explorer and Start Menu experiences with AI-powered recommendation and settings at the onset usage of the respective applications in large and bright thumbnails.

Microsoft Store & Instant Games

Users will now be able to jump from previewing games in the Microsoft Store to directly playing them without having to wait for full downloads to occur.

Not every game will be part of this new platform feature, but Microsoft has already been working with several publishers to make the experience worthwhile. Developers can speak with Microsoft about joining the Instant Games platform in the future to help build out the experience.

Admins also can assign where downloaded content from the Microsoft Store goes such as specific drivers and locations for game installations.

The Store will be getting several rounds of fresh paint over the next few weeks that will bring performance improvements, richer search engine results on the Apps webpage, and new ways to discover gaming content on Windows devices.

Miscellaneous features

Other updates that aren’t category specific will also be coming in the Windows 11 Moments 2 Update such as the new Outlook for Windows, which is the PWA version that’s intended to replace the Mail App from Windows 10, a new Settings Home tab that surface several key settings in place, Auto Color management which should help improve gradients and color accuracy, Volume mixer bringing per-app based customizations, Dynamic Lighting, and new Dev tools such as Dev Home, WinGet configuration and the Windows Subsystem for Linux which should help a lot of Linux users stomach Windows development environments.

How to Get Windows 11 Moments 2 (version 22H2)

Consumers with eligible devices running Windows 11, version 22H2 who are interested in experiencing these new enhancements now, including Copilot in Windows, can choose to do so by going to Settings > Windows Update and turning on and get the latest updates as soon as they’re available.

To enhance user experience, Microsoft Teams is set to integrate Chat notifications with Meeting RSVP status, announced via the Microsoft 365 roadmap. Microsoft Teams users will gain more control over how they receive notifications during meetings based on their RSVP status.

Here’s how it works:

• Declining a meeting invitation will result in no further notifications or the inclusion of related chats in your chat list. 
• Conversely, accepting a meeting invitation means you will receive notifications for all new messages about that meeting.

The feature, identified by Feature ID 161739, was added to the roadmap on September 25, 2023, and is set to roll out in December 2023.

This change will apply to Microsoft Teams users across various Android, Mac, Desktop, and iOS platforms. The feature will be available to users in different cloud instances, including GCC, Worldwide (Standard Multi-Tenant), GCC High, and DoD.

Possible benefits of the new feature could be:

• Reduced distractions: If you decline a meeting, you will no longer be bothered by notifications from the meeting chat, hence less distraction.
• Improved focus: If you are focused on a task and do not want to be interrupted by chat notifications, you can decline the meeting.
• Increased productivity: By reducing distractions and improving focus, this feature can help you to be more productive.

The rollout phase for this update is General Availability, making it accessible to a wide range of Microsoft Teams users starting in December 2023.

Guggenheim, a global investment and advisory firm, has upgraded its rating on Microsoft Corp from “sell” (not a good buy) to “neutral” (okay to buy). This decision was influenced by the belief that Microsoft will benefit from generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in the future.

Guggenheim had maintained a “sell” rating on Microsoft’s stock since January, partly due to concerns about the performance of Microsoft’s Windows product and challenges in the Azure cloud-computing business.

Even though they’ve changed their rating, Microsoft’s stock didn’t do very well on the announcement day, and it had been going down for a while. However, Microsoft’s stock increased by about 32% over the year.

Approximately 90% of analysts tracked by Bloomberg have “buy” ratings on the stock, with the remaining analysts issuing “hold” ratings. This is a positive sign for the stock, as it suggests that analysts are starting to see the potential of this new technology to drive growth for Microsoft.

Overall, we think that Microsoft is a well-positioned company with a strong track record of innovation. The company is also investing heavily in new technologies, such as AI, recently announced Copilot, which could drive significant growth in the future, but only time will tell.

In a surprising turn of events, Microsoft’s recent bug or update has quietly changed saved passwords in Edge on Windows 11, iOS, and other devices to GUID-like serial key strings. The unexpected change has left the users confused and frustrated, making saved passwords useless for copying and pasting into other apps or websites.

“Hey, did anyone else get it? Edge has changed all my saved passwords to something like a serial key. Is there a way to fix it?” one user posted on Reddit.

For those unfamiliar, Microsoft Edge securely stores and encrypts saved passwords on their servers, syncing them across devices in real time. These passwords are also cached locally within Edge, with only Microsoft having access to read the data in the folder or on the server.

Users can conveniently view these passwords by visiting the passwords page in the profile settings, clicking the eye icon in the list, and passing a security challenge, such as entering a password, PIN, or using facial recognition.

However, this once-simple process has become more complicated. But here’s a fix:

On PC:

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Select Profiles.
4. Toggle on “Passwords” under Sync.
5. Trigger a resync to retrieve original passwords.

On iOS or Android:

1. Reinstall Microsoft Edge and open the app.
2. Click the three-dot menu.
3. Go to Settings.
4. Select your profile.
5. Open the sync page.
6. Toggle on “Passwords” under Sync.
7. Trigger a resync to restore your passwords.

By following these instructions, you should be able to revert the broken Edge password update and regain access to your original passwords.

A new screenshot tool is being added to Microsoft Edge called Microsoft Edge Screenshots. This feature appears to offer some significant improvements in terms of capturing and editing screenshots directly within the browser.

Introducing the screenshot tool could be a replacement or consolation for removing the “web select” feature in Microsoft Edge, which was discontinued because of low usage and high support cost. Web select allowed users to select and retain the formatting of web content for easy pasting into documents or OneNote notebooks.

The new screenshot tool in Microsoft Edge offers a zoomed-in view of the area around your cursor, helping users make precise selections when capturing screenshots.

However, this screenshot tool should not be mistaken for another similar feature that allows users to save screenshots of visited web pages directly to their browsing history.

The editing capabilities seem to have been upgraded with the ability to draw shapes like circles and squares, add arrows, freehand drawings, and apply text. Additionally, including a mosaic effect for redacting or censoring content is useful.

The screenshot tool overlays directly on the webpage, eliminating the need to open a new window and contributing to a more seamless user experience.

While the new screenshot tool is a welcome addition, it’s worth noting that removing the web select feature disappointed many users who found it useful. Nonetheless, the screenshot tool offers more comprehensive features for capturing and editing content within the browser.

via XDA Developers

Google has recently launched a set of training resources that focus on generative AI. The aim is to prepare professionals with the required knowledge and skills in this emerging field. To achieve this, the tech giant has introduced two comprehensive learning paths on its Google Cloud Skills Boost platform.

The first learning path, aptly titled “Introduction to Generative AI,” is designed for individuals in non-technical roles such as sales, marketing, HR, and operations. With a series of introductory courses, this path provides a solid foundation for understanding generative AI and its implications for business.

Participants can expect to explore responsible AI principles and gain insights into how generative AI can contribute to various aspects of an organization’s operations.

As a bonus, the introductory path is free and can be completed within a mere 45 minutes. However, for those who seek a more in-depth understanding, there are additional courses available.

By completing the “Generative AI Fundamentals” skill badge, which includes the introductory course along with two others on “Introduction to Large Language Models” and “Introduction to Responsible AI,” participants can earn a comprehensive understanding of Google Cloud’s generative AI technology.

Moving on to the second learning path, “Generative AI for Developers,” Google aims to cater to software developers and engineers interested in harnessing the full potential of generative AI. To embark on this path, participants must first complete the prerequisite courses on “Introduction to Responsible AI” and “Generative AI Fundamentals.” It is worth noting that this advanced path does come with a price, as Google Cloud credits are required to access the more technical labs on services such as Generative AI Studio and Vertex AI.

For those who want to immerse themselves in generative AI education, a Google Cloud Innovators Plus subscription offers a full year of on-demand training, granting access to all AI content through the Google Cloud Skills Boost program.

In addition to theoretical knowledge, Google provides a range of labs that allow learners to gain practical knowledge by directly working on the platform.

These labs cover topics such as getting started with Generative AI Studio, prompt design with Vertex AI, and integrating search in applications using Gen AI App Builder, among others. Each lab requires a certain amount of Google Cloud credits, varying from one to five credits.

Furthermore, Google Cloud has joined forces with DeepLearning.AI, led by renowned AI expert Andrew Ng, to develop an additional course titled “Understanding and Applying Text Embeddings with Vertex AI.”

The collaboration aims to delve into topics such as classification, outlier detection, text clustering, and semantic search. This course is offered for free and provides valuable insights into the practical applications of generative AI.

Looks like Google is paving the way for professionals to thrive in the ever-evolving field of generative AI. Let us know your thoughts on this.

Mikhail Parakhin, the former head of Microsoft’s Advertising and Web Services, disclosed an intriguing development related to Bing Chat. A limited number of privileged users were granted access to an exclusive feature called “No Search.”

Nah, we made it a plugin, UX-wise, and it is waiting for the general plugin rollout

— Mikhail Parakhin (@MParakhin) September 25, 2023

The feature allows users to disable Bing Chat from doing a web search, presenting certain advantages for specific tasks and interactions. By disconnecting from the web search functionality, users could experience a more focused and personalized interaction with the chatbot. The feature was received with great enthusiasm by the select few who were fortunate enough to test it.

However, despite this initial announcement, there has been a dearth of updates regarding the expansion of the “No Search” feature to a wider audience of Bing Chat users.

When this question was posed to Mikhail Parakhin, who has since assumed the role of head of Windows and Web Devices, he revealed on X (formerly Twitter) that the feature is transforming. It will be reimagined as a plugin, offering an improved user experience, and awaiting a general plugin rollout.

While the exact details of this plugin integration remain undisclosed, the implications are promising for Bing Chat users worldwide. Transitioning “No Search” into a plugin suggests a more accessible and seamless adoption of the feature in the future.

As of now, the precise timeline for the general rollout of the plugin remains uncertain. Until then, enthusiasts eagerly await more information regarding the expanded availability and potential applications of the “No Search” feature within Bing Chat’s ecosystem.

YouTube recently announced a series of innovative AI tools aimed at revolutionizing content creation on its platform.

Among the five features showcased, one named “Dream Screen” caught the attention of users and creators alike. The feature enables users to incorporate AI-generated images or videos as backgrounds for their YouTube Shorts.

In a demo, YouTube displayed how Dream Screen works. Users can type in a prompt specifying their desired video or image as the background within the Short-creating UI. For instance, a user typed in “Panda drinking coffee,” and the platform instantaneously generated a plethora of captivating videos portraying this scene.

These generated videos can then be effortlessly combined and overlaid with other clips, giving creators the freedom to imagine and craft unique content.

The platform will also introduce the “AI insights” feature next year. Drawing insights from what the audience is already watching, the AI suggestions provided by this feature allow creators to gain valuable inspiration and improve the effectiveness of their videos.

The innovative tool acts as an in-depth guide, empowering creators to understand their audience’s preferences better and tailor their content accordingly.

Another feature, “Assistive Search in Creator Music,” available next year, utilizes AI to reduce the time wasted on scrolling through countless music options to find the perfect soundtrack for a video. By leveraging the power of AI, creators can swiftly discover the ideal background score that complements their visuals, ensuring a seamless and engaging viewing experience.

Not stopping there, YouTube aims to bridge language barriers and expand the reach of creators with an automatic dubbing tool. With this tool, viewers can toggle between the original language and AI-generated dubbing in their native language, making content more accessible and interactive for global audiences.

The platform also unveiled “YouTube Create,” a user-friendly editing app designed specifically for mobile devices. This intuitive application allows creators to effortlessly edit their YouTube content using creative options, including text, stickers, sound, captions, and voiceover capabilities. With the app, creators can now edit their videos seamlessly on the go, allowing for quick and efficient content creation.

Microsoft is progressing with the Ink Anywhere feature in Windows 11 and is expanding language support for it. Ink Anywhere is a Windows 11 feature that converts handwriting to typed text in any text field.

Dev build 23550 includes (partial?) support for additional languages for Voice access including Spanish, French and Japanese.

Tried Spanish (Mexico) and it seems to work somewhat. pic.twitter.com/mKEpLnuyDu

— PhantomOcean3 ???????? (@PhantomOfEarth) September 23, 2023

Chinese Simplified, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and other dialects of English will soon be supported in addition to the existing en-US support. Expanding language support is always a positive step, making technology more accessible worldwide to a broader range of users.

According to the tweet, Windows 11 Dev build 23550 appears to include partial support for additional languages for Voice access, such as Spanish, French, and Japanese. However, the fact that the user interface translations appear incomplete suggests that this feature might still be in the testing or development phase.

Additionally, there are further indications of additional languages that haven’t been officially listed, as observed on GitHub.

Either way, we are particularly interested in the potential of Ink Anywhere to be used with Copilot. This would allow users to interact with Copilot in a more natural way, using handwriting to input their instructions and requests.

via MSPowerUser