Microsoft has announced new developments for Windows 11 for users to connect, create and play and these updates are now available in New Zealand.

The last few years have brought enduring changes in the ways people live, work, and learn, with the PC playing a more critical role in our daily lives. Online options that didn’t previously exist for meetings, appointments, everyday tasks, and access to entertainment emerged out of necessity, but remain due to convenience and efficiency. We formed new habits; and they’ve stuck.

However, the rapid move to more flexible work and life also dramatically increased security threats for individuals and businesses, with 921 password attacks happening every second.

A modern refresh

Last year’s launch of Windows 11 gave the PC a modern refresh, making it faster and easier for users to get tasks done. The added foundational security built into Windows at home and at work helps keep users safe and with Windows 365, Microsoft took us to the cloud, empowered organisations to stream the full Windows experience on any device. Turns out, Windows 11 is the most used and loved version of Windows ever.

With the first major update to Windows 11, Microsoft is focusing on four key areas to make users’ everyday easier:

• Making the PC easier and safer to use for everyone
• Empowering people to be more productive
• Making Windows the best place to connect, create and play
• Delivering added security, management and flexibility to the workplace

Making the PC easier and safer to use for everyone

Windows 11 brought a sense of ease, with an intuitive design people love. Microsoft builds on that foundation with new features to ensure the content and information you need is always at your fingertips.

• updates to the Start menu
• faster and more accurate Search
• Quick settings
• improved local and current events coverage in the Widgets board
• Tabs in File Explorer.

Improving accessibility features

Technology has the power to remove barriers and help people participate and connect. Nearly 1 in 5 people benefit from accessibility features on the PC and with this release Microsoft delivers a set of new accessibility features including system wide live captions to automatically generate captions from any form of audio content on Windows 11, voice access (preview), allowing users to control their PC and author text using only their voice, and Natural Voices for Narrator, which mirrors natural speech more closely, creating more pleasant-sounding audio to assist in reading or browsing the web.

Ramping up security

Online safety, data privacy and security are top concerns. These updates introduce Smart App control, letting users confidently download any app needed without worry. Microsoft also knows security threats don’t stop when users shut their laptop, which is why we’ve built the Defender app for Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers. Microsoft Defender for individuals extends Windows’ built-in security and expands device protection to users’ Android and iOS phones and Macs.

Empowering people to be more productive

The PC has always been where people come to get things done – especially when it comes to tackling complex tasks. The new Windows 11 2022 update will help you be your most productive yet, with enhancements to Snap layouts, the new Focus feature, and performance and battery optimisations.

Snap layouts are a game changer for multitasking, helping you optimise your view when you need to have multiple apps or documents in front of you at the same time. The new update makes Snap layouts more versatile with better touch navigation and the ability to snap multiple browser tabs in Microsoft Edge.

All-new Focus sessions and Do Not Disturb help minimise distractions that tend to pull you away from the task at hand. As you start a new focus session, Windows turns on Do Not Disturb, which silences notifications, turns off taskbar badges and application notifications in your taskbar. Focus integrates with the Clock App, launching a timer to help you focus – and even remind you to take breaks.

Making Windows the best place to connect, create and play

PC use is up for communications, creativity and gaming, as more of us turn to Windows to connect, express ourselves and play. With this update Microsoft have added features to make those experiences even better with Windows Studio Effects to improve video and audio calls, new creator tools, additional gaming features and updates to the Microsoft Store experience.

From work to community meetings to connecting with friends and family, video calls have become one of the essential tasks that defines the PC. New Windows Studio camera and audio effects help you look and sound your best on conference calls, enabled by advanced AI – with Voice Focus to filter out background noise and make sure you’re heard, Background Blur so only you are seen, Eye Contact to help you make a better connection with people you’re talking to and Automatic Framing so the camera stays with you as you move.

As the creator economy continues to grow, people are generating more creative content on Windows – which is why Microsoft has added new creator tools, such as Clipchamp, to make video editing simple.

Microsoft wants to continue to make Windows the best place to play games, so this update delivers performance optimisations to improve latency and unlocks features like Auto HDR and Variable Refresh Rate on windowed games. And with Game Pass built right into Windows 11 through the Xbox app, players can access hundreds of high-quality PC games.

Delivering added security, management and flexibility to the workplace

To keep employees productive and engaged, organisations need the tools to manage multiple Windows endpoints securely and easily, no matter where their people are working. To meet the needs of this increasingly complex landscape, the new Windows 11 2022 Update delivers critically important new security features and management tools for increased IT efficiency.

Windows 11 provides layers of hardware and software integrated for powerful, out-of-the box protection from the moment users start their device. The new Microsoft Defender SmartScreen identifies and alerts you if you’re entering their Microsoft credentials into a malicious application or hacked website. There’s also a presence sensing optional feature to Windows Hello for Business, so devices equipped with presence sensors work with Windows Hello to securely log you in when you approach and lock your device when you leave. No more “I love bears” emails! (If you know, you know😉)

Delivering continuous Windows innovation and value

The Windows 11 2022 Update has so many subtle, but important changes that come together to help you be your most productive and creative.

Windows Update

Windows Update is now carbon aware, making it easier for devices to reduce carbon emissions. When devices are plugged in, turned on, connected to the Internet and regional carbon intensity data is available, Windows Update will schedule installations at specific times of the day when doing so may result in lower carbon emissions because a higher proportion of electricity is coming from lower-carbon sources on the electric grid. There’s also some changes to the default power setting for Sleep and Screen off to help reduce carbon emissions when PCs are idle.

File Explorer

Bringing tabs into File Explorer helps you organise your sessions just like in Microsoft Edge. The new homepage in File Explorer gives you quick access to favorite and recent files and you can pin important files for quick and easy access – even including info at a glance of colleagues’ actions on your shared files through OneDrive and personalised suggestions based on your Microsoft 365 account.

Photos app

In an update to the Photos app in Windows 11, Microsoft introduces a new photos-managing experience that brings a gorgeous gallery, simplifying browsing, finding, management and consumption of collection of photos. It also allows you to easily backup your photos with OneDrive, enjoy powerful experiences on Windows devices and offers a delightful “Memories” experience.

Suggested Actions on Copy

Copy phone numbers, future dates and get suggested actions such as making a call with Teams or Skype or adding an event in the Calendar app.

Taskbar Overflow

Taskbar offers an entry point to an overflow menu that allows you to view all your overflowed apps in one space.

Share to more devices

Discover and share to more devices including desktops using nearby share.

Update availability began September 22, 2022 and will continue to roll out during October.