Microsoft has begun the phased rollout of the Windows 11 2024 update, also known as version 24H2. The update brings several useful changes, including improvements to the Start menu, Explorer and Settings.
The Windows 11 24H2 update includes a revamped Start menu with a side panel for Microsoft Phone Link users. This panel displays notifications and battery status information for linked phones and provides shortcuts to messages, calls and photos. For users with HDR monitors, version 24H2 introduces support for HDR backgrounds, and color adjustments can now be easily adjusted through the Settings interface.
Improvements in Explorer and Settings
Microsoft has also taken the Explorer in hand. In the home section, recent, favorite and shared files have been combined in a tabbed view, making it easier to quickly access frequently used documents. Furthermore, the context menus have been updated, according to The Verge, so actions such as copy, paste and rename are now more clearly labeled and easier to access. Another handy addition is the ability to create RAR, 7z and TAR files without the need for external software.
The Settings interface has been further improved with some long-awaited features. For example, users can now reverse the scroll direction of the mouse wheel without having to make changes to the Windows Registry. In addition, it is possible to enable improved pointer precision for the mouse directly through Settings without having to go to the older Control Panel.
In the system tray, Microsoft has changed the appearance of the time and date display, no longer showing the year. Quick Settings has also been restructured, with all quick actions visible by default and users can now easily drag and drop them.
Finally, the update offers a new Power Saving Mode that extends laptop battery life. Users can also control what happens when pressing the power button or opening the laptop.
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Major Windows 11 2024 update now available with numerous improvements
Developer features and hardware support
For developers, Microsoft is introducing the ability to use the sudo command, familiar from Unix-based systems. This allows developers to easily run elevated commands from a non-elevated console session, which is useful when testing scripts and tools.
The Windows 11 2024 update further provides support for the latest hardware technologies, such as Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth LE audio. In addition, there are performance improvements for the latest AMD processors. Microsoft also replaces the Mail and Calendar apps with a new Outlook client and introduces a unified Microsoft Teams app for both personal and business accounts.
Microsoft is rolling out the update in phases. Users with Windows 11 version 22H2 or 23H2 are first up. Microsoft is using a revamped approach that involves replacing the entire operating system. Thus, the update is only available once the device is fully compatible. This prevents problems with, for example, outdated drivers or applications that have not yet been updated to the new version.
Hopefully Microsoft listened carefully to its beta testers. After all, there are update problems that reward you with a blue screen of death. Microsoft acknowledges the problems and is working on a fix. It is not clear if the publicly available update contains the same error.
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