Nandini Roy Choudhury, writer
Brief news
- Microsoft is releasing a comprehensive update for Windows 11, version 24H2, enhancing key PC functions and features until October 2025.
- New features include improved energy management, enhanced audio streaming for hearing aids, faster internet speeds with Wi-Fi 7, and easier Wi-Fi sharing.
- The update will be available through Windows Update for compatible devices, starting with those on versions 22H2 and 23H2.
Detailed news
Microsoft announced on Thursday that it is initiating the process of releasing a comprehensive update to its Windows 11 operating system for personal computers.
Currently, Windows makes up only 9% of Microsoft’s $245 billion in revenue for fiscal 2024, which was generated through the acquisitions of public companies Activision Blizzard and Nuance Communications. However, the revenue generated from Windows is highly profitable, and the pervasive use of Windows on computers has aided Microsoft in attracting clients to its Azure cloud. Therefore, the product enhancements will continue to be implemented until October 2025, when the support for the widely used Windows 10 platform will be discontinued.
Windows 11 continues to experience rapid expansion in prominence subsequent to its debut in 2021. During the company’s earnings call in July, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella informed analysts that the number of active devices had increased by 50% year over year.
The Windows 11 2024 Update, also referred to as version 24H2, is intended to enhance fundamental PC functions, including the compression of documents, the management of energy consumption, and the downloading of files over Wi-Fi.
The following are additional new features that will be available on PCs that are capable of running Windows 11 in version 24H2:
Additional controls for energy consumption. Even if your computer lacks a battery, you will have the ability to decrease its power consumption while it is connected.
Hearing aides that are supercharged. You will be able to directly stream audio and modify volume levels and balance by connecting your Bluetooth LE Audio-enabled hearing aides to your computer.
Increased internet speed. A novel router has been developed that is compliant with the Wi-Fi 7 standard. These devices are capable of transmitting data at a higher rate than Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E. At home or in the office, your PC should now be capable of optimizing the performance of these routers, enabling you to acquire files at a faster pace and operate multiple devices at high speeds.
Simpler Wi-Fi sharing. In the Settings app, you will be able to display a QR code that contains the necessary information to connect to your Wi-Fi network. This will enable you to rapidly attach other devices.
Backgrounds that are wealthy. If your device or display is capable of displaying high dynamic range (HDR) signals, you may choose an image file with the.JXR file extension and set it as your desktop background. The outcome will be an increase in contrast between the light and dark areas of an image.
Manage files on mobile devices. You will be able to activate a control in the Settings app that will display files on your phone in a subdirectory within the File Explorer app by connecting your phone to your PC via Bluetooth. It is a wireless alternative to the traditional method of connecting a phone to a computer using a USB cable.
Smaller clock. You have the ability to reduce the amount of space that the time occupies in the system tray. To accomplish this, launch the Settings application and select Time & language. A new option, “Show abbreviated time and date,” is located under “Show time and date in the System tray.”
Alternatives for compression. If you wish to compress your files in the 7-Zip or.tar format, there is no need to obtain a program from the internet. To compress a group of files in File Explorer, right-click and hover over “Compress to…”. From there, select from the ZIP, 7z, or TAR options. Alternatively, you may select “Additional options,” which will display a box that allows you to adjust the compression level and select a compression method.
Methods for obtaining the new features
Navigate to Windows Update in the Settings app to locate Windows 11 version 24H2. When Microsoft anticipates that your device is prepared for the update, it will be available for installation. The company will initially distribute 24H2 to devices that are running versions 22H2 and 23H2 and have the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” option enabled in Windows Update.
Schools and organizations that wish to disseminate version 24H2 to their devices may refer to a Microsoft blog post.
Source : CNBC News
