Microsoft introduces a number of new features for Windows 11

In conjunction with the Microsoft Future of Hybrid Work event, the company introduced a number of new features for Windows 11.

As shown in Windows Explorer, tabs (called “groups”) are on the way again to help you navigate your computer’s contents faster. Microsoft Context IQ technology will now appear more widely in Windows 11 and will make “most relevant files” appear for different searches. Context IQ is already in Microsoft Dynamics where it is used to find related files and suggest contacts to share with them.

Users will also be able to select favorites in Windows Explorer which will end up in the new Favorites section which also shows where the content is on the computer or in the cloud. The explorer will also display recent changes, for example if a colleague left a comment on something. A similar feature already exists today in Office.

During the event, Microsoft also confirmed that a “Personal” Start menu will appear in a future Windows 11 update. It’s unclear exactly how Context IQ will be used here but what is clear is that start folders will be a thing. These can be given their own names and contain four icons for quick access.

On the company side, there will be better remote control in Microsoft Enpoint Manager, which allows support to take control of your computer and manage problems without having to send all the scans and diagnostics.

For video conferencing, Windows 11 will have new video conferencing features in the form of an automatic camera frame and an eye contact feature. It is already known that real-time translation is on the way. To make it easier to avoid video conferencing, Windows 11 will also have a new focus timer and Do Not Disturb mode.

On the security side, we see passwordless login, with Microsoft requiring users to turn on a set of two-factor authentication instead of regular passwords. New popup messages your potential IT department can send. Built-in phishing protection that can detect and warn if your account information has been sent somewhere it shouldn’t be.

Microsoft Hypervisor-Protected Code Integrity (HVCI) will be available on more Windows 11 devices and can be used to secure drivers and prevent malware. Microsoft also offers Smart App Control for Windows, which can detect malicious apps and make sure only safe processors are running. This is based either on code certification or an AI model of trusting apps in the Microsoft cloud.

In other news, Snap View will also be improved at some point for touch controls.

At the moment, there are no specific dates for when the various features will be available in the standard edition of Windows 11.

Read also: Growth is slowing down for Windows 11