New Features Coming to Windows 11 Next Version

Similar to Windows 10 operating system, Microsoft will start releasing feature updates for Windows 11 every year. These feature updates can be considered as new versions of Windows 11 operating system. Every feature update will add new features and functionality to Windows 11 along with bug fixes and enhancements. Sometimes feature updates are also referred as service packs.

Very soon Microsoft will release first feature update for Windows 11 operating system (later this year) and Microsoft has already started announcing what new features might be present in upcoming Windows 11 feature update.

At recent Windows 11 hybrid work event, Microsoft unveiled several new features which are going to be a part of future Windows 11 versions.

Let’s discuss all these new Windows 11 features in details:

Cloud-Powered File Explorer

New Windows 11 version will come with a redesigned, cloud-powered File Explorer (or Windows Explorer) which will make it easier to find what the user is looking for, allowing users to see all files in one centralized place.

OneDrive will be integrated into Windows 11 File Explorer and users will be able to launch File Explorer directly in OneDrive – Personal view.

When you’ll open the new refreshed File Explorer, the default homepage of File Explorer will be labeled as Home.

You’ll be able to pin files to File Explorer under Favorites section and the default or bundled pinned folders section (user folders) will be labeled as Quick Access (Yes, Quick Access has been repurposed).

Tab Support in File Explorer

That’s the best and much awaited feature which is going to be introduced in Windows 11. The new redesigned File Explorer will offer a tabbed interface allowing users to create tabs similar to web browsers.

You’ll be able to open multiple folders/drives using tabs in a single File Explorer window. It’ll help users in multitasking and switching between multiple folders windows.

PS: If you remember, Microsoft tried to introduce tabbed File Explorer in Windows 10 as well. At that time the feature was called “Sets“. Microsoft released few Windows 10 Insider Preview builds containing Sets feature but later the feature was discontinued and couldn’t make its presence to Windows 10.

Contextual Suggestions in File Explorer

The new File Explorer will also come with contextual suggestions functionality powered by Context IQ. It’ll assist users by displaying relevant files and contacts recommendations including cloud-content while sharing and accessing files.

App Folders Support in Start Menu

Users will be able to create folders in Windows 11 Start Menu to organize and arrange apps shortcuts. It’ll allow users to keep the pinned shortcuts section in Start Menu organized and clean.

You’ll also be able to rename these folders according to your requirements.

New Intelligent Meeting Features

Microsoft is going to add new intelligent meeting features in Windows 11 powered by AI. These new features include Voice clarity and Voice focus, Automatic framing, Portrait background blur and Eye contact.

Touch Snap Layouts

Windows 11 newer versions will come with touch snap layouts feature which will help users with touch-enabled devices to organize program windows using touch.

New Windows 11 Security Features

Windows 11 will introduce powerful new features to prevent from the most common cyberattack techniques: phishing and targeted malware.

Enhanced phishing detection and protection which will be built into Windows 11 with Microsoft Defender SmartScreen. This new feature will help protect users from phishing attacks by identifying and alerting users when they are entering their Microsoft credentials into a malicious application or hacked website.

Smart App Control uses code signing alongside Microsoft’s powerful artificial intelligence models to ensure that only trusted applications are run, blocking one of the largest attack vectors on Windows by-default.

Config Lock, already in Windows 11, monitors registry keys through MDM policies to help ensure devices in your ecosystem comply with industrial and company security baselines. If Config Lock detects a change in registry keys, it will automatically revert the impacted system to the IT-desired state in seconds.

Integration with Windows 365

Microsoft is going to integrate the power of Windows 11 and Windows 365 together. This integration includes Windows 365 Switch for seamless movement between your Cloud PC and Local PC with a single click, Windows 365 Boot to be able to boot straight to your Windows 365 Cloud PC in just one step, and Windows 365 Offline to work offline and automatically resync without losing any data.

There will also be a new native Windows 365 app to allow users to get straight to their Windows 365 Cloud PC from Windows 11 taskbar or Start menu.

Other New Features Coming to Windows 11

Some other new features which are worth to mention are as following:

Microsoft will add new features to Focus such as an integrated focus timer and do not disturb feature that makes it easier to track and personalize focus time.

System-wide Live Captions in Windows 11 make it easier for everyone, including people who are hard of hearing or deaf and language learners, to understand spoken content.

Voice Access makes it possible for everyone, including people with limited mobility and people with repetitive stress injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome, to control their device and dictate content using their voice.

Official Video Highlighting New Features in Windows 11

Microsoft has shared an exclusive video which highlights all new features coming to Windows 11 next major update.

Here is the video for your viewing pleasure:

When to Expect These New Features in Windows 11?

Microsoft is already testing most of these new features in Windows 11 Insider Preview builds. You can download and install these testing builds to test drive these new features in your Windows 11 device.

Download and Install Windows 11 Insider Preview Builds

We should expect these new features in the upcoming Windows 11 major update (Windows 11 22H2) which should come later this year.

Also Check:

Add Tabs, Dual-Pane View and All Classic Features to Windows File Explorer