Windows 11 is not just a cosmetic update. The latest preview version of the upcoming operating system reveals some of the new features and improvements Microsoft is working on, including support for next-generation USB devices, AI-enhanced audio processing and more.
One of the most notable changes in Windows 11 Build 22523 is the addition of USB4 support. USB4 is a new standard that promises faster data transfer speeds, better support for Thunderbolt devices and lower power consumption. USB4 devices are expected to hit the market soon and Windows 11 will be ready to support them out of the box.
Another new feature in Windows 11 is AI-powered audio enhancement. This feature uses machine learning to analyze your device’s audio input and output and optimize it for different scenarios, such as music, voice calls, games or movies. You can access this feature from the Settings application under System > Sound > Audio Enhancement.
Windows 11 also brings some improvements to the taskbar, Start menu and File Explorer. For example, you can now pin applications to the taskbar from the Start menu by right-clicking on them and selecting “Pin to taskbar”. You can also drag and drop files and folders from File Explorer to the taskbar to create shortcuts. In addition, you can now resize the Start menu by dragging its borders and customize its layout by right-clicking on it and selecting “Customize”.
These are just some of the new features and improvements that Windows 11 is testing in its latest preview version. Microsoft is expected to release Windows 11 to the public later this year and we can expect more updates and improvements in the coming months. If you would like to test Windows 11 before its official release, you can join the Windows Insider program and download the preview versions from the Settings application under Update and Security > Windows Insider Program.
Some of the new features Windows 11 is testing are very convenient for users, such as Voice Clarity, 80 Gbps USB support and more sharing and compression options for different applications.
These features are part of Windows 11 Build 26040, which is available in the Windows 11 Canary Channel. This channel contains experimental code that may or may not be released to the public in the future. For example, Microsoft removed a “remote capture” feature that was previously available in the Canary and Dev channels in September and instead integrated it into the Snipping Tool app.
While these features are not very innovative, they are still useful additions that will hopefully be included in the Windows stable channel this fall.
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If you have a laptop that is missing some of the ports you need, you may have used a Thunderbolt dock to connect them. Thunderbolt is a technology that allows high-speed data transfer and power delivery over a single cable. Thunderbolt will be upgraded to Thunderbolt 5, which will double the speed to 80 Gbps. However, Thunderbolt is only available on laptops with Intel processors, because Intel does not certify other processors as compatible. Laptops with AMD processors use USB4, which is similar to Thunderbolt but not exactly the same.
But there’s good news for USB4 users: USB4 will also receive an 80 Gbps upgrade. Microsoft announced that “80 Gbps USB support will initially launch on select devices based on the Intel Core 14.th generation HX series mobile processors, such as the new Razer Blade 18.” This means that Windows will be ready to support the new USB standard when it arrives (likely in the second half of 2024 or later, according to sources). This will enable faster data transfer and charging for USB4 devices and make them more compatible with Thunderbolt devices.
