Microsoft Trials Windows 11 24H2 Update Featuring Image Editing Enhancements and Start Menu Modifications

Windows 11 Build 26100.3902 is currently in testing within the Release Preview Channel of the Microsoft Insider Program, anticipating its public rollout by the end of April. This update, part of the Windows 11 24H2 series, unveils several exciting features, including a revamped Share interface, enhanced Phone Link integration in the Start menu, and a suite of fresh functionalities.

One of the standout enhancements in this update is the introduction of a new timer for Windows updates. Users will see its presence in both the Settings app and the Start menu, granting them insight into how long their device will be offline during installation. This feature empowers users to plan effectively, deciding whether to proceed with updates during work hours based on anticipated downtime.

This release includes a plethora of additional features vital for users to explore in the upcoming stable version slated for April 2025 (KB5055627) along with the May 2025 Patch Tuesday. Below is a detailed overview of what’s in store for Windows 11.

Upcoming Enhancements in Windows 11 24H2

1. Phone Link Companion Panel

The newly integrated Phone Link companion panel within the Start menu offers a user-friendly overview of your connected phone. This handy feature allows users to make calls, send texts, share files, and review recent activities without needing to access their device directly. It also displays critical information such as connection status and battery life, ensuring a seamless multi-device experience.

Windows 11 Start menu with Send files button

2. Upgraded Windows Share

While file-sharing tools may seem standard, the Windows Share function is receiving significant upgrades. With new editing capabilities, users can make quick tweaks to images before sharing, including resizing, adding filters, and changing other attributes. This lean image editor offers functionality akin to that of the Photos app, granting users a fast track to modify files on-the-fly.

3. File Explorer Enhancements

The File Explorer is set to benefit from better text scaling within its dialog boxes. Previously, adjusting text size only modified window labels, leaving the internal text difficult to read—especially on high-resolution displays. However, this update ensures that both labels and internal text are uniformly sized for a clearer user experience.

file explorer dialog box adapts to text size change in windows 11 23h2 beta

4. Innovative Widgets

Developers can now create adaptive cards that enhance app interactivity, displaying relevant content and features in a streamlined format. This advancement opens the door for future innovations, where multiple companion panels or dynamic menus could appear adjacent to the Start menu or even across the desktop, enriching user interaction.

5. Enhanced Narrator Functions

The latest updates to the Narrator app include a brand new speech recap feature, allowing users to revisit and copy their recent interactions directly to the clipboard, markedly improving accessibility for all users.

Copilot+ PC Exclusives: Recall Returns!

After a controversial history, Microsoft’s Recall feature makes a comeback with improved data privacy controls. Users will now need to opt-in for the feature, meaning it won’t automatically store screenshots without consent. Another exciting addition is the Click to Do functionality, which aggregates apps on the Windows 11 PC, allowing users to extract and manipulate text or images easily.

Rounder rounded corners in Click To Do | Image Courtesy: WindowsLatest.com

Moreover, the Copilot experience will feature a more intuitive search function, enabling natural language queries such as “my office reunion”to yield relevant results, enhancing user efficiency.

Lastly, Windows Studio Effects introduces an auto-framing filter that activates on compatible Copilot+ PCs, although some users may prefer a more controlled opt-in process. Along with these features, the update also includes several bug fixes aimed at Improving stability, such as addressing issues with text scaling in the Start menu and correcting CPU usage readings in Hyper-V.

Keep in mind, while the Windows Update feature mentioned above is available now, many of the other enhancements are being gradually rolled out, and you may not see them immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is included in Windows 11 Build 26100.3902?

This build features several notable updates including the new Phone Link companion panel, enhanced Windows Share options with image editing tools, and improved File Explorer text scaling, among other new functionalities designed to enrich user interaction.

2. When will Windows 11 Build 26100.3902 be publicly available?

The public rollout for Windows 11 Build 26100.3902 is expected to commence in the last week of April, following the ongoing tests in the Release Preview Channel.

3. How does the new Windows Update timer work?

The new Windows Update timer allows users to see the estimated downtime projected for their PC during an update installation. This feature enables a smoother experience as users can choose to restart at more convenient times based on the specified duration.

Explore more details and insights here.