Windows 11 might have switched to once-yearly main updates, however that doesn’t imply new options can’t present up extra typically. Case in level: This week, Microsoft abruptly and surprisingly dropped an enormous replace for Windows 11 that’s completely brimming with contemporary goodies to play with.

My colleague Mark Hachman coated everything new in the February 2023 Windows 11 update. There’s quite a lot of stuff that merely isn’t related to me, reminiscent of higher AI instruments on Qualcomm-powered PCs, tweaks to the native Teams chat expertise, Facebook widgets, and so forth. But there are a number of nifty new options with a broader attraction that I can’t wait to check out—and also you most likely will too. Let’s dig in.

AI-powered Bing Chat search field

Microsoft

Microsoft definitely isn’t losing its time bringing the new AI-powered Bing Chat to the plenty. The firm revealed the ChatGPT-powered device mere weeks in the past, rolled it out to cell Bing and Edge customers in brief order, and now it’s coming proper to the Windows 11 taskbar, built-in into the newly returned search field. You’ll have to be enrolled within the Bing AI preview to make use of the chat, although. Here’s how to get started with Bing Chat in Windows 11.

Honestly, whereas asking Microsoft’s AI to plan holidays and whip up meals from an inventory of substances is cool and all, I’m most excited in regards to the easy revival of the search field. I exploit it on a regular basis in Windows 10, however Windows 11 dumped it in favor of a search button that summons a separate window the place you conduct system searches, including considerably extra clicks and complications to the method. Even in the event you don’t care about Bing Chat, the return of the search field is a serious win for on a regular basis Windows 11 customers.

Notepad tabs

Microsoft

Tab all of the issues! I’m an enormous fan of Stardock’s $5 Groupy software to show each window right into a tab, however it gained’t be wanted for for much longer if Microsoft retains this up. At the tip of 2023, Windows 11 finally added File Explorer tabs after years of begging by lovers, and the February 2023 replace brings tabs to the venerable Notepad app.

Oh, and in case you missed it, Notepad was additionally up to date final 12 months to assist Windows 11’s Dark Mode. Chef’s kiss.

iPhone assist in Phone Link

Microsoft

Android customers have been capable of management their telephones by way of the Windows Phone Link app for years now, however Apple’s tighter guidelines have prevented iPhone assist. No longer. You’ll have to be a Windows Insider to make use of it proper now, however Windows 11’s February Update lastly provides the power to handle iPhones out of your PC.

You’ll have the ability to ship and obtain calls, texts, and extra proper in your desktop, however Apple’s guidelines imply there are a number of catches concerned in Windows 11’s new iPhone support. Because of that, you could be higher off using Intel’s Unison app to get iMessage on Windows as an alternative. It ostensibly solely helps Intel-based PCs although, so AMD Ryzen customers (like myself) nonetheless have loads to look ahead to in Windows 11’s new native iPhone capabilities.

Microsoft

Windows has provided a rocking Snipping Tool for a lengthy time now, however it may solely be used to shortly seize screenshots. With the Windows 11 February 2023 Update, the Snipping Tool can now file movies as nicely. Finally!

All it’s important to do is click on the brand new file button in Snipping Tool to start out capturing a video, then click on it once more to cease. Boom! You now have a fast clip to share with buddies, helpfully saved to a default folder. This may very well be insanely helpful whereas troubleshooting or explaining a course of to different folks.

Energy suggestions

Microsoft

Electric payments are skyrocketing, yo. Mine has virtually doubled previously 12 months, and Europeans have it even worse. Enter the brand new vitality suggestions in Windows 11, designed to assist ease the burden on each the setting and your pockets.

You’ll an inventory of settings strategies in Settings > Power & battery > Energy suggestions, the place you may apply them piecemeal or whole-hog on the press of a single button. Even in the event you determine to not take each motion Microsoft recommends—I detest auto-adjusting brightness—each little bit helps.

But wait, there’s extra!

That’s it for this look into 5 new Windows 11 options energy customers gained’t need to miss. Again, try Mark Hachman’s protection of the February 2023 Windows 11 Update to get a glimpse on the myriad different goodies stuffed into this launch, or wander over to our have a look at 10 obscure Windows features that will blow your mind if you wish to wade even deeper into different helpful options already lurking deep inside the working system.