Update September 26: Updated to reflect the confirmed release date and clarify that this is not the 23H2 update as previously anticipated.
The next major version of Windows 11 is now available, and we know what to expect when it drops. Here are all the significant new additions you can look forward to enjoying.
Microsoft has already unveiled many new features that will ship as part of this release, and this article aims to detail those plus even more features that have been added to the Windows 11 preview builds since.
This latest release has been almost ready for a while, which means much of what the update will entail is already public in preview builds. Microsoft has since made it official at its most recent event.
Like previous Windows 11 feature updates, this release will be free for all existing Windows 11 users, meaning the best Windows 11 laptops on the market will support it. You can buy one online if you don't yet have a Windows 11 license.
Windows 11 September 2023 update: Release date
The latest update to Windows 11 is available on September 26. It isn't the 23H2 update as previously thought instead of building on the existing 22H2 version.
The update is for all Windows 11 users, and the download and install process will only take a few minutes, thanks to the underlying update technology Microsoft is using for this release. Instead of a complete OS upgrade, the update will apply like a monthly security update.
Windows AI Copilot
The biggest new feature Microsoft is working on for the September 2023 release is a new AI assistant dubbed "Windows Copilot," which uses the same tech powering Bing Chat and the Microsoft 365 Copilot to help users be more productive by understanding complex queries, commands, and understanding context.
Windows Copilot will essentially replace Cortana and be able to help users with changing settings on their PC, launching playlists in Spotify, summarizing documents, texts, and webpages, and even initiating Snap assist and other Windows functions. The Copilot exists as a button on the Taskbar that will open a sidebar when clicked that features a chat box and conversation history between you and the Copilot.
Here's the official Windows Copilot description from Microsoft:
Invoking Windows Copilot is familiar and easy – the button is front and center on your taskbar – simple to find and use. Once open, the Windows Copilot sidebar stays consistent across your apps, programs and windows, always available to act as your personal assistant. It makes every user a power user, helping you take action, customize your settings and seamlessly connect across your favorite apps. The things you love about Windows – copy/paste, Snap Assist, Snipping Tool, personalization – they are all right there for you, along with every other feature on the platform, and they only get better with Windows Copilot. For example, you can not only copy and paste, but also ask Windows Copilot to rewrite, summarize or explain your content.
The Windows Copilot is already available in limited preview in the latest Windows 11 Insider preview builds. Third-party plugin support is expected to launch this fall.
New File Explorer
Microsoft is working on a significant update to the File Explorer app on Windows 11 that will bring with it even more modern interfaces and a redesigned "header UI" that's more similar to what you'd find in a web browser. The app's top features are tabs, and below are your forward, back, and home buttons next to the address bar and search box.
Below, you'll find all the usual File Explorer commands, such as copy, paste, cut, etc. Microsoft is also updating the folder view, home page, and details pane with a modern design, making the rest of File Explorer feel more consistent with the rest of Windows 11.
A new Gallery feature will provide a rich viewing experience for all the photos on your device in OneDrive and synced with Phone Link. It features a timeline that allows you to scroll back in time quickly, and there are options to jump straight into editing a photo using the Photos app.
Windows Backup
Microsoft is finally bringing a cloud backup tool to Windows 11 with the September 2023 release, which will make it easy to back up settings, files, and apps to your OneDrive storage for restoring when setting up a new PC for the first time. When logging into a Microsoft account, users will be prompted to restore from a previous PC and bring over all their settings and apps with a few clicks.
For apps, the restore process is powered by the Microsoft Store, meaning only apps hosted in the Store will be backed up and restored. Settings and files will continue to be backed up and restored like normal, using your Microsoft account OneDrive storage to store the information.
Taskbar ungrouping
A classic Taskbar feature is returning, with the Windows 11 September 2023 release coming later this year in the form of app labels and ungrouping! This feature was available in Windows 7 through Windows 10 but was removed when Microsoft rebuilt the Taskbar for Windows 11.
Its return on Windows 11 comes with a new function: the ability to show labels even on apps that aren't running. Windows 7, 8, and 10 only offered the option to show labels on running apps, but Windows 11 added the ability to show labels on pinned apps that aren't running.
New volume mixer
Microsoft is updating the volume mixer to be more useful when adjusting audio levels from specific apps. Starting with this update, users can use the Windows 11 quick settings panel to adjust audio levels from individual apps playing sound manually.
This means you'll be able to turn the volume down on Spotify and turn up the volume in your video calling app, allowing proper audio level mixing straight from the modern Windows 11 quick settings panel.
7zip and RAR support
Microsoft is finally bringing native 7zip and RAR support to Windows 11, meaning you'll no longer be required to download third-party tools to handle those archive types. Windows will be able to easily handle unzipping and zipping 7zip and RAR files, along with .tar and other open-source archive formats.
This functionality will work anywhere Windows surfaces files, such as the File Explorer, desktop, and file picker interface.
In-box RGB peripheral customization
Gamers will rejoice as Microsoft is building RGB peripheral controls directly into the Windows 11 Settings app, meaning users can customize RGB settings on keyboards, mice, monitors, and other devices and accessories without downloading third-party software.
Microsoft calls this feature "Dynamic Lighting," and it will be great for devices from the likes of Razer that feature incredibly bloated third-party tools for customizing their products. Now, if you want to change the color of your lights, you can do so natively through Windows 11 and the built-in Settings app.
Dark mode in Paint
Paint is getting dark mode after 37 years on the market. The app initially debuted with Windows 1.0, and while Windows has only had dark mode since 2015, it's good to finally see Paint joining the party with its own dark mode.
Microsoft unveiled dark mode in Paint alongside the original Windows 11 launch version in 2021 but didn't ship it until now. The app also has an updated zooming functionality, with a more incremental drop-down menu with custom percentages and smooth zooming.
The app has been in preview with Insiders and will roll out alongside the latest update.
Widgets Board updates
Widgets Board updates
It wouldn't be a Windows 11 feature update without changes to the Windows Widgets Board. The release is expected to include more customization options for the board, including new layouts that allow users to choose between having widgets separated from the news feed, mixed with the news feed, and no news feed at all.
That means Microsoft will finally let users disable the MSN feed in the Widgets Board.
Windows Dev Drive / Dev Home
Windows Dev Drive / Dev Home
If you're a developer, Windows 11 is improving with the September 2023 release, which upgrades the new Dev Home app designed to make setting up a new dev machine as easy as possible while providing an overview of your machine, GitHub projects, and more.
Dev Home can connect to your GitHub account and pull in the latest changes and requests. It also includes many system-monitoring widgets that can be added to the Dev Home app or the Widgets Board. These widgets include CPU, GPU, Memory, and Network.
Dev Home goes together with a new Dev Drive feature, which lets developers create a system partition for software development. A Dev Drive partition is ReFS formatted and offers more performance for projects with hundreds and thousands of files, like games or complex apps.
