16 truly beneficial features in Windows 11's December update
Table of Contents
Microsoft will issue the Windows 11 monthly fix for December today. The final Patch Tuesday in 2025 will be significant
because, according to Windows Central, the update will bring at least 16 new features.These include specific enhancements to current functionality, entirely new features, and several design modifications to significant components like the Start menu. Let's quickly review all of the new features.
1. Windows search's visual enhancement
The Windows search field has been aesthetically enhanced to match the new Start menu design's height. Inconsistencies in the design should be eliminated as a result. For many users, the new Start menu still takes up a significant portion of the screen, though. Whether Microsoft will resolve this issue in the future is still up in the air.
The Windows search field has been aesthetically enhanced to match the new Start menu design's height. Inconsistencies in the design should be eliminated as a result. For many users, the new Start menu still takes up a significant portion of the screen, though. Whether Microsoft will resolve this issue in the future is still up in the air.
2. The taskbar's new "Share with Copilot" function
Additionally, Microsoft's Copilot AI is making an appearance in Windows 11, this time in the taskbar, where the "Share with Copilot" option will soon show up. After that, a thumbnail of the app you are now using will appear, and you may use Copilot Vision to easily initiate a chat with the chatbot. Additionally, when you move the mouse pointer over different apps in the taskbar, the transition should be more seamless.
Additionally, Microsoft's Copilot AI is making an appearance in Windows 11, this time in the taskbar, where the "Share with Copilot" option will soon show up. After that, a thumbnail of the app you are now using will appear, and you may use Copilot Vision to easily initiate a chat with the chatbot. Additionally, when you move the mouse pointer over different apps in the taskbar, the transition should be more seamless.
3. Modifications to desktop Windows Spotlight
Improvements are also being made to Windows Spotlight, the feature in Windows 11 that allows background images to change dynamically. To rapidly change the backdrop, you simply right-click on the desktop. Additionally, there is the "Explore background" option, which offers additional background information.
4. The ability to turn off Drag Tray
Microsoft is making it easier to disable Drag Tray. In order to see possibilities for direct sharing, you can often pick files and drag them to the top of the screen. But this irritated a lot of users. Drag Tray can be disabled under Settings > System > Nearby sharing after the upgrade.
Improvements are also being made to Windows Spotlight, the feature in Windows 11 that allows background images to change dynamically. To rapidly change the backdrop, you simply right-click on the desktop. Additionally, there is the "Explore background" option, which offers additional background information.
4. The ability to turn off Drag Tray
Microsoft is making it easier to disable Drag Tray. In order to see possibilities for direct sharing, you can often pick files and drag them to the top of the screen. But this irritated a lot of users. Drag Tray can be disabled under Settings > System > Nearby sharing after the upgrade.
5. Improved File Explorer dark mode
Fans of dark modes will also find something to enjoy. File Explorer's dark mode has been enhanced and given a more consistent style in conversation windows, such as for moving or copying. Other perspectives and confirmation interactions are also being modified. It's still conceivable, though, that some components don't match the updated appearance or that the File Explorer flashes white for a short while when it first launches. Microsoft will keep working on this.
Fans of dark modes will also find something to enjoy. File Explorer's dark mode has been enhanced and given a more consistent style in conversation windows, such as for moving or copying. Other perspectives and confirmation interactions are also being modified. It's still conceivable, though, that some components don't match the updated appearance or that the File Explorer flashes white for a short while when it first launches. Microsoft will keep working on this.
6. In the Start settings, a new device information card
You are no longer have to navigate menus in order to find information about your device. This is due to a new tab named "Device information" that shows details about your PC's processor, memory, RAM, and graphics card, among other things, directly on the settings' start page.
7. Mobile device settings in the settings
The Windows 11 Settings app displays a new mobile device configuration menu. You can remove a device from your account, add new devices, and view the settings of linked mobile devices here. It's easy and uncomplicated.
You are no longer have to navigate menus in order to find information about your device. This is due to a new tab named "Device information" that shows details about your PC's processor, memory, RAM, and graphics card, among other things, directly on the settings' start page.
7. Mobile device settings in the settings
The Windows 11 Settings app displays a new mobile device configuration menu. You can remove a device from your account, add new devices, and view the settings of linked mobile devices here. It's easy and uncomplicated.
8. The information page's redesign
With the December update, Microsoft is also altering the information page's appearance. Only a thumbnail view of the desktop background and the ability to rename your computer will remain. Additionally, certain sections will get new entries with more details or be renamed.
9. Virtual workspaces and advanced settings
The "Advanced" section is also undergoing modifications. It has a new page called "Virtual Workspaces" where you may control virtualization features including protected hosts and the Windows Sandbox.
With the December update, Microsoft is also altering the information page's appearance. Only a thumbnail view of the desktop background and the ability to rename your computer will remain. Additionally, certain sections will get new entries with more details or be renamed.
9. Virtual workspaces and advanced settings
The "Advanced" section is also undergoing modifications. It has a new page called "Virtual Workspaces" where you may control virtualization features including protected hosts and the Windows Sandbox.
10. Text cursor and Bluetooth keyboard settings
Following the patch, new keyboard and text cursor options may be found under Settings > Bluetooth and devices > Keyboard. For instance, accessibility, copilot key reassignment, or keyboard repetition rate.
11. Quick Machine Recovery's new default configuration
Users have been able to swiftly restore Windows 11 using Quick Machine Recovery since September. In December, Microsoft will make this option's default setting more user-friendly.
The user is prevented from using alternative alternatives to remedy the issue by the new setup, which only looks for solutions once. Instead of providing focused assistance, this should stop the machine from searching for answers in a sort of never-ending loop.
Following the patch, new keyboard and text cursor options may be found under Settings > Bluetooth and devices > Keyboard. For instance, accessibility, copilot key reassignment, or keyboard repetition rate.
11. Quick Machine Recovery's new default configuration
Users have been able to swiftly restore Windows 11 using Quick Machine Recovery since September. In December, Microsoft will make this option's default setting more user-friendly.
The user is prevented from using alternative alternatives to remedy the issue by the new setup, which only looks for solutions once. Instead of providing focused assistance, this should stop the machine from searching for answers in a sort of never-ending loop.
12. The widgets board's redesign
Windows 11 will launch a new, more unified-looking widgets board on Tuesday. The redesigned widgets will no longer employ a page overlay and will be more distinct from the Discover board. Additionally, notifications will show an icon of the board they are associated with.
13. Digital pens with haptic feedback
When using pens, Windows 11 devices with touch functionality receive haptic input in the form of vibrations. These come along with interacting with specific aspects, such closing windows.
Windows 11 will launch a new, more unified-looking widgets board on Tuesday. The redesigned widgets will no longer employ a page overlay and will be more distinct from the Discover board. Additionally, notifications will show an icon of the board they are associated with.
13. Digital pens with haptic feedback
When using pens, Windows 11 devices with touch functionality receive haptic input in the form of vibrations. These come along with interacting with specific aspects, such closing windows.
14. A new action menu called "Click to execute"
"Click to execute" is a new context menu available on Copilot PCs. This menu organizes actions like open, save, copy, and share. Additionally, you can access Copilot faster thanks to a redesigned input area.
15. For more portable devices, Xbox full screen mode
More devices now support the new Xbox Full Screen Mode. The full-screen experience in console design was previously limited to the Asus ROG Ally and Ally X, but it is now compatible with standard PCs as well.
With a controller in particular, navigation ought to be lot simpler and more seamless. Additionally, the option saves up to 2GB of memory and lowers the desktop's resource use.
"Click to execute" is a new context menu available on Copilot PCs. This menu organizes actions like open, save, copy, and share. Additionally, you can access Copilot faster thanks to a redesigned input area.
15. For more portable devices, Xbox full screen mode
More devices now support the new Xbox Full Screen Mode. The full-screen experience in console design was previously limited to the Asus ROG Ally and Ally X, but it is now compatible with standard PCs as well.
With a controller in particular, navigation ought to be lot simpler and more seamless. Additionally, the option saves up to 2GB of memory and lowers the desktop's resource use.
You can choose Settings > Gaming > Full screen experience to activate the mode, then restart to have the change take effect.
16. Effects for external cameras in Windows Studio
Windows Studio Effects' AI-powered camera functionality can also be extended to secondary cameras if you own a Copilot PC. This includes built-in back cameras and USB webcams.
The December patch for Windows 11 will include certain bug fixes and security flaws in addition to the new features. As usual, we'll write about these in a different piece.
Windows Studio Effects' AI-powered camera functionality can also be extended to secondary cameras if you own a Copilot PC. This includes built-in back cameras and USB webcams.
The December patch for Windows 11 will include certain bug fixes and security flaws in addition to the new features. As usual, we'll write about these in a different piece.
Post a Comment