Microsoft released a blog today announcing that Windows 11 will push the KB5030310 optional update to 22H2 users, bringing a number of functional improvements. This update is the Moment 4 update previously announced by Microsoft. If users do not update manually now, Microsoft will force push it in the subsequent 23H2.
The Moment 4 update includes a number of important and long-awaited improvements, such as the official launch of the AI assistant Copilot, a new icon on the taskbar, a redesigned volume mixer, file explorer improvements, etc.
The official introduction is as follows:
Introducing Copilot in Windows – a smart assistant at your fingertips
Microsoft is harnessing the power of AI to help users work, create and play with a preview of Copilot in Windows. It is designed to speed up tasks, save users time, and also provide users with personalized answers, inspiration, and task assistance.
Users can find the Copilot icon on the taskbar or simply press WIN + C to launch Copilot in Windows using the same Microsoft account or Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) account they used to log in on Windows.
Unleash creativity with AI-enhanced tools in Paint
Microsoft announced that it is updating its most popular built-in apps, such as Paint, Snipping Tool, Photos, and more, with AI features optimized for digital creation.
Microsoft brings layers and intuitive background removal to Paint. Additionally, a preview version of Paint Cocreator will begin to be available to Windows Insiders and will be generally available to all users in the coming weeks.
Cocreator simply enters a text prompt, selects a style, and generates the image. Users can then further refine their creations using a range of other tools within Paint.
Save time and create videos easily with Microsoft Clipchamp
Clipchamp helps users easily create videos through enhanced AI tools such as Auto Compose. By asking a few simple questions about the type of video, Clipchamp can provide users with recommended scenes, clips, and narratives.
Once the work is complete, users can easily save it to OneDrive or Google Drive, send it to social channels such as TikTok, Instagram and LinkedIn, or upload it to YouTube.
Snipping tool AI upgrade
Earlier this year, Microsoft announced the addition of screen recording functionality to its Snipping Tool. Now, in addition to recording on-screen visuals, users can also capture sounds using audio and microphone, all within the Snipping Tool.
To use the screen recording feature, just press Win + Shift + R or Print Screen. In addition, to help further simplify users’ workflow using the Snipping Tool, Microsoft has introduced two new text operations – text extraction and editing.
Whether you need to extract specific content from an online article, a video call, or any other source, users can use Text Extraction to scan text and copy it directly into other documents.
Text editing allows users to completely black out any text they don’t want to appear, such as an email address or a class of information in a screenshot. Quick editing maintains privacy faster without any manual action.
Easily find and edit favorite photo memories
Microsoft has added several new features to the Photos app to make it easier to find, share and edit photos.
First, Microsoft is rolling out background blur and enhanced search capabilities in the Photos app. Looking for a favourite set of photos from your trip but can’t quite remember where to put them? Enhanced search capabilities can find specific photos saved in OneDrive.
Just enter keywords and objects in the image to quickly find the photos and memories you’re looking for. Whether searching by object, location, or date, the Photos app streamlines the process and instantly presents users with relevant photos.
Background blur provides users with an easy way to enhance image resolution and achieve blur effects. Additionally, when users are ready to share their photos, the new slideshow feature gives users an easy way to relive those memories and share them with friends and family.
Windows backup
With Windows Backup, users can select preferred backup options for most files, apps, settings, and credentials. When users move to a new Windows 11 computer, they can choose to log in with a Microsoft account and restore the contents of any backed-up computer directly from the cloud.
Windows Backup will ensure everything is where it was on your old PC, but there’s only 5GB of free cloud storage, which can be increased by upgrading to a Microsoft 365 subscription.
Voice access extension
Tools such as voice access allow users to set up and control their computers based on their needs, for example. Starting today, Voice Access is available in more places, including during sign-in, so users can start using voice from the first step.
Users can now also dictate complex and non-standard words with a new spelling experience, and a correction feature will fix incorrectly recognized words.
Natural language in Narrator
Last year, Microsoft introduced three new voices for Narrator. Now, these three voices are being expanded to support more languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and English (UK, Indian). To start using Narrator, you can press the Win + Ctrl + Enter shortcut key.
Security function
Microsoft has introduced more security features for Windows 11 users, such as Passkeys, Smart App Control, and Adaptive Dimming.
By integrating Passkeys, Windows 11, and Windows Hello, it will be harder for hackers to steal users’ passwords. Passkeys is the cross-platform future of secure login management and eliminates the need for passwords. Passkeys creates a unique, unguessable credential and allows users to log in using their face, fingerprint, or device PIN. Passkeys on Windows 11 works with multiple browsers, including Edge, Chrome, Firefox, and more.
Microsoft also introduced a way to adaptively adjust brightness to save energy. If a user’s computer presence sensor detects that the user is no longer paying attention, it slowly dims the screen and saves energy. This can also serve as an alert to refocus, keeping the user focused at all times.
Starting today, users with a computer that has this sensor can enable this feature in Settings.
For business users, Windows Hello for Business protects user identities by eliminating the need for passwords from the start. IT managers can now set policies for Microsoft Entra ID-joined PCs to eliminate password requirements when accessing protected corporate resources. Once the policy is set, it will remove passwords for device unlocks and in-session authentication schemes.
Supporting IT professionals with Config Refresh
Config Refresh is designed to allow settings in PolicyCSP on Windows 11 devices to reset every 90 minutes by default, or every 30 minutes as needed. Also, Config Refresh can be “paused” for a period of time and then re-enabled in situations where the help desk may need to reconfigure the PC when troubleshooting. Config Refresh is available to Windows Insiders starting today and will be rolled out to all users soon.
Protect apps with Intune
Another feature designed to help deal with malicious apps is Intune with App Control for Business (formerly Windows Defender App Control). Many organizations view Application Control as one of the most effective defences against executable-based malware. With this feature, employees will only be able to run trusted applications, providing a more secure PC environment for employees.
Windows 365 Boot simplifies access to Windows 365 cloud computers
Windows 365 empowers a more agile workforce with a fully managed solution that securely transfers a user’s Windows experience, including personalized apps, content, and settings, from the Microsoft cloud to any device on a Windows 365 cloud computer.
Microsoft released a preview version of Windows 365 Boot in May, and today it has been officially released. Windows 365 Boot allows employees to log directly into their Windows 365 cloud computer and designate it as the primary Windows experience on their device. This means that when they power on their device, Windows 365 Boot will take them to the Windows 11 login experience and directly to the cloud computer without any additional steps, saving time and ensuring security.
Seamless switching between PC and cloud PC
It’s easier than ever for users to securely access their personalized apps, content, data and settings on any device they choose to use through familiar swipe gestures, shortcut keys or a simple click on the taskbar.
Mobile Application Management (MAM) for Windows
In addition to employees switching between local and cloud computers, businesses sometimes want to give employees access to company information on personal computers while balancing their security needs.
Whether employees need to borrow a family member’s computer to quickly edit a Word document or write time-consuming emails on their phone, Windows Mobile App Management makes it possible. Employees can now access organizational resources through Microsoft Edge from unmanaged devices, while giving IT control over the conditions under which resources are accessed.
File Explorer and Start Menu introduce AI support
Microsoft is bringing AI-powered recommendations to File Explorer and Start Menu for enterprise customers running Windows PCs in their organizations. These suggestions are designed to help users quickly find the most relevant files based on usage.
Instant Games launched in the Microsoft Store for Windows
Starting today, users can experience Instant Games in preview, enter directly from the Microsoft Store on Windows and instantly play casual games without downloading and installing on a Windows device. Microsoft works with game publishers to bring this experience to our collection of casual games.
In addition, users can select specific drives and game installation locations to organize their game library the way they like and a Game Pass subscription page has been added.
To expand the user experience, Microsoft is redesigning collections, delivering performance improvements and delivering richer search engine results on the web version of the Microsoft Store, giving users new ways to discover more content on their Windows devices.
More details improved
- New Outlook on Windows – A new Settings home tab is available for free on any Windows device, where users can manage all Microsoft account services, storage and recommended settings.
- Automatic colour management improves colour accuracy and better gradients.
- Improved volume mixer in Quick Settings, allowing audio to be customized on a per-app basis.
- Dynamic Lighting Dynamic Lighting is now generally available.
- Build 2023 are now generally available. Developer tools announced at
- Dev Home – a productivity companion for Windows developers, and Dev Drive, a new storage volume that delivers performance and security for developer workloads.
- WinGet Configuration – Provides fast and reliable machine setup.
- New experimental features in the Linux subsystem, such as automatic memory reclamation, disk space reclamation, and new networking modes.
