Windows 11 may have shifted to major updates once a year, but that doesn’t mean new features can’t appear more frequently. Case in point: On March 14, Microsoft is releasing a massive “quality update” for Windows 11 that’s absolutely chock full of new stuff to play, after a surprise reveal back in February. It should start hitting PCs today as part of the regular Patch Tuesday festivities.
My colleague Mark Hachman covered everything new in the Windows 11 March 2023 Quality Update (also called “Moment 2”), then got hands-on with several of the new features. There are many new things that are simply not relevant to me, such as better AI tools on Qualcomm PCs, tweaks to the Teams native chat experience, Facebook widgets, improved tablet behavior, etc. But there are several nifty newly released features with broader appeal that I can’t wait to try, and you probably will too. Let’s dig in.
AI-powered Bing Chat search box
Microsoft
Microsoft certainly isn’t wasting any time bringing the new AI-powered Bing Chat to the masses. The company revealed the ChatGPT-powered tool just a few weeks ago, rolled it out to Bing and Edge mobile users in no time, and now it’s coming straight to the Windows 11 taskbar, integrated into the newly returned search box. However, you will need to be enrolled in the Bing AI preview to use the chat. Here’s how to get started with Bing Chat on Windows 11.
Honestly, while asking Microsoft’s AI to plan vacations and prepare meals from a list of ingredients is great and all, what I’m most excited about is the simple revival of the search box. I use it all the time on Windows 10, but Windows 11 dropped it in favor of a search button which summons a separate window where it performs system searches, adding significantly more clicks and headaches to the process. Even if you don’t care about Bing Chat, the return of the search box is a huge win for everyday Windows 11 users.
notepad tabs
Microsoft
Board all things! I’m a big fan of Stardock’s $5 Groupy software for turning each window into a tab, but it won’t be necessary for much longer if Microsoft keeps it up. By the end of 2023, Windows 11 finally File Explorer tabs have been added after years of pleas from enthusiasts, and the March 2023 quality update brings tabs to the venerable Notepad app.
Oh, and in case you missed it, Notepad was also updated last year to support Windows 11’s dark mode. chef’s kiss.
iPhone support on Phone Link
Microsoft
Android users have been able to control their phones through the Windows Phone Link app for years, but stricter Apple rules have prevented iPhone compatibility. No more. You’ll need to be a Windows Insider to use it right now, but the Windows 11 March 2023 Quality Update finally adds the ability to manage iPhones from your PC.
You’ll be able to send and receive calls, text messages and more right on your desktop, but Apple’s rules mean there are a number of pitfalls involved in Windows 11’s new iPhone support. So you’re better off using Intel’s Unison app to get iMessage on Windows. However, it’s apparently only supported on Intel-based PCs, so AMD Ryzen users (like me) still have a lot to look forward to in Windows 11’s new native iPhone capabilities.
Microsoft
Windows has offered a rocking snipping tool for a long time now, but it could only be used to take screenshots quickly. With the Windows 11 March 2023 Quality Update, Snipping Tool can now record video as well. Finally!
All you have to do is click the new record button in Snipping Tool to start capturing a video, then click again to stop. Boom! You now have a quick clip to share with friends, handily saved to a default folder. This could be incredibly helpful when troubleshooting or explaining a process to other people.
energy recommendations
Microsoft
Electric bills are skyrocketing, yo. Mine has almost doubled in the last year, and the Europeans have it even worse. Enter the new power recommendations in Windows 11, designed to help ease the burden on the environment. and your wallet
You’ll see a list of configuration suggestions in Settings > Power and battery > Energy recommendations, where you can apply them in parts or whole with the push of a button. Even if you choose not to take all of the actions recommended by Microsoft, I detest auto adjust brightness – every bit helps. Update: We’ve gotten hands-on with the new big update to Windows 11 and decided that Power Recommendations is actually the star of this release.
But wait, there is more!
That’s it for this look at five new Windows 11 features power users won’t want to miss. Again, check out Mark Hachman’s coverage of the Windows 11 March 2023 Quality Update for a look at the myriad other benefits included in this release, or wander through our look at 10 obscure Windows features that will give you they will blow your mind if you want to wade further into other useful features that are already lurking deep within the operating system.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on 3/1/23, but has been updated to include a link to our hands-on with new features in Windows 11 and to include the name and date of the final release.
