Home windows is now providing a brand new characteristic preview replace, Home windows 11 KB5022913, which Microsoft calls Home windows 11 ‘Second 2’, and it’s obtainable for eligible PCs presently operating the earlier characteristic model, Home windows 11 22H2. 

This replace is non-compulsory, and its options shall be included in Microsoft’s Patch Tuesday replace subsequent month (which is necessary), so you may simply look forward to that in the event you don’t need to faff round with Home windows Replace, otherwise you’re understandably cautious of putting in Home windows updates as quickly as they’re launched in case widespread points begin cropping up. 

Nonetheless, it does include some intriguing options like including Bing Chat to the Home windows 11 taskbar, the power to hyperlink your iPhone to your Home windows system, a Activity Supervisor that’s searchable and simpler to navigate, and way more.

Should you’re questioning whether or not or to not set up this non-compulsory replace, learn on for my picks of one of the best new options.

1. ChatGPT involves the taskbar 

This replace immediately follows the numerous flurry of pleasure attributable to Microsoft’s bulletins concerning the combination of ChatGPT into Bing. As such, arguably, the primary attraction of this replace is the newly ChatGPT-equipped Bing search field within the Home windows taskbar. 

This taskbar Bing Chat can return solutions to your queries as you’re typing, in addition to making it simpler to do issues like generate content material and start chat conversations immediately from the Home windows 11 search field. 

That is clearly a push to make the Home windows search field the entry level for Bing, however you may then proceed your search with Bing in-browser. There’s additionally added search bar customization, together with the power to return to the earlier model of the search bar in the event you don’t like the brand new one. 

It’s speculated that the elevated customization choices are probably a part of a wider effort to develop an AI-powered Private Assistant mode, which has already been examined (though not with speedy success). 

The addition of Bing to the Home windows 11 taskbar has already proved a bit controversial, nonetheless, and there are some studies suggesting Microsoft is now eradicating the characteristic, which might be a disgrace.

 2. Management your iPhone by way of Home windows 11

One other new characteristic is Cellphone Hyperlink for iOS which permits iPhone customers to entry their messages immediately through Home windows 11, and make or obtain calls through their Home windows system. 

That is much like this present functionality for Android customers on Home windows gadgets and iPhone customers on iOS gadgets, and shall be particularly welcome to those that use each. 

3. Higher touchscreen controls 

Moreover, this replace additionally has a concentrate on pill optimization with options akin to contact optimization for 2-in-1 gadgets and an optimized pill taskbar. Microsoft has been engaged on pill optimization for a while now, going again so far as the unloved Home windows 8, and this replace hones in on taskbar optimization for tablets (in addition to PCs – concurrently) to make pill use extra comfy and intuitive. 

This model of the taskbar has two modes – ‘expanded’ and ‘collapsed’ – and it’s simple to modify between these two modes by swiping up or down, respectively, on the underside of the display. There are additionally added Contact Keyboard and Digital Touchpad options within the system tray for contact optimization. 

Different new options embrace the addition of a tabbed Notepad interface, a modified Activity Supervisor with new search, filtering, and different capabilities, a brand new built-in display recorder by way of the Snipping Software, enhancements to Voice Management and Voice Entry, an expanded Widgets view and capabilities, and extra.

Tips on how to get these new options 

As I’ve already talked about, you may simply wait till the necessary Home windows replace in March, when your PC will mechanically obtain and set up these new options.

Nonetheless, in the event you’d like to put in this replace proper now, as there are fairly a couple of new interesting options to check drive, there are a variety of the way to go about it. 

Firstly, you may go to Settings > Home windows Replace and click on Examine for Updates. This could detect the brand new replace’s availability, and make it doable to obtain and set up it. 

Secondly, you may open the Microsoft Retailer, open Libraries, and choose Get Updates. 

Alternatively, you may set up it manually by downloading it from the Microsoft Replace Catalog – the Home windows Cumulative Replace library (opens in new tab).