Windows 11's big 2024 update: 9 things you need to know

With Windows 11 version 24H2, Microsoft is providing the latest version of the current Microsoft operating system free of charge. Every Windows 11 user can install it directly via the Windows update function. When updating an older version of Windows 11, all data, programs, and settings are retained.

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Microsoft is switching the Windows kernel from C to the Rust programming language. This is intended to increase security. The update is therefore a complete Windows update again after a long time. In addition, various programs and features will also disappear from Windows 11, such as Wordpad.

In terms of security, Microsoft wants to automatically activate hard disk encryption and Bitlocker for new installations in the future when you completely reinstall Windows 11 24H2 on a PC.

Other breaking Windows 11 annual update news you need to know:

Windows 11’s big 2024 Update: How and when you’ll get itMicrosoft reveals Windows 11’s AI roadmap: Smart search, upscaling, moreWindows 11’s 2024 Update: 5 big changes I really like (and more)Warning: Windows 11’s big 2024 update takes a long time to install

AI function Recall is no longer included

The most important new feature that was planned for Windows 11 24H2 is the AI service “Recall.” However, this function has been cancelled without replacement and is currently being revised.

Recall takes screenshots of the screen content at one-second intervals, allowing users to search with AI based on these screenshots. For example, you could use the function’s search field to ask when you saw a pizza on a website that you want to order or bake.

For data protection reasons, and because there were already tools that could decrypt Recall data before the release of Windows 11 24H2, Microsoft has withdrawn the feature and is currently developing it further ahead of renewed testing this fall.

Older hardware is being left out for good

A less welcome innovation in Windows 11 24H2 is that you can no longer have the option of installing Windows 11 even though your PC does not fulfil the requirements. Therefore, if your PC does not fulfil the Windows 11 requirements, you will not be able to update to 24H2, even if Windows 11 has already been installed using tricks.

If you are using a PC with an Arm processor, you need at least Arm version 8.1 for 24H2. You cannot update to 24H2 on PCs with older versions.

AI functions are being toned down: Copilot as an app

Microsoft originally wanted to integrate its AI assistant directly into Windows 11 24H2 — but this has not materialized. The AI assistant is now available as an app via the Microsoft Store. However, this version cannot customize system settings in Windows 11 like the version originally planned to be integrated into Windows 11.

Nevertheless, Microsoft is continuing to work on linking its AI services more closely with Windows 11.

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Innovations in the user interface and smartphone connectivity

Microsoft has also tweaked the Windows 11 user interface. The date display no longer includes the year (although this does not have to remain the case for good) and the quick access menu, which is opened to connect to WLANs, for example, has been revised and given new buttons for navigation.

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You can once again pin apps directly to the taskbar using drag-and-drop. If you use the integrated Windows backup, you can now also synchronize the sound settings between PCs.

If you have linked your smartphone to Windows 11, you can access a new sidebar instead of using all the information in a separate window. The app therefore no longer needs to be used separately.

From 24H2, files can once again be moved and copied in Windows Explorer via the address bar using drag-and-drop. Microsoft has also revised the context menu. The icons at the top are now labelled, which makes them much easier to use.

The scroll direction of the mouse can now be changed in the settings and the VPN configuration has been simplified. The lock screen can display more information in Windows 11 24H2, such as traffic information and financial news. In general, the lock screen can be customized more flexibly.

In the future, it will be possible to use your smartphone camera as a wireless webcam for Windows 11 24H2. Here’s a guide on how to do it.

PCs with HDR monitors can use new HDR images in Windows 11. If you use a Copilot PC, you even get dynamic images that react to inputs and mouse movements. Windows 11 also comes with a new wallpaper that you can download without 24H2, for example from X (formerly Twitter).

ZIP and TAR with Windows 11 and a better Teams client

Windows 11 has been able to extract ZIP and TAR files for some time now. As of 24H2, you can also create archives with ZIP and TAR via the context menu of files and directories and make more settings.

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The Teams client integrated in Windows 11 24H2 can now offer private chats and work in parallel with Microsoft Teams, for example via Microsoft 365.

Sudo, Wi-Fi 7, and better printing

The “sudo” command familiar from Linux, which allows users to execute commands in the admin context without being fully logged in as an administrator, is part of Windows 11 24H2. However, sudo is deactivated by default. You must first activate the function in the development settings.

The settings for this can be found under System > For developers. Microsoft explains how to use Sudo in the Windows 11 documentation.

Windows 11 24H2 supports the new, fast Wi-Fi 7 standard. However, this is only useful if the PC is also connected to a Wi-Fi 7-compatible Wi-Fi router via Wi-Fi. An example of this is the Zyxel BE11000.

With Windows Protected Print Mode, Windows works better with printers without having to install a driver. To do this, the printers must support Mopria.

This article originally appeared on our sister publication PC-WELT and was translated and localized from German.

Author: Thomas Joos, Contributor

Thomas Joos has 40 years of experience in the IT industry and has established himself as a freelance author and expert in the areas of networks, security, business software, artificial intelligence and operating systems. His extensive work includes more than 100 books, including publications for Microsoft Press. In addition to his writing work, Joos offers consulting services for companies, especially in the areas of security and network infrastructure. As a trainer for LinkedIn Learning, he regularly creates online courses aimed at professionals and administrators.

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