Windows 11 Just Got Smarter: AI Agents Can Now Fix Your Settings for You!
Microsoft recently released a new Windows 11 Insider Preview build for the Dev channel, bringing some interesting AI-powered features that aim to make the operating system smarter and more user-friendly. The crown jewel of this update is the introduction of AI agents inside Windows 11. These agents are designed to help users navigate and tweak their settings by understanding natural language prompts. Imagine typing something as simple as “my mouse pointer is too small,” and the AI agent not only guides you on how to fix it but can also make the adjustment for you automatically if you give it the green light. This cuts down on the usual hassle of hunting through menus and options, saving time and effort.Right now, this AI agent feature is limited to Windows Insiders who are enrolled in the Dev channel and who have a Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PC. The feature currently only supports devices set to English as the primary display language, but Microsoft is planning to expand compatibility to Copilot+ PCs running on AMD and Intel processors soon, so more users will get access in the near future.
Alongside the AI agents, there’s a new feature aimed specifically at users within the European Economic Area (EEA) involving Windows Recall, a tool that captures screenshots called snapshots. Windows Insiders in the EEA can now export these Recall snapshots and share them with third-party applications and websites. To do this securely, users are given a unique Recall export code when they set up the feature for the first time. This code is key to decrypting the snapshots and must be shared with the third party to allow access. Importantly, users authenticate themselves using Windows Hello before sharing, adding a layer of security.
Microsoft stresses that the export code is only shown once during the initial setup, and they do not store or have access to it. This means if you lose your export code, Microsoft can’t help you recover it. If you suspect the code has been compromised or simply lost it, you have the option to reset Recall. Doing so deletes all your saved snapshots and resets the feature to its default state. Once reset, you can opt back in and receive a new export code to start fresh.
For those ready to export their snapshots, the process is straightforward. Navigate to Settings, then Privacy & Security, and select Recall & Snapshots. Under Advanced Settings, users can choose to export data from the past seven days, the past 30 days, or the entire history of snapshots. There’s also an option to enable continuous export, allowing snapshots captured from that point onward to be automatically shared. Importantly, users maintain full control and can disable sharing whenever they want.
This update highlights Microsoft’s ongoing effort to integrate AI deeper into Windows 11, making everyday tasks smoother and more intuitive. While the AI agent feature is still in its early days and limited to certain hardware and language settings, the promise of expanding support means it could become a handy tool for many users soon. Meanwhile, the enhanced Recall sharing feature offers more flexibility and control in managing and sharing screenshots, especially in the privacy-conscious EEA region.
Overall, these features represent a step toward making Windows 11 not just a platform you use but an assistant that helps you get things done faster and more efficiently.
