Windows 11 Version 23H2 is Now Officially Available With 2 New Features

It’s been roughly a month since Microsoft started introducing most of the features linked to Windows 11 version 23H2, and today, the update is officially ready for use. In addition to all the features Microsoft revealed in late September, Windows 11 version 23H2 now includes a couple of new ones.

In essence, Microsoft made the choice to release the features of this update ahead of schedule through a recent addition to the Windows Update. A toggle has been integrated into the Settings app, granting you immediate access to all the latest features as soon as they are released. If you enabled this toggle, you could get most of the features via an optional update, even though your official version would still be 22H2. These features were then rolled out to more users earlier this month, although they remained optional updates.

Now, the official Windows 11 version 23H2 update brings only a couple of new features and changes. One significant change is the removal of the Chat button for Microsoft Teams. Instead, Windows 11 now comes with a standard Microsoft Teams (Free) app, which is automatically pinned to the taskbar but can be easily removed if you prefer. The small Chat panel has been replaced by a Mini mode for Teams, which essentially serves the same purpose. The difference is that you can summon it at any time from the main window and move it around the screen, unlike the Chat panel, which couldn’t be moved. Teams itself isn’t going away, and this change actually offers a slightly improved user experience.

Another noteworthy addition in this update is the clear labeling of apps that are deemed as system components in the Start menu, along with their dedicated section in the Settings app. You can now locate these apps in the System section of Settings, under a new page called System components. Examples of apps included here are the (Xbox) Game Bar, Microsoft Store, and Phone Link. While you do have the option to delete some of these, it’s essential to note that doing so may significantly affect certain features of the operating system, and that’s why Microsoft is making their labeling more explicit.

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What else is new?

In reality, there are quite a few more features coming with version 23H2 if you haven’t already installed the previous optional updates. One standout feature is the AI-powered Copilot (available in select markets), which takes the spotlight in this update. Copilot is built on Bing Chat technology and can perform almost anything you’d typically do on the web, but now it’s conveniently accessible on your desktop whenever you need it. This latest update also boasts new features, including the option to adjust various system settings, such as activating dark mode or starting a focused session.

Moreover, there are a multitude of other improvements to anticipate. These include a fresh design for File Explorer, integrated RGB lighting controls, and a dedicated settings page for USB4 and Thunderbolt devices. “Lately, an overwhelming number of apps have been receiving updates.” For instance, Paint now supports layers and comes with a background removal feature. Photos can now blur the background to emphasize the main subject in your pictures, while Snipping Tool has gained the ability to recognize text in screenshots and assist in redacting it.

How to get the update?

Interestingly, the official Windows 11 version 23H2 update is also being provided as an optional update. To access these two changes right away, you’ll need to enable the toggle that allows you to receive the latest updates as soon as they’re released. Microsoft has announced that the auto-updating process will commence “in the coming months.”

The update is set to be installed automatically for a specific reason – it’s being handled in the same manner as the monthly cumulative updates, and it shares the same underlying code base as version 22H2. Microsoft doesn’t anticipate any compatibility problems arising from the introduction of new features because it’s essentially the same code, and both versions will continue to receive identical updates in the future. Therefore, there’s really no reason to delay getting the latest update, especially since it will also extend the support period for your PC not iOS17.