/industry-wired/media/agency_attachments/2024/12/04/2024-12-04t130344212z-iw-new.png)
/industry-wired/media/agency_attachments/2024/12/04/2024-12-04t130332454z-iw-new.jpg)
/industry-wired/media/media_files/2025/05/08/VG2Puj3WkliDGqoq316d.jpg)
/industry-wired/media/media_files/2025/05/08/VG2Puj3WkliDGqoq316d.jpg)
Microsoft Introduces AI Assistant in Windows 11 Settings — AI in File Explorer and Photos App? Hidden Upgrades Are More Powerful Than You Think
Microsoft has taken a bold step in simplifying Windows 11 management with the introduction of its new AI assistant embedded directly in the Settings app. Designed to enhance the user experience, this AI tool makes navigating, configuring, and troubleshooting a PC as easy as speaking or typing a command.
Streamlining User Interaction with Natural Language
It is no longer necessary to scroll through a long list of settings and menus. Gently commanding the assistant in a few words will make the AI change specific settings: To change a mouse pointer size, or to activate voice control for the entire system. The AI may either walk the user through the necessary steps or, with their permission, take care of the changes itself.
Availability and Expansion to Broader Systems
The new AI assistant is currently available to testers in the Windows Insider Program on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs. Soon, a rollout is planned to bring the feature to x86-based systems by Intel and AMD, thus giving a larger pool of users a much more humanized experience.
It lets the user query and request things in natural language as opposed to searching for them manually.
Troubleshooting Capabilities for Common Issues
One of the standout features of this AI assistant is its ability to troubleshoot common issues. For example, if users encounter problems with system performance or configuration, the AI can detect the issue and propose solutions, reducing frustration and the need for technical expertise.
AI Integration Across Other Windows 11 Apps
This innovation is part of a bigger strategy to integrate AI into other aspects of Windows 11. Microsoft is working on enhancing various apps, including the Photos app, which will gain dynamic lighting adjustments for Copilot+ devices.
File Explorer will offer AI actions that allow one to summarize or edit files directly from the context menu. The Snipping Tool will also be improved further with enhanced cropping and a new text extraction feature for images and screenshots.
Advancing Copilot with "Copilot Vision"
In addition, Microsoft is advancing its Copilot assistant with the introduction of "Copilot Vision," which allows it to analyze shared app or browser windows.
This addition goes beyond text-based input for the AI assistant, providing a richer, more context-aware level of assistance to the users.
Transforming Windows 11 into an Intelligent Tool
Rolling out on the spot, the feature will efficiently assist users to handle their systems. With such an AI-based assistant, Windows 11 is beyond the operating system—it is the smartest, user-friendly tool.
The integration of AI means less time looking for settings for users and more time getting things done.