Windows 11 24H2: What’s New, Requirements, and Release Date

The latest Windows 11 update, “Windows 11 24H2” (also called the “Windows 11 2024 Update”), has officially rolled out, bringing significant improvements and new features. Unlike the smaller 23H2 update last year, this version is based on a new platform version codenamed “Germanium,” offering enhanced performance, security updates, and fresh functionalities.

The rollout of  Windows 11 24H2 came in two waves:

• First Wave (June 2024): This version was preinstalled on the newly launched Copilot+ PCs, a lineup of AI-powered computers with enhanced capabilities.
• Second Wave (October 1, 2024): The update became available to other Windows 11 users, who will receive it gradually.

However, some features of this update are exclusive to the Copilot+ PCs, which offer native AI integration for even more advanced functionality.

What’s new in Windows 11 24H2

The standout feature of the Windows 11 2024 Update (24H2) is its enhanced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, but to fully experience many of these AI-driven features, you’ll need a Copilot+ PC. This new category of computers is designed to deliver a top-tier combination of performance, battery life, and AI functionality. These devices have been available since June 18, 2024, and include the latest models like the Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7.

The introduction of the Snapdragon X Series chips in these devices has been a game-changer, enabling groundbreaking performance and energy efficiency levels, making AI tasks smoother and faster.

Exclusive news for Copilot+ PCs

Windows Recall

Windows 11 24H2 introduces one of its most exciting yet controversial features: Windows Recall. This powerful AI tool works in the background, taking screenshots of everything you do on your PC, making it easy to search for content using natural language.

Recall uses a timeline interface that lets you browse through screenshots taken over time, capturing everything from documents, web pages, and photos to videos and apps.

For example, you could ask Recall, “Can you find the document I sent to Chema via WhatsApp three months ago?” or “Show me the photo of a young boy playing tennis on a grass court from a website I visited last week.”

The controversy surrounding Recall centers on privacy and security concerns. Its introduction sparked widespread debate, with many experts arguing that the feature posed potential risks in its initial form. In response, Microsoft acknowledged these concerns, announcing three major updates to enhance Recall’s security and delaying its launch until the issues are resolved.

Windows Studio Effects

With the Windows 11 24H2 update, Microsoft enhances Windows Studio Effects to elevate video calls using AI-powered features. One of the standout additions is artificial lighting, which improves camera quality in low-light environments, ensuring clearer video even in dim settings.

Additionally, the update introduces AI-powered artistic filters, giving users more creative options to personalize their video calls with unique effects. These updates aim to make virtual meetings and video chats more engaging and visually appealing.

Live subtitles

The Copilot+ PC is set to elevate language translation capabilities, offering the ability to translate over 40 languages directly on the device, whether in real-time or from pre-recorded audio. Its powerful 45 TOPS Neural Processing Unit (NPU) makes this possible.

While we’ve already seen how Live Subtitles work, the new Copilot+ PC will significantly enhance this feature, providing faster and more accurate translations without needing an internet connection, making it an indispensable tool for seamless multilingual communication.

Paint Cocreator

Microsoft has introduced another exciting feature called Cocreator, which allows users to generate images and text based on the prompts they input. What makes this tool stand out is its ability to take a rough sketch made in Paint and transform it into a polished, complete image in a specific artistic style, as the user directs.

General news for all users

The new features in Windows 11 24H2 aren’t just limited to the latest PCs with advanced NPUs. There are also plenty of updates for all users, including various small but useful new functions and a host of quality-of-life improvements.

Windows Copilot

With the **Windows 11 2024 Update**, Microsoft has decided to make **Copilot** a standalone app, presented as a **Progressive Web App (PWA)**. However, the current version of Copilot on Windows is underwhelming for two main reasons:

• Lack of deep integration with the operating system: Many users hoped Copilot would be a powerful assistant capable of recognizing voice commands and instantly performing various tasks. Unfortunately, we’re still quite far from that level of functionality, though it’s likely something that will come in the future.
• Unavailable in the European Union: Copilot on Windows hasn’t yet been launched in the EU, and there is no clear timeline for its availability. Microsoft’s ongoing issues with European regulators remain unresolved, and there are likely months of negotiations ahead. In the meantime, users in the EU can access Copilot via the web, but there’s no notable difference between this web version and the pre-installed app on Windows 11 24H2.

Snap Layouts

This feature will analyze your app usage patterns and identify which apps are frequently used together. Based on that data, it will automatically suggest relevant app groupings in the Snap Layouts interface, making it easier and faster to organize your workspace by snapping apps side by side. This smart feature aims to improve productivity by streamlining how users arrange their windows.

File Explorer

The Windows 11 2024 Update brings several useful enhancements to file management. One of the key updates is the ability to create compressed files in 7zip and TAR formats, in addition to the already supported ZIP format. While the previous 23H2 version allowed extraction of these formats, it lacked the option to create them.

Microsoft has also worked on improving File Explorer’s performance when opening large ZIP files, making it faster and more efficient.

Another notable improvement is the support for viewing and editing metadata in PNG files. Users can now add a star rating, edit descriptions, and include keywords directly in the file’s properties dialog, offering more control over file organization and details.

Quick Setup

With the Windows 11 24H2 Update, the Quick Setting interface is significantly overhauled. It will now feature pagination, allowing users to scroll through all available quick settings instead of just selecting a few that they manually place. Additionally, users can still customize the order of these settings to suit their preferences.

One of the handy updates includes a new refresh button for the Wi-Fi network list in the Quick Settings panel. This lets users check for new available networks without the need to toggle Wi-Fi off and on, as was previously required.

Furthermore, the VPN configuration interface has been enhanced with a new switch that makes it easier to activate or deactivate the VPN with just a single click.

Lastly, Microsoft has also focused on improving the performance of the Quick Settings panel. Users should notice faster response times, especially when opening the panel for the first time after restarting their PC.

Mobile link

Microsoft strives to enhance the connectivity and integration between Windows PCs and Android smartphones. One of the key additions is a new mobile device management application, which will offer basic functionalities like photo notifications and the ability to use your phone as a webcam for your PC.

However, the existing Mobile Link application will remain available and serve as the primary tool for a more advanced connection between your PC and smartphone. This ensures that users who need deeper integration can still access a robust solution for syncing and managing their devices.

Energy saving

Microsoft has revamped how battery-saver mode and power options function in Windows 11 with the 24H2 update. A notable addition is the new Power Saver mode, which applies to both battery-powered and non-battery-powered PCs.

This model is designed to lower your PC’s power consumption by reducing system performance, ultimately helping extend laptop battery life and decreasing energy usage on desktop PCs. This initiative benefits the environment and helps save on energy costs.

When activated, a power-saving icon will appear in the system tray on desktop PCs, providing a visual cue similar to the battery life indicator found on laptops (though it won’t display a battery percentage).

Furthermore, Microsoft has introduced enhanced power controls in the Power & battery section of the Settings app, continuing its effort to transition features from the old Control Panel. With the Windows 11 2024 update, users will now have the ability to configure lid and power button settings, as well as determine when their PC should enter hibernation after a specified period.

Voice Clarity

Voice Clarity was previously a feature exclusive to Surface computers with NPU chips, but starting with the 2024 update it will be extended to all Windows 11 PCs.

Sudo Command

Windows 11 24H2 will have support for Sudo, a very popular command in Linux that allows you to run processes with elevated permissions through the command line with different configuration options:

Microsoft Teams

With the launch of Windows 11 24H2, Microsoft is introducing a unified version of Teams. This new application allows users to seamlessly access both the consumer and business versions of Microsoft Teams from a single interface.

Other changes in Windows 11 2024 Update

In addition to the major features, Windows 11 24H2 brings various small improvements that enhance the everyday user experience. Here are some key highlights:

• The offline installation process now boasts a refreshed design.
• New Windows 11 Home and Pro installations will have BitLocker device encryption enabled by default for added security.
• Microsoft is testing a new “Install drivers” button on the Wi-Fi settings page during setup, allowing users to choose whether or not to install drivers at that moment.
• Several pre-installed applications, including Cortana, Mail, Calendar, Contacts, Movies & TV, and WordPad, will be removed to streamline the OS.
• The taskbar Wi-Fi icon will feature new animations while connecting to a network, and clicking it will reveal a “Diagnose connection problems” menu.
• The Task Manager icon has received a modern redesign.
• This new feature enables printing exclusively with the modern print stack, which is compatible only with Mopria-certified printers, eliminating the need for third-party software.
• The update introduces support for USB connections with speeds up to 80 Gbps, enhancing data transfer capabilities.

Windows 11 24H2 minimum requirements

Windows 11 24H2 requirements are essentially the same as those of Windows 11 since its launch but with one important novelty: the requirement of a processor compatible with SSE4.2 instructions. This will exclude processors

• Processor compatible with SSE4.2  instructions ( requirement added with Windows 11 24H2 ).
• TPM 2.0
• 4GB RAM and 64GB storage 
• UEFI and Secure Boot
• DirectX 12 compatible graphics card and at least 720p display .

Windows 11 2024 Update Release Date

Windows 11 24H2 became available on October 2, 2024. The update is being rolled out gradually, so it won’t reach all computers simultaneously. However, if you want to install it sooner, you can force the update by following this tutorial.

What happened to Windows 12?

Currently, there’s limited information about Windows 12. Microsoft appears to be prioritizing artificial intelligence and security as the two main foundations for the future of Windows. For over a year, they have been internally testing a new interface that features a floating taskbar and a status bar at the top, resembling macOS.

However, it’s unclear if these plans are still active or if they will be associated with a potential future update called Windows 12.

We anticipate more details regarding the possibility of Windows 12 being released in 2025 before the year concludes.