Microsoft has announced the launch of Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27938 (Canary), marking a significant leap forward with the integration of AI features and improved personalization options. Users will now experience innovative AI actions in File Explorer, alongside new functionalities in the clock settings that bring a touch of precision and customization to the table.
AI Actions in File Explorer
The File Explorer in Windows 11 now supports AI-powered actions. Through a straightforward right-click, users can penetrate new creativity levels with various tools specifically designed to enhance .jpg, .jpeg, and .png files. One of the standout features is the Bing Visual Search, allowing users to scour the internet using an image to unearth similar images, products, and insightful information ranging from landmarks to plant species.
Furthermore, users seeking a refined touch in their image editing pursuits can utilize the ‘Blur Background’ option, which launches the Photos app to adeptly discern and blur the background, offering adjustable intensity and a brush tool for meticulous crafting. For those aiming for cleaner visuals, the ‘Erase Objects’ function employs Photos' Generative Erase to eliminate unwanted elements effortlessly, while ‘Remove Background’ leverages Paint to provide smooth cutouts, making images pop with reduced noise.
Enhanced Privacy and Time Features
With increased control comes enhanced privacy settings. Users will find a new page nestled in Settings under Privacy & Security that addresses concerns surrounding generative AI. This inclusion empowers users with the choice to manage which third-party applications can access Windows-provided AI models, providing transparency and ensuring user autonomy over personal data.
Responding to popular demand, Microsoft introduces a substantial update to the clock functionality. Users may now choose to display an expanded clock with seconds visible in the Notification Center, adding not just a layer of precision, but also an aesthetic augmentation to the user interface. This option is easily activated by navigating to Settings, then Time & Language, and selecting Date & Time, culminating in a seamless blend of form and function.
The release notes accompanying Build 27938 elaborate on various bug fixes, underscoring Microsoft’s continuous commitment to honing their operating system. This build is poised to not only enrich user interactions but also reinforce the robust adaptability that Windows 11 offers to its audience.