Microsoft’s operating system enters its third year in 2023 and it is a crucial one for Microsoft.
Launched at the end of 2021, Windows 11 is now one of two operating systems still in support. The other, Windows 10, reaches end of support in 2025.
Microsoft released the first feature update for Windows 11 in October 2022. The first feature drop, called Moments update, followed a month later.
It was this feature drop, and not the feature update, that introduced the most noticeable change in 2022: tabs in File Explorer.
Microsoft released the first development builds of the next major version of Windows 11 earlier this month already. While it is unclear whether 2023 will see the release of a feature update, it is clear that new features will still be added to the operating system in one form or another.
Frequent Moments updates will introduce new features in Windows 11. The first two will land in the first half of 2023 already, and rumors suggest that Microsoft is working on more for the second half of 2023.
New Windows 11 features in 2023
Microsoft confirmed some planned features officially already and others have appeared in Insider builds. While there is still the chance of delays or even cancellations, most of the features will become a part of Windows 11 eventually.
Task Manager Search
Task Manager is an essential tool in Windows 11. The shortcut Ctrl-Shift-Esc, or a right-click on the taskbar and the selection of Task Manager opens the interface.
It lists running processes and their resource usage, provides performance data, has options to manage startup apps, and displays signed-in users.
The process listings may list hundreds of processes, which makes it difficult sometimes to find a specific one. The available sort options help, but an integrated search improves that further.
Instead of having to scroll the entire listing until the desired process is found, users may type part of its name to see it right away.
Energy Recommendations
The price of energy increased in most regions of the world in 2022. Windows 11’s upcoming Energy Recommendations feature aims to help reduce the energy hunger of the Windows 11 device.
It does so through recommendations, e.g., to reduce the turn off interval of the screen or enabling dark mode.
Windows 11 users should not expect wonders from the feature, but it may help reduce power usage; this is especially useful on mobile devices on battery.
Tabs in Notepad
A Microsoft employee leaked the news on Twitter. A posted screenshot showed the default text editor Notepad with a tabbed interface.
Microsoft introduced tabs in File Explorer last year and it seems that the company plans to introduce tabs in more apps in 2023.
Notepad is a prime candidate for tabs. Many third-party text editors, including Notepad++, support tabs.
The feature allows users to load multiple documents in a single window. It is a comfortable feature that will improve Notepad significantly.
There is more
Here is a list of features that will launch in Windows 11 in 2023:
- Live Search in File Explorer that returns results as the user types.
- A taskbar optimized for tablets.
- Changes to the search field in the taskbar.
- App Folders on the desktop. These hold multiple links to apps and expand on selection.
- Full-screen widgets panel.
New features will be revealed as development progresses in 2023.
