Microsoft adds new features to Windows 365 Cloud PC, tabs to File Explorer
Microsoft announced several new features for Windows 11 and its suite of apps to improve “hybrid work” modes – allowing employees to use their own computers to securely access company services whether they are at the office or working from home.
Windows 365 is a big part of that, it is a cloud-based virtual PC set up for work from home or remote work. Now there are several ways to access it – you can run it as an app or treat it as a virtual desktop. There is even a way to make a PC boot straight into Windows 365 if you’re going to use it long-term.
Windows 365 is a cloud-based virtual PC that can work offline too
While Windows 365 is primarily cloud-based, it can work offline too. Any changes that you make to your system will be synchronized the next time you connect via the Internet. 365 allows you to pick up your work where you left off, regardless of whether you’re at the office, at home or traveling for work.
It seems that video conference will be continuing even after COVID. Microsoft enhanced Teams for Windows 11 with a few neat features. They improve your experience by blurring background noise and keeping you centred in the frame. You can also reduce background noise.
The Eye contact feature adjusts where your eyes are looking at for a more natural conversation, a necessary kludge until under display cameras become more common. All of this will arrive on Qualcomm-powered devices first and they will leverage the Snapdragon NPU to do the processing.
Microsoft also works on Live Captions. This will be a great tool for the hard-of-hearing and deaf, and those who are still learning new languages. You can now use Live Captions with any app on Windows.
The File Explorer is finally getting a much-awaited productivity booster – tabs. This feature was originally planned for Windows 10, but was eventually canceled. The tabs allow you to organize Explorer windows. Additionally, the file manager offers context-sensitive suggestions and will surface relevant files (local or ones from the cloud) by using contextually sensitive tags.
Favorites is a new tool in File Explorer. Marking a folder or file as “favorite”, will add it to Explorer’s main screen. It joins existing Quick Access, Recent documents and other features in Explorer.
There are many other new features that will improve the experience for individuals and companies alike. Below is a short video that runs through the highlights, you can also read more here and here.