Windows 11 24H2 Update: All The New AI Features

The next major evolution of the Windows operating system is arriving later in 2024, and it marks a distinct shift in how Microsoft approaches software. The Windows 11 24H2 update is not just a standard annual refresh. It serves as the launchpad for “Copilot+ PCs” and integrates artificial intelligence directly into the operating system rather than just running it in the cloud.

If you are wondering how this update changes your daily workflow or if you need new hardware to run it, this guide covers the specific tools and technical requirements arriving with version 24H2.

The Shift to "Copilot+ PCs" and Local AI

To understand the 24H2 update, you first need to understand the hardware changes driving it. While many features will work on existing computers, the flagship AI tools require a Neural Processing Unit (NPU).

Microsoft has set a specific benchmark for this: an NPU capable of 40 TOPS (trillions of operations per second). Initially, this functionality is launching on devices powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus chips, followed by Intel’s Lunar Lake and AMD’s Strix Point processors later in the year.

The goal is to move AI processing from the cloud to your device. This reduces latency, improves privacy, and ensures features work even when you are offline.

Recall: The Evolution of AI Explorer

The snippet mentioned “AI Explorer,” which Microsoft has officially branded as Recall. This is the centerpiece of the 24H2 update for Copilot+ PCs.

Recall acts as a photographic memory for your computer. It runs constantly in the background, taking snapshots of your active screen every few seconds. These snapshots are stored locally on your hard drive and analyzed by the on-device AI to understand the text and images present.

How it works in practice:

  • Semantic Search: You do not need to remember the name of a file. You can type “blue dress I was looking at yesterday” or “spreadsheet about Q3 budget,” and Recall will scan the timeline of your screen history to find the exact moment that content appeared.
  • Timeline Scrubbing: You can physically scroll back through time using a slider to see exactly what you were working on hours or days ago.
  • Universal Interaction: Because it records the screen visually, it works across apps. It tracks activity in Outlook, Teams, Chrome, Edge, or third-party apps like Spotify.

Microsoft has addressed privacy concerns by ensuring this data remains local. It is not uploaded to the cloud, and users can pause the recording or exclude specific apps and websites (like banking portals) from being captured.

Enhanced Windows Studio Effects

The 24H2 update expands the capabilities of your webcam and microphone through Windows Studio Effects. These features are designed to make video calls look professional regardless of the lighting or environment.

Advanced Background Removal and Filters

The AI can now distinguish between the subject and the background with much higher precision. Beyond standard background blur, 24H2 introduces three new creative filters:

  1. Illustrated: Turns your video feed into a sketched, artistic outline.
  2. Animated: Gives your video a vibrant, cartoon-like rendering.
  3. Watercolor: Applies a softer, painted aesthetic to the video feed.

Portrait Light

This feature automatically adjusts the lighting on your face. If you are sitting in a dark room with only the light from your monitor, Portrait Light uses machine learning to brighten your face naturally, reducing graininess and improving visibility without requiring external ring lights.

Eye Contact Teleprompter

Previous versions of Eye Contact simply shifted your pupils to look at the camera. The new version is more subtle. It maintains eye contact while you read notes on your screen, making it look like you are speaking directly to the audience during a presentation.

Voice Clarity for Everyone

Previously exclusive to Surface devices, Voice Clarity is expanding to all users in the 24H2 update.

This feature uses AI models to filter out background noise specifically for voice data. Unlike standard noise suppression, Voice Clarity works at the operating system level. This means it improves audio quality on Zoom, Discord, WhatsApp, and even PC games, regardless of whether those apps have their own noise-canceling software. It isolates your voice from echoes and room reverberation in real-time.

Live Captions with Real-Time Translation

Live Captions is getting a massive upgrade. The feature can now translate audio from over 40 languages into English subtitles instantly.

This is a system-wide feature. It does not matter where the audio is coming from. You can use it for:

  • A live video call with a colleague speaking Spanish.
  • A YouTube video in Japanese.
  • A locally stored podcast file in French.

Because this runs on the NPU, the translation happens with virtually no delay and does not require an active internet connection to function.

Auto Super Resolution (Auto SR)

For gamers, Windows 11 24H2 introduces Auto Super Resolution. This is Microsoft’s answer to NVIDIA DLSS and AMD FSR, but it is built directly into Windows.

Auto SR uses the AI chip to upscale games automatically. You can render a game at a lower resolution (like 720p) to keep the frame rate high, and the AI will upscale the visuals to 1440p or 4K in real-time. This is particularly vital for the new wave of ARM-based laptops, ensuring they can handle modern gaming demands without draining battery life.

General Improvements (Non-AI)

While AI is the headline, 24H2 includes several practical updates for all users:

  • Sudo for Windows: Developers can now use the “sudo” command in the terminal, a feature long requested by Linux users migrating to Windows.
  • Energy Saver: This new mode replaces the “Battery Saver” toggle. It is now available for desktop PCs (plugged in) as well, allowing you to throttle performance to save on electricity bills or reduce heat.
  • 7-Zip and TAR Support: File Explorer can finally create 7z and TAR archives natively without third-party software.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the Windows 11 24H2 update be released? The update is expected to roll out to the general public in the second half of 2024, likely between September and November. However, new Copilot+ PCs shipping in June 2024 will come with many of these features pre-installed.

Do I need a new computer to get these features? For the advanced AI features like Recall and Auto SR, yes. You will need a “Copilot+ PC” with a specialized NPU (like the Snapdragon X Elite). However, general features like Energy Saver, Sudo, and phone connectivity improvements will come to existing Windows 11 PCs.

Can I turn off the Recall screen recording feature? Yes. Microsoft allows you to disable Recall entirely. You can also manage which apps are recorded and delete specific time ranges from your history.

Is Windows 11 24H2 a free update? Yes. If you already own a licensed version of Windows 11, the 24H2 update will be free.