Windows 11’s July Update Brings AI, Semantic Search, and New Paint Tools
Microsoft is rolling out a summer update to Windows 11 that introduces several AI-driven features and usability improvements ahead of the typical fall feature release. While many of these additions have already been tested through the Windows Insider beta program, they’re now making their way to general users. Some new experiences will only be available on Copilot+ PCs powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon chips, though broader hardware support is on the horizon.
One of the headline upgrades is the introduction of semantic and agentic search within the Windows Settings menu. Semantic search allows users to interact using natural language—so instead of searching for a specific setting using exact keywords, you can describe what you want to do in plain terms. This isn’t Microsoft’s first attempt at semantic search, but it’s now expanding the concept beyond files to core system settings.
Going even further, Microsoft is embedding an AI agent directly into the Settings menu. This agent will not only help you find settings but also perform tasks for you when possible. For example, asking to “change my display resolution” may trigger an automated change without requiring you to dig through submenus. If the task can’t be executed directly, the assistant will still help guide you to the correct location. Initially, this functionality is only available on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, but Microsoft says support for Intel Core Ultra 2 and Ryzen AI 300 series is coming soon.
Also part of this update is the broader release of Click-to-Do, a feature that adds contextual right-click actions to blocks of text. It’s now integrated with Copilot and a new companion app called Reading Coach. With Click-to-Do, users can right-click text and launch features such as reading it aloud with Immersive Reader, practicing it with Reading Coach, or using Copilot to generate related content, like summaries or emails.
Another app receiving attention in this update is Microsoft Paint. While one addition—a new ability to create AI-generated stickers—may feel gimmicky, another feature is far more useful: Object Select. This tool lets you isolate and manipulate parts of an image, possibly using technology adapted from Paint 3D’s Magic Select. If that’s the case, users can expect capabilities similar to those found in advanced smartphone photo editors, like background removal or precise object cropping.
Taken together, the July update offers a glimpse into how Microsoft is integrating generative AI and natural interaction into its core operating system. It also highlights Microsoft’s continued commitment to Copilot+ PCs and AI-enhanced productivity, though users with non-supported hardware may have to wait a little longer for the full experience.
