• Windows 11 24H2’s April patch is causing some odd bugs
• There are multiple problems with Windows Hello logins
• The update is also completely failing to install for some people

Windows 11 24H2’s latest patch is causing some trouble with failures to install (once again) and also Windows Hello is ending up broken in some cases.

Let’s start with the bug in Windows Hello, which is the feature that allows for secure logins to your PC (via facial recognition using a webcam, or other methods besides).

Windows Latest reports that some users have found that the cumulative update for April 2025 (known as KB5055523) is affecting those who use Windows Hello for facial recognition with a privacy shutter over the webcam.

How does a facial login even work with a privacy shutter obscuring the camera? Well, it works just fine because the tech leverages an infrared sensor on the camera which can function through a physical shutter (a plastic slider that more privacy conscious folks use to rule out any danger of them being spied on through the webcam).

The problem is that the April update appears to mess with the infrared sensor so login no longer works unless you open that privacy shutter – which is hardly ideal.

Windows Latest found the issue present on an HP Spectre laptop, also highlighting a report from a Windows 11 user who has been affected by this bug and tells us: “I’ve reproduced the issue several times, with several clean installs. The webcam we’re using is the Logitech Brio 4k, with the latest firmware and drivers, which is compatible with Windows Hello.”

There are other reports on Reddit, too, such as this one: “Just wanted to see if anyone else is experiencing issues with Windows Hello face recognition since the latest update (KB5055523). Before, I had the camera (Brio 4K) covered and it would work fine. Now, I have to remove the privacy cover for it to recognize me. It doesn’t seem to be able to unlock with the infrared camera alone now.”

There are a number of replies from folks echoing that they have the same bug affecting their logins. The only solution is seemingly to uninstall the April update (which strongly suggests this is a problem caused by this latest patch from Microsoft).

That said, Windows Latest does offer a possible solution, which is achieved by heading into Device Manager (just type that in the Windows search box, and click on it). In there, you need to click on the little arrow next to where it says ‘Cameras’ and then you might see two cameras listed – the IR (infrared) camera and RGB/color (normal) camera. Right click on the latter and disable it, but leave the infrared camera on. Now, if you go and set up Windows Hello again, it may work correctly.

Windows Latest doesn’t guarantee this, though, and says this will only do the trick for some Windows 11 users. If you’re desperate for a fix, you can give this a whirl, as you could be waiting a while for the official solution from Microsoft. Just don’t forget that you will, of course, have to reenable the main (RGB) camera after any fix is applied.

Interestingly, in the official patch notes for the April update, Microsoft does flag a problem with Windows Hello – but not this one. Rather, this is a separate issue, albeit one that shouldn’t affect those running Windows 11 Home.

Microsoft explains: “We’re aware of an edge case of Windows Hello issue affecting devices with specific security features enabled … Users might observe a Windows Hello Message saying ‘Something happened and your PIN isn't available. Click to set up your PIN again’ or ‘Sorry something went wrong with face setup.’”

Microsoft provides instructions on what to do if you encounter this particular problem via its April patch notes (under known issues).

However, this bug only affects those using System Guard Secure Launch (or Dynamic Root of Trust for Measurement), which is only supported on Windows 11 Pro (or enterprise editions). So as noted, if you’re on Windows 11 Home, you shouldn’t run into this hiccup.

(Image credit: Shutterstock / Khosro) Installation blues

Windows Latest also picked up a second major problem, namely installation failures (which are nothing new). These seem to be happening again with the April 2025 update, with the usual meaningless error messages accompanying an unsuccessful attempt (hexadecimal stop errors such as ‘0x80070306’).

The tech site notes that it has verified reports of the update failing to install in this way, or its progress getting stuck at either 20% or 70% in some cases, never actually completing. Windows Latest informs us that Microsoft is seemingly investigating these installation failures.

There are other reports of this kind of problem on Microsoft’s Answers.com help forum (and some possible suggestions of solutions from a customer service rep, some of which have reportedly worked for some, but not for others). In the case of the original poster of this thread, the update was repeatedly failing to install and showing as ‘pending restart’ which is an odd twist in the tale.

Overall, then, there’s some degree of weirdness going on here, as the Windows Hello failures are rather odd, as are some of these installation glitches. Am I surprised at that, though? No, because Windows 11 24H2 has produced some very off-the-wall bugs (and general bizarreness besides) since it first came into being late last year.

If you’re in the mood for some highlights of the more extreme oddities that have been inflicted on us by version 24H2, read on…

(Image credit: Microsoft) 3 of the weirdest Windows 11 bugs

1. Language swap goes completely off the rails

Some of the most peculiar bugs I’ve ever seen have surfaced in Windows 11, and particularly in the 24H2 update.

One of my favorites – if that’s the right word (it probably isn’t if you were affected by this problem) – is the spanner in the works somewhere deep in Windows 11 that caused the operating system to be displayed as a mix of two different languages. This happened when some users changed the language in Windows 11 from one choice to another, after which a good deal of the operating system’s menus and text remained in the original language. Confusing? No doubt. How did it even happen? I haven’t got a clue.

2. Baffling deletion of Copilot

Last month, Microsoft managed a real doozy by allowing a bug through that actually ditched Copilot. Yes, in a time where the software giant is trying desperately to promote its AI assistant and rally support, last month’s patch uninstalled the Copilot app for some Windows 11 users. That was highly embarrassing for Microsoft, especially as some folks felt it was the first Windows bug they were pleased to be hit with.

3. See more – or less – of File Explorer

A really memorable one for me was late last year when Windows 11 24H2 was beset by a problem whereby a menu in File Explorer (the folders on your desktop) flew off the top of the screen. Yes, the ‘See more’ menu offering more options to interact with files went past the border of the screen, so most of it wasn’t visible – you saw less of it, ironically. And that meant you couldn’t use those non-visible options.

Again, how did Microsoft break a major part of the Windows 11 interface in such a fundamentally crude way? Your guess is as good as mine, but I suspect the transition to a new underlying platform for Windows 11 24H2 had something to do with it. (This bug has only just been fixed, by the way, and that happened with this most recent April update).

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• Google revealed prototype AR glasses at TED
• Those glasses are apparently being made by Samsung under Android XR
• The AR glasses are reportedly set to release in 2026

The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses have been a wild success for Meta, and it appears that Samsung and Apple have taken notice as the duo plans to launch their own Android XR and Apple XR glasses.

We got our first peek at the Android XR glasses last week during a TED talk hosted by Google's head of augmented reality and extended reality, Shahram Izadi.

The specs are a significantly smaller package than the Project Moohan Android XR headset Google and Samsung are collaborating on (via Axios) – and you can see the headset behind him on a shelf to get some sense of the size difference.

In the surprise demo, Izadi used the glasses to perform a few tasks including live translation from Farsi to English, scanning a book using its in-built cameras, and helping them find their keys using a feature called ‘Memory.’ They also pack in a display so the wearer can receive information visually, not just via audio cues.

(Image credit: Jason Redmond / TED)

Now The Korea Economic Daily is claiming this prototype is Samsung-made under the duo’s existing Android XR partnership – and it’s slated to launch next year.

While leaks should be taken with a pinch of salt we’ve heard plenty of reports that Meta plans to launch its Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses with a display later this year, so it’s not out of the question that an Android XR device could follow soon after.

What’s more, given how impressive the prototype seems to be already – being able to perform a slew of tasks in a sleek package – it again seems likely that Google and Samsung aren’t far from having a consumer-ready product. I just hope they aren’t as pricey as Meta’s glasses are rumored to be.

What's Apple up to?

(Image credit: Apple)

Apple is also keen to create lightweight AR specs, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman (behind a paywall). According to people familiar with Apple's AR plans "It’s the only thing he’s really spending his time on from a product development standpoint.”

Though according to Gurman, Apple’s glasses might still be a few years away.

Because true AR glasses aren't yet achievable in Apple's mind (according to people in the know) it apparently first wants to focus on equipping its Apple Watch and AirPods with AI cameras to achieve some of the functionality of the Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses we have today.

Given Apple’s struggles with AI on the iPhone 16 it makes sense that it wouldn’t currently want to focus on AI smart glasses, though it does feel it could be late to the glasses party considering how soon Samsung, Google and Meta are expected to be launching specs.

As with all leaks and speculation we’ll have to wait and see what Apple has up its sleeve, but it could benefit from the same advantage Google will – one that Meta lacks.

The smartphone synergy strategy

The most striking part of Google’s prototype is the XR device looks an awful lot slimmer than other prototype AR glasses we’ve seen – such as the Meta Orion AR specs and Snap’s 5th-gen Spectacles developer kit. That’s because it is apparently leveraging Google’s biggest advantage: an Android phone according to Izadi.

He explained, "These glasses work with your phone, streaming back and forth, allowing the glasses to be very lightweight and access all of your phone apps."

Because they lack their own phone brands to rely on, Meta and Snap would ideally want users to rely solely on their own standalone platform – one which they have complete control over to introduce the apps and experiences they most want to build. Control they don’t have when merely piggybacking off Android via phone apps.

Google, seeing as it runs the Android ecosystem, likely isn’t keen for people to abandon its phones quite yet.

Snap's spectacles are cool, but bulky (Image credit: Future)

So its glasses are instead designed to leverage the processors in your phone rather than a sophisticated chipset built into the glasses themselves (though we suspect they still have a little onboard processing power for simple display and camera operations).

This allows Google to remove some of the bulk a beefy chipset requires – such as sophisticated cooling and a bigger battery – to create a slimmer end product without sacrificing overall performance (at least in theory).

Apple could leverage a similar smartphone-to-glasses relationship with its own AR specs, though Meta and Snap’s third-party approach has one advantage in that they are system agnostic. You can use which smartphone you want, or you might not even need a smartphone at all.

Hopefully Google’s symbiotic relationship between its glasses and phones results in smart specs that aren’t as pricey as its competitors, as they don’t need to pack in as many components. For example, Meta’s rumored upcoming XR glasses with a screen are expected to cost as much as $1,400 (£1,100 / AU$2,200).

For now we'll need to wait and see, but Google and Samsung's smart specs look promising, and if they are set to launch next year 2026 can't come soon enough.

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• A new report claims Apple is developing two new Vision Pro headset models
• One version will apparently be lighter and more affordable
• The other will connect to a Mac for a lower-latency experience

Despite its technical brilliance, Apple’s Vision Pro headset has struggled to sweep consumers off their feet, with serious questions being raised about the future of the virtual reality (VR) headset. In spite of this potential crisis, though, Apple apparently has a plan to right the ship and get the Vision Pro back on track.

At least, that’s according to Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman’s latest Power On newsletter. There, Gurman says that Apple is working on two new Vision Pro models that could shake up the device and potentially give it a new foothold in the industry.

Neither of these models will be simple refreshes. While Gurman says that Apple had previously considered a few minor tweaks – like changing the headset’s chip from the M2 to the M5 chip – Apple is apparently now mulling more ambitious plans.

Instead, Apple is “now looking to go further,” Gurman says, with one device that is both cheaper and more lightweight than the current Vision Pro, which should make it both more accessible to consumers and reduce the neck strain that can sometimes occur after long periods of use.

The second Vision Pro in development is “more intriguing,” Gurman believes. Supposedly, this model will connect directly to a Mac, which will allow for greatly reduced latency. Some Vision Pro headsets are being used in surgery and in flight simulators, Gurman says, which are two areas where reduced latency will be incredibly important.

Addressing two key problems

(Image credit: Apple)

Interestingly, Gurman likens the second Vision Pro to a product Apple reportedly canceled in January: a set of lightweight glasses outfitted with augmented reality (AR) capabilities that would be tethered to a Mac. The ultimate goal for Apple is to create an entirely wireless pair of AR glasses that a user can wear all day, but it will take many years before that device is ready for prime time.

Still, even if the next Vision Pro isn’t as lightweight as a pair of glasses, anything that reduces its weight will be a welcome change. I don’t own a Vision Pro myself, and one of the main reasons is that I’ve heard the stories of the pain caused by wearing it for too long. If I’m going to make a significant investment in a product like this, I want to be able to use it without risking soreness after just a few hours’ usage.

The other reason I’ve steered clear is the eye-watering price, with $3,500 feeling incredibly steep when the Vision Pro is still in its early stages. I know I’m not alone here, with multiple reports suggesting that sales of the device have been very slow.

If Apple can address both of those problems, I might finally be tempted to fork out for a Vision Pro, particularly for its Ultrawide Mac Virtual Display mode. We've previously described that as a "lightbulb moment" for the device, given it gives you a massive 32:9 aspect ratio – the equivalent of two displays side-by-side. That would definitely be more enticing on a headset that's more comfortable, and also potentially not too much more expensive than buying an extra monitor.

I’m not entirely convinced yet, but at least Apple seems to be heading in the right direction.

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• The April update for Windows 11 24H2 created a mysterious empty folder
• Some advised this could be deleted, but this isn’t actually the case
• If you delete the ‘inetpub’ folder, a security fix applied by the April patch won’t work, so you need to reinstate it if you removed the folder

Windows 11 24H2 users who were confused by a mysterious empty folder appearing on their system drive after applying the latest update for the OS should be aware that this is not a bug, but an intentional move – and that said folder shouldn’t be deleted.

In case you missed it, last week Windows 11 24H2 received its cumulative update for April 2025, and it created an ‘inetpub’ folder that was the source of some bewilderment or annoyance for those who noticed it.

You may also recall that some folks advised that it was fine to just delete the folder, not an unreasonable conclusion to reach seeing as it was empty, didn’t appear to do anything, and was related to Microsoft’s Internet Information Services (IIS) web server software for developers (and was appearing for those who didn’t have IIS installed).

Still, at the time, I advised that you removed it at your own risk and that it might be best left alone – seeing as it was empty and appeared harmless (and also just because you never quite know what’s going on with Windows). It seems I was right, as Microsoft has now warned against removing the folder, as noted at the outset.

Microsoft told Windows Latest that the folder is created as part of a security fix for a vulnerability that “can let local attackers trick the system into accessing or modifying unintended files or folders.”

In its advisory for this security patch, Microsoft notes: “After installing the updates listed in the Security Updates table for your operating system, a new [inetpub folder] will be created on your [system drive]. This folder should not be deleted, regardless of whether Internet Information Services (IIS) is active on the target device. This behavior is part of changes that increase protection and does not require any action from IT admins and end users.”

In short, it doesn’t matter whether you use IIS or not, you need to leave this folder alone. Without the folder being present, the mentioned security hole will remain present in Windows 11, offering attackers a potential opportunity to compromise your PC (at least if they are local to the device, meaning they have physical access).

(Image credit: Shutterstock / Melnikov Dmitriy) Analysis: What if I’ve already deleted the folder, though?

This is an odd affair, and I assumed this was a bug when I wrote about it last week, since it seemed like a weird way of implementing a security fix. Of course, what Microsoft should have done is made it very clear in the release notes for this patch that it creates the folder and that users should leave it alone (while noting that it’s empty and harmless).

As I already observed, though, it’s best to proceed with caution when tinkering with Windows. What’s particularly strange about this affair is that there are reports in the past of this same folder being created, so maybe this was part of the implementation of security patches in these cases too – who knows.

What about if you’ve already deleted the folder? Well, in that case, you need to reinstate it, and Windows Latest is on hand with the solution (as advised by Microsoft). You need to open the Control Panel, then go into Programs > Programs and Features. On the left, you’ll see an option to ‘Turn Windows features on or off’ – click on this. Scroll down the alphabetical list of features and find ‘Internet Information Services’ and tick the box next to this, then click on the OK button.

The folder will now be recreated. If you did delete it last week, be sure to complete these steps.

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• Siri is reportedly getting more AI later this year
• It's not clear if all the delayed features will be added
• Deeper app integrations are tipped to appear

Apple has got itself into quite the tangle with Siri and Apple Intelligence, with promised AI upgrades now officially delayed and the company taking plenty of criticism for it – but at least some of these delayed features could make an appearance later this year.

In a New York Times article recapping some of Apple's recent AI woes, including internal friction over future plans, there's a mention that Siri would get certain upgrades "in the fall" in the US – so probably September time, with the iPhone 17 and iOS 19.

"Apple hasn’t canceled its revamped Siri," the article states. "The company plans to release a virtual assistant in the fall capable of doing things like editing and sending a photo to a friend on request, three people with knowledge of its plans said."

That's not a whole lot to go off – are we just getting some extra photo editing capabilities, or the full suite of delayed features? Ultimately, Apple wants to get Siri on a par with ChatGPT or Gemini, but that may not happen in 2025.

Delayed features

Apple Intelligence has been a long time coming (Image credit: Apple)

The photo editing feature mentioned in the NYT article is one of the Apple Intelligence upgrades promised back in 2024: the ability for Siri to dig deeper into iPhone apps and take actions on behalf of users via voice commands (known as App Intents).

That's just part of the picture though. Apple has also said Siri will get much smarter in terms of context, understanding more about what's happening on your iPhone and more about you (by tapping into some of your personal data, in a private and secure way).

Once Siri gets those features, it'll be better able to compete with its AI chatbot rivals. Just this week, for example, ChatGPT added a memory upgrade that means it can tap into your full conversation history for answers, if needed.

Apple Intelligence features already added to Siri include support for more natural language in conversations, and improved tech help support for your devices. As for iOS 19, expect to hear more about the software update at the start of June.

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• WhatsApp has just rolled out a plethora of new features and functions for chats and calls
• This includes zoom for video calls, scanning and sending documents directly from WhatsApp, and a new way to prioritize group chat notifications
• Out of all the new additions however, there are two that haven't sat right with users

The aftermath of Apple’s latest iOS 18.4 update is still lingering, and we’re all coming to grips with its roster of new features. With that said, WhatsApp has also just dropped its own big update, announcing brand new additions to its existing call, chats, and channels sections.

Now I say ‘big update’, but that’s a bit of an understatement as WhatsApp’s list of new upgrades is extensive, and includes minor new features such as smoother video call quality, and voice message transcripts on Channels. However there are nine stand-out features we think are interesting additions to the messaging platform, but two of them have rubbed us the wrong way.

A plethora of new functions

First of all, despite how small-scale some of the new features are, there’s a handful that could make a significant impact on your WhatsApp experience, starting with its simple pinch-to-zoom feature in video calls.

It’s taken WhatsApp a considerable amount of time to catch up to the likes of FaceTime where users have been able to zoom for a while, but regardless of the delay on WhatsApp’s part, this is a benefit I know frequent video call users like myself will reap. In addition to this new call feature, WhatsApp now allows you to add someone to an ongoing 1:1 call right from a chat thread.

Calls aside, WhatsApp has brought even more functions to its chat section. If you’re an iPhone user that gravitates towards WhatsApp as opposed to using its flagship iMessage service, there’s now a way for you to set WhatsApp as your default, provided you’ve installed the latest version of iOS. All you have to do is go to your iPhone Settings, select Default Apps, and choose WhatsApp.

(Image credit: Future)

It doesn’t stop there. WhatsApp is doubling down on its integration with your daily and personal life, introducing new events updates in 1:1 chats as well as groups, as well as a new feature that allows you to scan and send documents directly from WhatsApp on iPhone.

(Image credit: Future)

The last two helpful features that could benefit WhatsApp users include video notes (like voice notes) for channels, allowing admins to instantly record and share videos up to 60 seconds. Finally, you can highlight notifications in groups, giving you an easier way to prioritize your group chat notifications.

Overall, the new additions to WhatsApp pack a lot of value, even though some may have a slightly less impact than others. But of course, there are two other functions that WhatsApp has added that haven’t quite sat well with users – one which made quite a bad impression this week.

Meta AI is interfering once again

If you’ve been out of the loop, WhatsApp introduced a new Meta AI button in EU regions that you can’t remove from the app’s UI – leading to an uproar of angry WhatsApp users.

Essentially an AI chatbot feature, Meta’s new button in WhatsApp is a place for users to go to for a number of functions like answering questions or generating content. But the function itself isn’t necessarily what users are mad about, and it’s more to do with the fact they’ve not been given the option to remove it.

Quietly introduced in WhatsApp’s recent wave of new functions, there’s now a way of seeing who in your group chats are online, thanks to a new function that shows you the real-time status of each member in a group chat. This is obviously less of a headache compared to the untouchable Meta button, but it means that there's a lot more pressure to be swift in your replies.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a punctual text-replier, but we all have those days where we just don't have the energy to deal with our group chats – especially when plan-making goes horribly wrong, or you just don't want to reply to particular person. This new feature makes it easier for your friends and family to call you out, and WhatsApp knows exactly what it's doing.

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• Microsoft’s published a new article featuring Windows 11 tips that doubles as a prod to upgrade to the newer OS
• The trouble is there’s a baffling selection of ‘strong’ points highlighted
• There are some good reasons to upgrade to Windows 11, but none of them are presented by this document

In case you hadn’t noticed (unlikely), Microsoft wants Windows 10 users to upgrade to Windows 11 – if it’s at all possible and their PC fulfils the spec requirements for the newer operating system – and we’ve just caught wind of another attempt to prod folks to make that leap.

This is a new article on Microsoft’s ‘Learning Center’ portal noticed by Neowin which is called ‘7 tips to get the most out of Windows 11,’ and is an effort to persuade Windows 10 holdouts.

Microsoft begins the piece: “So, you’ve heard the buzz about Windows 11, but is it worth the upgrade? From productivity tools to sleek designs, Windows 11 is packed with features that make your life easier. If you’re still on Windows 10, now’s a good time to make the switch – especially with support for Windows 10 ending in October 2025.”

Essentially, the idea appears to be that it’s a list of tips which double as strong points of Windows 11. So, buckle up, let’s take a look at this collection and see what we make of it.

The initial tip is to ‘Make the Start Menu your own’ and it points out that it’s easy to customize said menu. Microsoft informs us: “You can pin your favorite apps, rearrange tiles, or even resize the whole thing to suit your vibe.” You can indeed, but highlighting the Start menu is an odd choice here, seeing as it’s a piece of Windows 11 that a lot of folks aren’t that happy with for one reason or another.

Also, customization is relatively limited in some respects. For example, want to get rid of the ‘recommendations’ section? You can’t – but to be fair, this ability might be inbound in a major redesign for the Start menu, so Microsoft appears to be listening to feedback, thankfully.

Then we have a couple of tips for rather niche features. The second point is to use snap layouts, which consist of multiple apps ‘snapped’ or fitted neatly together to enable them to be viewed simultaneously across your monitor screen. They’re a nice idea, but really something that you’ll use, or you won’t – and there are a good many folks in the latter category. The third tip, to use virtual desktops to keep, say, your work life and personal desktop separate, is something that the majority of Windows users won’t ever go near.

Then we’re told widgets are great – hmm, some folks might enjoy them, but again, they’re more of a minority thing, albeit a feature Microsoft seems unhealthily obsessed with – and we’re reminded that you can use focus sessions for better productivity (once more, most people won’t, though).

Tip six points out that you can use Windows Hello for login (you can on Windows 10, too, though to be fair, the feature is enhanced on Windows 11), and Microsoft’s final tip is to use dark mode (again, this is present on Windows 10, albeit the implementation is better on the newer OS once more).

(Image credit: Shutterstock) Analysis: Some odd choices indeed

Overall, this represents an odd collection of tips and possible reasons to hop on the Windows 11 train. There are certainly more compelling arguments to take the plunge with Microsoft’s newest OS, including better security under-the-hood for starters, and smoother overall performance compared to Windows 10.

Indeed, there are some neat features for PC gamers, such as Auto HDR mode, or DirectStorage for speeding up games considerably (where it’s supported, and that’ll eventually be a much wider array of titles).

Or what about some of the great accessibility features that Windows 11 has introduced? Or the new AI features that’ve been drafted in (some of which are for Copilot+ PCs only, admittedly, but not all of them).

Microsoft’s article fails miserably in terms of the meat here to persuade people to pull the upgrade trigger, and even rather falls flat when it comes to pointing out the bits of Windows 11 that you really need to know about for those who’ve just installed the OS and need some initial tips to help find their way around.

Of course, with Windows 10’s End of Life now looming very large, you’re going to have to examine the realities of a Windows 11 upgrade before long, anyway – that or the alternatives such as paying to maintain Windows 10 support for another year through to October 2026.

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“How do we navigate this new uncertain climate?”

• Recall has entered the final stage of testing in Windows 11 previews
• This means it could soon be released for all Copilot+ PCs
• However, the rollout will likely be a gradual one (as is the case in Release Preview testing right now)

Those wondering where Windows 11’s controversial Recall feature has got to – last seen lost in testing somewhere – well, it looks like Microsoft is readying to release this AI-powered search functionality for real soon enough.

The Verge highlighted that Microsoft has pushed out a new test build (version 26100.3902) in the Release Preview channel, and that this comes with both Recall and its partner feature Click to Do (context-sensitive AI-driven suggestions).

There are four main testing channels for Windows 11, and Release Preview is the last stage before hitting finished versions of the desktop operating system – as the name denotes, it’s the final stage before release.

In short, it looks like Recall and Click to Do could soon arrive for everyone (who has a Copilot+ PC – remember, these AI features need the powerful NPU that’s a requirement for those devices).

When Recall does pitch up, it’ll be optimized for only an initial small set of languages. Those are: English, Chinese (Simplified), French, German, Japanese, and Spanish.

For those who’ve forgotten – though that’s unlikely, given all the controversy this capability has caused since its revelation last year – Recall uses AI and regularly taken screenshots of the activity on your PC to drive an in-depth natural language search. (Queries such as: “Find that document where I wrote my packing list for holidays abroad.”)

While that certainly promises to be very useful, there have been many privacy and security concerns around Recall, which has led Microsoft to take a bunch of steps to shore up those areas. That includes the introduction of Windows Hello sign-in to confirm it’s actually you present at the Copilot+ PC when using Recall.

(Image credit: Microsoft) Analysis: A pivotal moment for Copilot+ PCs

This is exciting news for those who want to use Recall, of course, and interesting for those of us who don’t feel drawn to the feature yet, but still want to see how it plays out in the real-world.

This is Microsoft’s cornerstone AI feature for Copilot+ PCs, of course, so it’s going to be watched keenly by a whole lot of eyes. And prodded and poked at by a whole lot of security experts and hackers (white hat or otherwise).

Will Microsoft be nervous? Most likely, certainly about the reaction this is going to be met with, and how bulletproof Recall actually is security-wise, when it launches on a grand scale – although we need to hold our horses a bit on that front.

Recall will still likely be labelled a preview ability, even when it releases to finished Windows 11 Copilot+ devices. There’ll be a limited rollout to begin with, as well, when Recall formally debuts. Even right now in testing, Microsoft has said that the rollout is a gradual one, so not all testers will see this straight away. I’m guessing the speed of the rollout in Release Preview will depend on how well this last phase of testing progresses.

In the footnotes for the blog post for this new preview build, Microsoft tells us that Recall will be available in “early 2025 in most markets” which is a bit odd, seeing as that timeframe has already sailed in my book. (I’d call Q1 the early part of the year, and of course we’re in Q2 now, in April).

However, Microsoft also clarifies that Recall won’t be coming to Europe early in 2025, and that it’ll be “rolling out to the European Economic Area later this year” instead. That’s presumably due to the data regulations in that region, which has been the cause of a number of capabilities being put on ice.

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• Google Docs is introducing a new Audio Overviews feature
• Audio Overviews can read your documents aloud or summarize them like a podcast
• The tool aims to help users improve their writing and enable multitasking

Reading your writing out loud is one of the best ways to discover any mistakes or awkwardness that could use some editing. But as the writer, you might have a blind spot for your own typos or be too close to what you wrote to note where it needs some rewriting (or outright cutting).

So, if you don't always have a friend on hand to help, Google will start jumping in with a new Audio Overview feature for Google Docs.

Audio Overviews are already a part of Google's NotebookLM platform. Now, Google is sending that “natural-sounding” narration to Google Docs to read your documents aloud.

The goal is for the user to hear Audio Overviews read a document back to you, uncovering every mistyped word and stilted phrase you didn't hear when you wrote it.

(Image credit: Google)

Google is also including a second option besides just getting an AI recitation. You'll be able to hear what the company calls a “podcast-style overview” of the text, meaning just a collection of the highlights instead of every single word. For texts that are more than a dozen pages long and full of research, that could be a big help.

Alas, this isn't the kind of podcast-style review available on NotebookLM, which will generate an actual conversation between two AI voices discussing everything you've uploaded.

Reciting AI

Google claims the voices will be indistinguishable from an actual human, and if it's the same AI voice model employed by NotebookLM, that's not far from the truth. Of course, mispronouncing words, especially proper nouns they haven't heard before, is a very human foible when reading out loud. Still, that might not matter much if it also catches your actual errors.

The feature also has a major accessibility benefit as AI voices reading text have been a boon for people with impaired sight or other reading difficulties. An upgraded, more natural-sounding voice to read Google Docs would only make text more accessible. Plus, it could help anyone who just has a lot going on. You could 'read' a long report while driving, folding laundry, or doing anything else that keeps your eyes busy.

This isn't a world-shaking feature, but it's the kind of quality-of-life improvement to a widely used product, Google Docs, that AI is uniquely suited to provide. It's hard to argue that using AI to enhance productivity software to make it more adaptive is unnecessary.

Anything to streamline how you polish your writing will be a draw. Not that Google is unique in this pursuit, though, as both Microsoft and Apple have been experimenting with similar AI augmentation of their word processors.

Even so, Google Docs is the go-to for millions of people, students, and professionals alike, and this move makes the product that much easier to stick with.

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