I’ve said all along that Windows 11 has been a work in progress, and it seems that work remains ongoing. Here then is the latest on developing Windows 11 features:
Right-Click Context Menu
According to reports, Microsoft is working on a more compact context menu. Is that not what we’ve had previously, before Microsoft introduced the bloated context menu in Windows 11?
Apparently, the revamped context menu will prioritize the most frequently used functions while avoiding the loading of all extensions at all times.
And a new “customization” feature will allow users to choose which apps and commands appear in the context menu, with options to show or hide specific actions and apps, and change the order in which they are displayed in the context menu.
PCs With 8 GB RAM To Be More Responsive
Pavan Davuluri, Microsoft’s head of Windows + Devices, has said that a priority moving forward will be to concentrate on memory optimization for PCs with 8 GB of RAM. This will be achieved in part by utilizing a more efficient memory allocator to reduce overhead across apps and components.
We all know that the 4 GB of RAM recommended by Microsoft as a minimum requirement is a joke, and even 8 GB of RAM is barely adequate.
So, if Microsoft is able to improve RAM efficiency to the point where 8 GB of RAM is more than adequate, that will certainly be a big plus for users. Especially as the price of RAM continues to escalate.
Copilot Key Remapped To Do Nothing!
You’ll no doubt be aware that for the past couple of years new PCs have shipped with a Copilot key. In fact, Microsoft has insisted that only PCs with a dedicated Copilot key qualify as AI PCs.
However, in the face of an extremely lacklustre acceptance from users, Microsoft has confirmed that it will provide options to reassign the Copilot key to a preferred app, such as ChatGPT or Claude, or revert it to the original Right Ctrl key.
Now, Microsoft has announced that it will be taking that a step further by allowing the Copilot key to be remapped so it does nothing. Yep, you read that correctly, users will be able to remap the Copilot key to do nothing. The mind boggles!
New Fingerprint Sign-In Option
Lastly, and perhaps the least interesting, is a new option to sign in via a fingerprint with PCs that don’t come with a built-in fingerprint reader. This new feature is in the process of rolling out to Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 via update KB5101684.
Of course, for it to work, you’ll need to purchase and connect an external fingerprint reader that supports Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS). I quickly checked pricing on Amazon, and these USB fingerprint readers are currently selling for between $ 26 US and $ 60 US.
I don’t think I’ll be bothering. Then again, it is a new gadget, and I’m all for new gadgets.
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