Top Windows 11 Features for 2025 Explained

AI-generated, human-reviewed.

Windows 11's 2025 update introduces practical upgrades, with smarter AI integration, streamlined security, and easier settings that are designed to make your PC more capable and user-friendly.

On Hands-On Windows, Paul Thurrott highlighted the five most valuable changes, breaking down which features offer meaningful improvements and who will benefit most right now.

What's New in Windows 11 (2025)?

Smarter Start Menu: The new Start Menu overhaul is one of the most noticeable upgrades. Windows 11 now supports customizable layouts, a semantic search powered by AI (on Copilot+ PCs), and an easier way to access your apps—whether as a list, grid, or sorted by categories. The interface is more dynamic, filling your screen better on higher-resolution displays and efficiently bringing your frequently used apps and phone integration into one place.

Improved Windows Update Naming & Quick Machine Recovery: Updates now use a simplified naming system, so it's easy to know what's being installed or fixed. Also, if a faulty driver or update causes startup problems, Quick Machine Recovery kicks in automatically, searching for fixes in the cloud and restoring your PC smoothly—no technical know-how required.

Third-Party Passkey Manager Support: You can now store passkeys in password managers beyond Microsoft's built-in options, like 1Password or Bitwarden. This adds portability, letting you use your secure login credentials wherever your password manager runs—across Windows, iOS, and Android.

Administrative Protection for Local Accounts: Windows 11 introduces a mode where your day-to-day account uses 'standard' privileges, reducing the risk of malware making changes. When you need admin rights, you simply authenticate with Windows Hello (like a PIN or fingerprint), granting specific, task-based access only when needed.

AI-Powered Apps Get Serious: Apps such as Notepad, Paint, and Photos receive powerful boosts. Paint now supports layers and AI-based object selection and background removal, Photos offers instant image categorization and advanced editing (like generative erase, relight, and upscaling), and Notepad gets AI summarization, markdown, and even creative tools to rewrite text in different formats.

Who Benefits Most?

If you use Windows daily—whether for work, school, or personal tasks—these upgrades mean less time spent troubleshooting, searching for settings, and managing your digital life. Anyone with a Copilot+ PC (devices featuring dedicated AI hardware) gets premium AI-assisted features, but most improvements are available to all Windows 11 users, especially security, updates, and enhanced app experiences.

More technically advanced users will especially appreciate features like bulk app installation (coming soon to the Microsoft Store) and passkey portability, while casual users get a Start Menu and Settings app that are much easier to navigate.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Start Menu: More flexible, deeper customization, easier app access
• Settings App Search: Natural language AI lets you actually find what you want, fast
• Security: Task-based admin access and quick recovery make Windows safer
• Passkey Support: Work across devices, stay secure without being locked to Microsoft
• Built-in Apps: Powerful new editing and AI features now standard, not only for professionals

Cons

• Copilot+ Features Require New Hardware: Full AI capabilities need a specialized Copilot+ PC
• Some Features Roll Out Gradually: Bulk multi-app install and some admin protections may not be available everywhere yet

Key Takeaways

• Most of these changes are designed to minimize hassle, enhance safety, and modernize core Windows experiences.
• Security is more robust and less intrusive; casual and advanced users alike benefit.
• If your PC is several years old, you’ll get most improvements except advanced local AI features—which may justify an upgrade.
• AI is now woven into daily use, not just a buzzword—making tasks like editing photos or searching settings much more straightforward.

The Bottom Line

Windows 11’s 2025 update doesn’t just add extras—it streamlines what matters. The smarter Start Menu, easier settings search, improved security, and AI-powered apps make upgrading worthwhile for nearly everyone. If you use specialized Windows features or value integrated AI, look for Copilot+ PCs for the best experience—but even older devices get major benefits.

Ready to stay up to date? Subscribe to Hands-On Windows for more tips and reviews: https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-windows/episodes/170