Microsoft is introducing new AI features in Windows 11 File Explorer to enhance user experience.

Microsoft is currently testing new AI-powered features in File Explorer for Windows 11 users, allowing them to interact with images and documents without the need to open the files. Known as “AI actions,” these features enable users to perform tasks such as removing backgrounds, erasing objects, and blurring backgrounds in JPG, JPEG, and PNG files. Additionally, a tool for reverse image searching using Microsoft’s Bing web search engine is included in the AI actions. Amanda Langowski and Brandon LeBlanc from Microsoft stated that these actions facilitate deeper interaction with files, enabling users to edit images or summarise documents directly from the contextual menu. Windows Insiders can access these features by right-clicking on supported image files and selecting the “AI actions” option.

The new AI features are being rolled out to Windows Insiders in the Canary Channel who have installed Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27938. This build also introduces a new section in the “Settings > Privacy & Security > Text and Image Generation” dialog, which allows users to see which third-party applications have recently used Windows’ generative AI models and manage their permissions. In May, Microsoft announced AI agents designed to simplify changing settings on Windows computers powered by Snapdragon’s Copilot+ technology. These agents enable users to find and modify settings using natural language, requiring minimal user involvement beyond the initial command. 

Categories: AI-Powered Features, File Management Enhancements, User Interaction Improvements 

Tags: File Explorer, AI Actions, Windows 11, Image Editing, Background Removal, Object Erasure, Reverse Search, Bing, Windows Insiders, Generative AI