Top 6 Windows 11 Upgrades in August 2025: AI Agents to New BSOD Designs

New Features Coming to Windows 11 in August

Microsoft has announced that several new features are set to arrive on Windows 11, with the rollout beginning now. While most users will not see these updates until later this month, there is a way to access them earlier. To gain early access, make sure the "Get the latest updates as they become available" option is enabled in Windows Update. This ensures you receive the latest versions of the features as Microsoft rolls them out. All of these features should be generally available by the end of August.

Copilot Vision

Copilot Vision for Windows 11 is a feature built directly into the Copilot app. It allows the AI assistant to see what you're viewing on your desktop. When enabled, Copilot Vision can engage in real-time conversations about projects, videos, or websites you're interacting with. Microsoft describes it as a productivity tool that offers tips, suggestions, and insights based on your activities. You can choose to share individual app windows, browser tabs, or your entire desktop, making it easier to switch contexts and have Copilot follow along.

Copilot Vision can also highlight areas of an application that it recommends clicking if you need help completing a task or finding something on a website. However, it's currently only available to users in the United States, with plans to expand to more regions in the coming months.

AI Agent in Settings

In August, Microsoft will begin rolling out a feature called "Windows' first AI agent." This feature is exclusive to Copilot+ PCs and transforms the search box in the Windows Settings app into a command line that uses natural language. You can ask the AI assistant to change settings on your PC simply by typing a request. For example, if you want to make your cursor larger, just type "make my cursor larger," and the AI will guide you to the relevant setting.

This feature is particularly useful for users who may not know where to find specific settings. It streamlines the process of adjusting settings, such as enabling quiet hours or turning on Bluetooth, by allowing you to ask the Settings app to handle it for you. The feature is initially available on Copilot+ PCs with a Snapdragon processor, with support for Intel and AMD Copilot+ PCs coming later. However, all PCs will see the updated search bar UI at the top center of the Settings app.

Relight in Photos

Relight in Photos uses on-device AI to enhance photos with studio-grade lighting effects. It allows users to add up to three virtual light sources and move them around a photo, applying different lighting styles to change how the image looks. There are built-in presets like Studio Portrait and Cinematic Glow, as well as custom sliders for fine-tuning your own style. This feature is exclusive to Copilot+ PCs and is currently available only on Snapdragon devices, with Intel and AMD Copilot+ PCs receiving access later.

Object Select in Paint

Object Select in Paint uses AI to identify objects in an image, making it easy to isolate and cut out specific items for use elsewhere. Microsoft calls it a smart selection tool that simplifies the process of cutting out elements from a photo. Paint is also gaining a new sticker generator feature that lets users create custom stickers by typing a prompt into the built-in AI generator. These stickers are only usable within the Paint app itself, allowing users to add them to a canvas within the app. Both features are Copilot+ exclusive and available on all three platforms: Snapdragon, Intel, and AMD.

Perfect Screenshot in Snipping Tool

Microsoft is enhancing the Snipping Tool app on Windows 11 with a new feature called "Perfect Screenshot." This feature uses AI to automatically crop a selected region of the screen, ensuring that only the subject matter you want is included in the screenshot. For example, if you want to capture an app window without the background wallpaper, the feature will automatically crop the image to show just the app window. This small addition can save time by eliminating the need to manually crop screenshots in other apps.

The Snipping Tool is also getting a built-in color picker, which allows users to check the hex code of a color they see online without needing third-party tools. This feature is available on all Copilot+ platforms, including Snapdragon, Intel, and AMD.

Quick Machine Recovery

Microsoft is also updating the BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) and recovery screens on Windows 11 in August. The new BSOD replaces the iconic blue screen with a simplified black screen that displays an error message. The new design is faster, reducing the time the screen appears from 40 seconds to around 2 seconds. The goal is to boot the machine into recovery mode as quickly as possible so that Windows can attempt to recover itself faster.

Additionally, Microsoft is introducing a new feature called Quick Machine Recovery. This mechanism automatically detects, troubleshoots, and restores the OS to a bootable state if the PC enters a boot loop.