Hands-On Windows 170: Best Windows 11 Features of 2025

Podcast: All TWiT.tv Shows (Audio)
Host: Leo Laporte
Episode: Hands-On Windows 170
Date: December 18, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode of "Hands-On Windows," the host takes a high-level, yet in-depth, look at the standout new features and improvements introduced to Windows 11 throughout 2025, particularly in the 25H2 update. This episode is tailored for both power users and everyday Windows fans looking to understand how the platform has evolved, with an honest discussion of both major advancements and quality-of-life improvements—especially those tied to AI and Microsoft's secure future initiatives.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Windows 11’s Ongoing Evolution (00:14-01:50)

• Context: The end of a "big year of updates" for Windows 11.
• Microsoft is pushing toward "Copilot Plus PCs," emphasizing built-in powerful NPUs (Neural Processing Units).
• All Windows 11 PCs are moving towards being "AI PCs," setting the stage for future updates (26H1, 26H2), but the episode focuses on current (25H2) features.

2. The New Start Menu: Dynamic and Customizable (01:50-04:05)

• Semantic Search: If you have a Copilot PC, you gain advanced search capabilities within the Start menu.
• Configurable Layout:
  • Improved "Pinned" and "Recommended" sections.
  • "All Apps" list now on the top level.
  • Multiple views: list, grid, and a category view reminiscent of the iPhone App Library.
• Adapts to Display Size: More fluid and dynamic on higher resolution or larger screens.
• Quote:

  "The default view is this category view, which looks a lot like that iPhone app library interface… I like to put it on list, which is the way it used to look." (03:25)

3. Security & Update Enhancements (04:05-07:30)

a. Simpler Update Naming & Windows Update Clarity

• Simplified Naming: Updates are now more clearly labeled (e.g., "preview" or "security update"), less confusing for users.
• Quote:

  "They’ve really kind of simplified that. So I think that’s kind of nice. If you… got something to install, it’s going to be a lot more clear what it was or what it is." (06:23)

b. Quick Machine Recovery

• Automatic Recovery: If an update (e.g., a driver) causes issues, Windows runs Quick Machine Recovery outside of Windows to find and apply fixes from the cloud.
• Compliments 'Fix Problems using Windows Update.'

c. Passkey Support & Third-Party Managers

• Originally added late 2024; now expanded to allow using third-party password managers for Passkeys (e.g., 1Password, Bitwarden, Dashlane, Proton Pass).
• Benefit: Portability; passkeys sync across devices and platforms via your chosen manager.
• Quote:

  "Those passkeys are portable, right? And so when you save a PassKey to a third party PassKey manager… that will work anywhere you have that thing installed." (07:46)

d. Administrative Protection

• Runs primary account as standard user by default; per-task elevation using Windows Hello (PIN, fingerprint, face).
• Security Boost: Limits risks of malware exploiting admin rights by confining elevation to authenticated tasks.

4. Settings App AI and Usability (10:39-13:10)

• AI-powered Search in Settings: Enhanced for Copilot Plus PCs (stylized with blue/pink/purple highlights).
• Natural Language Search: Users can phrase queries in plain English (e.g., "dim" to adjust screen brightness) and receive actionable results directly in the search dropdown.
• Quote:

  "You don’t have to become an expert in the Settings app… I want to do this one time and I want to be done. I don’t want to take a course in it." (12:19)

5. AI Upgrades for Built-in Apps: Notepad, Paint, Photos, Snipping Tool (13:10-20:30)

a. Paint

• Major Overhaul: Now includes layers, advanced selection, impressive AI features (background removal, object selection, generating images from prompts + sketches).
• Co-Creator: For Copilot Plus PCs—combine textual prompts and drawing for rich results.

b. Photos

• AI Categorization: Automatically sorts identity notes, receipts, screenshots.
• AI Editing: Generative erase, background removal/replacement/blur, restyle (e.g., cartoon, Renaissance painting), upscaling for low-res images, multi-source relighting.
• Quote:

  "This is particularly good if… you have these old scanned photos… you could bump it up to 2x, 3x, whatever. And this does a terrific job. It’s amazing." (18:37)

c. Notepad

• Markdown support and an integrated Copilot AI menu.
  • AI can summarize, shorten, lengthen, change tone, and even turn text into poems.
  • All features (including AI and markdown) can be toggled off in Settings if unwanted.
• Quote:

  "It's pointless, but it's… really fun. This is a great example of… they're doing a good job with it." (19:53)

6. Copilot Plus: System-wide Local AI Features (20:30-24:15)

a. "Click to Do"

• Use Windows key + click to invoke context-aware local AI:
  • Summarize or rewrite text.
  • Draft content in Microsoft Word.
  • Search the web or reformat on the fly.
• Works inside any app, even those without native AI support—"It makes everything better."
• Quote:

  "This is just a fundamental capability. And the reason is it's built into the system...with click to do, because I'm running it in Windows, I get those capabilities. Like it's just automatic. I love that." (22:40)

7. Honorable Mention: Multi-App Install via Microsoft Store (24:15-27:00)

• Not yet baked into Windows but coming soon.
• Ability to queue up and bulk install free apps via a "cart-like" Store interface—a big quality-of-life upgrade for setting up new PCs.
• Current workaround: PowerShell scripts using winget/package manager.
• Quote:

  "This is a way to do that in a more visual way … It's kind of a preview of one of the many things we're going to get sometime next year." (26:45)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the pace and quality of Windows changes:

  "There's also good stuff happening in Windows... Even the ones that some people might have complained about...you know, I don't want. Why is Microsoft touching Notepad? Why are they screwing around with Paint? It's like, actually, they're adding some good stuff to those apps." (27:31)

• Closing optimism:

  "For all of the just tsunami of new features… a lot of it's pretty good. Windows is getting better all the time, so that's good." (28:05)

Key Timestamps

| Segment | Topic | Timestamp | |---------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|-----------| | Intro & Context | 00:14 | | The New Start Menu | 01:50 | | Security Improvements & Update Simplification | 04:05 | | Passkey & Password Manager Enhancements | 07:30 | | Administrative Protection | 08:50 | | Settings App AI & Natural-Language Assistance | 10:39 | | Built-in Apps: Paint/Photos/Notepad/AI Features | 13:10 | | Copilot Plus Local AI & "Click to Do" | 20:30 | | Microsoft Store Multi-App Install (Honorable Mention) | 24:15 | | Reflecting on Windows' Progress | 27:30 | | Episode wrap-up | 28:05 |

Conclusion

This episode presented a comprehensive tour through Windows 11’s most impactful 2025 innovations, especially for users with Copilot Plus PCs. The blend of security improvements, AI-powered workflows, streamlined updates/settings, third-party integration, and richer default apps paints a picture of a more usable and intelligent Windows. As the host reflects, even amidst the "tsunami of new features," there’s plenty for end users to celebrate—Windows is evolving for the better.