Microsoft is experimenting with a new feature called “Actions” within the Settings app of the latest Windows 11 preview build. This feature aims to expand the capabilities of various applications, offering users access to more advanced functionalities directly within the OS.
This “Actions” menu was initially hidden in the 26120.3576 build for the Dev Channel. However, tech enthusiasts quickly discovered and shared details about its functionality on Windows forums. Currently, the supported apps include Photos and Paint. Enabling “Actions” unlocks useful tasks that enhance the capabilities of these applications.
Actions Settings in Windows 11 preview build
To access these settings in the Windows 11 preview, navigate to Settings > Apps > Actions. Here, you’ll find options for Photos, including “Blur background,” “Erase objects,” and “Visual Search with Bing.” For Paint, the available action is “Remove background.”
These advanced editing features aren’t typically found in the standard versions of these Microsoft applications. The “Actions” settings seem connected to the “Click To Do” intelligent text actions feature mentioned in the preview build’s feature log.
“Click To Do,” according to Windows Central, is exclusive to Copilot PCs. This suggests that “Actions” will likely be associated with upcoming AI-powered PCs as well. “Click To Do” offers similar functionality to “Actions” but is accessed by highlighting text and right-clicking to open a context menu on AMD and Intel-powered PCs.
Microsoft plans to release several Copilot+ features starting in May, including “Recall,” “To Do,” and “AI in Windows Search.” More “proactive” Copilot features are expected later this year.
There’s no guarantee that “Actions” will become a public feature. However, if it does, it would integrate some of these AI-powered functionalities, similar to “Click To Do,” at the operating system level. These features require Copilot+ PCs with an NPU capable of processing at least 40 TOPS.
While the current Windows 11 preview only showcases two applications, there’s potential for integrating other apps, including third-party ones, into the “Actions” settings. This could lead to even more dynamic and powerful functionalities.
