Version 23H2 will be the next feature update for Windows 11, bringing several improvements and enhancements to the operating system’s user experience, security, and performance. Windows 11 version 23H2 is expected to be released in the fourth quarter of 2023. That means anywhere between September and December, although Microsoft may decide to surprise us with a release as early as late August. While the list of improvements is not very long, one app will get extensive improvements: File Explorer. If you’re curious to know what’s next in Windows 11, here are some of the things you can expect from this update:

What to expect from Windows 11 version 23H2

While the Redmond company confirms nothing yet, rumor has it that Windows 11 version 23H2 will introduce at least some of the next features and enhancements:

Windows Copilot: The power of AI in Windows 11

Windows Copilot is Microsoft’s new AI assistant, and it’s coming to Windows 11. Replacing Bing Chat and the old Cortana, which is being phased out completely, Windows Copilot can help you with various tasks, such as summarizing, rewriting, or explaining content, adjusting your settings, and searching the web. You can activate the Windows Copilot with a click/tap on its button on the taskbar (next to Search) or by using its icon from Microsoft Edge’s top-right corner. In both cases, Windows Copilot shows up as a sidebar on the right section of your screen, which makes it easy to use in parallel with other apps.

Windows Copilot: The power of AI in Windows 11

File Explorer’s interface gets tweaked

As you know, File Explorer is the built-in Windows 11 app that allows you to browse and manage files and folders on your computer or device. Windows 11 version 23H2 brings an improved interface for File Explorer. The old toolbar is replaced by a new header that shows you the current folder’s path, a series of buttons similar to those in a web browser (Back, Forward, Up, Refresh), and a Search field. All the other interface items, such as the buttons for Copy, Paste, or Rename, are in a separate toolbar at the bottom of the new File Explorer header.

File Explorer’s interface gets tweaked

The new File Explorer will also include a new section called Gallery, where you can see all the photos and videos stored on your Windows 11 device. You can also drag and drop tabs from one File Explorer window to another, which is great. Microsoft should have added this feature in the initial version of their new File Explorer, don’t you think?

Dynamic Lighting: Built-in RGB lighting controls

Windows 11 version 23H2 will include RGB lighting controls, allowing you to customize the colors and effects of your RGB-enabled devices. In other words, you’ll be able to change the lighting of your PC case, motherboard, keyboard, mouse, headset, and other devices, all out-of-the-box, without having to install and use bloated third-party software like the apps made by Razer or ASUS.

Dynamic Lighting: Built-in RGB lighting controls

I’m looking forward to Microsoft’s Dynamic Lighting feature becoming the industry standard, ensuring compatibility between RGB accessories from all vendors.

The system tray Volume fly-out gets new controls

The Volume fly-out from the system tray receives a small but useful improvement in Windows 11 version 23H2. It will include dedicated controls for selecting not only the Output device or Spatial sound enhancements, but also individual volume controls. The Volume mixer will let you tune the audio level of each app that’s playing sound on your Windows 11 computer.

The system tray Volume fly-out gets new controls

TIP: Did you know that there are at least nine ways to turn the Windows volume up or down?

Windows 11 Settings shows you the Wi-Fi password

Another small yet extremely useful tweak, especially for those of us who forget things, is the ability of the Settings app to show the password of the currently connected Wi-Fi. In Windows 11 version 23H2, all it takes to find your Wi-Fi password is to click on a button.

Settings shows you the Wi-Fi password

Paint gets support for Dark Mode

Last but not least, a teeny tiny change that many will probably not even notice but which others may appreciate quite a lot is brought to the Paint app. After decades of more or less the same interface, Paint in Windows 11 version 23H2 finally receives Dark Mode support.

Paint gets support for Dark Mode

TIP: While Paint is a simple application in essence, did you know you can use it for some advanced tasks, too, like printing an image or poster on multiple pages?

Other possible improvements and changes in Windows 11 version 23H2

I’m pretty sure that all the changes and enhancements I’ve shown you up until now will come to Windows 11 version 23H2. I say that because they’re all present in Windows 11 Insider Preview build 22631 (Beta), and this build uses the 23H2 name for its version.

Windows 11 version 23H2

However, although not yet present in this beta version, rumor has it that the final Windows 11 23H2 release might also include some of the following new features:

• Built-in support for 7-Zip and RAR compressed files. In other words, Windows 11 will let you extract and compress not only ZIP but also RAR and 7-Zip files without having to install third-party software. This move will spell trouble for popular apps like WinRAR and 7-Zip.
• The taskbar might offer you the option to ungroup and label apps. It’s a feature that was present in older versions of Windows but was removed in Windows 11.
• Windows 11 version 23H2 might come with a new Backup app to replace the old Backup and Restore tools. Theoretically, it will let you create backups on portable drives as well as in the cloud.
• App folders might also be a thing in Windows 11 version 23H2. If you’ve used an Android device, you know what they are: groups of multiple icons inside a single folder. It would be great to get this option on Windows 11’s desktop too!
• Windows Spotlight may finally offer support for 4K wallpapers. To be honest, the lack of 4K resolution is what held me back from using Windows Spotlight on my Windows 11 computers: Full HD wallpapers simply look bad on high-resolution displays.

That’s most of what I suspect Windows 11 version 23H2 will bring. However, as soon as more information surfaces on the web and is posted by Microsoft, I’ll update this article.

Are you impatient for Windows 11 23H2 to come out?

Now you know more about the main features you can expect from Windows 11 version 23H2. While nothing is certain right now, I bet most of the changes and improvements I’ve mentioned will make their way to the final 23H2 version, even if Microsoft didn’t make any official announcements yet. If you have any feedback or if you know more about the things to come in this update, please share them in the comments section below.