Windows 11 Features Coming in 2026: The AI and UI Evolution
Windows 11 continues its shift toward a continuously evolving platform, with several major enhancements planned for late 2026—most of them expected to land as part of the 26H2 feature update.
This release focuses on two long-standing goals: deep Copilot integration and the gradual retirement of decades-old Win32-era UI components that still define parts of the operating system.
🔍 “Ask Copilot”: A Smarter Taskbar Search #
Microsoft is finally addressing years of criticism around Windows Search—slow performance, excessive web results, and poor intent recognition—by introducing Ask Copilot as an optional taskbar replacement.
- Intent-Aware Queries:
Instead of returning a list of settings links, commands like “increase brightness” or “enable Bluetooth” surface the actual controls directly. - Copilot Vision:
An upcoming capability allowing Copilot to interpret content inside currently open applications, enabling contextual help without switching windows. - Privacy and Control:
The feature can be disabled via Settings → Personalization → Taskbar. Copilot does not index local files by default; file access requires explicit user permission or manual uploads.
📁 File Explorer: Cleaner, Darker, More Consistent #
File Explorer is receiving long-requested usability refinements aimed at reducing clutter and aligning legacy dialogs with modern Windows theming.
- Streamlined Context Menus:
Related actions are grouped under a new “Manage Files” submenu. Less frequently used items—such as Copy as path or Compress to (ZIP, 7z, TAR)—are moved out of the primary menu. - Dark Mode for Properties:
Internal builds finally show dark theme support for the Properties dialog, one of the last light-only holdouts in Windows. - Copilot Sidebar Integration:
A dedicated Copilot panel is expected to appear alongside the Details pane, offering persistent file summaries, quick actions, and contextual assistance.
⌨️ The Modernized Run Dialog (Win + R) #
For the first time since its introduction in the 1990s, the Run dialog is being rebuilt using WinUI 3 and Fluent Design.
- Mica Visual Effects:
The redesigned window adopts translucent Mica backgrounds that blend with the desktop wallpaper. - Usability Enhancements:
A larger input field, optional command history, and improved keyboard navigation. - Classic Mode Preserved:
Power users can retain the original Win32 Run dialog or enable a Dark Mode version of it, ensuring backward familiarity.
📅 Notification Center Agenda Returns #
Microsoft is restoring the Agenda view to the Notification Center (Win + N), reviving a popular Windows 10 feature.
- WebView2-Based UI:
Enables real-time calendar syncing and direct meeting joins. - Copilot Assistance:
Copilot can summarize daily schedules, highlight upcoming meetings, and flag conflicts directly within the flyout.
⚙️ Feature Summary and System Impact #
| Feature | Implementation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Taskbar Search | Ask Copilot pill | Optional; prioritizes local context over web results |
| Run Dialog | WinUI 3 redesign | Toggleable; classic version retained |
| Agenda View | Notification Center | Uses WebView2 (~100MB+ RAM) |
| File Explorer | Context menu grouping | Static organization, no AI sorting |
🌟 Closing Thoughts #
The Windows 11 26H2 update represents a meaningful shift from cosmetic tweaks toward structural modernization. By combining AI-driven workflows with long-overdue UI cleanups, Microsoft is gradually aligning Windows with modern usability expectations—without fully abandoning its legacy roots.
For users willing to embrace Copilot, 2026 may finally feel like the year Windows 11 grows into its long-promised vision.