By
Delia
/ Last update
December 10, 2024
Microsoft has announced that it will be pushing new features to Windows 11 systems via Experience Packs starting next month (February). This is largely due to the new modular design of Windows, which allows Microsoft to release new features and updates to existing features faster through Experience Packs and the Microsoft Store, rather than having to wait for system updates.
New microphone mute button
In February, Microsoft will release a new Experience Pack that can be easily downloaded and installed to enable additional features. one of the new features in the big February update for Windows 11 is the ability to mute and unmute on the taskbar, which was tested in a previous development channel.
This feature was originally teased at the June 2021 event and is designed to eliminate the need to switch back and forth between video conferencing applications. Currently, the taskbar microphone mute/unmute toggle in Windows 11 only supports Microsoft Teams, but support for more apps may be added in the future.
Run Android apps natively
The next update is most important for Android Apps support on Windows 11. Microsoft first began testing Windows Subsystem for Android on Windows 11 with testers in October 2021, a feature that allows a limited number of apps to be installed from Amazon's App store. While there are currently multiple workarounds to get the Google App Store running on Windows 11, Microsoft does not officially support this, and the release of Experience Packs next month will open it up to more users.
Panay said this will be a "public preview," indicating that the feature will still be in beta when it's widely pushed next month.
What's more
The upcoming Windows 11 release next month will also include the return of the weather widget to the taskbar, a feature that Microsoft began testing last month. Microsoft is also redesigning its Notepad and Media Player apps, both of which include a dark mode and design tweaks that more closely resemble Windows 11.