What to anticipate from Microsoft’s Windows 11 hybrid work occasion

Microsoft will reveal how the corporate is constructing Windows for the way forward for hybrid work subsequent week. A particular occasion, Windows Powers the Future of Hybrid Work, will happen on April fifth and have Windows and Surface chief Panos Panay and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. It’s anticipated to cowl a wide range of new Windows 11 options for safety, productiveness, and administration, each within the shopper and cloud.

So what precisely are we more likely to see subsequent week? We’ll possible get early glimpses at Microsoft’s imaginative and prescient for constructing Windows for a brand new world of distant work. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has emphasised how vital the transfer to hybrid work is for Microsoft. “Hybrid work represents the biggest shift to how we work in our generation,” mentioned Nadella final 12 months. “And it will require a new operating model, spanning people, places, and processes.”

Microsoft has made a number of modifications to Microsoft Teams all through the pandemic, making it simpler to make use of for distant individuals and employees adjusting to the fact of hybrid work. While Windows 11 contains some enhancements to a number of displays, multitasking, and Teams integration, it’s clear Microsoft has a chance to construct much more into the core of the working system.

A better clipboard

One of the primary new Windows 11 options we’re anticipating to see subsequent week is a great clipboard. Windows 11 already has a clipboard the place you may retailer and paste a number of objects, however Microsoft has been engaged on advised actions that you could take with objects in your clipboard. These may very well be solutions to name a quantity by means of Microsoft Teams or Skype when you’ve copied one or ship an e-mail when you’ve copied an e-mail tackle.

References to this good clipboard and advised actions characteristic have been appearing in current Windows 11 dev builds, so it’s possible it is a productiveness characteristic we’ll see Microsoft spotlight.

Tabs in File Explorer

Another characteristic that has appeared in current Windows 11 dev builds is tabs in File Explorer. This extremely requested characteristic first appeared as Sets in Windows 10, earlier than Microsoft canceled the venture to convey tabs to each app. Now it seems to be like tabs are set to return to File Explorer in Windows 11 quickly.

Tabs assist is at present hidden inside Windows 11 dev builds, and Microsoft mentioned final month that it could begin testing experimental options in Windows 11 which may by no means ship. It’s potential that tabs in File Explorer are simply an experiment, but when Microsoft is aiming to enhance Windows 11 productiveness, then this characteristic seems to be like a really perfect instance for its April fifth occasion.

A brand new Windows e-mail app

The built-in mail app for Windows 11 wants a complete overhaul, and it seems to be like one is on the best way. Microsoft has been testing a brand new Outlook app that may ultimately change its built-in mail app on Windows. Codenamed Monarch or “One Outlook,” the app first leaked greater than a 12 months in the past as a web-based and light-weight various to the win32 Outlook app.

ZDNet reported recently that Microsoft is planning to formally announce this new Outlook app within the spring, so the April fifth occasion positive feels like nearly as good a time as any.

Microsoft Teams and a 3D metaverse

Microsoft has promised to convey 3D avatars to Microsoft Teams within the first half of 2022, so it’s possible that we’ll get an excellent have a look at these subsequent week. These new 3D avatars are designed to fight assembly fatigue, so that you don’t at all times must allow your webcam. They’re additionally a part of a broader push towards a metaverse atmosphere for Microsoft, and also you gained’t have to put a VR headset on to make use of them. Microsoft will use AI to take heed to your voice after which animate these avatars accordingly.

We’ll additionally possible see a few of Microsoft’s visions for the way forward for hybrid work and the metaverse with Windows 11 and Microsoft 365. Microsoft has been constructing immersive conferences for Teams and a whole Microsoft Mesh platform over the previous 12 months, and Nadella is bullish on the metaverse.

“We feel very well positioned to be able to catch what I think is essentially the next wave of the internet,” mentioned Nadella throughout Microsoft’s earnings name earlier this 12 months. “I think the next wave of the internet will be a more open world where people can build their own metaverse worlds, whether they’re organizations, game developers, or anyone else.”

We’re additionally anticipating to see some extra Teams options and maybe further integration into Windows 11. Microsoft already has a Teams shopper constructed into Windows 11, however companies have to put in a separate one to make use of work accounts. Tidying this up in Windows 11 ought to undoubtedly be a part of Microsoft’s plans to enhance hybrid work with Windows 11.

Microsoft Edge

Microsoft has been including loads of productiveness and safety features to its Edge browser to make it stand out from Chrome, Firefox, and others. We’re anticipating to see additional additions targeted on hybrid work and productiveness.

Edge’s PDF reader seems to be prefer it’s set to incorporate some much-needed enchancment quickly with full assist for a desk of contents, thumbnail views, and much more. Reddit customers have additionally noticed the return of a Workspaces characteristic, which basically works like a digital desktop on your browser. Microsoft initially began testing this characteristic final 12 months, and the newest Edge Canary builds present that it could be about to return.

Image: Leopeva64-2 (Reddit)

Security and administration

It wouldn’t be a Microsoft business-focused occasion with out some safety and administration bulletins. We’re anticipating Microsoft to announce some new safety and administration options for Windows 11 and Windows 365 subsequent week. These will possible fall below Microsoft’s broad Endpoint Manager, which incorporates Intune, Autopilot, and Configuration Manager.

Microsoft has been on a mission to enhance safety in Windows 11, significantly with its TPM and Secure Boot necessities. A current addition is a vulnerable driver blocklist for Windows Defender, and we’d anticipate to see different enhancements to guard Windows 11 in opposition to the issues of distant work.

The Verge will likely be overlaying Microsoft’s Windows occasion on April fifth, so keep tuned for all the newest information.