TLDR: Microsoft has rolled out a new Windows 11 build, introducing AI-powered actions directly within File Explorer for tasks like document summarization and image editing. The update also brings back the highly requested seconds display in the Notification Center clock and expands time and language settings. New privacy controls for AI usage by third-party applications are also included.
Microsoft is significantly enhancing the Windows 11 user experience with the release of a new Canary build (27938) and the September 2025 update (Build 26100.5074, KB5064081) for version 24H2, which is rolling out broadly on September 9, 2025. This update introduces a suite of artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities directly into File Explorer, alongside long-awaited improvements to clock display options and new privacy controls for AI usage.
AI Actions Transform File Explorer
The most prominent feature in this release is the integration of AI actions within File Explorer. Microsoft encourages users to “leverage[e] the power of AI” to perform tasks such as summarizing documents and editing images without needing to open the files in separate applications. This functionality is accessible via a new ‘AI actions’ entry in the right-click context menu of a file.
Initially, AI-powered image editing options are available for .jpg, .jpeg, and .png files. These include:
Bing Visual Search: Allows users to search the web using an image to find similar visuals, products, or identify landmarks and faces.
Blur Background: Automatically detects and blurs backgrounds in images with customizable intensity.
Erase Objects: Utilizes Generative Erase to remove unwanted elements from photos.
Remove Background: Instantly cuts out a subject from an image, leaving a clean cutout.
Microsoft highlights that these AI actions streamline workflows by leveraging existing AI editing tools in applications like Paint and Photos, and Copilot functionality across Microsoft 365, directly from File Explorer. This integration is seen as a major step in embedding AI deeper into the operating system, though it is anticipated to generate varied reactions among users.
Enhanced Clock Options and Time Settings
Responding to user feedback, Microsoft is reintroducing the ability to display seconds in the Notification Center clock. Users can enable this feature by navigating to `Settings > Time & language > Date & time` and toggling on ‘Show time in the Notification Center’. This will present a larger clock, complete with seconds, above the date and calendar.
Furthermore, the update migrates several legacy Control Panel settings to the modern Settings app. Under `Settings > Time & language > Date & time`, users can now add up to two additional clocks, change their time server, and customize date and time formatting, including AM/PM symbols.
New AI Privacy Controls
With the increased integration of AI, Microsoft is also introducing new privacy settings. Users can now visit `Settings > Privacy & security > Text and image generation` to monitor which third-party applications have recently utilized generative AI models provided by Windows. This page offers transparency and allows users to control which applications are permitted to access these local Windows-provided generative AI models, empowering them to manage their device’s AI experience.
Other Notable Improvements
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The September 2025 update also brings several other enhancements, including a redesigned homepage for the Recall app, an interactive tutorial for the ‘Click to Do’ feature, a new grid view for image searches, and customization options for Lock Screen widgets. While some of these features, including AI Actions in File Explorer, were initially delayed, Microsoft has confirmed their rollout in this latest update.
