What to expect from Microsoft’s Windows 11 hybrid work event

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

Next week, Microsoft will reveal how it is building Windows for hybrid work. The event, Windows Powers the Future of hybrid work, will feature Windows and Surface chief Panos Panay and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. It is expected to cover a variety of new Windows 11 features for security, productivity, and management, both in the client and cloud.

What are we likely to see next week? We will likely get a glimpse of Microsoft's vision for building Windows for a new world of remote work. The move to hybrid work is important to Microsoft.

Microsoft has made changes to Microsoft Teams to make it easier for remote workers to use it. Microsoft has an opportunity to build a lot more into the core of the operating system, even though Windows 11 includes some improvements to multiple monitors, multitasking, and Teams integration.

A smarter clipboard

One of the first new features of Windows 11 will be a smart clipboard. Windows 11 has a clipboard where you can store and paste multiple items, but Microsoft has been working on suggested actions that you can take with items in your clipboard. If you have copied an email address, these could be suggestions to call a number through Microsoft Teams or Skype.

The smart clipboard and suggested actions feature has been mentioned in recent Windows 11 builds, so it is likely that it is a productivity feature.

Tabs in File Explorer

Tabs in File Explorer have appeared in recent builds of Windows 11. Before Microsoft canceled the project to bring tabs to every app, this feature first appeared as Sets in Windows 10. Tabs are expected to return to File Explorer in Windows 11.

Microsoft said last month that it would start testing experimental features in Windows 11 that might never ship, but Tabs support is currently hidden within Windows 11 builds. If Microsoft is aiming to improve Windows 11 productivity, then this feature is an ideal example for its April 5th event.

Image: Rafael Rivera (Twitter)

A new Windows email app

The built-in mail app for Windows 11 needs a complete redesign, and it looks like one is on the way. Microsoft is testing a new Outlook app that will eventually replace its built-in mail app on Windows. The app was leaked more than a year ago as a web-based and lightweight alternative to the win32 Outlook app.

The April 5th event sounds like a good time because Microsoft is planning to officially announce the new Outlook app in the spring.

Microsoft Teams and a 3D metaverse

We will probably get a good look at these next week, because Microsoft has promised to bring 3D avatars to Microsoft Teams in the first half of 2022. You don't always have to use your webcam because these new 3D avatars are designed to combat meeting fatigue. They are part of a push toward a metaverse environment for Microsoft, and you won't need a virtual reality headset to use them. Microsoft will use artificial intelligence to listen to your voice and then create your character.

We will likely see some of Microsoft's visions for the future of hybrid work and the metaverse with Windows 11 and Microsoft 365. Over the past year, Microsoft has been building Immersive meetings for Teams and an entire Microsoft Mesh platform, and is bullish on the metaverse.

Image: Microsoft

During Microsoft's earnings call earlier this year, the company's CEO said he thinks the next wave of the internet.

We are expecting to see more Teams features and possibly more integration into Windows 11. Businesses have to install a separate Teams client to use work accounts, because Microsoft already has one built into Windows 11. Microsoft plans to improve hybrid work with Windows 11 by tidying this up.

Microsoft Edge

Microsoft has been adding features to its Edge browser to make it stand out from other browsers. We are expecting to see more additions focused on hybrid work and productivity.

Edge's PDF reader is set to include some much-needed improvement soon with full support for a table of contents, thumbnail views, and much more. The return of a Workspaces feature, which works like a virtual desktop for your browser, has been spotted by some users. The latest Edge Canary builds show that Microsoft started testing this feature last year.

Image: Leopeva64-2 (Reddit)

Security and management

It wouldn't be a Microsoft focused event without some security and management announcements. Microsoft is expected to announce new security and management features for Windows 11 and Windows365 next week. These will fall under Microsoft's broad Endpoint Manager.

Microsoft is trying to improve security in Windows 11 with its TPM and Secure Boot requirements. A recent addition is a vulnerable driver blocklist for Windows Defender, and we expect to see other improvements to protect Windows 11 against remote work.

The Windows event is on April 5th, so keep an eye out for the latest news.