Windows 11 22H2 replace: Everything you need to know

Windows 11 used to be first launched in October 2021, however it hasn’t stayed the similar for lengthy since then.

Microsoft started including new options inside an issue of weeks, with probably the most important vary of capability added in a February replace. That’s in spite of the corporate saying that Windows 11 would obtain just one characteristic replace according to yr – the similar as you’ll to find on macOS.

Indeed, it looks as if model 22H2 would be the greatest Windows 11 replace but. Microsoft has printed a number of key options which might be at the means, and an early construct is already to be had to take a look at. Here’s the whole thing you need to know.

When will Windows 11’s 2022 characteristic replace be launched?

Shortly after Windows 11 used to be introduced, Microsoft printed that the brand new OS would simplest be getting characteristic updates every year.

That used to be all the time most likely to be in the second one part of the yr, so it used to be no wonder to see the replace branded as ’22H2′. That suggests it’ll be launched between July and December, despite the fact that a extra explicit unlock date hasn’t been showed.

But Microsoft’s {hardware} compatibility information for the 22H2 replace, which is helping builders get their apps in a position for the brand new model, has a time limit for brand new drivers to be submitted as 5 September. It’s logical to assume the replace received’t be to be had to the general public till after this date, creating a September or October unlock most likely.

Windows Latest believes it’ll be the latter. Author Mayank Parmar mentions that unlock window in articles from May and June, however Windows Central stays extra imprecise, suggesting it might be both.

Since 7 June 2022, model 22H2 has been to be had within the Release Preview Channel of the Windows Insider Program. Anyone with a Windows 11 software can enroll, so it’s conceivable to set up the replace early if you’d like.

Microsoft even by accident launched the replace to Windows 10 customers with incompatible {hardware}, however you shouldn’t obtain it.

As used to be the case with Windows 10, be expecting Microsoft to regularly throttle up availability so as to arrange call for. Unlike the preliminary rollout of Windows 11, there most likely received’t be a means for all appropriate units to get the overall model right away.

How to get the Windows 11 22H2 replace early

Since launching in 2014, the Windows Insider Program has allowed customers to take a look at new Windows options forward of time. Microsoft has steadily launched early Windows 11 builds right here since June 2021, so it’s where to be if you need to check out the 22H2 replace prior to any person else – it’s to be had within the Release Preview Channel at the moment.

If you’ve by no means signed up prior to, it’s simple to get began. Just head to insider.home windows.com and check in with the similar Microsoft account you use to your Windows 11 software. Then open Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program and click on ‘Get began’. Follow the directions right here, ensuring you hyperlink the related account and make a selection the Release Preview Channel.

But shifting to the Beta/Dev channels or opting out utterly is understated. Just head to Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program over again. Then, simply click on the drop-down subsequent to ‘Choose your Insider settings’ or ‘Leave the insider program’ and observe the directions.

Learn extra in our separate article: How to set up the Windows 11 22H2 replace early

(*11*)Will all current Windows 11 {hardware} be appropriate with the 22H2 replace?

Almost indubitably, sure. Microsoft controversially up to date the
{hardware} necessities for Windows 11, except for numerous older {hardware}. Security used to be cited as the primary reason why, with options comparable to TPM (Trusted Platform Module) 2.0, Secure Boot and virtualization-based safety all carried out as usual.

It can be very sudden to see extra units culled for an annual characteristic replace, until critical {hardware} vulnerabilities are found out. However, if you’ve downloaded Windows 11 on a tool that’s now not formally supported via Microsoft, the location is much less transparent. Current availability of safety updates is a superb information, however there’s no ensure the 22H2 replace will arrive in a well timed means.

There’s some recommendation simplest SSDs might be appropriate quickly, however that’s much more likely to be offered within the 23H2 replace.

What new options will the Windows 11 22H2 replace deliver?

Various upcoming Windows 11 options had been mooted, however it’s now not transparent which is able to make their means into the 22H2 characteristic replace.

The primary supply of knowledge is Microsoft itself, which has teased new options at more than a few issues in contemporary months. We will also be maximum assured in regards to the bulletins at its Hybrid Work match in April 2022, which come with folders within the Start menu, new accessibility options and File Explorer tabs. However, the latter is being examined independently of different key 22H2 options within the Beta Channel.

Back in February 2022, the corporate started checking out extra new options with participants of the Windows Insider Program. These come with new contact gestures and the go back of drag-and-drop give a boost to to the taskbar (after it used to be got rid of with the creation of Windows 11). Both are anticipated to arrive within the 22H2 replace.

Indeed, a Windows Central article from identical month suggests all the following might be arriving within the replace:

• App folders in Start menu
• Resizable pinned space in Start menu
• System Tray updates
• Focus Assist integration with Notification Center
• New “highlight” wallpaper characteristic
• New Voice Access accessibility characteristic
• New gestures and animations for contact customers
• New minimised Taskbar interface for tablets
• New Task Manager app
• Better OneDrive integration with File Explorer

A next article, additionally written via Zac Bowden, suggests the next are at the means too:

• Return of taskbar drag and drop
• New “Live Captions” accessibility characteristic
• New snap layouts bar when shifting app home windows
• New “Suggested Actions” when copying dates or numbers
• File Explorer tabs and pinned information
• Several different minor UI enhancements and consistency updates
• Windows Shell enhancements
• New Settings pages – Microsoft Account, Family Safety
• Windows Update will also be timed with native electrical energy call for to minimise emissions
• New Clipchamp and Family Safety apps

Microsoft could also be obviously prepared to make Windows 11 paintings higher on tablets. New gestures will supposedly let you swipe up from the ground of the show to temporarily get entry to the Start menu or Quick Settings. This will most likely paintings in tandem with the choice to conceal the taskbar when the usage of as a tablet, a characteristic that’s disabled in a separate Insider construct.

Another characteristic first exposed there may be wallpaper stickers. This will permit you to customize your desktop background with numerous stickers which might be normally simplest to be had in messaging apps. It might be to be had inside Settings, and will persist even if converting the primary wallpaper design. A separate Sticker Editor app will permit you transfer, resize and upload new stickers to the desktop.

A screenshot from
Windows Latest offers you an concept the way it’ll paintings:

The
identical web site has now long gone hands-on with the characteristic, which might be to be had inside Settings. Cat-themed stickers like those above seem to be the primary choice for now, however the ultimate unlock is most likely to come with some possible choices.

According to
Windows Central, two additional taskbar options are anticipated within the 22H2 replace. A extra horny UI for overflow apps has been proven off in a
tweet from Albacore, whilst the go back of drag-and-drop capability has been considered one of Windows 11’s maximum asked options. 

Indeed, a September 2021 Windows Latest article advised drag-and-drop capability would make a go back in the future. The corporate says it’s listening to consumer comments, so the damaging response to its removing will indubitably have made an impact.

A Windows Latest article suggests new options might be coming to File Explorer. These come with the go back of folder previews, permitting you to see what’s in a folder prior to clicking it. You can already pin folders to the Quick Access tab, however Microsoft is it seems that extending this give a boost to to additionally come with information. This might be conceivable whether or not the record is saved in the neighborhood or within the cloud by means of OneDrive, SharePoint or Teams – this might be mechanically up to date throughout your whole units.

If you use Outlook, creator Mayank Parmar says you’ll additionally now be ready to connect OneDrive information to emails inside File Explorer. Currently, this simplest helps in the neighborhood saved information. Talking of OneDrive, Microsoft’s cloud garage will now be without delay built-in into the app and obtainable all the time.

Other new options highlighted via Windows Central come with a brand new acrylic/blur design for the identify bar of apps which haven’t but been up to date with Windows 11’s design language – this must make the UI feel and look extra constant. Multitasking additionally appears set to get even higher, with a ‘Snap Bar’ introducing a 3rd means to put two or extra apps in combination. However, we don’t know precisely what this may increasingly seem like.

On the topic of multitasking,
Windows Latest suggests a characteristic referred to as ‘Snap teams’ will quickly be added to Windows 11. This will be offering a identical enjoy to Windows 10, the place you pull apps to the entrance of the desktop and ‘snap’ them to both the left or proper facet of your display screen. This will supposedly shape a part of a brand new visible id for multitasking, with Task View being redesigned and now together with the desktop wallpaper.

Something which each websites have discussed lately is give a boost to for third-party suppliers inside the Widgets instrument. This used to be a brand new characteristic offered in Windows 11, however it’s lately restricted to Microsoft’s inventory apps. Adding third-party give a boost to would make it a lot more horny to many customers.

A
Windows Latest article from January 2022 seems to verify that third-party widget give a boost to is at the means. It claims to have discovered an respectable give a boost to record declaring as a lot, however doesn’t hyperlink out to it. These widgets will supposedly be web-based (quite than Win32 or UWP), however customers received’t be restricted to the Microsoft Store when it comes to putting in them.

A
next article from the similar supply highlights two extra options anticipated within the 22H2 replace. A Smart Clipboard will construct at the current Clipboard historical past characteristic, despite the fact that it’ll be obtainable by means of a unique keyboard historical past. It will paintings in tandem with new Smart Actions capability, however main points are moderately imprecise at this degree.

Author Mayank Parmar, this it seems that manner you’ll be ready to replica and paste wealthy content material (together with pictures, movies and audio) into apps comparable to Outlook, one thing which isn’t conceivable lately. The article is going on to say that the Clipboard may even now have subject matters to choose between, with customisation choices to be had inside Settings.

In early March 2022, Microsoft launched a preview construct to participants of the Windows Insider Program’s Dev Channel. Judging via
the about page when installed, those adjustments will arrive within the 22H2 replace if smartly won.

Among probably the most noticeable is a brand new conversation field when settling on “Open with” on a record. The present iteration is the same to Windows 10, however the brand new model will make it extra in line with Windows 11’s design language:

Microsoft could also be making improvements to Windows 11’s accessibility, with new voice instructions for input, backspace, area and tab keys. This must make voice typing really feel extra intuitive. A much less important characteristic is the facility to hyperlink your Android phone whilst putting in a Windows 11 units, quite than heading into the Your Phone app later.

For individuals who pay for
Microsoft 365, there’ll even be the choice to arrange your subscription inside Settings. This is the place you can upload fee knowledge and notice when you’ll subsequent be charged, quite than having to pass by means of the web page.

Elsewhere, Smart App Control (SAC) is a brand new characteristic which will mechanically block apps that Windows 11 believes are untrusted or probably bad. However, this will also be grew to become off at any time in settings if you to find it intrusive.

The talent to pin extra apps or pages to the Start menu and a few slight adjustments to context menus are not likely to have a huge impact. The identical will also be stated of the choice to business Windows 11’s rounded corners for the normal immediately design, as according to
GizPie.

According to that web page, the next pages can be up to date inside Settings: Touch, Themes, Taskbar, Touch keyboard, Installed apps, Advanced apps, Default apps, Microsoft account, Language and area, Date and time, Mouse pointer and contact, Ethernet and Wi-Fi, VPN and Find my units.

In a contemporary article,
Windows Latest has long gone hands-on with lots of the new options coming within the 22H2 replace. The remodeled Task Manager is the primary center of attention, with creator Mayank Parmar describing it as “logo new”. It includes a new design language extra in line with the remainder of Windows 11, with easy tabs taking into account more straightforward navigation.

Common movements comparable to developing and finishing duties at the moment are to be had on the best of the web page, whilst a brand new ‘Efficiency mode’ is helping preserve energy when positive processes don’t need to be prioritised. 

It’s value noting that Microsoft launched a separate
Windows 11 replace in February 2022. This added new inventory apps, taskbar enhancements and a public preview of local Android app give a boost to, independently of the characteristic replace later within the yr.

We’ll replace this newsletter over again is understood in regards to the 22H2 replace.

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