Home windows 11 was first launched in October 2021, however Microsoft has been making fixed additions and modifications to its OS since then.
The corporate started including new options inside weeks, earlier than a lot of new performance was added in a February 2022 replace. However Home windows 11 solely formally will get one main replace per yr, mirrored within the official identify for its newest function replace: merely the ‘2022 Replace’, reasonably than the ’22H2′ we would have been anticipating.
It’s been accessible for a number of months, so all Home windows 11 gadgets can set up it now. It’s not mandatory for safety functions but, however that may not cease your gadget being up to date routinely. Right here’s every little thing you could know.
When was the Home windows 11 22H2 Replace launched?
Following loads of hypothesis and weeks of testing by way of the Home windows Insider Program, Microsoft formally launched the 2022 Replace on 20 September 2022. In a weblog submit, the corporate confirmed its availability in additional than 190 nations all over the world.
A gradual rollout to all Home windows 11 gadgets was accomplished quickly after, so you need to be capable of set up model 22H2 in case you haven’t already. It’s not mandatory but, with 2021’s 21H2 replace supported till October 2023.
Nonetheless, Microsoft determined in January 2023 that not everybody will get that selection. In a 21H2 help doc, the corporate confirmed that it might “start to routinely replace client and non-managed enterprise gadgets working Home windows 11, model 21H2 Dwelling and Professional editions to Home windows 11, model 22H2.
This may depend on automated updates (which you’ll be able to flip off) and would require a restart which you’ll be able to postpone indefinitely, however it nonetheless feels pointless. It’s value putting in, however that doesn’t imply you need to must.
However you will have already gone a step additional and put in the following October 2022 replace. This added a number of extra options, together with tabs in File Explorer for the primary time.
It’s regarded as step one in Microsoft’s new ‘Second’ method to updates, which can see new options added ever few months reasonably than suddenly. In response to rumours, we may then see Home windows 12 launched in 2024.
Easy methods to get the Home windows 11 22H2 replace now
The 2022 Replace is out there for all Home windows 11 gadgets, and you need to be capable of set up it now. To test, simply head to Settings > Home windows Replace and click on ‘Test for updates’ such as you usually would. You’ll have to put in any present updates earlier than it exhibits up.
If it isn’t there for some cause, otherwise you’d prefer to have entry to approaching Home windows 11 options early, go by way of the Home windows Insider Program. It’s utterly free to enroll and you may decide out at any time.
Simply head to insider.home windows.com and register with the identical Microsoft account you utilize in your Home windows 11 gadget. Then open Settings > Home windows Replace > Home windows Insider Program and click on ‘Get began’. Observe the directions right here, ensuring you hyperlink the related account and select the Launch Preview Channel to entry the 2022 Replace.
As earlier than, clear another updates and it ought to seem. Be taught extra in our separate article on the best way to set up the 22H2 replace.
Shifting ahead, you could need to swap to the Beta/Dev channels or decide out utterly. Simply click on the drop-down subsequent to ‘Select your Insider settings’ or ‘Go away the insider program’ and observe the directions.
Are all Home windows 11 gadgets appropriate with the 2022 Replace?
Sure. Microsoft controversially up to date the {hardware} necessities for Home windows 11, excluding loads of older {hardware}. There’s no indication of that being repeated anytime quickly, particularly with a function replace.
For those who put in Home windows 11 on a appropriate gadget utilizing an formally supported technique, you’re going to get the 2022 Replace ultimately. You might be ready some time, however there may be the choice to go by way of the Home windows Insider Program.
Nonetheless, the state of affairs is way much less clear in case you’ve downloaded Home windows 11 on a tool that’s not formally supported by Microsoft. The 2022 Replace is unlikely to ever be delivered to your gadget, so that you’ll want to put in it manually by way of the Microsoft Replace Catalog.
What new options does the Home windows 11 2022 Replace embody?
Microsoft has been teasing new Home windows 11 options all through 2022, lots of which have been accessible to check by way of the Home windows Insider Program. However in a weblog submit asserting the 2022 Replace, the total vary was revealed.
Accessibility has lengthy been a precedence for Microsoft, and this replace goals to make Home windows 11 even simpler to make use of. The ‘Pinned’ space inside Begin menu can now be resized and helps folders, whereas Widgets have supposedly been tweaked to enhance information protection.
Each these apps are within the taskbar by default, so will profit from one other key function: drag-and-drop. This was eliminated with the introduction of Home windows 11 after being a staple of Home windows 10, however it’s nice to see its return now.
However probably the most vital accessibility function is Dwell Captions. Because the identify suggests, this could routinely generate captions from any audio content material you play all through Home windows 11.
Microsoft
The 2022 Replace provides a preview of the Voice Entry, which permits you management your whole gadget and compose textual content utilizing simply your voice. Narrator, Home windows 11’s display screen reader function, has additionally been up to date with voices that are designed to be extra pure.
Home windows 11’s Snap Layouts multitasking function has been an actual hit, permitting customers to simply prepare home windows on a display screen of any dimension. The 2022 Replace makes it simpler to make use of with contact enter and provides help for particular person tabs inside Microsoft’s Edge browser.
Speaking of contact enter, the 2022 Replace introduces a number of new touchscreen gestures that enhance navigation and not using a cursor and keyboard. Swiping up from the underside of the display screen opens the Begin menu, whereas swiping in from the best enables you to entry Fast Settings. Utilizing three fingers, you may also swipe all the way down to minimise apps and left or proper to maneuver between open ones. That is much like what you’ll discover on iPads and Android tablets, and it exhibits that Microsoft is taking contact enter severely.
That can assist you keep on process, Home windows 11’s Focus Help function is now instantly built-in into the Fast Settings menu. While you begin a timer right here, Do Not Disturb will routinely be enabled, turning off all notifications (besides these you particularly enable).
Video calls stay essential to many individuals, one thing Microsoft has recognised. Whether or not you utilize the built-in webcam or join an exterior accent, the Settings menu consists of new choices to get issues wanting good – number of completely different ‘Digital camera Results’ can be found. Individually, a ‘Voice Focus’ function makes use of AI to filter out background noise.
Microsoft
For those who’re enhancing video that’s been captured, Home windows 11 has a brand new built-in app that will help you try this. Clipchamp is free to make use of for video as much as 1080p, though there are many premium options accessible in case you’re prepared to pay $11.99/£9.99 per thirty days.
Gaming and Home windows 11 go hand in hand, so it’s no shock to see a separate Xbox weblog submit on the 2022 Replace’s new options. They embody a brand new Controller Bar for simple entry to lately performed video games and launchers utilizing a controller, plus enhancements to the Xbox Cloud Gaming expertise utilizing Microsoft Edge.
Microsoft
Elsewhere, Auto HDR and variable refresh fee (VRR) are being expanded to help video games that aren’t working full display screen, alongside vital enhancements to show latency. There’s additionally a brand new HDR Calibration app to assist enhance color accuracy and consistency.
Safety updates had been maybe inevitable, and so they embody a brand new Good App Management function which can stop untrusted apps from launching. There are nonetheless methods to make use of them, in fact, however this warning may very well be essential. Equally, Microsoft Defender’s new SmartScreen can alert customers when Microsoft credentials are being entered right into a website or service that may’t be trusted.
For individuals who pay for Microsoft 365, there’s additionally the choice to handle your subscription inside Settings. That is the place you’ll be able to add fee data and see if you’ll subsequent be charged, reasonably than having to go by way of the web site.
Inside Settings, you’ll additionally discover a new Household Security web page and the choice to have the Bing every day picture as your desktop wallpaper.
That is not at all an exhaustive listing of all the brand new options within the 2022 Replace. But it surely provides an concept of what to anticipate – for most individuals, that is positively value downloading.
Supplied you haven’t been prevented from doing so, that’s. In November 2022, Microsoft put a short lived compatibility maintain on some gadgets following reviews of gaming efficiency points. These had been believed to have been linked to the replace, however the issue has now been solved.
Be taught extra in our separate article: Why you won’t be capable of set up Home windows 11’s 22H2 replace proper now
Tabs in File Explorer had been then added in a subsequent October 2023 replace, alongside new ‘Advised Actions’ and taskbar enhancements. Nonetheless, it hasn’t been plain crusing for a few of the early adopters. As Home windows Newest reviews, a number of points have already been reported by way of the Home windows Suggestions Hub.