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Windows 11 was first released in October 2021, but it hasn’t stayed the same for long since then.
Microsoft began adding new features within a matter of weeks, with the most significant range of functionality added in a February update. That’s despite the company announcing that Windows 11 would receive only one feature update per year – the same as you’ll find on macOS.
Indeed, it looks like version 22H2 will be the biggest Windows 11 update yet. Microsoft has revealed several key features that are on the way, and an early build is already available to try. Here’s everything you need to know.
When will Windows 11’s 2022 feature update be released?
Shortly after Windows 11 was announced, Microsoft revealed that the new OS would only be getting feature updates once a year.
That was always likely to be in the second half of the year, so it was no surprise to see the update branded as ’22H2′. That suggests it’ll be released between July and December, although a more specific release date hasn’t been confirmed.
But Microsoft’s hardware compatibility guide for the 22H2 update, which helps developers get their apps ready for the new version, has a deadline for new drivers to be submitted as 5 September. It’s logical to think the update won’t be available to the public until after this date, making a September or October release likely.
Windows Latest believes it’ll be the latter. Author Mayank Parmar mentions that release window in articles from May and June, but Windows Central remains more vague, suggesting it could be either.
Since 7 June 2022, version 22H2 has been available in the Release Preview Channel of the Windows Insider Program. Anyone with a Windows 11 device can sign up, so it’s possible to install the update early if you’d like.
Microsoft even accidentally released the update to Windows 10 users with incompatible hardware, but you shouldn’t download it.
As was the case with Windows 10, expect Microsoft to gradually throttle up availability in order to manage demand. Unlike the initial rollout of Windows 11, there probably won’t be a way for all compatible devices to get the final version immediately.
How to get the Windows 11 22H2 update early
Since launching in 2014, the Windows Insider Program has allowed users to test new Windows features ahead of time. Microsoft has regularly released early Windows 11 builds here since June 2021, so it’s the place to be if you want to try out the 22H2 update before anyone else – it’s available in the Release Preview Channel right now.
If you’ve never signed up before, it’s easy to get started. Just head to insider.windows.com and sign in with the same Microsoft account you use on your Windows 11 device. Then open Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program and click ‘Get started’. Follow the instructions here, making sure you link the relevant account and choose the Release Preview Channel.
But moving to the Beta/Dev channels or opting out completely is simple. Just head to Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program once more. Then, just click the drop-down next to ‘Choose your Insider settings’ or ‘Leave the insider program’ and follow the instructions.
Learn more in our separate article: How to install the Windows 11 22H2 update early
Will all existing Windows 11 hardware be compatible with the 22H2 update?
Almost certainly, yes. Microsoft controversially updated the
hardware requirements for Windows 11, excluding plenty of older hardware. Security was cited as the main reason, with features such as TPM (Trusted Platform Module) 2.0, Secure Boot and virtualization-based security all applied as standard.
It would be very surprising to see more devices culled for an annual feature update, unless serious hardware vulnerabilities are discovered. However, if you’ve downloaded Windows 11 on a device that’s not officially supported by Microsoft, the situation is less clear. Current availability of security updates is a good guide, but there’s no guarantee the 22H2 update will arrive in a timely manner.
There’s some suggestion only SSDs will be compatible soon, but that’s more likely to be introduced in the 23H2 update.
What new features will the Windows 11 22H2 update bring?
Various upcoming Windows 11 features have been mooted, but it’s not clear which will make their way into the 22H2 feature update.
The main source of information is Microsoft itself, which has teased new features at various points in recent months. We can be most confident about the announcements at its Hybrid Work event in April 2022, which include folders in the Start menu, new accessibility features and File Explorer tabs. However, the latter is being tested independently of other key 22H2 features in the Beta Channel.
Back in February 2022, the company began testing more new features with members of the Windows Insider Program. These include new touch gestures and the return of drag-and-drop support to the taskbar (after it was removed with the introduction of Windows 11). Both are expected to arrive in the 22H2 update.
Indeed, a Windows Central article from same month suggests all of the following will be arriving in the update:
App folders in Start menuResizable pinned area in Start menuSystem Tray updatesFocus Assist integration with Notification CenterNew “spotlight” wallpaper featureNew Voice Access accessibility featureNew gestures and animations for touch usersNew minimised Taskbar interface for tabletsNew Task Manager appBetter OneDrive integration with File Explorer
A subsequent article, also written by Zac Bowden, suggests the following are on the way too:
Return of taskbar drag and dropNew “Live Captions” accessibility featureNew snap layouts bar when moving app windowsNew “Suggested Actions” when copying dates or numbersFile Explorer tabs and pinned filesSeveral other minor UI improvements and consistency updatesWindows Shell improvementsNew Settings pages – Microsoft Account, Family SafetyWindows Update can be timed with local electricity demand to minimise emissionsNew Clipchamp and Family Safety apps
Microsoft is also clearly keen to make Windows 11 work better on tablets. New gestures will supposedly let you swipe up from the bottom of the display to quickly access the Start menu or Quick Settings. This will likely work in tandem with the option to hide the taskbar when using as a tablet, a feature that’s disabled in a separate Insider build.
Another feature first uncovered there is wallpaper stickers. This will allow you to customise your desktop background with a variety of stickers that are usually only available in messaging apps. It will be available within Settings, and can persist even when changing the main wallpaper design. A separate Sticker Editor app will allow you move, resize and add new stickers to the desktop.
A screenshot from
Windows Latest gives you an idea how it’ll work:
Image:Microsoft/Windows Latest
The
same site has now gone hands-on with the feature, which will be available within Settings. Cat-themed stickers like the ones above appear to be the main option for now, but the final release is likely to include some alternatives.
According to
Windows Central, two further taskbar features are expected in the 22H2 update. A more attractive UI for overflow apps has been shown off in a
tweet from Albacore, while the return of drag-and-drop functionality has been one of Windows 11’s most requested features.
Indeed, a September 2021 Windows Latest article suggested drag-and-drop functionality would make a return at some point. The company says it’s listening to user feedback, so the negative reaction to its removal will surely have made an impression.
A Windows Latest article suggests new features will be coming to File Explorer. These include the return of folder previews, allowing you to see what’s in a folder before clicking it. You can already pin folders to the Quick Access tab, but Microsoft is apparently extending this support to also include files. This will be possible whether the file is stored locally or in the cloud via OneDrive, SharePoint or Teams – this will be automatically updated across all your devices.
If you use Outlook, author Mayank Parmar says you’ll also now be able to attach OneDrive files to emails within File Explorer. Currently, this only supports locally stored files. Talking of OneDrive, Microsoft’s cloud storage will now be directly integrated into the app and accessible at all times.
Image: Microsoft/Windows Latest
Other new features highlighted by Windows Central include a new acrylic/blur design for the title bar of apps which haven’t yet been updated with Windows 11’s design language – this should make the UI look and feel more consistent. Multitasking also looks set to get even better, with a ‘Snap Bar’ introducing a third way to put two or more apps together. However, we don’t know exactly what this will look like.
On the subject of multitasking,
Windows Latest suggests a feature known as ‘Snap groups’ will soon be added to Windows 11. This will offer a similar experience to Windows 10, where you pull apps to the front of the desktop and ‘snap’ them to either the left or right side of your screen. This will supposedly form part of a new visual identity for multitasking, with Task View being redesigned and now including the desktop wallpaper.
Something which both sites have mentioned recently is support for third-party providers within the Widgets tool. This was a new feature introduced in Windows 11, but it’s currently limited to Microsoft’s stock apps. Adding third-party support would make it much more attractive to many users.
Image: Microsoft
A
Windows Latest article from January 2022 appears to confirm that third-party widget support is on the way. It claims to have found an official support document stating as much, but doesn’t link out to it. These widgets will supposedly be web-based (rather than Win32 or UWP), but users won’t be limited to the Microsoft Store when it comes to installing them.
A
subsequent article from the same source highlights two more features expected in the 22H2 update. A Smart Clipboard will build on the existing Clipboard history feature, although it’ll be accessible via a different keyboard history. It will work in tandem with new Smart Actions functionality, but details are relatively vague at this stage.
Author Mayank Parmar, this apparently means you’ll be able to copy and paste rich content (including images, videos and audio) into apps such as Outlook, something which isn’t possible currently. The article goes on to say that the Clipboard will also now have themes to choose from, with customisation options available within Settings.
In early March 2022, Microsoft released a preview build to members of the Windows Insider Program’s Dev Channel. Judging by
the about page when installed, these changes will arrive in the 22H2 update if well received.
Among the most noticeable is a new dialog box when selecting “Open with” on a file. The current iteration is identical to Windows 10, but the new version will make it more consistent with Windows 11’s design language:
Image: Microsoft
Microsoft is also improving Windows 11’s accessibility, with new voice commands for enter, backspace, space and tab keys. This should make voice typing feel more intuitive. A less significant feature is the ability to link your Android phone while setting up a Windows 11 devices, rather than heading into the Your Phone app later.
For people who pay for
Microsoft 365, there’ll also be the option to manage your subscription within Settings. This is where you can add payment information and see when you’ll next be charged, rather than having to go via the website.
Image: Microsoft
Elsewhere, Smart App Control (SAC) is a new feature which can automatically block apps that Windows 11 believes are untrusted or potentially dangerous. However, this can be turned off at any time in settings if you find it intrusive.
The ability to pin more apps or pages to the Start menu and some slight changes to context menus are unlikely to have a big effect. The same can be said of the option to trade Windows 11’s rounded corners for the traditional straight design, as per
GizPie.
According to that website, the following pages will also be updated within Settings: Touch, Themes, Taskbar, Touch keyboard, Installed apps, Advanced apps, Default apps, Microsoft account, Language and region, Date and time, Mouse pointer and touch, Ethernet and Wi-Fi, VPN and Find my devices.
In a recent article,
Windows Latest has gone hands-on with many of the new features coming in the 22H2 update. The revamped Task Manager is the main focus, with author Mayank Parmar describing it as “brand new”. It features a new design language more in keeping with the rest of Windows 11, with simple tabs allowing for easier navigation.
Common actions such as creating and ending tasks are now available at the top of the page, while a new ‘Efficiency mode’ helps conserve power when certain processes don’t need to be prioritised.
It’s worth noting that Microsoft released a separate
Windows 11 update in February 2022. This added new stock apps, taskbar improvements and a public preview of native Android app support, independently of the feature update later in the year.
We’ll update this article once more is known about the 22H2 update.
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