Microsoft are about to finalise the 22H2 Update of Windows 11. This will be the first major update to Windows 11 since its launch last year and includes may features requests by Windows users since Windows 11 launch.
So, what’s new in Windows 11 22H2? Here is my guide to the main changes. Thing could change before the release of the update so I will update the post with any changes.
Start Menu Folders
The Start Menu in Windows 11 gains a new folders feature which you can use to arrange your start menu shortcuts. You can group them together and then name the folder. I have them by related apps like Office, Social and Media apps. This makes it much simpler to optimise your start menu and remove some clutter. To go with that you can also right click on the start menu and select whether you want the default layout, more pins or more recommendations.
Microsoft have also introduced swipe up gesture to bring up the start menu. There is also a swipe left to show all apps and swipe right to go back to pinned apps. There is also an update animation when swiping in Notification Center and Quick Settings.
Volume flyout
Gone with the old Windows 8 style volume slider and in comes a new Windows 11 style volume slider.
Windows
When dragging windows around there are new hot spots for arranging Windows (Snap Layouts). If you try Windows + Z you now get numbers showing the layouts. Drag a window up to the top and you get options to arrange the windows. there is also a four-finger swipe gesture to switch windows.
File Explorer
File Explorer has a new home screen with Quick Access being rename to home and it shows recent files from the local system, OneDrive and Sharepoint. There is also OneDrive Integration and folder previews of items within folders.
You can also now connect to a media server in File Explorer
Task Bar
Task Bar now supports drag and dropping of files and there is an updated battery icon
Quick Settings
Quick Settings has been updated. It now has an icon next to the volume slider so you can easily see which device is in use e.g Headphones. Plus there is a new Quick Settings link in the Bluetooth section.
Spotlight
Windows Spotlight is now available as a desktop background with new pictures each day.
Task Manger
Task Manager has a new Windows 11 style look and uses the system dark mode / light mode settings.
There is also the option to enable efficiency mode on an application, so it uses less CPU. It also now shows the Casting menu option
Live Captions
Live Captions is a new accessibility feature that displays automatically generated captions on the device. Win + Ctrl + L to being out the menu.
Search
Search has a new look which shows recent applications and a selection of search results.
Microsoft Account needed
You now need a Microsoft account when setting up Windows 11.
When can you get the Windows 11 22H2 Update?
Microsoft haven’t announced when the 22H2 update will be released, at moment Windows Insiders on the beta channel can try out the update. My guess is that it will roll out at the end of September via Windows Update and the Microsoft Media Creating tool.
In this video I go through the changes to Windows 11 22H2 and show what’s new.
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