Microsoft has released the next version of Windows 11 called "22H2," otherwise known as the Windows 11 2022 Update, and it is available as an optional update for users running at least Windows 10 2004 or an older version of Windows 11.
Windows 11 22H2 is the first feature update for Microsoft's new operating system, coming with numerous features and security improvements to enhance the operating system's overall experience, making it worth installing.
Microsoft is first making Windows 11 22H2 available as an optional update to "seekers," who are those who manually perform a check for new updates, already running Windows 11, with June 2022 non-security preview release or later installed, or Windows 10 2004 or later with the April 2022 non-security preview release or later installed.
To install the Windows 11 22H2 feature update, click on the Start button > Settings > Windows Update and then click on the 'Check for updates' button. Windows 11 will perform a quick check and then list the optional 'Feature update to Windows 11, version 22H2, which you can install by clicking on the 'Download & install" link.
Microsoft warns that if a hardware or application compatibility issue is discovered, a device may be put on a safeguard hold and not be offered the update.
"If we detect that your device may have an issue, such as an application incompatibility, we may put a safeguard hold in place and not offer the update until that issue is resolved," reads Microsoft's announcement.
"To learn more about the status of the Windows 11 rollout, safeguard holds, and which holds may be applied to your device, visit Windows release health."
Windows users can also use the Windows 11 Media Creation tool to upgrade to the latest version or create an ISO for a clean install of Windows 11 22H2.
The new features in Windows 11 22H2
Windows 11 22H2 is a full-featured update containing numerous new features and improvements to the operating system.
Below we have provided a summary of some of these new features.
File Explorer enhancements
File Explorer has been completely redesigned in Windows 11 22H2, with a new homepage giving quick access to your favorites and recent files, and soon to have, the long-anticipated tabs support.
Unfortunately, tabbed support didn't make it into this build and will be released in October.
Controller Bar
A new Xbox Controller Bar gives users controller-friendly access to their recently played games and game launchers.
Windows 11 users can access the Controller Bar by pressing the Xbox button on an Xbox controller connected to the PC.
Smart App Control
Smart App Control is a new security feature that blocks untrusted applications and applications that are not digitally signed.
Unfortunately, this feature requires a clean install of Windows 11, so those upgrading from Windows 10 or an older Windows 11 version will not be able to use this new feature.
Clipchamp
Clipchamp is a new Windows 11 movie editor that allows you to combine different clips or edit existing media. In addition, Clipchamp is considered an inbox app, allowing you to install or uninstall it as necessary.
Improved Windows Snapping experience
Microsoft has updated the Windows Snapping experience so that you can drag a Windows to the top, as well as now snap Microsoft Edge tabs.
"With the new update, we’re making Snap layouts more versatile with better touch navigation and the ability to snap multiple browser tabs in Microsoft Edge," Microsoft's Panos Panay explains in a new blog post.
Suggested Actions on Copy:
Windows 11's new 'Suggested Actions on Copy' feature will suggest actions that you can take with data you copy from the clipboard.
For example, if you copy a phone number in Notepad, Windows 11 will ask if you wish to call it.
Or, if you copy a date, Windows 11 may prompt you to add an event to the calendar for that date.
Windows 11 Taskbar
Microsoft is restoring the drag-and-drop capability of taskbar icons, allowing you to drag your files onto opened apps and launch them within the app.
Microsoft also added an overflow feature when your taskbar fills up with too many open programs. This feature will show a small menu on the right side of the taskbar that, when clicked, shows the other open items.
Task Manager
Windows 11 22H2 includes a refresh Task Manager based on the Fluent UI and WinUI. In addition, the new Task Manager now has a hamburger menu that lets you see the text labels of what each section icon represents.
To learn more about the other features released as part of the Windows 11 22H2 update you can read our previous coverage.
Comments
JustinFlynn - 1 year ago
How about a start menu that we can manage with group policy? Nobody in my office needs links to TikTok and Netflix
xafase - 1 year ago
File Explorer enhancements - Not enhcnaced enough. Split is more useful than tabs. Tabs in the wrong spot.
Controller Bar: More spam to waste proc cycles
Smart App Control: M$ branded DRM. Didn't pay us, your app aint running.
Clipchamp: Might be neat, but I am not installing 11 to see all the issues this has. Prolly cloud only and with a limitted number of formats supported.
Improved Windows Snapping experience: Cool. Brings this to 10
Suggested Actions on Copy: More spam to waste proc cycles and you made the context menu even worse than it was before
Windows 11 Taskbar: Still not the same as 10 or 7
Task Manager: What I wanted. A touch remake of Task Manager. Doesn't fix any of the issues with it, but at least I can touch it.
JohnC_21 - 1 year ago
Clipchamp. The free version is limited to 480p. Anything higher and you need to pay a monthly subscription.
https://www.pcworld.com/article/622021/microsofts-new-video-editing-app-has-some-outrageous-limits.html
NoneRain - 1 year ago
That's wrong. You can export in 1080p 30fps normally. The difference to the paid version right now is premium stock footage, filters, effects, and cloud backup. Font: tried it.
Justin42 - 1 year ago
I jumped to 22H2 as soon as it went into Release Preview, and it's pretty much the bare minimum for what Windows 11 SHOULD have launched as. It feels like a much more complete OS. By no means perfect, and still missing things from 10, but 11 was a joke upon release. At least now it feels a bit more coherent.
@JohnC_21 They removed that limitation after the outcry when it was announced. Haven't tried it to verify, though. https://clipchamp.com/en/blog/free-1080p-exports/
NoneRain - 1 year ago
I agree, but compared to past MS OS, 11 is doing great! (cuz it's more a recycling of 10 ).
Win8 was a mistake, even MS knows that. Win10 was a total mess, the inconsistency itself. Now Win11: feature poor, more restricted.
Lawrence Abrams - 1 year ago
Windows 11 needs the ability to uncombine apps on the task manager. That is a deal breaker for me.
scpcguy - 1 year ago
Smart App Control...the "feature" no one asked for. Want to open this file? Hard pass...but if you reeeealy want to, send it and a permission request to Microsoft.
TsVk! - 1 year ago
There's a pile of things stopping me deploying W11.
* It seems that MS didn't learn when they baked Internet Explorer into the system settings, now they've gone and done it again with Edge. It's an unstoppable service... why oh why do I need Edge always running?
* Stop with the click to run applications already, I'm sick of the vulns. Put programs in the programs folders again and don't scatter them all over the system.
* Why is it behaving like some sort of broken Apple\Linux hybrid? All these choices but so many restrictions. Stop moving the deck chairs around and nailing them down already.
* One settings menu at a time still? Really? Why are we navigating up\down left\right like a telnet terminal? Isn't the whole point of Windows the ability to have multiple windows?
* So much frigging junkware, just stop it MS.
* W11 GP templates don't work with previous versions of Windows. Really? That has to be deliberate. Every other release in history has worked fine.
* sigh... hopefully next release we'll come closer to general usability for orgs.
BH0 - 1 year ago
Its a shame, that Windows does not have some obvious goal, that it tries to reach. This system of fluidly reworking system for the XYth time is somehow annoying. It brings constant chaos and confusion.
Good to see some brand new tools like free video editor or attempt for greater security, but to me still nothing that will make me transit back from Linux to Windows. But still looks like the biggest betatesting department on the planet finally made some progress.
Firstly release W11 was disaster (as W10 was) and I deleted the VM like 10 minutes after installation.