We are now entering into a new phase of the rollout for Windows 11.
It is Windows 11 version 22H2 and is available to eligible Windows devices as a free update.
It includes many new features and native tools in an improvised way.
But those devices having compatibility issues will not get this update notification unless the issue gets resolved.
Go through this in-depth review of the major updates in Windows 11 22H2.
What’s New in The Windows Update Version 22H2?
Windows 11 version 22H2 has turned up with plenty of new as well as modified features. These are as descried below.
Windows Update
The latest Windows version allows you to block the user notification for updates during active hours.
The organization’s name appears in the Update notifications when the Windows clients are associated with the Azure Active Directory tenant.
Windows Accessibility
The new Windows version 22H2 provides additional improvements for specially-abled people – Focus Sessions, Voice access, natural voices for the Narrators, and system-wide live captions. For more details, you can check this guide.
Microsoft Pluton
Microsoft Pluton is a chip-to-cloud security technology. It is built with Zero Trust principles and provides cryptographic services, secure identity, and secure attestation.
This Pluton technology is a part of the System on Chip (SoC) and Microsoft-authored software.
Microsoft Pluton can be enabled on devices that have Pluton-capable processors running the new 22H2 version of Windows.
Vulnerable Driver Blocklist
Malicious and vulnerable driver blocking gets automatically enabled on devices only –
- For Clean Windows installation
- When Smart app control is enabled
Windows Defender Credential Guard
Compatible Windows 11 22H2 version will have Windows Defender Credential Guard automatically enabled.
Phishing Protection
Now you get enhanced Phishing protection in the Microsoft Defender SmartScreen.
This will protect the works and schools’ sign-in passwords against phishing.
This new version also offers additional protection for the Local Authority (LSA) process. This helps to protect the user credentials from getting compromised.
Smart App Control
Smart App Control blocks potentially unnecessary apps that can affect the performance of your device and display unwanted ads, offer unnecessary extra software, and perform other unexpected things.
Specially Designed Educational Themes
Windows’s new version allows you to deploy educational themes for the students to use in their educational institutions.
These themes change the look and feel of the entire device with accent colors, preset wallpapers, and many other settings.
Digital Stickers
Sticker is a new feature designed exclusively for students to change the look of the desktop.
Students can choose from a wide range of education-friendly stickers. The stickers remain even if the background is changed.
What Are The Latest Features For Windows 11 22H2?
Windows 11 version 22H2 is the first big OS update released to date.
It aims to provide an improved and modernized user experience.
Check out the new features available with this latest update.
A Revamped Start Menu
Microsoft is rolling out new features and continuous innovation with Windows 11 version.
Windows 11 version 22H2 supports additional CSPs. This will help to modify & customize the Start Menu layout.
These CSP s will help you disable the Context menu and hide the app list.
Windows 11 22H2 update also introduced new Settings in the Start menu.
Now you can choose three different options –
- More Pins: The More Pins section displays a single row of items and allows you to show more pins.
- Default: Default section shows three rows of Pin items.
- More Recommendations: This section displays two rows of pinned items and more recommended items.
You can modify the Start menu layout from Settings > Personalization > Start > Layout.
The start menu comes with a new feature called Folders.
Now you can drag & drop an application over another app to create a new folder.
It allows you to add more apps to the newly created folder, rearrange those apps and remove the apps from the folder.
You can rename the folder using the Edit Folder option.
Modified Settings App
As expected, few more settings are added to the Settings app in Windows version 22H2.
The new Settings app supports managing app that was previously supported by the Control Panel only. So, you can now install, modify and repair Win32 apps.
System
Changes are made to the System window, and exclusive new features have been added to enhance the user experience.
Display
Now there is no need to open a separate Settings page to calibrate the display.
It is readily available directly from Settings > Display > HDR on supported hardware.
Moving the cursor and Windows between monitors has been made easier in this new version.
Ease cursor movement between displays under the Multiple Displays Section can do this trick now.
Graphics
Change Default graphics is the latest option added to the Graphics page.
When you use this feature, it opens a new page with the Optimizations for windowed games feature.
This is designed to unlock gaming features like – Variable Fresh Rate (VRR), and Auto HDR, and improve Latency.
Sound
The sound page shows a new warning under the Input option that microphone access is restricted in privacy settings.
Notifications
In the Notification window, the Focus assist settings is changed to Do not disturb settings.
There is an Automatic option to Turn on do not disturb automatically.
The other settings allow you to set the time to automatically turn on and off the feature.
You can also set priority to the Notifications you want to receive when the Do Not Disturb feature is turned on. It is called Set priority notifications.
Focus
The Focus page also comes with a revamped window where you can start focus assist services and choose Session duration from:
- Show the timer in the Clock app
- Hide badges on taskbar apps
- Hide flashing on taskbar apps
- Turn on the Do not disturb option.
Power
In the Power section, the values for Sleep and Screen off is reduced to save more energy.
New features like Power consumption and carbon emissions are added to teach users how choosing efficient power settings can help reduce less energy, reduce the carbon impact and improve battery life.
A new battery-saver mode is added, like what we get in our cell phones that turn on at 20%.
This extends the battery life, limiting some background activity and notifications.
Storage
Storage is now called the Storage pool in Windows version 22H2 with a brand-new icon to resemble the setting.
Features like Storage Spaces, Physical Disks are arranged under the Breakdown section.
Snap
The feature of the snap window is almost the same but comes in a new rendition like:
- When I snap a window, suggest what I can snap next to it.
- Show snap layouts when I hover over a window’s maximize button
- Show snap layouts when I drag a window to the top of my screen
- When I drag a window, let me snap it without dragging all the way to the screen edge.
The Alt + Tab setting is now renamed as Show Microsoft Edge tabs when snapping or pressing Alt + Tab.
To open the Snap Layout, press ‘Windows + Z’ and you will get a particular number for each snap position. All you need to do is press that particular number and this will snap the window to a preferred position.
Bluetooth & Devices
In the new version, Microsoft will remember whether you have turned on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth in theAirplane Mode and show your preference the next time.
Printers & Scanners
Now you get an updated Printers & Scanners page.
When a printer or device is selected it gives detailed information, including the manufacturer, model, webpage, connection, MAC address, IP address, along with other related information.
Advanced Sharing Settings
In the Advanced Sharing Settings under Network & Internet section.
This new page ports various settings previously available only in the Control Panel, like Network Discovery, File and Printer Sharing, and Public Folder Sharing options.
Themes
The contrast theme color on the Theme page is a bit changed. You will get more distinct links now.
Besides selecting from 15 predefined themes, you can also customize the theme on your own.
Additional keyboard and key size settings are available in the Touch keyboard section.
Text Inputs
The Touch keyboard is now introduced as Text Input.
Here you will get a newer version of the theme and Customization settings to the touch keyboard, emoji panel, voice typing and other methods.
Taskbar
The Taskbar allows quick access to the currently used applications.
Taskbar settings is introduced new options to enable or disable Flashing on Taskbar apps and Show recent searches when I hover over the search icon. You will find these two features under the taskbar behaviors.
Taskbar corner icons and Taskbar corner overflow settings have new names now.
They are renamed as System Tray icons and Other system tray icons, respectively.
The Taskbar context menu now shows Task Manager along with Taskbar Settings option.
To make the task easier a new Drag & Drop application is added directly in the Taskbar.
Another newly added feature added to the Taskbar is Taskbar Overflow.
This leads to all the current apps and services.
This allows the users to open many applications and use them frequently as per their needs.
The new Taskbar also allows the users to a Bluetooth connection so there is no need to add a Bluetooth device from Settings.
Shortcut to Mute Microphones
With this new update now mute Microphone with a global shortcut.
All you need to do is press Windows + Alt + K to mute the microphone instantly.
Fonts Page
The Fonts Page has been re-designed, including the drag and drops to install area. It provides a Browse and installs fonts button along with that.
Improved Task Manager
Windows 11 22H2 has a newly designed Task Manager to match the desktop style.
It introduces a hamburger navigation bar and a completely revamped Settings page.
The new command bar on each page allows access to everyday activities.
Besides, you will get a dark theme for the new Task manager.
On opening the context menu of a particular process, you will see a new Efficiency mode feature. Using the Alt + V keyboard shortcut, you can turn the Efficiency Mode on or off.
This will help if an app consumes high resources and you want to limit its resource consumption.
But this feature can only be used for a single process and not the entire group.
In addition to this the Task Manager includes accent color support for the Processes tab heatmap.
But to ensure readability, you will see the default blue color sometimes.
Apps
In the new version, the apps page is divided into two sections – Installed apps and Advanced apps settings.
The Installed Apps panel will show you all the installed applications and programs.
At the top right corner of the page, you will get three options to change the view of the app list.
Now the sort-by menu is available from smallest to largest files and allows you to sort by Names ( from both A to Z and Z to A chronologies).
Advanced App Settings is a new part of the Settings window that includes the remaining app settings of Apps & Features other than the Installed Apps settings.
Accounts
Windows 11 22H2 has introduced the Microsoft 365 subscription information removing the Your Accounts Page’ section.
Every detail regarding your payment information, bills, OneDrive storage usage, and the people with whom you share the account will be displayed.
Family & other people is replaced by the Family section & includes all its settings.
The Other users, previously known as Family & other people, now only include the settings for creating local & Microsoft accounts for Windows 11.
Date & Time
The Time & language section and the Date & time pages now have a live digital clock.
Mouse Pointer And Touch
In the new installations, the touch indicator option will be disabled by default on the Mouse pointer and touch section now.
The new gestures make Windows 11 22H2 OS unique and more responsive.
You can swipe up from the Taskbar to open the Start menu. Swiping down dismisses the menu.
Swiping left will open All Apps and swiping left will open Pinned Apps.
To access the Quick Settings Panel, swipe up in the bottom right corner and swipe down with 3 fingers minimize all apps.
Windows Spotlight
Windows Spotlight is the latest feature in the new update. It introduces regular Bing images to personalize your desktop as was available in the Windows Dynamic theme.
File Shortcuts
Copying the file path has been made accessible in the new Windows 22H2 version.
All you need to do is select the file and press Ctrl + Shift + C. This will copy the file path instead of the folder.
A Better Gaming Experience
This new Windows update brings good news for avid gamers. It adds a plethora of new features for a better PC gaming experience.
Auto HDR and Dynamic Refresh Rate have been added to the windows games.
Closing Up
So, why wait to grab the new Windows update 22H2? Stable Windows users will surely love the new additions to Windows 11.
We shall keep you updated as soon as Microsoft releases any updates. Remember to send us feedback in the comments section below.
