Microsoft started distributing the identical Windows 11 Insider builds to the Beta and Dev channels at the end of March. This was the first clue that Windows 11’s first big upgrade was nearing completion, 22H2.
It’s vital to keep in mind that the Windows 11 service model differs from that of Windows 10. When it comes to Windows 11, there will only be one major release every year instead of two spring and fall releases, coupled with monthly updates that can improve user experience without affecting the code of the operating system itself.
Our first upgrade in February 2022 added support for Android applications operating on Windows in the US and improved the taskbar, among other things. You may now mute all open windows when you’re participating in an online conference using Teams. It’s now easier than ever to share documents and presentations with your colleagues by clicking on an app’s hover preview. Additionally, the taskbar now features a weather icon, which may be used as a shortcut to access Windows 11’s widgets.
Both the venerable Media Player and the Notepad, which is now available through the Windows Store, received major updates in the February update, which also replaced Windows’ Groove music player. The new Notepad adds a dark mode and several of Windows 11’s UI improvements.
This is where the first major modifications to Windows’ basic functions and design begin. Many of the new features in 22H2 are already being tested by users on the Beta channel.
Since Windows 11 introduced a new taskbar, it has received a lot of negative feedback. It’s gradually bringing back old functions, while also introducing new ones to accommodate new devices and applications.. This is perhaps the most visible, since it alters its appearance and behaviour when the laptop is in tablet mode. When not in use, the taskbar collapses into a status viewer, but when you wish to use it, it expands and becomes touch-first.
Other modifications to the Start menu, such as allowing you to increase or decrease the amount of pinned applications, have also been implemented. The start menu now allows you to organise programmes into folders, allowing you to better utilise the limited space available on the Start screen for things like your Office suite. Microsoft is also working on improvements to File Explorer and a new Task Manager. Support for tabs is coming to these, but it’s not yet accessible outside of select Dev channel releases. Using tabbed Explorer windows will be an intriguing experiment to watch.
