What’s new in the Windows 11 2022 Update

The first real major Windows 11 update is here, and it's available to everyone, consumer users and commercial users, for free via Windows Update, or through some shortcuts for those who don't want to wait.

We’ll take a look at it in detail to understand what's new and why it's important, and also what's in store for us in the (near) future.

Windows 11 2022 Update: how to get it

Like with all Windows Updates, the rollout will be progressive, and Microsoft won’t make it available to all computers running Windows 11 at the same time. The tendency is to start with the most recent computers and then go on to the older ones.

To update Windows 11 to the latest version, just check the Windows Update module in Settings to see if the update is available: if you're not sure what your installed version is, you can check it by opening the System Information module in Settings>System and looking at Version: the new update corresponds to version 22H2, as in the image below.

The System Information module in Settings where the version of Windows that is currently installed is indicated

It should be mentioned that the update is completely transparent and adds new features to the system, but doesn't change any of the important and vital parts of it: which means that IT managers who have to oversee the update for managed computer fleets don't have to worry, as there are no incompatibility issues.

At the same time, those who don't want to wait for the classic Microsoft rollout but want to have the update immediately can "jump the queue" with the Windows 11 Installation Assistant App, downloadable from this official page.

Once you have downloaded the App and run it, it will ask you to run a second App (if you've never done it before), PC Integrity Check, which performs a check on the hardware and verifies that it is fully compatible with the requirements of the software.

Once this part is done, which takes a few minutes, just go back to the Windows 11 Installation Assistant to install Windows 11 2022 Update and start the download, and the update will be downloaded and installed in the background. During the process, the user is free to use the PC as they want (but the performance will be a bit reduced, especially the download speed) until the actual update is performed, which will take about ten minutes, during which the computer will show a black display with the progress percentage, until the final reboot, after which the computer will be fully operational again.

Control Integrity of PC allows you to force the update without waiting for the queue.

No revolution, but lots of changes

There are many changes introduced with this update: some really important, others just minor details, but which can be crucial for some users: the transition away from Windows 10 continues, with improvements to Settings, new Apps and features and many, many innovations.

Microsoft is keeping the user at the center of the entire Windows 11 experience, with development continuing after the update: users who want to test new features before their official release can subscribe to the Windows Insider channel.

Focus on the Start Menu: the space for Apps and documents can be modulated according to the user's needs

Real-time transcription

Windows 11 is now able to show captions for any audio that the computer can capture, after downloading the vocabulary files locally. But be aware, the real surprise is that the process takes place entirely locally, even without an internet connection, a factor that could be crucial, especially in educational environments.

The system is also able to filter content and omit vulgar or offensive terms (depending on the configuration set by the user), but is currently limited to English only.

Real-time subtitles, for now only in English, can help people with disabilities a lot but also be a valuable help for those who are not familiar with the language

Drag&Drop

After what has likely been some of the most heated feedback they’ve gotten, Microsoft has added back the drag&drop functionality to the App bar: dragging a file from the desktop or from a folder over an App icon moves the app window to the foreground, opening the file in question directly.

Drag&drop has also been added to the Start Menu, which is now able to group apps into folders (groups) by simply dragging one icon on top of another, an operation that only requires the use of the mouse pointer: the resulting folders can be renamed as desired.

Regarding the Start Menu, this has been slightly revised and now it's possible to change the prominence of the Apps part relative to the Documents part: in the Settings module we can give more prominence (space) to one area or another, depending on how we choose to use it.

Within Settings > Customization the part dedicated to the Start Menu

File Explorer

There are also some cosmetic improvements to File Explorer, the most important application because it allows us to manage the documents and folders stored on the PC: on the left side, the section dedicated to the user has been renamed Home, and from here we can access the most important folders on the computer.

In the same vein, the management of commands has been sped up: right-click always opens the simplified command dropdown, while Shift+Click now opens the full command dropdown, identical to the one found on Windows 10.

The management of Panels within File Explorer was supposed to arrive with this update, but Microsoft decided to delay its release by a few weeks; it will still arrive before the end of the year. Instead, the appearance of the folders has been improved, which now show a partial preview of the files inside them.

Finally, the OneDrive icon appears in the top right of the File Explorer windows, which shows the same shortcut as in the Applications bar.

With this Update Microsoft has done further cleaning in File Explorer

Windows

The feature that allows you to position and resize windows semi-automatically, which has been present since the release of Windows 11, has been improved, and now also appears when you move the window to the top of the display. Those who use large screens with many open applications or windows will really like this new feature.

There are also small novelties regarding the sharing of windows in Teams: the command has been revised and now has clearer graphics. Overall, support for Teams has been extended.

With the new update now, windows can be anchored at the top of the desk

Task Manager

The App that has seen the best new features is undoubtedly Task Manager, an IT specialist's best friend (but not only), which offers a complete and reliable X-ray of everything that goes on inside Windows. The app has been revamped both in its code and interface, and now has a much more modern and easy-to-use look, recalling the principles we've already seen in the latest updated apps like Media Player.

The new Task Manager App, with new UI

Quick settings

Now it's possible to manage and add a Bluetooth device directly, without going through the settings: in general, all the quick settings have been revised, and it's now possible to add a Color Profiles section, switching, for instance, between a Vivid profile (more consumer-friendly) to an sRGB one (more accurate and real).

Touch

Many animations designed for touch have been added. Touching three of the four edges of the screen and dragging your finger to the center activates different panels (Start Menu from the bottom, Notifications and Quick Menu from the left, Widgets from the right). The animations have been enhanced and are now smoother.

Android Apps

Microsoft has widened the range of countries that can use Android Apps, and Italy is now one of them. The technology promises great possibilities in many areas: we are preparing an in-depth article on this functionality, which will come very soon.

The android apps arrive on Windows 11 also in Italy, we are preparing a special article for them

Improvements in Settings

Windows 11 checks the installed Apps more carefully, and, when needed, alerts the user that the same App is available in the Microsoft Store (which is more secure and often also optimized), while still leaving the user free to choose how to proceed.

The Accounts section has been overhauled, enhanced and simplified, and now shows all features, as well as any subscriptions to the various Microsoft 365 suites.

Device and printer sharing has also been improved.

The Account section, magazine and now more understandable

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