Complete overview of Home windows 11 22H2, the OS’s first main annual replace

Home windows 11 has already modified lots because the launch of the model we reviewed in October, and Microsoft has put out a gentle stream of redesigned app updates, bug fixes, and person interface enhancements.

However the firm’s large annual Home windows Updates are nonetheless necessary. They’re the place Microsoft makes essentially the most important adjustments to Home windows 11’s feel and appear and under-the-hood options. This week, Rumors Prompt That Microsoft is ending work on what is going to finally be launched as Home windows 11 model 22H2, the OS’s first annual replace. That construct, which is presently accessible for the Home windows Insider Beta Channel as construct quantity 22621.1, will function the muse for the subsequent yr of Home windows Updates.

We cowl the brand new Home windows Insider builds very often, relying on how outstanding the adjustments are. However to save lots of you the difficulty of scrolling via months of articles, we have gathered collectively all crucial variations between the present public construct of Home windows 11 21H2 (for the document, 22000.675) and the most recent beta of model 22H2.

Annual updates aren’t what they was once

First, a caveat: Microsoft has modified the way it updates Home windows over the previous yr. The corporate now releases a number of app updates and UI tweaks when they’re prepared moderately than ready for a significant annual OS replace as it will likely be again in Home windows 10 days. That extra versatile schedule has already allowed Microsoft to repair a few of Home windows 11’s early shortcomings, together with lacking taskbar options and apps that also weren’t up to date with the brand new feel and appear.

This additionally implies that this overview won’t embrace all of the Home windows options that might be a part of the 22H2 replace when it launches. It is probably that apps like the brand new Sound Recorder, which is presently in preview within the Dev Channel, might be launched to the general public earlier than the 22H2 replace is formally launched. Nonetheless-in-testing options like tabbed file explorer might be timed as nicely. These and different adjustments could also be included within the 22H2 replace, could also be launched earlier than it’s out, or could also be by no means be launched.

So this overview is only a snapshot of Home windows 11 22H2 because it presently exists. When it is launched to the general public, we’ll take one other look, check out different new options we see, and spend extra time on the small adjustments we can’t point out on this roundup.

Obligatory Microsoft account sign-in

Residence editions of Home windows 11 (and among the later Home windows 10 releases) all require an Web connection and a Microsoft Account sign-in, which permits customers to embed themselves deeper in Microsoft’s ecosystem. conjures up. There are some advantages to this course of, together with computerized native disk encryption and restoration key backup, passwordless sign-in, fast entry to Microsoft Retailer apps and companies like Microsoft 365 and PC Recreation Move, and knowledge syncing for apps like OneDrive and Edge . however should you Do not Use these items, wish to register later, or choose to stay with a great old style native account, there is no straightforward answer besides to signal out or create a brand new native account when you’re on the desktop .

This was not true of the Professional variations of Home windows, which might will let you create an area account even when you weren’t linked to the Web throughout setup. Nevertheless it ends in model 22H2 of Home windows 11, which requires a Microsoft account, it doesn’t matter what model of the OS you employ. (Setup additionally prompts you to join PC Recreation Move along with Microsoft 365, which I Pondering New to this model of Home windows however could have been added lately).

The one formally accepted exception to this coverage is that if you choose the “Work or Faculty” choice throughout setup as an alternative of the “Private Use” choice. This allows you to register along with your Microsoft account at work or college, if you do not have a private account. However should you simply wish to create an area account, or if you want to arrange a PC with out an Web connection, there is no straightforward method to take action.

This coverage solely applies to new Home windows installations, and won’t have an effect on you in case you are upgrading a PC that’s already arrange.