Windows 11’s 22h2 Update: With 22H2, called “Sun Valley 2” during development, Windows 11 receives its first major upgrade. Microsoft has shifted to a yearlong release cadence for key upgrades with Windows 11, abandoning Windows 10’s frenetic twice-yearly timetable.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Yet, because Microsoft only has an annual release schedule for significant upgrades and Windows 11 was launched last October 4, 2021, the update may not be stable until autumn 2022. Microsoft has yet to provide a firm release date. We don’t know for sure, but if pressed, we’d suggest you can anticipate it in the fall.
The free update will be promoted through Windows Update when it becomes accessible. At the top of the window, under Settings > Windows Update, you’ll see it as an option.
You may always sign up for the Release Preview channel of the Windows Insider Program on your computer if you want the update sooner. The likelihood that you will see issues is increased if you install the update before it is complete.
Remember: We’ll emphasize the changes we find most intriguing in this area. The operating system has several bug fixes, performance enhancements, security updates, and other adjustments as usual. Microsoft, for instance, changed the name of the “Windows Terminal” to “Terminal.”
TASKBAR DRAG AND DROP
You may once again drag and drop files, photos, and other items onto taskbar icons, which was a hugely missed function. In Windows 10 and earlier versions of Windows, this was a significant feature that many users cherished.
It has returned and functions mostly as you would anticipate. However, you will still see a circle with a line through it when you drag something to a taskbar icon, indicating that you cannot drag and drop. However, Windows 11 will switch to the appropriate window when you drag to an application icon, and you may then drag and drop right into that window as usual.
However, moving the taskbar is still not possible—not without modifying the registry.
SNAP IMPROVEMENTS
One of the finest improvements in Windows 11 is Snap Layouts and Snap Groups. With a few new features, Snap becomes even better in 22H2.
You will now see a handle at the top of your screen whenever you move any window on your desktop. You may select a place for the window in the Snap Layouts grid by dragging it to the handle. It ought to make Snap more accessible to Windows 11 users.
like to type on a keyboard? By pressing Windows+Z, the Snap Layouts grid with numbers will now appear. The numbers that display can be pressed to select a position for the window.
When you mouse over a taskbar icon, Windows will display any configured Snap Groups. This will make navigating between different window groups simpler.
And lastly, Edge is joining the party. When you snap a window to one side of the screen, your three most recent Edge tabs will appear as alternatives you may snap beside the window, much like Edge browser tabs do when you press Alt+Tab.
A NEW TASK MANAGER
A redesigned Task Manager with several additional capabilities is now available in Windows 11. As always, you may start “Task Manager” from the Start menu, press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open it, right-click the Start button and choose “Task Manager,” or press Ctrl+Alt+Delete before clicking “Task Manager.”
Now that Windows 11 is in use, the Task Manager’s UI appears considerably more natural. Like Microsoft did with the Notepad upgrade, all the normal features are still available. The design has been updated, though, and now even supports dark mode. Additionally, the Processes tab’s resource utilization columns are shaded using your selected accent color.
Also accessible from the Processes tab is the “Efficiency Mode” choice. To lower the amount of power used by specific programs, you can explicitly activate this. Some Microsoft Edge processes, for example, automatically employ similar methods and display a leaf icon in their Status column.
MAYBE: TABS IN FILE EXPLORER
After Microsoft canceled the Sets feature that would have brought tabs to Windows 10, File Explorer now has them. It’s unclear whether or not this feature will really be included in the 22H2 update’s final release as it isn’t presently available to everyone using the Release Preview. As of late June 2022, Microsoft is still actively testing it in the 22H2 beta channel.
The File Explorer receives a tab bar at the top of each window, and tabs function as you would expect them to. Drag and drop tabs to reorder them, and middle-click folders to open them in a new tab, exactly as you can do with links on your web browser when you middle-click them. You can also use keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl+T to start a new tab and Ctrl+W to shut the current tab.
If this feature isn’t included in 22H2, it should be released soon after or as part of the subsequent upgrade.
START MENU IMPROVEMENTS
The 22H2 update brings back folders for program shortcuts to the Start menu. On mobile devices like the iPhone, iPad, and Android, it functions exactly the same.
Simply drag and drop the icons of two apps into the “Pinned” section of the start menu. You’ll receive a folder with both icons in it. The folder may be opened by clicking it, given any name you wish, and expanded by dragging new icons onto it.
From Settings > Personalization > Start, you can now select alternative layouts for your Start menu, including whether to display more pinned applications or more automatically recommended things.
A PRINT QUEUE AND PRINT DIALOG
The printing functions in Windows 11 have also seen a good makeover. The print queue window, as well as the system print dialog (which you see when choosing File > Print in most programs), have both been updated. They now enable automated printer discovery and installation without using the Settings app, as well as dark mode.
BLUETOOTH DEVICE CONNECTION ON THE TASKBAR
The ability to explore Bluetooth devices, connect to them, and disconnect from them without opening the Settings window is one of the most helpful enhancements to the Quick Settings section in 22H2.
It functions exactly like logging into Wi-Fi networks. You may now access the Quick Settings menu, click or press the arrow to the right of the Bluetooth symbol, and you’ll get a list of associated Bluetooth devices in addition to nearby Bluetooth devices that you can couple, much like with a Wi-Fi network.
BETTER VOLUME CHANGING
When you use the volume keys on your keyboard to modify the volume, Windows 11 now has a new volume change indication that pops up. It appears to be compatible with Windows 11. (The new design also displays when you adjust the brightness of your screen.)
Even more exhilaratingly, you can now use your mouse wheel to adjust the volume while your cursor is on the taskbar’s volume icon. If you had never heard of it, it would be simple to overlook this development, and we just think it’s nice.
LIVE CAPTIONS FOR ANY AUDIO
Similar to Android, Windows 11 now includes a function called “Live Captions” that, when turned on, will instantly provide captions for whatever audio you’re listening to on your computer, whether it’s a voice chat you’re participating in, an internet movie you’re viewing, or anything else. Not on the cloud, but locally on your PC, the audio is transcribed.
You can turn it on by searching “Live Captions” into the Start menu’s search box or by clicking the taskbar button for the Quick Settings menu, “Accessibility,” and then “Live Captions” toggle switches.
TWO NEW APPS, INCLUDING THE VIDEO EDITOR
Aside from new changes and enhancements, Windows 11 introduces its new apps, the Clipchamp and Family.
Microsoft bought the video editor Clipchamp in 2021. To produce 1080p video when Microsoft originally enabled it to Windows, a $9 monthly membership was needed. That ban has thankfully been lifted. Although Clipchamp has a free tier, paying monthly memberships is still available as an alternative. As of June 2022, its premium features are not included in Microsoft’s basic Microsoft 365 membership.
With this tool, you can easily edit movies, make clips, add music, set up transitions, and export your finished product in web-friendly formats. After the passing of the adored Windows Movie Maker, this tool has been eagerly anticipated. (Windows 10’s secret video editor fell short in trying to replace its place.)
AND MANY MORE
The 22H2 upgrade has a number of additional improvements. For instance, Microsoft has put a lot of effort into rearranging certain settings and adding a lot more features to the Settings app. Do Not Disturb replaced the Focus function. There are new touch-screen motions, such as three-finger swipes to the left to access your most recent app. Wideband speech with AirPods is now even supported by Windows 11.
IS IT WORTH UPGRADING?
Although none of these changes are particularly ground-breaking, together they represent a strong, comprehensive update with several enhancements. Many of these are straightforward upgrades to make, like the ability to drag and drop items into the taskbar. It will be difficult to recall in the future which of these improvements were included in the 22H2 update and which were a part of Windows 11’s initial release. It will undoubtedly be a fantastic improvement if you are using Windows 11.
If your PC is compatible with Windows 11, you may update for free if you’re not presently using it. Even if Windows 11 doesn’t work on your computer, there are several workarounds you may try. Third-party developers are assisting: The Rufus tool makes installing Windows 11 on incompatible PCs simpler than ever.
On contemporary PCs, Windows 11 performs best, however, Windows 10 is still supported through October 2025. We believe that users with unsupported PCs need to continue using Windows 10 for the time being. Windows 10 runs well, and if you stick with a version of Windows that is still officially supported, you’ll probably run across fewer issues.
So overall, purchasing a new PC that supports Windows 11 is the best method to acquire if you currently have an unsupported PC and truly want to utilize it. You won’t be losing out if it means sticking with Windows 10 for a few more years before upgrading. Windows 10 performs admirably.
