Windows 11 22H2 Latest Update Release Date Appears Now

Windows 11's 22H2 Release Date Finally Appears Online

BY

SIMON BATT

PUBLISHED JUL 27, 2022

An insider source states that you can expect the update in late September 2022.

windows 11 screens in the dark

Windows 11 has had the chance to prove itself to the world, and now it's time for its first feature update. Microsoft has been teasing the 22H2 update for a little while now, and sources state that the company will release it in late September 2022.

Windows 11's First Feature Update, 22H2

The Verge released this information in a post about Microsoft Ignite returning to in-person events. However, hidden away within the meat of the article is the following golden nugget:

Sources tell The Verge that Microsoft is planning to mark the 10-year anniversary of Surface with new products this fall, and is planning to deliver the 22H2 update for Windows 11 in late September.

This is great news, as 22H2 will bring a whole swathe of lovely features to Windows 11. This includes a revamped Task Manager, a tabbed File Explorer, some changes to the Start menu, stickers, and more.

And as usual, when late September rolls around and your copy of Windows 11 doesn't get the update, don't feel too disheartened. Microsoft likes to roll out these updates in stages, where only a select few get the update at first. It may take a while, but your computer should get the update eventually.

A Needed Feature Injection for Windows 11

Microsoft has a huge challenge ahead of it when it comes to getting people to upgrade to Windows 11. According to StatCounter at the time of writing, Windows 11's total market share has yet to surpass the number of Windows 7 users worldwide, even if the gap between the two is less than a percent.

However, Microsoft's operating systems are well-known for not being the best soon after release. As such, these feature updates are a good way for Microsoft to add more incentives to upgrade to Windows 11.

Windows 11 22H2, Coming Soon

Windows 11's first ever feature update comes with some interesting new features, but whether 22H2 is enough to convince people to update to the operating system is yet to be seen. However, it's still a fantastic start, and we're looking forward to seeing all the new features for ourselves in September 2022. 

Microsoft has yet to announce the official release date for Windows 11 22H2, the next feature update, but two reports indicate it will happen on September 20.

Microsoft was expected to release Windows 11 22H2 in September or October but, according to Windows Central, it will drop on September 20, shipping as build 22621, which is currently in testing. Per The Verge, that date falls one week after that month's Patch Tuesday.   

Microsoft has been testing Windows 11 22H2 for the past few months, but users on the current version in the Beta and Dev Channels may have gotten to try some of the new features, such as the Live Captions and Voice Access accessibility features, Suggested Actions, a redesigned Task Manager, tabbed File Explorer, OneDrive integration with File Explorer, and more.  

The Beta Channel receives preview builds of Windows 11 with features more likely to arrive in the 22H2 release.

Windows 11 22H2 will be available as a free update for Windows 11 users. 

According to Windows Central, 22H2 will feature a modern interface, including redesigned volume and brightness sliders that were testing in January. Focus Assist/'Do Note Disturb' settings will be integrated into the Notification Center. 

Apparently tabs in File Explorer and Suggested Actions weren't finalised in time for the 22H2 launch, and instead will arrive in its first 'Moment' update 'shortly after' its release. The Suggested Actions feature gives users prompts for the next steps to take based on the current app and task. Copying a date, for example, may trigger a suggestion to create a calendar item. Copying a phone number might prompt the user to call that number.

As ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley explained recently, 'Moments' is Microsoft's term for rolling out new features outside of major OS updates. It remains unclear whether a Moment release would trigger a new support countdown clock.

Taskbar is regaining the ability to drag and drop files into app icons -- functionality that wasn't in the original version of Windows 11. 

Microsoft has added more ways to snap windows in its Snap Layouts option, which originally let users snap windows into side-by-side arrangements. In previews, users could drag windows to the top of the screen to see the snap layouts and then drop the window on top of a zone to snap it.

Microsoft has updated its Settings app with a new Microsoft Account page that provides an overview of your Microsoft 365 subscription. 

Also coming to Windows 22H2 are Microsoft's new Family safety app and the Clipchamp video-editing app as part of the 'inbox apps' that ship with Windows 11. Family safety offers parental controls and family location tracking.

This year is also the 10th anniversary of Microsoft's Surface line of hardware, spanning Surface Pro and Go tablets, 2-in-1s, several Surface laptops, the Surface Studio desktop, and Android-powered dual-screen Surface Duo. The Verge sources say Microsoft is planning to launch new products this autumn, and they'll likely ship with Windows 11 22H2