Microsoft
As predicted, Microsoft is officially releasing Windows 11 Version 22H2 to the general public today. Version 22H2, also called “Windows 11 2022 Update”, is a major update that brings a wealth of fixes and refinements to the operating system, improving the Start menu, jettisoning some more user interface designs from the Windows 8 era, and new touch screens and windows adds management functions and more. We covered many of the new features earlier this year when the update was still in beta testing.
Windows 11 21H2 users may be able to see the 2022 update on Windows Update starting today, but Microsoft is planning its typical phased rollout to monitor for major issues. The update will eventually be offered to all Windows 11 users, but if you don’t see it, you can use the Windows 11 installation wizard or download a fresh copy of the Windows 11 installation media to trigger the installation manually.
In keeping with Microsoft’s promise of “continuous innovation,” more updates are on the way for people installing the 22H2 update. According to Microsoft, the tabbed version of File Explorer (among other things not yet announced) will be available as an optional update in October and will be rolled out more broadly in November for all Windows 11 22H2 users.
“Going forward, we will continue to announce, document and deliver new features and experiences as they are ready,” writes Microsoft VP John Cable.
The 2022 update doesn’t change the system requirements of Windows 11 either way; It doesn’t require a newer processor or additional security hardware, but it doesn’t extend support to something older either. However, Microsoft also says it will continue to allow unsupported installations using any currently documented workarounds. And if you haven’t already upgraded from Windows 10, the Windows 11 free upgrade offer is perpetual – Microsoft has no plans to end it (or pretend to end it, as it did when upgrading to Windows 10 from Windows 7 or 8).
As usual, a new major release of Windows comes with a new support schedule. Windows 11 22H2 Home and Pro are eligible for updates for 24 months, while the Enterprise and Education editions get a more generous 36 months. The original 21H2 version of Windows 11 will continue to receive updates until October 2023. At this point you will need to downgrade to 22H2 or a newer version to continue receiving updates.
Microsoft also said Windows 10 version 22H2 will be released later this month for people who can’t or don’t want to upgrade to Windows 11, in line with the company’s commitment to support Windows 10 through October 2025. No detailed record of what’s coming in Windows 10 22H2 has been released, but all indications are that it won’t include much of anything new in terms of features.
