After years of twice-annual Windows 10 characteristic updates, the yearlong look forward to the primary characteristic replace to Windows 11 has appeared particularly prolonged. But the Windows 11 2022 Update, model 22H2, is right here eventually. (The “22” stands for the 12 months 2022, and “H2” means it’s being launched within the second half of the 12 months.)Unlike the incessantly launched high quality and safety updates, which repair bugs, plug safety holes, and infrequently add a characteristic or two, characteristic updates sometimes add a number of recent options to the OS, so there’s been a whole lot of anticipation about 22H2.What’s in it? Does it dwell as much as its billing, or is it a dud? I’ve been dwelling with it for fairly a while, and listed below are my solutions to these questions and just about the rest you’d wish to find out about it.Start menu tweaksAs with so many Windows characteristic updates, on this one Microsoft continues to fiddle with the Start menu. This time there’s nothing main, although, only some minor tweaks.My favourite addition is the flexibility to create folders to arrange your apps, as you could possibly in Windows 10 — a characteristic that Microsoft unaccountably eradicated in Windows 11. So you may, for instance, group PowerPoint, a graphics program, and a video editor in the identical folder so that they’re straightforward to seek out once you create shows.Unfortunately, Microsoft appeared to exit of its strategy to disguise this characteristic. There’s no apparent strategy to do it — though when you study it, it’s a breeze to do: Drag one of many Start menu’s pinned icons onto the icon of an app you need to group it with. Then launch it. Both apps will now seem as small icons in an icon merely referred to as Folder. (Note that the Start menu is a bit finicky about the place precisely that you must drop the icon, so it might take you a shot or two to do it.) Drag extra apps into that folder when you’d like.Once you’re completed, double-click it. The folder opens along with your icons in it, and the textual content “Folder” on the high. Type in a brand new title for the folder. IDG

Creating a brand new Start menu folder.

To run any app in a folder, click on it. You can hold including apps to a folder at any time.You can’t straight delete a Start folder, although. Instead, drag all of the app icons out of it. When you do, the folder disappears.You may also now select from three completely different Start menu layouts: The one you’re acquainted with in Windows 11, which is the default; one titled “More pins,” which provides further rows for pinned apps and a smaller suggestions space; and one titled “More recommendations,” which makes the suggestions space bigger and eliminates a row of pinned apps. IDG

You can now select from one among three Start menu layouts.

Start received a number of extra minor tweaks, resembling having the ability to pin an app to the taskbar from the Start menu, slightly than having to try this utilizing All Apps — simply right-click the app in Start you need to pin and select Pin to taskbar from the menu that seems. You may also refresh the Recommended space to provide the most modern suggestions by right-clicking Recommended and deciding on Refresh. And that’s just about it for the Start menu. Not an entire lot, but it surely’s good to get folders again, no less than.A revamped Task ManagerTweakers and people who fiddle with their system to do issues like examine reminiscence utilization or disable applications that run on startup will likely be happy to see an improved Task Manager. Mostly the interface has been improved, though there are a number of new helpful options as properly.Let’s begin with the interface. Instead of the earlier format of tabs throughout the highest for processes, efficiency, startup apps, and so forth, they’re now icons working vertically down a sidebar on the left. The icons are massive, with substantial area between them, so that they’re a lot simpler to see than the earlier tabs. Overall, the look is extra pleasing and simpler on the attention.However, there’s one disadvantage to this new design — in case your Task Manager window is sized pretty small (as is probably going the case when you’re utilizing a laptop computer with out a big display), the icons aren’t labelled, and it’s not apparent what they imply. You could also be shocked to know, for instance, that clicking the icon of three squares configured at a proper angle will convey you to Processes, or that the speedometer icon will lead you to Startup Apps. IDG

The Task Manager sports activities a redesigned look and a brand new Efficiency Mode that allows you to restrict what number of sources particular apps use, so as to velocity up your PC. (Click picture to enlarge it.)

To see what every icon means, resize your Task Manager window bigger, and it is best to see each icons and textual content labels for them. Again, although, you won’t be capable of measurement the window massive sufficient for the textual content labels to look on laptops with small screens. If that’s the case with you, or if you wish to hold the window small, click on the “hamburger menu” of three horizonal traces on the high of the icons to make the textual content labels seem. Click one, you’ll head there, and the textual content labels will disappear to present you again extra display actual property.The menu on the high of the previous Task Manager (File, Options, and View) has been changed with a single settings display, accessible by way of the Settings icon on the backside of the left sidebar, and a small horizontal menu on the high of the display that allows you to accomplish easy duties resembling working a brand new job.One particularly helpful new characteristic for individuals who use Task Manager to hurry up their programs is a brand new Efficiency mode that allows you to restrict what number of sources particular apps use. Right-click any app that’s consuming a excessive quantity of sources and choose Efficiency mode from the menu that seems. Note that you simply received’t be capable of use Efficiency mode on core Windows processes. When you right-click any app or course of that may’t use Efficiency mode, that setting will likely be grayed out on the menu.Windows by itself generally suspends processes or apps to enhance efficiency. In the brand new Task Manager, you’ll see an icon subsequent to any app or course of that has been suspended.One closing helpful characteristic: Task Manager now has keyboard shortcuts for performing sure duties. Press the Alt key to see which can be found. Here are some helpful ones:
Alt-E – End a particular job
Alt-M – Put a particular or app into effectivity mode, or take away it from effectivity mode
Alt-N – Run a brand new job
All in all, these modifications add as much as one thing important, though just for individuals who recurrently tinker with their system.File Explorer and OneDrive integrationI’ll get proper to the dangerous information: Windows 11 22H2 doesn’t have the long-awaited and long-promised Tabs characteristic for File Explorer. Microsoft says that characteristic will likely be added in an October replace.There are a number of comparatively helpful minor modifications, although. OneDrive customers will likely be notably happy with File Explorer’s improved integration with OneDrive. You can now open File Explorer on to OneDrive. To do it, click on the three-dot menu icon on the highest proper of the display, choose Options > General, and within the “Open File Explorer to:” drop-down, choose OneDrive. IDG

File Explorer consists of improved integration with OneDrive. (Click picture to enlarge it.)

In addition, on the higher proper there’s an icon for OneDrive that when clicked exhibits you its sync standing, whole capability, and whole area used, and offers fast entry to settings and choices for managing storage. The icon solely seems when you’re presently viewing a OneDrive folder.Given that OneDrive was launched 15 years in the past, it’s odd that Microsoft took so lengthy to supply some of these integrations. Still, I consider I converse for all OneDrive customers after I say we’ll take what we are able to get.File Explorer additionally will get a minor face elevate, together with a cleaner-looking, extra helpful left navigation pane that allows you to get to incessantly used folders and pinned folders. And there are different small modifications as properly, together with the flexibility to go looking by latest and favourite information, even when these information usually are not native ones.All that is to the nice. But it doesn’t add as much as rather a lot. Putting tabs on File Explorer would, so let’s hope it truly is coming our method.New touchscreen gesturesIf you’ve got a touchscreen system, you get a number of new contact gestures, which is useful. Here are among the most helpful:Toggle the Start menu. Swipe up from the taskbar to open the Start menu. Wipe down on Start to toggle it off.Minimize apps. Swipe down with three fingers.Toggle All Apps in Start. Swipe to the left on the Start menu’s Pinned space to show All Apps. Swipe to toggle them off.Open Quick Settings. Swipe from the precise.Switch between working apps. Use a three-finger swipe to the left or properSwitch to the beforehand used app. Swiping left or proper with three fingers.What’s up with the taskbar?The Windows Taskbar received one helpful characteristic on this replace, having the ability to drag and drop a file onto a taskbar app icon and have the file open in that app as you are able to do in Windows 10. No, it’s not earthshaking. But in an replace that features so few really helpful new options, it stands out.Look laborious sufficient past that and also you’ll discover a number of insignificant tweaks, however don’t blink otherwise you’ll miss them. For instance, now you can management the quantity stage on the taskbar quantity management utilizing the scroll in a mouse wheel. (Be nonetheless, my beating coronary heart!)Built-in video enhancingIncluded in 22H2 is Clipchamp, a free, fundamental video editor that’s appropriate for easy enhancing duties. It’s not a brand new app; Microsoft purchased the app in 2021, and it’s already been obtainable within the Microsoft Store for both Windows 10 or Windows 11.It’s a simple, helpful video editor with templates that provide you with a begin on creating many several types of movies, together with for slideshows, advertisements, and social media posts. You can use already-existing movies and pictures out of your PC or inventory collections, import video from different sources, document video, and take display pictures as properly. Also included are transitions, overlays, and a few particular results, in addition to the flexibility to create titles. IDG

The free Clipchamp video editor is constructed into Windows 11. (Click picture to enlarge it.)

You received’t discover superior instruments right here, resembling movement monitoring or superior particular results. But face it, you may’t beat free. There’s additionally an “Essentials” model you may improve to for $12 a month ($8 for the primary month). Essentials consists of extra highly effective and assorted filters and results; the flexibility to model video content material; on-line backup; and extra, higher-quality audio, video, and picture inventory.Settings tweaksMicrosoft all the time takes the chance to vary the Settings app at any time when it releases a characteristic improve, and this time is not any completely different. Many are beauty or use completely different textual content than the earlier model of Windows 11, though there are a number of recent settings as properly, resembling a setting that may present latest searches once you hover over the Search icon on the taskbar. There are quite a lot of different tweaks all through Settings, together with the flexibility to show off the System Tray overflow menu, have Bing present you a special picture daily as your desktop wallpaper, and others. IDG

A brand new Settings possibility enables you to show your search historical past when hovering over the taskbar’s search icon. (Click picture to enlarge it.)

Oddly sufficient, Microsoft seems to have undone among the modifications it made throughout earlier releases of 22H2. For instance, a facelift to Settings app’s Accounts web page supplied quite a lot of data at a look, resembling whether or not you’ve got Microsoft 365 put in, and if that’s the case, what model and the way a lot you’re paying for it. That’s gone in the latest 22H2 launch.Yet extra tweaksYou’ll discover loads of different tweaks sprinkled all through the working system. The most vital is to the Snap Layouts characteristic, which helps you to group your open home windows into one among a half-dozen pre-built display layouts. In the replace to Windows 11, you’ll be capable of drag a window to the highest of the display after which drop it right into a snap format. In addition, Task View (Windows key + Tab) will present your Snap Groups so you may simply swap between them. IDG

Here’s the brand new Snap Layouts in motion. (Click picture to enlarge it.)

How a lot you’ll like this tweak relies upon upon whether or not you discover Snap Layouts helpful and even use it in any respect. I’ve tried my hardest to love it ever because it was launched, however to no avail. I discover it pointless, complicated and extra hassle than it’s value. But because the saying goes, your mileage could range.A tweak could make it easier to cut back carbon emissions. Depending upon the place you reside, you might even see “Windows Update is committed to helping reduce carbon emissions” message on the Windows Update web page. If you do, Windows will try and schedule updates at instances that will cut back carbon emissions — for instance, when photo voltaic or hydro energy is used extra by your utility firm. Microsoft makes use of “regional carbon intensity data” from Electricity Maps and WattTime to find out these instances. Microsoft isn’t saying, although, how a lot this follow would possibly cut back emissions.What IT must find out about 22H2There’s not a lot new on this improve for IT. Sys admins get some new group insurance policies for controlling the Start menu, taskbar, and system tray for his or her customers. Here’s the record:
Disable Quick Settings flyout
Disable Notification Center and calendar flyouts
Disable all taskbar settings
Disable search (throughout Start & taskbar)
Hide Task View from taskbar
Block customization of ‘Pinned’ in Start
Hide ‘Recommended’ in Start
Disable Start context menus
Hide ‘All apps’ in Start
“Microsoft Patch Lady” Susan Bradley factors out that there’s additionally a brand new group coverage default with an account lockout coverage “to mitigate Remote Desktop Protocol and other brute force password vectors.” Before this, she notes, “admins couldn’t set an account lockout policy on Administrator accounts via RDP unless you left the password blank. Clearly this is not ideal and not recommended.”Security has been enhanced in a number of methods. Devices which have Intel eighth era chipsets and better will use virtualization-based safety (VBS) and hypervisor-protected code integrity (HVCI) by default. That protects towards malware, ransomware, and extra subtle assaults. So do enhancements to Microsoft Defender SmartDisplay and Smart App Control, and enabling Windows Credential Guard by default on gadgets working Windows 11 Enterprise.As for a way enterprises can get the replace, Microsoft says: “Windows 11, version 22H2 is available through familiar channels and processes including Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), Windows Update for Business, and the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) for phased deployment using Microsoft Endpoint Manager or other endpoint management solutions.” It provides, “September 20, 2022 marks the start of the 36 months of servicing support lifecycle for Enterprise and Education editions of Windows 11, version 22H2.”Bottom lineSo what does all this add as much as? Not a lot. Calling 22H2 a characteristic replace is a stretch at finest. There’s little new right here, and even much less that’s helpful. Bringing again Start menu folders is a pleasant little addition, and system tweakers will likely be fairly happy with the brand new Task Manager, however the change that many individuals had been most trying ahead to — tabs in File Explorer — is lacking. There’s additionally little right here for IT and enterprises.So go forward and set up it once you really feel it’s been out within the wild lengthy sufficient to turn into as bug-free as doable. Just don’t anticipate a lot of a distinction after you put in it.Expect 22H2 to enhance progressively over time. Microsoft says that any longer, Windows will get characteristic updates like 22H2 every year, however that in between, particular person new options could also be launched as usually as as soon as a month. That will occur in October, when Microsoft will launch an replace that delivers tabs to File Explorer. The replace will likely be elective and delivered by way of a phased rollout, and can then be included within the regular month-to-month safety replace launch in November.Keep that in thoughts when deciding when or whether or not to put in 22H2. Those new options received’t be made obtainable to earlier variations of Windows 11.

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