Windows 11 22h2 update

Last week, Microsoft announced that Windows 11 22H2 (Build 22621) had been pushed to the Release Preview Channel for Windows Insiders. Windows 11 22H2 is the latest major update for Microsoft’s current consumer operating system and brings new features like Smart App Control, a redesigned Task Manager (with an efficiency mode), and new touch screen gestures (among other features). In addition, all Windows 11 versions (including Pro) now require a Microsoft account. Microsoft will start rolling out Windows 11 22H2 to eligible PCs over the coming weeks and months, but we’ve put together a handy guide to help you get the update right now. Although Build 22621 is labeled as a Release Preview, this is the final version of the software update that Microsoft will push to the general public in waves. How to Get the Windows 11 22H2 Update: 2 Ways You can install the Windows 11 22H2 Update ahead of schedule in two different ways. The easiest way is to head over to Windows Update and join the Windows Insider program (if you haven’t done so already). Once that's done, you can install it from Windows Update. The second method is to create an ISO so that you can mount and update within Windows 10/Windows 11 or perform a clean install by transferring the ISO to a bootable USB thumb drive. Obtaining the Windows 11 22H2 via the Windows Insider Program Assuming you’re not already a member of the Windows Insider Program on the PC you wish to upgrade, here’s how to sign up. If you are already ...

It's important to understand that we're in the “seeker” era for Windows 11 22H2. Microsoft still has a variety of hardware and third-party issues to work through, which is why you might not get offered 22H2 right away. But there is a mechanism you can use to review any hard blocks on your system. (If you want to get 22H2 sooner rather than later, you could opt into the Courtesy of Adam Gross, you can use a GitHub script to determine exactly why your system is not being offered 22H2. You can either download the PowerShell script from First, search for PowerShell and then right-mouse click and run as administrator. In an administrator PowerShell session, type in the following: Install-Module FU.WhyAmIBlocked -Scope CurrentUser If you do not have the NuGet repository installed, it will prompt you to do so. Depending on your system, you may need to adjust the script policy on your computer. Type in: Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted And type in Y to approve the change. Next, type in: Import-Module FU.WhyAmIBlocked Finally, type in: Get-FUBlocks It should then provide the results in the FeatureUpdateBlocks folder on your computer. In my case, I have a Surface Pro 7 plus that had Windows 11 21H2 installed. But I wasn’t being offered 22H2. After running the script from GitHub, I found out I had a block on my machine because of how I had installed a printer in my home network. Sure enough, this has recently been announced as a block to those who check for 22H2 via ...

Since this is technically a new version, this release will require complete reinstallation regardless of your current setup. Similar to previous releases, the company will deploy the latest version of Usually, if you have a device with no compatibility issues, the option to update will be available within the first weeks of the release date. However, it will take some time until version 22H2 reaches every desktop computer, laptop, and tablet. Important:This is a non-destructive process, but there is always a chance of something going wrong during and after the upgrade. You should consider creating a How to install Windows 11 2022 Update via Windows Update To install the Windows 11 2022 Update through Windows Update, use these steps: • Open Settings. • Click on Windows Update. • Click the Check for updatesbutton. (Image credit: Mauro Huculak) • Click the "Download and install now"button. • Click the Restart nowbutton. Once you complete the steps, the installation process will proceed to apply the 2022 Update on your computer. Since this is a new version of Windows 11, the installation may take some time. In the case that the new version isn't available, it's probably because of a compatibility problem that is blocking the installation. If there's a compatibility problem, using a different method to update is not recommended as you may run into issues. How to install Windows 11 2022 Update via Installation Assistant To upgrade the system to the Windows 11 2022 Update with th...

What you need to know • Microsoft begins automatically updating Windows 11 users to version 22H2. • Some users on 21H2 will begin seeing the 22H2 update as soon as today. • It's unclear if users have the option to decline the update once it's offered. Microsoft has announced that users still running the original launch version of The announcement was buried in a "Today we begin to automatically update consumer and non-managed business devices running Windows 11, version 21H2 Home and Pro editions to Windows 11, version 22H2. Since Windows 10, we have been helping Windows users stay up to date and secure with supported versions of Windows throughautomatic updates. We are utilizing this same approach for Windows 11 to help you stay protected and productive. Windows 11 version 21H2 is still in support, and Microsoft does say that "Customer feedback and analysis show a positive experience with Windows 11, version 22H2," to reassure users that the latest version of Windows 11 won't cause any problems once you upgrade. What's new in the version 22H2 update? For those still on version 21H2, here's a quick rundown of the top new features that are present with the Windows 11 version 22H2 release: • App folders in Start menu • Resizable pinned area in Start menu • Drag and Drop on the Taskbar • Focus Assist integration with Notification Center • New "spotlight" wallpaper feature • New Voice Access accessibility feature • New Live Captions accessibility feature • New gestures and ani...

PC hardware is nice, but it’s not much use without innovative software. I’ve been reviewing software for PCMag since 2008, and I still get a kick out of seeing what's new in video and photo editing software, and how operating systems change over time. I was privileged to byline the cover story of the last print issue of PC Magazine, the Windows 7 review, and I’ve witnessed every Microsoft win and misstep up to the latest Windows 11. (Credit: PCMag) Windows 11 users have complained about the loss of the ability to drag and drop files onto taskbar icons. The 22H2 update thankfully addresses this gap, returning the capability. It’s not a feature I use often, and it doesn’t let you simply drag a file icon to open the app. The app must be running first, and when you first drag it onto the taskbar, the universal no symbol appears, but don't let that deter you, the app window will appear and you then can drag the file onto it to open it. Another completely new taskbar capability coming to a later update is an overflow button that appears when you have too many icons on the taskbar. 2. Folders on the Start Menu (Credit: PCMag) With Windows 11's 22H2 update, you can make folders, or groups of app icons, and put them on your Start menu. You can name the groups, as shown above. The resulting small icon clusters will be familiar to any smartphone user. Also new for the Start menu is the ability to choose to have more pinned apps and fewer recommended apps, or vice versa. 3. Updated Fi...

The Windows 11 2022 update, also called Windows 11 22H2, has gone live, with a series of new features in the Start menu and File Explorer, along with improvements to accessibility, and gaming. While Windows Insiders have had most of these features for a bit, others may want them now that they're officially released. In a blog post, vice president of Windows servicing and delivery John Cable wrote that Microsoft is taking a "measured and phased" approach to the rollout, which will offer the update over Windows Update "when data shows that your device is ready[.]" The delivery may be ramped up in the first weeks. Cable wrote that if Microsoft thinks you'll have an issue, like compatibility with software, you may be put on hold. Microsoft is also attempting to schedule update installations in a greener way. "When available, Windows 11 will now prioritize installing updates in the background at times when greater amounts of clean energy sources (like wind, solar, and hydro) are available," Cable wrote. Doing so may result in fewer carbon emissions involved in updating your PC. For users with eligible devices that meet the Windows 11 system requirements, here's how to upgrade to Windows 11 22H2. If You're Already on Windows 11 Those who already have Windows 11 will have a pretty easy time of updating. If your device is ready, you can go to Settings > Windows Update and click the Check for updates button. If it's ready, you'll just be able to click "Download & install" and be on...

Since this is technically a new version, this release will require complete reinstallation regardless of your current setup. Similar to previous releases, the company will deploy the latest version of Usually, if you have a device with no compatibility issues, the option to update will be available within the first weeks of the release date. However, it will take some time until version 22H2 reaches every desktop computer, laptop, and tablet. Important:This is a non-destructive process, but there is always a chance of something going wrong during and after the upgrade. You should consider creating a How to install Windows 11 2022 Update via Windows Update To install the Windows 11 2022 Update through Windows Update, use these steps: • Open Settings. • Click on Windows Update. • Click the Check for updatesbutton. (Image credit: Mauro Huculak) • Click the "Download and install now"button. • Click the Restart nowbutton. Once you complete the steps, the installation process will proceed to apply the 2022 Update on your computer. Since this is a new version of Windows 11, the installation may take some time. In the case that the new version isn't available, it's probably because of a compatibility problem that is blocking the installation. If there's a compatibility problem, using a different method to update is not recommended as you may run into issues. How to install Windows 11 2022 Update via Installation Assistant To upgrade the system to the Windows 11 2022 Update with th...

It's important to understand that we're in the “seeker” era for Windows 11 22H2. Microsoft still has a variety of hardware and third-party issues to work through, which is why you might not get offered 22H2 right away. But there is a mechanism you can use to review any hard blocks on your system. (If you want to get 22H2 sooner rather than later, you could opt into the Courtesy of Adam Gross, you can use a GitHub script to determine exactly why your system is not being offered 22H2. You can either download the PowerShell script from First, search for PowerShell and then right-mouse click and run as administrator. In an administrator PowerShell session, type in the following: Install-Module FU.WhyAmIBlocked -Scope CurrentUser If you do not have the NuGet repository installed, it will prompt you to do so. Depending on your system, you may need to adjust the script policy on your computer. Type in: Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted And type in Y to approve the change. Next, type in: Import-Module FU.WhyAmIBlocked Finally, type in: Get-FUBlocks It should then provide the results in the FeatureUpdateBlocks folder on your computer. In my case, I have a Surface Pro 7 plus that had Windows 11 21H2 installed. But I wasn’t being offered 22H2. After running the script from GitHub, I found out I had a block on my machine because of how I had installed a printer in my home network. Sure enough, this has recently been announced as a block to those who check for 22H2 via ...

PC hardware is nice, but it’s not much use without innovative software. I’ve been reviewing software for PCMag since 2008, and I still get a kick out of seeing what's new in video and photo editing software, and how operating systems change over time. I was privileged to byline the cover story of the last print issue of PC Magazine, the Windows 7 review, and I’ve witnessed every Microsoft win and misstep up to the latest Windows 11. (Credit: PCMag) Windows 11 users have complained about the loss of the ability to drag and drop files onto taskbar icons. The 22H2 update thankfully addresses this gap, returning the capability. It’s not a feature I use often, and it doesn’t let you simply drag a file icon to open the app. The app must be running first, and when you first drag it onto the taskbar, the universal no symbol appears, but don't let that deter you, the app window will appear and you then can drag the file onto it to open it. Another completely new taskbar capability coming to a later update is an overflow button that appears when you have too many icons on the taskbar. 2. Folders on the Start Menu (Credit: PCMag) With Windows 11's 22H2 update, you can make folders, or groups of app icons, and put them on your Start menu. You can name the groups, as shown above. The resulting small icon clusters will be familiar to any smartphone user. Also new for the Start menu is the ability to choose to have more pinned apps and fewer recommended apps, or vice versa. 3. Updated Fi...

The Windows 11 2022 update, also called Windows 11 22H2, has gone live, with a series of new features in the Start menu and File Explorer, along with improvements to accessibility, and gaming. While Windows Insiders have had most of these features for a bit, others may want them now that they're officially released. In a blog post, vice president of Windows servicing and delivery John Cable wrote that Microsoft is taking a "measured and phased" approach to the rollout, which will offer the update over Windows Update "when data shows that your device is ready[.]" The delivery may be ramped up in the first weeks. Cable wrote that if Microsoft thinks you'll have an issue, like compatibility with software, you may be put on hold. Microsoft is also attempting to schedule update installations in a greener way. "When available, Windows 11 will now prioritize installing updates in the background at times when greater amounts of clean energy sources (like wind, solar, and hydro) are available," Cable wrote. Doing so may result in fewer carbon emissions involved in updating your PC. For users with eligible devices that meet the Windows 11 system requirements, here's how to upgrade to Windows 11 22H2. If You're Already on Windows 11 Those who already have Windows 11 will have a pretty easy time of updating. If your device is ready, you can go to Settings > Windows Update and click the Check for updates button. If it's ready, you'll just be able to click "Download & install" and be on...