Andrew Cunningham
Home windows 11 has already modified fairly a bit since the version we reviewed in October was launched, and Microsoft has put out a gentle stream of redesigned app updates, bug fixes, and person interface enhancements.
However the firm’s massive yearly Home windows updates are nonetheless vital. They’re the place Microsoft makes probably the most vital adjustments to Home windows 11’s appear and feel and under-the-hood options. This week, rumors suggested that Microsoft is wrapping up work on what is going to ultimately be launched as Home windows 11 model 22H2, the OS’s first yearly replace. That construct, presently obtainable to the Home windows Insider Beta channel as build number 22621.1, will function the muse for the subsequent yr of Home windows updates.
We cowl new Home windows Insider builds pretty ceaselessly, relying on how noteworthy the adjustments are. However to avoid wasting you the difficulty of scrolling by months of articles, we have gathered collectively all probably the most vital variations between the present public construct of Home windows 11 21H2 (for the file, 22000.675) and the newest beta of model 22H2.
Yearly updates ain’t what they was once
First, a caveat: Microsoft has modified the way it updates Home windows within the final yr. The corporate now releases many app updates and UI tweaks when they’re ready as a substitute of ready for a significant yearly OS replace as it might have again within the Home windows 10 days. That extra versatile schedule has already allowed Microsoft to repair a few of Home windows 11’s early shortcomings, together with lacking taskbar options and apps that also hadn’t been up to date with the brand new appear and feel.
It additionally implies that this overview will not embrace the entire Home windows options that will probably be part of the 22H2 replace when it launches. It is doubtless that apps just like the new Sound Recorder, presently in preview within the Dev channel, will probably be launched to the general public earlier than the 22H2 replace is formally launched. Nonetheless-in-testing options just like the tabbed File Explorer could possibly be performed in time, too. These and different adjustments could possibly be included within the 22H2 replace, they could possibly be launched earlier than it is out, or they may by no means be launched.
So this overview is only a snapshot of Home windows 11 22H2 because it presently exists. When it is launched to the general public, we’ll take one other look, notice some other new options we see, and spend extra time on minor adjustments that we cannot point out on this roundup.
Necessary Microsoft account sign-in
The Dwelling version of Home windows 11 (and of a few of the later Home windows 10 releases) all required an Web connection and a Microsoft account sign-in at setup, pushing customers to embed themselves deeper in Microsoft’s ecosystem. There are some advantages to this course of, together with automated native disk encryption and restoration key backup, passwordless sign-in, fast entry to Microsoft Retailer apps and companies like Microsoft 365 and PC Recreation Go, and information syncing for apps like OneDrive and Edge. However if you happen to do not use these items, need to register later, or desire to stay with an excellent old style native account, there is no straightforward workaround, wanting signing out or creating a brand new native account as soon as you have gotten to the desktop.
This wasn’t true of the Professional editions of Home windows, which might nonetheless permit you to create a neighborhood account if you happen to did not hook up with the Web throughout setup. However that ends within the 22H2 model of Home windows 11, which requires a Microsoft account no matter which edition of the OS you use. (Setup additionally pushes you to enroll in PC Recreation Go along with Microsoft 365, which I suppose is new to this model of Home windows however might have been added extra lately).
The one formally sanctioned exception to this coverage is if you happen to select the “work or faculty” possibility throughout setup as a substitute of the “private use” possibility. This allows you to register together with your work or faculty Microsoft account, when you have one, somewhat than a private account. However if you happen to simply need to make a neighborhood account, or if it’s worthwhile to set a PC up with out an Web connection, there is no straightforward means to do this.
This coverage solely applies to new Home windows installations, and it will not have an effect on you if you happen to’re upgrading a PC that is already arrange.
