With the arrival of Windows 11 version 22H2, Microsoft declared that it would start updating the Windows OS with additional features on a routine basis, outside of the yearly Windows revamp a few months ago. The initial feature drop rolled out thirty days after 22H2 launched, including tabs in File Explorer and other enhancements.
The industry is awaiting the next feature drop for Windows 11 version 22H2, which has been finished and approved internally and should arrive in the next few weeks. This feature drop, called “Moment 2” by the Microsoft folks, has been in test phases among Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel for several months. In fact, the features included in the Moment 2 update were revealed to testers in the Preview channel, meaning Microsoft intends to release this next feature drop very shortly. So, here’s a synopsis of all the new features and enhancements included in the Windows 11 Moment 2 feature drop. These include the following:
- Tablet-optimized Taskbar
- New Taskbar search bar options
- Search embedded in Task Manager
- Energy recommendations, located in Settings
- Tabs included in Notepad
- Screen recording in Snipping Tool
- Full-screen Widgets Panel and Third-party Widget support
- Studio Effects placed in Quick Settings
- Voice Access enhancements
The Moment 2 feature drop will appear via Windows Update as part of the March 2023 security release for Windows 11. Those looking for early access to these features can join the Windows Insider Release Preview Channel for prior access.
Although many features are included, one of the most significant – and the subject of this blog – is the new tablet-optimized Taskbar. The newly designed Taskbar minimizes itself out-of-view when not being used and maximizes when the user taps or swipes. With this update, the Taskbar will be removed from view when opening and utilizing apps, offering a full-screen experience similar to those experienced on an iPad or Android tablet.
The end-user can swipe up on the Taskbar to get to pinned and running icons, which will also showcase the Taskbar in an enlarged format so that clicking or tapping on icons is easier. In addition, the user can keep swiping up to access the Start menu straightaway.
The Taskbar’s system tray area has also been given an update with modern code and a redesign. It now offers newly designed animations, rounded corners, and the capability to pin and unpin background apps using Settings.
Users can also now completely turn off the System Tray overflow menu, which is helpful for those who have app icons in the menu which are never accessed.
Finally, the Taskbar offers new search bar choices, permitting the user for the first time to customize how their search button appears. Users can choose between four new search icon settings: no icon, Search icon (traditional magnifying glass icon), Search icon with a label, and Search box.
In our next blog, we will discuss some of the additional features inherent in the new 22H2 version, including the Task Manager, Settings, and Energy options.
If your company is interested in learning more about Windows 11 22H2 version updates, the IT professionals at Alliance IT can help you to understand its features and benefits. We are a Sarasota-based managed services firm that helps small businesses streamline and optimize their operations, whether via software updates, cyber security protections, or outsourced services. Call today to learn more about how we can help you to understand and implement the latest innovations in IT.
