Microsoft has released new preview builds of Windows 11 (version 22H2), 22621.746 and 22623.746, (KB5018490), to Windows Insiders on the Beta channel. Traditionally, Build 22623.746 is for testing new features, and in Build 22621.746 new features are disabled by default.

The only new feature today is the ability to re-arrange tray icons. These System Tray updates are still rolling out and are not available to all Insiders just yet.

👉 https://winaero.com/windows-11-insider-preview-builds-22621-746-and-22623-746-are-in-beta/

Microsoft announced DirectStrorage 1.1 will greatly improved performance

With DirectStorage 1.0, Microsoft made reading game assets much faster thanks to new APIs that go well with NVMe disks.

DirectStorage 1.1 moves the decompression of resources to the GPU side. GPUs can efficiently perform repeatable tasks in parallel, so combined with NVMe, the amount of time it takes for an asset to load decreases. Microsoft's test show that scenes are loading nearly 3x faster.

To have best gaming experience, you need an NVMe SSD, and any DirectX 12 capable GPU that supports Shader Model 6.0.

👉 https://winaero.com/microsoft-announced-directstrorage-1-1-will-greatly-improved-performance/

How to enable Widgets settings pane in Windows 11 Build 25211

1) Download ViveTool from GitHub.
2) Extract its ZIP archive to the c:\vivetool folder.
3) Press Win + X or right-click the Start button on the taskbar and select Terminal(Admin) from the menu.
3) Now type the following command: c:\vivetool\vivetool /enable /id:38652916, and hit the Enter key.
4) Restart the operating system.
5) Now, open Widgets and click your profile icon. You will see the new settings.

👉 https://winaero.com/how-to-enable-widgets-settings-pane-in-windows-11-build-25211/

Microsoft Office is everything. Now it's Microsoft 365 with a new logo!

Microsoft has officially announced Windows 10 version 22H2

TL:DR: There is no single mention of what is actually new in this release. According to MS, it comes with "a limited scope of new features and functionality".

Home and Pro editions of the 2022 Update will receive 18 months of servicing, and Enterprise and Education editions will have 30 months of servicing.

To get Windows 10 version 22H2, head up over Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click on  Check for updates.

👉 https://winaero.com/microsoft-has-officially-announced-windows-10-version-22h2/

Microsoft finally updates Windows 11 22H2 with File Explorer tabs, Android apps, and more

The set of new features, earlier known as "Moment 1", is now available to everyone running Windows 11 2022 Update. It includes Tabbed File Explorer, Suggested Actions, Taskbar Overflow and Task Manager in the taskbar right-click menu, and enhanced Windows Share experience. Besides, there is an updated Photos app that comes to users by the end of this month. Also, Android apps on Windows are now generally available in 31 countries with the Amazon Appstore. Finally, there is a new New sports and entertainment app, ESPN.

👉 https://winaero.com/microsoft-finally-updates-windows-11-22h2-with-file-explorer-tabs-android-apps-and-more/

The original version of Windows 11 will soon allow you to open the Task Manager from the taskbar right-click menu.

Insiders in the Release Preview channel can already test the change after installing KB5018483, which raises the OS version to Windows 11 Build 22000.1163. It also incudes improvements to Windows search results and performance, and various fixes.

👉 https://winaero.com/windows-11-build-22000-1163-rp-restores-task-manager-in-taskbar-context-menu/

Windows Terminal is now the new default console in Windows 11

The change goes live in the recently released version 22H2 with "Moment 1" update installed. The app now supersedes the classic command prompt and PowerShell options.

By visiting Settings (Win + I) > Privacy & security > For developers, you can change the Terminal drop-down menu to the desired console app. The "Let Windows decide" value, which is set by default, will now make the OS use Windows Terminal.

👉 https://winaero.com/windows-terminal-is-now-the-new-default-console-in-windows-11/

If you have installed the "Moment 1" update (Build 22621.675/KB5019509), but it doesn't show you the Task Manager in the taskbar right-click menu, follow the steps in this guide to make it appear there.

👉 https://winaero.com/how-to-enable-task-manager-in-taskbar-context-menu-on-windows-11/

Microsoft just released a new Dev Channel build, Windows 11 Build 25227

▪️Widgets now have a header with extra options. The header can also appear on the left.
▪️The Start menu for some Insiders will show badging on their user profile notifying them that certain actions need to be taken.
▪️The clipboard history (WIN + V) on password fields feature is available to everyone
▪️There are a couple of improvements made to Settings, to its Storage and Network sections.

👉 and more: https://winaero.com/windows-11-build-25227-introduced-an-updated-widgets-panel-to-dev-channel-insiders/

Microsoft Store can now show trailers without you to open the product page. This works for games and movies. The change is available in the app version 22209 for everyone on latest Dev Channel build 25227.