Yesterday, Microsoft officially announced the release of a major Windows 11 update – KB5022913 (Build 22621.1344). It’s a little strange, but in Windows Update it is simply called “cumulative update for Windows 11 22H2”. Although this is clearly the second content update from the Moments series, which the company presented in the summer of 2022 (we remind you that the Windows 11 Moment 1 update was released in October 2022), currently in official news and announcements Microsoft no longer uses this name and characterizes KB5022913 simply as “big update”. What changes has the company prepared for users?
Taskbar
From now on, Search on the Taskbar can be a real search bar, with the ability to enter text directly in it – just like it was in Windows 10. You can configure this in “Settings – Personalization – Search”, where from now on as many as four options are available: a search bar, a “fake” bar, an icon, and the complete absence of Search on the Taskbar. In addition, the search bar in the Start menu has finally received rounded corners and now fits better into the overall design of this menu.
In addition, Microsoft has added the Bing chatbot directly to Search, so you can now access it without opening the Edge browser. Unfortunately, the chatbot is currently not available in all regions — for example, it does not work in Ukraine.
Microsoft has slightly updated the system tray design. The pop-up menu has received a slightly different shape, a new style of focus indicator and tooltip, plus a new animation for dragging icons from the pop-up menu to the Taskbar.
On devices with a touch screen, the Taskbar can now switch to “tablet mode” — it is significantly reduced in size and frees up the screen for open programs; you can “expand” it by swiping up.
Widgets
Widgets have received a full-screen viewing mode, support for third-party widgets has also finally appeared – currently there are still very few of them, but in the Microsoft Store you can already find additional widgets for Facebook Messenger, Spotify, Xbox and Phone Link.
Task Manager
The Task Manager received a significant update back in Windows 11 22H2, now it has the ability to search for processes, programs, services, etc. There is now a search bar at the top of the window. Also, the user can now customize the Task Manager theme separately from the system settings.
Settings
A new Energy Recommendations menu has appeared in system settings, which can be found in “Settings — System — Power — Energy Recommendations”. Here are tips for reducing carbon dioxide emissions that can be applied individually or in combination.
Notebook
The built-in text editor has received a system of tabs – now you can keep several text files open in one Notepad window.
Snipping Tool
The Snipping Tool has been given the ability to record video – the corresponding switch is located in the utility’s toolbar.
In addition, Moment 2 has improved the functionality of Voice Access, which is used to control the system using voice commands – but it still does not know Ukrainian. Also, for Windows Insider program participants, the ability to connect to the iPhone smartphone system has become available — the Phone Link utility has received iOS support, which you can learn more about from our separate news.
Windows 11 22H2 Moment 2 (KB5022913) is now available for download from Windows Update. As usual, Microsoft provides access to it gradually, so some users will have to wait – the company promises that everyone will be able to get it by March 14.
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