Microsoft just announced the Windows 11 2022 Update, another major update for that operating system that comes with plenty of new features and enhancements.

Based on Microsoft, Windows 11 2022 Update, also referred to as Windows 11 version 22H2, is now rolling in over 190 countries, though worthwhile to learn would be that the event takes place in phases.

Quite simply, not everyone gets it today, as the phased rollout gives Microsoft more time to discover bugs and prevent them from causing more damage on certain computers.

As said, Windows 11 2022 Update comes with plenty of improvements, including Snap layouts, a new Focus feature, and plenty of performance and battery optimizations.

The new feature update for Windows 11 also marks the development of Android app support to international markets - previously, the feature was only available in the United States.

"Having the best content fuels a great PC experience. Last year, we redesigned the Microsoft Store on Windows to be more open and easier-to-use - a one-stop look for the apps, games and TV teaches you love," Panos Panay, EVP, Chief Product Officer, Windows + Devices, explains.

"Today, through our partnership with Amazon, we're expanding the Amazon Appstore Preview to international markets, bringing a lot more than 20,000 Android? apps and games to Windows 11 devices that meet the feature-specific hardware requirements. And a growing catalog of apps and games, we are also excited to share that we are moving the next stage of the Microsoft Store Ads pilot - helping developers get content in front of the right customers."

An execllent feature that is part of Windows 11 version 22H2 is support for tabs in File Explorer. This really is probably the most requested features within the operating system, and today, it finally becomes available for production devices too.

The brand new widgets experience available in Windows 11 is constantly evolving, and the most recent build released by Microsoft for users within the Dev channel comes with additional improvements on this front.

Microsoft is now focusing on an expanded view for widgets, and it is purpose is as simple as it could be: the widgets board is expanded in a way that more details are shown on the screen.

"Use the expand and collapse button within the top right corner of the board, next to the add widgets button, to expand or collapse how big your widgets board. The size of your board is remembered, if you prefer your widgets board to continually demonstrate more content and then leave it expanded then that's the way it would be the the next time you open it up," Microsoft explains.

Updates for the Game Pass widget

At the same time, the Game Pass widget that was introduced last month has become getting additional capabilities that allow users to sign-in using their Xbox profile.

"If you've already signed into your Xbox app on PC, the Game Pass widget is going to be signed-in with your Xbox account. Once signed-in, the widget will show the full selection of Game Pass games available to you. Additionally, the widget will even show the newest set of PC Game Pass titles you have played. It gives gamers a fast method of getting right back into the action," the software giant explains.

Both new expanded view for widgets and the Game Pass update 're going reside in stages for insiders out there, so not all testers can get the chance to have a look at this time. However, the rollout will gain more pace because the company analyzes the feedback it receives around the current versions.

Mozilla has released a brand new version of Firefox, though given it's a small version, only one bugfix belongs to the part.

Firefox 104.0.1 thus remains the very first minor update for the main version 104, and based on the official changelog, it comes to resolve a YouTube glitch.

Specifically, Mozilla claims that some users were experiencing a YouTube video playback when trying to load clips in Firefox, so after installing version 104.0.1, everything ought to be working all right.

Otherwise, all the new features that were area of the main Firefox 104 release will also be one of them update.

For instance, Firefox 104 includes subtitles within the Picture-in-Picture mode for Disney+ users, while also providing users with energy usage information for websites within the Firefox profiler. Only Windows 11 and Apple Silicon products are supported by this selection.

"Firefox now supports both scroll-snap-stop property in addition to re-snapping. You should use the scroll-snap-stop property's always and normal values to specify if you should pass the snap points, even when scrolling fast. Re-snapping attempts to keep the last snap position after any content/layout changes," Mozilla explains within the official Firefox 104 changelog.

Firefox 104 also has the following bug fixes:

Highlight color is preserved correctly after typing Enter in the mail composer of Yahoo Mail and Outlook.
After bypassing the https only error page navigating back would get you towards the error page which was previously dismissed. Back now goes towards the previous site that was visited.
Paste unformatted shortcut (shift+ctrl/cmd+v) now works in plain text contexts, for example input and text area.

The brand new Firefox 104.0.1 has become readily available for download on all supported desktop platforms, including Windows, Linux, and Mac. Needless to say, the new version is also distributed via the built-in browser update engine.

Microsoft has fixed lots of File Explorer issues within the most recent Windows 11 preview build, with the file manager therefore increasingly stable and reliable for insiders.

Necessary for know is that the list of fixes includes patches for multiple crashes, including when attemping to access certain folders.

Furthermore, Microsoft says it has also resolved crashes occurring throughout the launch of File Explorer.

"Fixed a fundamental explorer.exe crash that could happen when File Explorer launch was aborted, for instance if you were attempting to access a network share from the Run dialog, were prompted for credentials, after which clicked cancel rather than entering them. Fixed an issue that could result in explorer.exe crashing when File Explorer was closed," Microsoft says.

File Explorer is evolving substantially in Windows 11, with the software giant adding tabs - one of the most requested features in the latest years. However, the introduction of tabs within the Windows Insider program has obviously come with a number of problems, and Microsoft has become focusing on resolving all of them with the help of Windows 11 preview builds.

Here are several tab-related problems that happen to be resolved in this new build:

Fixed a current issue where if File Explorer was open when you switched between light and dark mode, you could end up with some unreadable text / UI showing the incorrect color.
Fixed a problem which could result in not being able to unpin Desktop, Pictures, or Documents folders from Quick access.
If the tab title is too long to display completely in the available space, hovering your mouse regarding this will now show a tooltip with the full name.
Removed the toolbar many people were unexpectedly seeing (with View / Edit / etc) after the introduction of tabs in File Explorer. Included in this, the "always show menus" option in Folder Options was also removed which didn't do anything.

Keep in mind that each one of these fixes are currently available just for insiders, and there's no ETA regarding once they might be shipped to production devices.

Microsoft has just released a brand new cumulative update for Windows Server 2022, though for the time being, it's only a preview that needs the manual installation.

Windows Server 2022 update KB5016693 is therefore a preview for the time being, with Microsoft to incorporate all the changes within this release within the very next cumulative update that will ship in September.

KB5016693 includes changes which have been contained in the newest Windows 10 and Windows 11 updates, including enhancements for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint to enhance the opportunity to identify and intercept ransomware and advanced attacks.

Simultaneously, Windows Server 2022 has become capable of compressing a file regardless of its size if the SMB Compression is enabled.

Microsoft says it has also resolved an element that caused a degradation from the BitLocker performance, whilst fixing an insect that caused a Windows device with BitLocker enabled to prevent working.

The company says it's also resolved Windows Update-related and Remote Desktop Session problems.

Addresses an issue that may cause Remote Desktop Session licensing to display a 60-minute disconnection warning after reconnecting.
Addresses an element that causes the Settings app to prevent focusing on server domain controllers (DCs) when accessing the Privacy > Activity history page.
Addresses an element that prevents devices from receiving an offer from Windows Update for the similar extension driver when that extension driver is already installed without the base driver.
Addresses an element that affects input and output within the Storport driver and might cause the body to stop responding.

There aren't any known issues within this update, but we'll learn more information about it as we obtain nearer to the public release when all Windows Server 2022 devices will be supplied with all improvements as an automatic update.

While all eyes take presctiption Windows 11 these days, Microsoft continues the job on Windows 10, because this operating system will continue to receive support until October 2025.

A brand new feature update for Windows 10, for example, is projected to visit live later this season, with Microsoft currently giving the finishing touches to this release with the aid of testers signed up for the Windows Insider program.

The newest Windows 10 preview build went reside in the Release Preview channel now, also it includes two important improvements.

To begin with, IT admins are now able to add languages and additional features related to languages remotely. Secondly, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint now sports an enhanced capability to identify and intercept ransomware.

More alterations in the most recent build

Windows 10 build 19044.1947 also comes with other important fixes:

We fixed a known issue that triggers Microsoft Edge to prevent responding when you use IE mode. This problem also prevents you against interacting with a dialog.
We fixed an element that affects transparency in layered windows when you're in Hi-def remote applications integrated locally (RAIL) mode.
We fixed an element that might generate error 0x1E whenever you turn off or restart a tool.
We fixed an issue that leads to a subscription activation to fail under certain conditions.
We fixed an issue that might cause some game installations to fail due to a licensing issue.
We fixed an element that prevents virtualized App-V Microsoft Office applications from opening or causes these to stop working.
We fixed an issue that may cause the deployment from the Windows Hello for Business certificate to fail in a few circumstances once you reset a device.

Obviously, these changes will quickly go love production devices running Windows 10 too, but an ETA isn't available at this point.

The taskbar has received a major overhaul with the discharge of Windows 11, as Microsoft has placed all icons at the center from the screen, so they're no longer aligned left.

The overhaul from the taskbar, however, is really a work-in-progress, with the software giant working on further polishing, like the drag and drop support, that further enhance the experience around the desktop.

But because it turns out, there's something really big coming to the taskbar in a future Windows 11 update. Or at least, that's what appears to be the case at first glance, so don't be too surprised if this sounds like only the Internet being, well, the Internet.

Someone on reddit claims the most recent preview build shipped included in the Dev channel within the Windows insider has a glitch that enables a rounded taskbar. It's easy to believe this can be a graphics bug in Windows, but based on the user, this isn't the very first time they're seeing the rounded taskbar as well as for some reason, it returned within the latest build.

There's always the possibility that the rounded taskbar isn't actually real because, as Neowin also noted, a credit card applicatoin called RoundedTB can convert the current taskbar into a rounded version with just several clicks. Therefore it could very well be only a rounded taskbar enabled with the app and Microsoft isn't necessarily focusing on anything on this front.

But simultaneously, it's a well known fact that Microsoft is experimenting with all sorts of ideas, therefore it wouldn't necessarily be considered a surprise to see the organization testing a rounded taskbar and then dropping it before it makes its way to users.

In either case, you'd better take this rounded taskbar having a healthy pinch of salt, but if you actually like the design, the aforementioned app is the only way to have it.

Microsoft is betting big around the widgets experience of Windows 11, and this is why the company is working around the clock on bringing more widgets to users.

With support for third-party widgets on the way, it's pretty clear that Microsoft hopes this feature would be a key part of the operating-system. And in the most recent Windows 11 preview build, the organization introduces an all-new Game Pass widget that shows essential information, such as the latest additions and the games that are leaving soon.

Obviously, the widget continues to be in its early days, and Microsoft says it's vital that you bear in mind the present version is just a preview of what's to come when the focus on this front concludes.

"This widget is really a window towards the extensive PC Game Pass library - it'll show the most recent additions, games leaving soon, yet others from highlighted categories and then get you to the Xbox app where you can set them up, see reviews, and go all in," Microsoft explains.

"We're still hard at work on some exciting functionality not far off that will allow you to sign-into your Xbox profile and easily jump back to recently played games in addition to see personalized recommendations of games we believe you'll love."

How to add the Game Pass widget

Adding the brand new Game Pass widget to the widgets screen is simple. Just open the widgets board and click on the + icon near the user profile. Try looking in the list and you ought to see the new Game Pass if you are running the most recent Windows 11 preview build.

"The Game Pass widget preview will come in the widgets board alongside other widgets that bring weather, sports, and other great content closer to you. The widgets board is shown by clicking the left corner of your taskbar or by pressing Win + W. To pin the sport Pass widget, choose the '+' button in the top right corner from the widgets board," Microsoft notes.

While all eyes are now on Windows 11, Microsoft continues to be supporting Windows 10, and it will continue to do until October 2025.

This means the organization would continue to release not only security patches but also further improvements and new features, though it's pretty clear that no big changes are expected until 2025.

Microsoft has recently released Windows 10 version 22H2 towards the Release Preview channel, and as observed by Thurrott, the company has quietly updated the initial post to convey this new feature update would come with a scoped set of features.

Of course, no further specifics have been provided, so we don't understand what these functions will be, but it is obvious we shouldn't expect much anyway.

"This build is focused on validating the servicing technology. Windows 10, version 22H2 includes a scoped set of features and Microsoft will share more details on this update later this season," Microsoft explained.

If you wish to try out Windows 10 version 22H2 early, you only have to download the most recent build from the Release Preview channel.

"We are also making this build open to any Windows Insider in the Release Preview Channel via our "seeker" experience in Windows Update. What this means is Insiders currently in the Release Preview Channel can go to Settings and Windows Update and select to upload Windows 10, version 22H2 if they want. Once an Insider updates their PC to Windows 10, version 22H2, they'll continue to automatically receive new servicing updates through Windows Update (the normal monthly update process)," Microsoft explains.

At this point, there's no ETA regarding once the software giant could start the public rollout of Windows 10 version 22H2, but expect the whole thing to take place in September or October.

Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella praised Windows throughout the company's latest earnings call, explaining the operating-system is recording higher monthly usage.

Nadella also says regardless of the alternation in trends in the PC market, the total sales continue to be over the pre-pandemic levels, not to mention, Microsoft is among the firms that are benefitting in the solid interest in new computers.

"Despite a changing marketplace for PCs throughout the quarter, we continue to see more PCs shipped than pre-pandemic, and therefore are taking share. And we are seeing higher monthly using Windows 11 applications, with increased time spent across creative work, collaboration, gaming, media, and writing code, as people rely on the PC because of its unique productivity capabilities, rich interactive experiences, and to stay connected," Nadella said.

The software giant's CEO also praised the adoption of Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365, particularly when comparing the quarter's results with the same quarter a year before.

"We're transforming how Windows is experienced and managed with Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365. Azure Virtual Desktop monthly active usage increased nearly 60 % year-over-year. One year in, we've seen strong adoption of Windows 365 from organizations in every industry - from Hamburg Commercial Bank and Kyndryl, to the LEGO Group and Schroders - because they use Cloud PCs to rapidly onboard new and temporary employees, and speed M&A integration, while reducing IT costs," Nadella said.

Microsoft Edge growing bigger

Microsoft's CEO also praised Microsoft Edge, as the browser keeps gaining share, especially among consumers.

According to Chromium, the new Microsoft Edge browser can be obtained not only on Windows, but additionally on macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.

"We're focused on increasing our share and engagement across Edge, Bing, and our personalized content feed Microsoft Start. Daily content consumption across Start in categories like news, weather, finance, and sports, increased 80 percent since we launched the service one year ago. And Edge continues to gain share as consumers utilize it to save money with this built-in coupon and price comparison features," Nadella says.