We already know that Microsoft is preparing to release Windows 11 22H2 in the coming months. The launch of the first major feature update for Windows 11 is taking another step towards arriving this week. Microsoft has now moved the Windows 11 22H2 update to the Release Preview ring on the Insider Program.
This means the update is entering final testing on the inside. This is a release-ready version of the update that is stable and functional. In other words, it is not the relatively unstable builds that would be available through other Insider channels.
If you want to try Windows 11 22H2 early but do not necessarily want to deal with unstable builds, now is the time to get on board. Of course, you will need to be a member of the Windows Insider Program to install this update.
You can do that by heading to Windows Update on your Windows 11 PC and clicking the Window Insider option. Follow the instructions to sign up for the Insider Program and then choose the Release Preview as your preferred channel. The update you want is Windows 11 Preview build 22621.
Alternatively, you can wait the couple of months it takes for Microsoft to roll out the update to end users, and then also wait through the staggered release structure the company uses.
Upcoming Features
Microsoft has already confirmed most the new features coming to the 22H2 update:
For example, the ability to turn on Do Not Disturb directly in the Action Center. This setting provides users to choose which notifications they want to show.
Focus session is a new feature that sets up to give users more productivity on Windows 11. Specifically, it automatically triggers Do Not Disturb and turns off taskbar notification badges. Sessions also have a timer on them to remind users to take a break. Microsoft has built an integration for Focus in Spotify and the Windows Clock app.
Elsewhere, Microsoft is adding live captions for audio content across the entirety of Windows 11. This means the platform as a whole can transcribe captions from any audio. Microsoft points out that this ability even works offline.
Tip of the day: Need to reduce picture size of several images, but don’t have the time to edit every one? Microsoft’s PowerToys image resizer can batch-resize your photos with just two clicks .