When the Windows 11 operating system went public last October, Microsoft announced that major feature updates for it would be released once a year. In line with that plan, today the software giant released the Windows 11 Update (22H2), which brings with it a lot of interesting changes, including the tabbed interface of File Explorer, an updated Start menu, support for the ability to drag and drop items to the taskbar, and more.
Image Source: Tom’s Hardware
First of all, it should be noted the appearance of the so-called tabbed interface in the “Explorer”, thanks to which it will be easier for users to move files between folders without having to open additional windows. This is not the most outstanding change, but it is one of the long-awaited and able to make the interaction with the software platform more comfortable.
Some changes have been made to the Snap Layouts feature, which now allows you to drag an application to the top of the workspace to display all available window placement layouts. After choosing the most suitable layout, the OS will help you quickly distribute other open windows for further interaction with them.
The Start Menu, one of the most recognizable elements of Windows 11, is also getting some major changes. Users now have three options for placing items on the Start menu. The first option offers the standard placement of elements that has been present in the OS since its launch. The second option allows you to increase the area of pinned applications by reducing the area with recommendations. The third option will expand the area of recommendations by reducing the area with pinned applications.
Pinned apps can be grouped into folders. To create a folder, just drag the icon of one application on top of another, similar to how it happens in Android and iOS. Users can also rename folders and move them around inside the start menu.
The Focus Tool in Windows 11 (22H2) is called Do Not Disturb, and a button has appeared in the Notification Center to launch it. As before, this feature allows you to block pop-up notifications that can distract you from work. In addition, Do Not Disturb can be configured so that important notifications are not blocked once activated.
Along with this, Windows 11 brought innovations in the gaming subsystem, including optimization of navigation using the controller and improvements for games running in windowed mode. The Controller Bar, which opens automatically when a controller is detected, allows you to quickly launch games using your Xbox controller. It can also be launched from the keyboard using the Win+G keyboard shortcut. The HDR Calibration app can help improve color accuracy and optimize the image when using HDR mode in games.
In addition, new features have appeared in Windows 11 (22H2) that will make the process of interacting with the software platform more comfortable for people with disabilities. These include, in particular, system-wide “live captioning” and new voices in the Narrator application, which reads out text displayed on the screen. By default, subtitles are displayed at the top of the screen, but if necessary, they can be placed at the bottom of the workspace. “Live captioning” can also be used during videoconferencing, which is especially important in conditions where interlocutors wear medical masks and it becomes impossible to read lips.
In recent years, video enhancement, background blur during video conferencing, and eye tracking have gained a lot of popularity. Now Microsoft has integrated these controls at the OS level.
Not without innovations aimed at improving security. The Smart App Control feature allows you to block unverified and potentially dangerous applications. Note that this feature will only work on new Windows 11 PCs or following a clean install of the OS.
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