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  ARM Give a man a fire and he's warm for a day, but set fire to him and he's warm for the rest of his life (Terry Pratchett, Jingo)

Next major update of Windows 11 prepares for launch

(2022/06/08)


The next major version of Windows 11 is drawing near with the code hitting the Insider Release Preview Channel.

[1]Build 22621 , which has been floating around the [2]Beta Channel since May 11, arrived last night.

Back in May, Microsoft noted that the disappearance of the watermark from the desktop "doesn't mean we're done." However, its arrival in the Release Preview Channel means that, fixes aside, it is pretty much feature-complete and ready to roll.

[3]

Commercial Windows Insiders will be offered the build as an optional update (for computers that meet Microsoft's infamous hardware requirements) assuming their devices have been configured for the Release Preview Channel.

[4]

[5]

The update is also available to "Seekers" in the Windows Insider program as well as via Windows Server Update and the Azure Marketplace.

The move to Release Preview follows Microsoft opening submissions to the [6]Windows Hardware Compatibility Program at the end of May.

[7]

While Microsoft has not revealed when the new release will arrive for ordinary users, the company did say, "Windows 11, version 22H2 based systems may ship with drivers that have achieved compatibility with Windows 11, version 21H2 until Sept 5th, 2022."

[8]Upgrading to Android 12.1 ... in Windows 11: Telemetry disabled by default

[9]Start your engines: Windows 11 ready for broad deployment

[10]Bing! Microsoft tests search box in the middle of Windows 11 desktop

[11]Microsoft tests 'Suggested Actions' in Windows 11. Insiders: Can we turn it off?

It is fair to say that Windows 11 has not set the world alight. After an initial surge following general availability, [12]adoption stalled earlier this year. Factors such as enterprise caution and [13]hardware requirements that made many Windows 10 systems suddenly obsolete have contributed.

While Microsoft has celebrated the pace of adoption, it has kept quiet when it comes to actual figures. As of May 2022, [14]Statcounter put the OS as yet to overtake the obsolete Windows 7, let alone catch up to Windows 10, which will remain in support for a good few years yet.

With the first anniversary of its launch approaching, hardware refresh cycles and increasing confidence in the enterprise should mean an increase in adoption. Microsoft may update the software every few weeks, but as anyone who has had to manage the company's software will attest, it's hard to shake the habit of waiting for the first major update. ®

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[1] https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2022/06/07/releasing-windows-11-version-22h2-to-the-release-preview-channel/

[2] https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2022/05/11/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-22621/

[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2YqDHn63pO2hDHcNldaQ4bwAAAFg&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0

[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YqDHn63pO2hDHcNldaQ4bwAAAFg&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0

[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33YqDHn63pO2hDHcNldaQ4bwAAAFg&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0

[6] https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-hardware-certification/windows-hardware-compatibility-program-for-windows-11-version/ba-p/3423905

[7] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YqDHn63pO2hDHcNldaQ4bwAAAFg&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0

[8] https://www.theregister.com/2022/05/23/windows_subsystem_for_android/

[9] https://www.theregister.com/2022/05/19/windows_11_deployment/

[10] https://www.theregister.com/2022/05/19/windows_insider_desktop_search_box/

[11] https://www.theregister.com/2022/05/12/windows_suggested_actions/

[12] https://www.theregister.com/2022/04/28/adduplex_windows_11/

[13] https://www.theregister.com/2021/10/05/windows_11_in_detail/

[14] https://gs.statcounter.com/os-version-market-share/windows/desktop/worldwide

[15] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/



I'm surprised that it's not appeared on more ordinary people's machines

Terry 6

I guess the general public aren't upgrading PCs as much, so it won't go on those older machines. The public don't much register which version they have, other than maybe to want the newest thing, perhaps.

And what techie user would let this rubbish on, when it's even worse than Win 10 for user control, but for no advantage.

Re: I'm surprised that it's not appeared on more ordinary people's machines

Alan Bourke

"when it's even worse than Win 10 for user control"

What does that even mean.

Re: I'm surprised that it's not appeared on more ordinary people's machines

chivo243

"when it's even worse than Win 10 for user control"

What does that even mean.

I think they are referring to UAC user access control? It's a dumpster fire to begin with...

Re: I'm surprised that it's not appeared on more ordinary people's machines

Doctor Syntax

"What does that even mean."

It means that you don't own your machine any more Microsoft does.

Re: I'm surprised that it's not appeared on more ordinary people's machines

Alan Bourke

Do they ? How do they do that?

Re: I'm surprised that it's not appeared on more ordinary people's machines

Tom Chiverton 1

Have you tried to find the "no, I don't want a Microsoft account" option on a fresh install recently ?

Re: I'm surprised that it's not appeared on more ordinary people's machines

fwthinks

I have a few fairly new-ish laptops that fail the Windows 11 compatibility check - so with the requirements being so strict, it will take a long time to be adopted.

I have heard some people have successfully upgraded even when failing the compatibility check - but i can't see the average PC user bypassing these recommendations.

Re: I'm surprised that it's not appeared on more ordinary people's machines

Doctor Syntax

"I have heard some people have successfully upgraded even when failing the compatibility check "

Presumably on the basis of accepting a challenge.

"Commercial Windows Insiders"

pip25

Good Lord, these exist?? What sort of commercial entities willingly run an OS with pre-release software?

Re: "Commercial Windows Insiders"

Doctor Syntax

Software businesses preparing a release to target it.

Re: "Commercial Windows Insiders"

Alumoi

Anyone who deployed anything after Win7?

Re: "Commercial Windows Insiders"

badflorist

I upvoted you but the ambiguity of "anything after" should be changed to "anything Windows ...".

43300

"It is fair to say that Windows 11 has not set the world alight."

Bit of an understatement there!

Nothing of appeal

Steve Kerr

I've looked at it (on a VM) and currently, I see nothing on it which is giving me a "wow, must migrate to this immediately" as opposed to "kicking and screaming and throwing my toys out of my pram"

For some people out there it may be OK as it seems they are trying to go for the MacOS type look but in a Microsoft way.

Maybe windows 12 will be better, to me, this is like the Windows Vista/8 version, they've tried something different, it's going to fail so they go back to something similar to XP/Win7/Win10

Re: Nothing of appeal

Version 1.0

You think that Windows 12 might be better ... well maybe. But will your kids be running Windows 81 when you retire? Just another 69 updates ...

Re: Nothing of appeal

Doctor Syntax

Windows 12? Sutely Windows 10 was to be the last version and it was all updates from there.

Re: Nothing of appeal

elaar

I'm using it now on my dev laptop. Apart from MS deciding to move the icons (because after 30 years of aligning them to the left, I guess they thought people wanted a change), and making the start menu even more annoying, I don't immediately notice any difference.

Oh, actually, every time I look in a directory in windows explorer, it takes 12 seconds to actually list the contents, with a "working on it" message to entertain me. State of the art SSD and OS (?) and 12 seconds to see the files in my downloads folder. Great stuff MS.

Re: Nothing of appeal

Alumoi

Give me a break, we have to scan every file and upload some metadata to the mothership!

Tubz

W7 to Win10 was a jump, Win10 to Win11 tiny evolution, tweaks, additions, M$ devs just p!ssing about with whatever they could, although visual improvements in the settings is good, getting away from old Win9x interfaces. Stability and driver support, have had no issues even with home built, if you stick to the named manufacturers. Even those machines not officially supported and "fixed" working without any issues, although I do think M$ may do a dirty update and bork them, how that legally plays out I don't know.

werdsmith

My USB serial cable drivers for my Yaesu radios don't work on Win11 I found. This is Yaesu software (WiresX).

Plain English Campaign - over 'ere

Anonymous Coward

"While Microsoft has not revealed when the new release will arrive for ordinary users, the company did say, "Windows 11, version 22H2 based systems may ship with drivers that have achieved compatibility with Windows 11, version 21H2 until Sept 5th, 2022.""

Apologies if I'm being thick, but what does this even mean? As it's the only date mentioned, I'm assuming ordinary users will see the update in September, but as for the string of words leading up to it - not a clue.

Re: Plain English Campaign - over 'ere

Dan 55

"Ships with old drivers because it's still not really finished yet. Stuff may not work. Adjust your expectations accordingly, although they probably already are adjusted due to our track record."

Doctor Syntax

"hardware refresh cycles ...e should mean an increase in adoption"

What hardware refresh cycles. We were told only a few days ago that H/W volumes were down, partly because WAH and component shortages.

Dan 55

W11 needs new special chips in a component shortage for no discernible reason. It's a plan so cunning that you could put a tail on it and call it a weasle.

You can't cheat the phone company.