Like many people in the world, Windows 11 is my daily operating system. However, this was undoubtedly a bigger year than usual for Windows. To celebrate Windows 11’s first birthday, Microsoft released the Windows 11 22H2 Update, which added long-awaited features that have made positive adjustments in the daily use of the operating system for many people, myself included. Five features have been added in 2022, especially in the 22H2 update, that have made a huge difference for me in work and play this year.
Folders in the Start menu top my list. As a writer who audits computers for a living and uses a lot of applications like Photoshop, Geekbench, Crossmark, and Microsoft Word, there’s a lot I rely on in my workflow. Before the Windows 11 22H2 Update, finding my favorite everyday apps was a mess. The Start menu was cramped, with a default layout that showed just three rows of recommended apps and content that I couldn’t care less about. I wasn’t able to adjust All Applications that you have taken care of in advance.
After the update, I can view more of my favorite apps and pin a row of four of them to the bottom of the screen, with fewer suggestions for files and folders. I can even create folders in the Start Menu for different categories of apps—the ones I use for work and the ones I use after work. Being able to access my favorite apps on Windows is much easier now, and has helped me be more productive.
Touch gestures that make Windows tablets more useful
My daily drivers are two Windows machines: a Surface Pro 8 and a Surface Laptop Studio, both with touchscreens. However, I have never used these 2-in-1s as tablets prior to the Windows 11 22H2 update. It just didn’t feel natural, and the keyboard and mouse felt more inviting than using the touch capabilities. But in the latter half of 2022, that changed thanks to some changes Microsoft made to touch gestures.
In the latter half of 2022, Microsoft made several changes to touch gestures. The first is the ability to swipe up on the Start menu to call it up. As I mentioned above, the 22H2 update made it easier to call my apps. Swiping right is easier to use than touching a small Windows logo. It’s also something I know since I already swipe up on my iPhone to get to my home screen.
Another one I liked was the ability to create Snap Layouts for multitasking with a finger gesture. Instead of hovering over the zoom button to see the available layouts for multitasking, I was suddenly able to multitask a bit more when holding the Surface Pro 8 like a tablet. All I had to do was drag the window to the top center of the screen and choose one of the layouts I wanted. When the keyboard was detached from my Surface Pro 8, I could stack social media apps or Microsoft Edge windows side by side, which greatly increased productivity.
tabs in file explorer
I really rely on File Explorer as the main hub for accessing files, folders, and other content. After the Windows 11 22H2 update, Microsoft added a big feature that made File Explorer even easier to use. It’s been something many Windows fans, like myself, have been asking for for a long time: a tabbed interface in File Explorer.
This feature was around during the Windows Insider build of Windows 10 before Microsoft deleted it, so I’m glad it’s back in Windows 11 this year. With the ability to have multiple tabs open at once in File Explorer, I was able to manage folders or compare files much more easily.
Take this example. When copying files from my camera’s SD card to a folder on my desktop and then another folder for resizing and watermarks, I could have three tabs open. This allows me to compare the files where they are and see where they are without opening separate file explorer windows. This was a huge time saver in the long run.
This change may seem small compared to some of the others, but Windows 11 22H2 Update finally tweaked the Quick Settings area to make it more useful. I can now see my previously connected devices at a glance in Quick Settings, which is great for switching and connecting to different Bluetooth accessories (like the Pixel Buds Pro) instead of having to go to the Bluetooth settings page. I can just click the arrow next to the Bluetooth icon and go straight into the action. It’s another feature that makes a small difference in saving me time during my busy day.
spotlight wallpaper
I love customizing the look of my Windows PC, and one of the huge changes Microsoft made with Windows 11 in 2022 that made this even better was the addition of the Windows Spotlight wallpaper. This feature makes my computer look more personal. When I spend six or more hours a day on my computer, it’s great to see a new wallpaper every day straight from Microsoft. Whether I see wonderful scenes from around the world or cute pictures of animals, the mix of pictures makes my computer different every day when I use it.
There is still more!
I just picked five of my favorite Windows 11 features from 2022, but the 22H2 update truly is Windows 11 and added a ton of functionality. Smaller things like new volume and brightness sliders, a revamped task manager, and new accessibility features made using Windows more interesting and useful. With Microsoft promising more frequent “instantaneous” updates to Windows 11, I’m sure better features will be on the fore in 2023.
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