For Windows 11, 2022 was a largely unremarkable year. The Windows 11 2022 Update was released at that time, adding a number of new features and improving the OS from its initial 2021 launch version. It's time to look ahead to 2023 as 2022 draws to a close and share what I've heard from sources about updated schedules and new features. Microsoft has launched a new internal engineering initiative named "Moments" with Windows 11 version 22H2, with the goal of providing "continuous innovation" to Windows 11 consumers over the course of the product. Microsoft now plans to release new features every few months in a feature update for Windows instead of waiting for the yearly upgrade in the fall.
Windows 11 Moment 2
*Updating the system tray
*Additional search options
*Settings energy recommendations
*Lookup with Task Manager
*Panel for full-screen widgets
*Quick Settings for Studio Effects
*Voice Access upgrades
Particularly those centred on the Taskbar and System Tray, some of these features are important. The second-moment update for Windows 11 will be significant for anyone running Windows 11 on tablets since Microsoft is not hesitant to offer significant improvements and enhancements to the Windows UI via these Moments.
The minimised Taskbar interface from Windows 10X is carried over to the new tablet-mode Taskbar. The Windows Taskbar will now minimise when Windows detects a touchscreen but no keyboard or mouse to provide the user more space for their open programmes. The Taskbar has wider hitboxes to make using it with a finger easier. Users can swipe up on the Taskbar to access pinned and running apps.
Additionally, the System Tray will undergo improvements, particularly in regard to the System Tray overflow menu, which has been completely redesigned using contemporary code. It blends in better with the rest of the Windows 11 interface, and you can even disable the overflow button if you don't use it.
Windows 11 Moment 3 and beyond
A third Moment update for Windows 11 is also scheduled by Microsoft for the late spring/early summer, most likely in May or June. Moment 3's features are still to be determined, but from what I've heard, Microsoft is working on offering some first upgrades for foldable PCs, including both single-screen and dual-screen form factors.
Along with upgrades to several in-box apps and other things, I anticipate seeing more modifications to the Windows Search user interface. I predict that after the new client acquires the capacity to interface with third-party email providers in 2023, Microsoft could start replacing the Windows Mail & Calendar apps with the new Outlook web client.
The ongoing replacement of outdated interfaces with contemporary designs that are compatible with the rest of Windows 11 will be a major emphasis of these Moment upgrades throughout 2023. It's anticipated that during 2023, numerous outdated interfaces from the Windows 8 and Windows 7 eras, like the USB Autoplay interface, recovery and device rename dialogues, Windows Firewall popups, and more, will eventually receive new designs.
Windows 11 version 23H2
Microsoft continues to be dedicated to releasing a yearly feature upgrade for Windows 11 despite the fact that moment updates are already in full force. This suggests that Windows 11 version 23H2, which will come with new features and an updated support lifetime, will be released in the fall, most likely in the months of September or October.
However, I don't think the 23H2 feature upgrade will be a significant platform release, unlike earlier Windows 11 feature updates. It will be distributed similarly to a Moment update rather than a brand-new version of Windows like the 22H2 feature update was.
A Moment 4 update is also rumoured to be arriving around the same time, although I'm not yet certain if Moment 4 will simply be the 23H2 release or if it will be a new update that will arrive soon after 23H2 publishes, much like Moment 1 did with the 22H2 release.
TL:DR
The list of update milestones for Windows 11 that will be released in 2023 is as follows:
Moment 2 of Windows 11 22H2: February/March
Moment 3 of Windows 11 22H2: May/June
Moment 4 of Windows 11 23H2: September/October
One thing is certain: under the new continuous innovation timetable, customers will regularly receive new features and significant modifications throughout the year, about every few months. In contrast to earlier Windows updates, which tended to only include new features once or twice a year, this represents a significant shift in pace.
