Microsoft confirms that Windows 11 23H2 will be a minor update. The next major version of Eleven will be in the fourth quarter, but formally it will be a small update that serves to enable the new functions that have already been added. This type of update is called enablement package, i.e. activation package. Installation also changes the version number.
In reality, the package activates only those functions that were previously delivered to the system by a regular service update. So this is a significant difference compared to last year’s 22H2 version, which had a more complicated installation process – we normally call it an upgrade. Basically, it unzips the files of the new version next to the existing version.
It’s kind of like a clean install, except that personal files, programs, and settings are transferred to the new version. This process is inherently not perfect, some settings are commonly lost. In contrast, the service update is installed much faster, it is less demanding in terms of volume, and we do not deal with ailments such as loss of settings.
Windows 11 23H2 will offer, among other things, a Gallery in Explorer
Microsoft has been using the concept of activation packages since the later stage of the Windows 10 life cycle, when it turned version 1903 (build 18362) into version 1909 (build 18363). Although this is a non-violent form of update, which we perceive as symbolically smaller compared to the upgrade, this does not mean that it does not offer almost anything new.
After all, we can see it on the news files called Moment, three of which have already been released for Windows 11 22H2. E.g. the fresh Moment 3 brought over 20 partial improvements. First Moment made cards (panels, if you will) available in the Explorer. Microsoft no longer wants to wait a whole year for one big release, preferring to distribute new features throughout the year.
Provisional overview of news
The company indicated the future course of action in May, when it started testing build 22631 in the Insider program. You just switch to it by installing the activation package, if you are using Windows 11 22H2. As I pointed out earlier, the token numbering disruption in the test builds indicated that the 22631 build would probably turn out to be the Moment 4, but also the 23H2 version at the same time.
Build 22631 from the Beta channel will become version 23H2
We don’t even have to assume that the beta tested build 22631 will become the upcoming Windows 11 23H2. Revision 22631.2048 confirmed it. What will this autumn’s edition of Eleven offer? So far, the test version offers the following news:
suggestions for turning off notifications you don’t pay attention to, the ability to hide the clock on the taskbar, the command for network diagnostics in the context menu of the network icon, the network menu on the lock screen in the Windows 11 design, the firewall dialog in the Windows 11 design, the ability to show the Wi-Fi password in Settings, many other new or modified items in Settings, when you uninstall a classic program, the system redirects you to Settings, in the background redesigned Explorer, the Gallery section in Explorer, tabs in Explorer can be removed from the window or merge.
You can see the saved Wi-Fi password in Settings
You can read the details in the June article and other texts – follow the Windows Insider label. Since Windows 11 23H2 will be released in the fourth quarter (realistically that means October or November, December is impractical due to holidays and vacations), the features will almost certainly be added.
Conclusion
In its essence, version 23H2 will be nothing but Momentum 4. Only this time the designation of the Windows 11 version will change, which is related to the start of the two-year life cycle. From a practical point of view, such an approach is better for all parties involved than a classic upgrade. Installing the service update and activation pack will be quick and painless.
Resources: Windows IT Pro Blog | Windows Insider Blog
2023-07-20 16:45:23
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