Download and Install Windows 11 Version 22H2 (2022 Update)

Windows 11 22H2, which will now be known as “Windows 11 version 2022,” is now officially beginning to roll out. This is the first feature update for the Windows 11 OS since it was first released on 5th October 2021.

This release includes a plethora of new features and fixes for the Windows 11 operating system, which are highlighted below. Furthermore, you can also download and install Windows 11 22H2 using the direct download link or the other 2 methods shared below.

Up until last year, Microsoft released two major updates to Windows 10; each in the first and second half of the year. Since the release of Windows 11, Microsoft has shifted to a single major release per year, hence the name “version 2022.”

With that, people are expecting great things from this new operating system. Some are even saying that this release might be “a new era for the computer world.”

Download Windows 11 Version 2022 (22H2)

There are 4 ways to download and install Windows 11 on your computer:

• Download Windows 11 version 2022 ISO directly from Microsoft’s download links.
• Install Windows 11 version 2022 through Windows Update.
• Download Windows 11 version 2022 ISO using the Media Creation Tool.
• Install Windows 11 version 2022 using Windows 11 Installation Assistant.

Download Windows 11 Version 2022 ISO (Direct Download Links)

Click on the given links below to download Windows 11 version 2022 (22H2) ISO in your preferred language. If you wish to download it in another language, you can use the other methods shared below.

You can then use the ISO file to create bootable media and install the OS.

  Windows 11 22H2 English 64-bit.ISO (5.2 GiB, 4,391 hits)

  Windows 11 22H2 German 64-bit.ISO (5.2 GiB, 793 hits)

  Windows 11 22H2 French 64-bit.ISO (5.2 GiB, 703 hits)

  Windows 11 22H2 Chinese 64-bit.ISO (5.2 GiB, 691 hits)

Update to Windows 11 Version 2022 (22H2) from Windows Update

If you want to upgrade your current operating system to Windows 11 version 2022, you can simply update it through Windows Update. Here are the methods:

From Windows 11

If you are currently running Windows 11, then it means that your system already meets the minimum hardware requirements to run Windows 11 version 2022. Thus, you can install the update seamlessly using these steps:

Check if your PC is compatible with Windows 11 version 2022.

1. Navigate to the following:

   Settings app >> Windows Update

2. Click Check for updates.

   

3. You will now see the following available:

   Windows 11, version 22H2 is available.

   Click Download & install in front of it.

   

4. The update will now begin to download and then install. When it completes, click Restart now to finalize the installation.

When rebooted, you can confirm that your OS has upgraded to version 22H2 by typing in winver in the Run Command box.

From Windows 10

If you are running Windows 10 on your computer, then you must first check the minimum hardware requirements to run Windows 11. If you satisfy the checks, then you can proceed with the following steps to upgrade to Windows 11 v22H2:

Note: If your computer is not eligible to install Windows 11, then you can bypass the requirements and still install Windows 11.

1. Navigate to the following:

   Settings app >> Update & Security >> Windows Update

2. Click Check for updates.

   

3. When the scan completes, you should see the following update available:

   Windows 11, version 22H2 is ready - and it's free!

   Click Download and install under it.

   

4. When it installs, click Restart now to finalize the installation.

When it reboots, you can confirm that your OS has upgraded to version 22H2 by typing in winver in the Run Command box.

Download Windows 11 v22H2 using Media Creation Tool

Another way to download Windows 11 version 2022 ISO is through the Media Creation Tool. Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool (MCT) allows you to create bootable devices as well as download standalone ISO images of their operating systems. Follow these steps to learn how to use this tool:

1. Download the Windows 11 Media Creation tool and then run the file.

2. You will now see a new window for MCT. Accept the license terms.

   

3. Before proceeding further, verify the pre-determined details for the machine you are downloading the ISO for. If you are downloading the ISO file to another computer, we suggest that you uncheck the box next to “Use the recommended options for this PC” and select the language you wish to download Windows 11 version 2022 in.

   When done, click Next.

   

4. Now select the ISO file radio button to download the file and then click Next.

   

5. You will now need to choose where you wish to download the ISO image. Select a volume with ample free/available space and click Save. The Media Creation Tool will now begin your download.

   

6. Once the download finishes, click Finish to close the tool. You may find that the software then performs a setup cleanup. You can ignore this and let it run in the background.

   

Now that you have downloaded the Windows 11 v22H2 ISO file, you may proceed to the next phase: Creating a bootable device and performing a clean install.

Download Windows 11 v22H2 using Installation Assistant

The Windows 11 Installation Assistant is a tool designed to upgrade the PC you are using to Windows 11 version 2022. If you need to upgrade your current PC, this is the way to go. Follow these steps to use Installation Assistant to upgrade to Windows 11 22H2:

1. Download Windows 11 Installation Assistant and execute the package.

2. First, you will need to download and install the PC Health Check app regardless if you are already running Windows 11. Click Get PC Health Check app.

   

3. The app will now download. Install the PC Health Check app and see if your system meets the requirements.

4. When done, return to the Installation Assistant and click Refresh.

   

5. Now click Accept and install.

   

6. The tool will now begin to download Windows 11 version 22H2. When finished, restart your computer so it can upgrade to version 2022.

If you are planning to download the ISO for Windows 11 v22H2, then you can surely use the guide given below to create a bootable USB drive to perform a clean installation.

Create Bootable Windows 11 22H2 Drive

Creating a bootable device out of an ISO image is relatively easy. You can create a bootable USB drive as well as a DVD. However, we suggest that you create a USB drive as it is more convenient.

You can use Rufus or Ventoy to create a bootable USB flash drive using the ISO image that you have downloaded for Windows 11 version 2022 in the steps above. Now let us show you how to create a bootable USB drive using Rufus:

Learn how to create a multi-boot USB flash drive with multiple ISO files using Ventoy.

1. To begin, plug in your USB flash drive (at least 8GB) to your computer and make sure that all your data on the USB is backed up since it requires formatting where all previous data is lost.

2. Now, download Rufus from their website and install it on your computer. Alternatively, you can also download the portable version which does not need any installation.

   

3. Once downloaded, run Rufus. Select the USB flash drive from the drop-down menu under Device. Then, click Select under Boot selection and navigate to the downloaded Windows 11 version 22H2 ISO file. Leave the rest of the settings to their default values and click Start.

   

4. Your Windows 11 22H2 bootable USB drive will now be in the making. This step may take a few minutes. Once it is finished, Ready will be displayed with a green bar. You may then close the app.

Your bootable drive is now ready and you may proceed to the installation phase using the guide given below.

Install Windows 11 22H2 using ISO Image File

You can now begin installing Windows 11 using the bootable USB drive. Here is how:

1. First, ensure that your system meets all hardware requirements for Windows 11.

2. Once ensured, connect the Windows 11 22H2 bootable USB drive to the computer you want to install it on. Then turn on/reboot the computer and open its One Time Boot Menu (Usually through the F12, F10, or Esc button).

3. From there, select External USB drive to boot from the bootable USB.

4. You will now see a menu such as the one below. Click Next.

   

5. Now click Install Now.

   

6. On the next screen, click “I don’t have a product key.” Even if you do have one, you can activate the product later after installation.

   

7. Now, select the edition that you want to install on this device. When selected, click Next.

   

8. On the next window, check the box to accept the license agreement and click Next.

   

9. You will now be asked whether you want to upgrade the existing OS or perform a custom installation. Since this is a clean and fresh Windows 11 22H2 installation, we will be selecting Custom.

   

10. Next, you need to create the partitions on your hard drive. Once done, select the volume you wish to install the operating system on and click Next.

    

11. Windows 11 will now begin installing on your device. This step may take a few minutes and your device may reboot a few times.

    Further ahead in the process, you will be asked to configure your PC through several Out Of Box Experience (OOBE) screens. Proceed with the on-screen instructions, configure your PC, and you will have successfully installed Windows 11 version 22H2.

You can now begin installing the relevant software and customizing it according to your liking.

These are the methods to download and install Windows 11 22H2 today! If you are interested to know what new features and improvements this release holds, continue reading below.

New in Windows 11 22H2

Let us now discuss the new features and improvements made to the Windows 11 operating system that are included in this release.

Improved Start Menu and Taskbar

Users can now customize the Taskbar as well as the Start Menu according to their preferences. In Windows 11 22H2, you can drag and drop items in and out of the Taskbar, and make folders of pinned apps in the Start Menu.

Also, you can now view 3 categories of applications in the Start Menu:

• Recently-added apps
• Most-used apps
• Recently-accessed apps

Other improvements have also been made. For example, Microsoft has added the ability to view the date and time on all Taskbars if multiple monitors are connected. A weather widget has also been added to the Taskbar with improved widgets.

Another useful feature is that you can now mute or unmute Microsoft Teams calls directly from the Taskbar.

Spotlight Collection for Desktop

Previously, Spotlight Collection was only available for the lock screen. Microsoft has now also introduced it to your desktop in Windows 11 22H2. Once the Spotlight Collection is enabled, the desktop background will now automatically change up to 5 times in 24 hours. These images will also provide textual information about the image and the things in it, which can be expanded by clicking on them.

Navigate to the following to check out the new Spotlight collection:

Settings app >> Personalization >> Background

Now select Windows Spotlight from the drop-down menu in front of “Personalize your background.” This will immediately change your wallpaper.

New Media Player

A new media player has been added to the operating system which will replace the legacy Groove Music application. The new Windows Media Player supports both audio and video files, centralizing your entertainment needs with a single app.

Improvements to the Settings App

Plenty of changes and improvements have been made over several Windows flights for Windows 11. We will try to cover all changes made to the Settings app since the official release of Windows 11.

User Interface (UI) changes have been made to round off the corners of the screens if multiple monitors are connected to the Display page. This change has been made to keep the app more in tune with Windows 11.

The Storage Space and then Disks & Volumes pages have been redesigned to make them look more appealing and user-friendly. Moreover, the Apps & Features page has now been divided into Install apps and Advanced App Settings to segregate the different types of settings for the applications installed on your computer.

A new page by the name “Your Microsoft Account” has also been introduced on the app that allows you to manage your Microsoft account directly from the app.

A lot of other changes have also been made to the Settings app to give you more control over your OS with even more convenience.

Redesign and UI Improvements

Microsoft has also improved some other things that usually go neglected. This includes the general look and feel of various windows and options in the operating system.

Microsoft has now improved the snap layouts even more. You can now drag a window to the top of the screen and adjust how the window is displayed from the snap layouts.

Media controls in the corner of the lock screen have also been redesigned to keep them more in tone with Windows 11.

The “Open With” dialog box has also been updated and redesigned so it does not look exactly like it has been for the last decade.

Microsoft has made several major improvements to the “Your Phone” application. They now want their users to stop switching between the computer and their phone when both of them can be managed directly from the computer.

They have redesigned the Calls section of the app and made it much easier to access the recently-used Android apps directly from the Quick Access menu. Microsoft has also added the ability to link your phone directly from the Out Of Box Experience (OOBE) screen when setting up the OS.

The flyouts for the hardware indicators for brightness, volume, airplane mode, camera on/off, etc. have also been updated to have a modern look.

The Notepad application has been updated in accordance with Windows 11. It now also supports dark mode. By default, Notepad will adapt to the OS theme.

Live Captions

Microsoft has introduced a “Live Captions” feature that will show captions for audio files automatically. The captions are automatically generated at the top or bottom of the window, or in a separate floating window, which can be resized.

You can enable this feature using the Windows Key + CTRL + L shortcut keys, or from the Accessibility flyout under Quick Settings.

Improved Narrator

The narrator is an integral part of the OS for people with disabilities. Microsoft has been working on the Narrator for quite some time and has made visible progress.

It has been integrated with Microsoft Edge to give a better, smoother online browsing experience. Moreover, new natural voices have also been added so you can now choose which voice you wish to hear.

Other than that, many improvements have also been made so that the Narrator now functions more smoothly, and reads out as much text on the screen as possible.

Improved Voice Access

Voice Access allows you to perform tasks on your computer using your voice. Significant improvements have been made to this tool to assist you in performing specified actions, as well as new commands that have also been integrated.

Furthermore, you can now control the on-screen keyboard with Voice Access as well. Voice Access also allows you to convert voice-to-text and dictate in many different languages.

File Explorer

File Explorer is another integral part of the Windows operating system. Some improvements have also been made to this component.

You can now pin files to the Quick Access menu in Explorer. Moreover, OneDrive has been integrated into Explorer. Users will now no longer need to navigate back and forth from different windows to move their files and folders from the OneDrive cloud storage service.

Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA)

Microsoft has introduced Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA). Just like Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), WSA also requires virtualization technology to run the applications. Therefore, one of the requirements to run Android apps is that virtualization is enabled.

Using this technology, you can now run Android applications natively on your computer. That said, this feature is still in its early development stage, and thus only supports a handful of Android applications right now.

System Changes

Windows 11 version 22H2 will support Windows Hello Facial recognition from an external monitor with a camera.

Microsoft has also made changes to the Emoji Panel (Windows Key + .) which enhances your personalization experience. You can now customize the faces and skin tones of the emojis in the Emoji Panel to match those around you. This feature is specific to the emojis that include more than one person/face, such as family members, couples with hearts, kissing, and people holding hands.

Another significant change to observe is the acrylic title bar for File Explorer and other windows you open. This has been done to keep the overall look of the UI more in tone with the Windows 11 theme.

Power Consumption

In a recent Insider release, Microsoft targeted the “Go Green” slogan to download and install updates only when renewable energy is available in your area. This feature is still relatively new (even for Insiders), so it may be too early to say if this feature will roll out to Windows 11 22H2.

Another power-related feature introduced to the OS is the power recommendations. The Settings application will now give you suggestions on configuring your computer for less power consumption, hence fewer carbon emissions.

Task Manager Efficiency Mode

Previously known as the “Eco mode,” Microsoft has re-introduced the “Efficiency mode” in the Task Manager which allows you to reduce the resource consumption of an individual or a group of processes.

This feature will help you preserve your system’s resources, such as RAM and processor, for the more critical and time-critical tasks.

Roll Back Windows 11 22H2 Update

If you do not wish to keep the installed update for some reason, you can always roll back to the previous build of the OS. However, this can only be performed within the next 10 days after installing the new update.

To roll back after 10 days, you will need to apply this trick before the 10 days are over.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)