Microsoft just teased its next big Windows 11 update

By Aaron Leong Published November 2, 2022

Microsoft has given us a glimpse of a feature that “Moment 2” may bring as early as January 2023.

Since Windows 11 version 22H2, the Redmond, WA company has dedicated to releasing smaller feature updates, known internally as “Moment.” The first one gave us the much-requested tabs in File Explorer (along with its Context IQ tech). The next Windows 11 version 22H2 “Moment” is currently slated for early 2023, according to sources, after it undergoes testing throughout 2022.

Windows 11 22H2 Tablet Taskbar YouTube screenshot — Image used with permission by copyright holder

As spotted by Windows Latest, in a recent Windows Insider webcast on YouTube, the presenters accidentally demoed a Windows 11 preview build — 23003.ni_moment_directdash_dev1.221018-160 — with a deeper touch-optimized taskbar for tablets. This build seems to point to “Moment 2” of this build of Windows 11 version 22H2.

Recommended Videos

The full “Moment 2” changelog is not yet known, but in the webcast, Windows Insider viewers at least got a glimpse of how the tablet-specific taskbar looks and animates. Of course, many of them might have already been testing this feature as part of the Windows Insider program, the company’s public testing sandbox.

Do bear in mind that Microsoft intends on shipping Build 23003 in the form of a cumulative update from either Build 22621 or 22622 to Build 22623. If that sounds confusing, it’s because “Moment 2” is not a new OS version, but an update to the current 22H2 version instead. Also note that these new “Moment” features won’t be shipping with Windows 11 version 22H2, which doesn’t provide users with a clear timeline of when these features might arrive.

Microsoft is apparently aware of these confusing announcements and has promised to provide details in updated documentation.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Aaron enjoys all manner of tech - from mobile (phones/smartwear), audio (headphones/earbuds), computing (gaming/Chromebooks)…

Computing

Microsoft could make account-free Windows 11 installs a thing of the past

The offline Windows 11 install looks like it could officially be a thing of the past.

Microsoft is officially shutting the door on local accounts during Windows 11 setup, confirming that all new installations, Home and Pro alike, will now require a Microsoft account.

Computing

Microsoft sign-in gets redesign and, more importantly, dark mode

microsoft dark mode sign in.

Microsoft is rolling out a new authentication process for services like Outlook, Xbox, Windows, and Microsoft 365. The practical aim is to focus more on passwordless logins and the visual aim is apparently to step back from "product-centric" design and lean into "Microsoft-centric design" (whatever that means).

Passwordless login refers to other forms of authentication, namely face ID, fingerprint ID, or PIN -- sometimes collectively referred to as passkeys. Although a PIN is still a set of numbers or letters that you type in to get access to your accounts, they're safer than passwords thanks to the way they're stored. Instead of information being transmitted to and stored on servers that bad actors are constantly trying to break into, your PIN is kept securely stored on your device.

Computing

Microsoft is working on something new, but it’s probably not Windows 12

The Surface Pro 11 on a white table in front of a window.

Microsoft appears to be working on a new major update, but if you're hoping for Windows 12, I wouldn't hold my breath. The company has confirmed that it's testing new content via the Insider program in the Dev Channel, and those changes might lead to a patch that's set to be released later this year. However, we're most likely looking at the successor to the current 24H2 build -- namely Windows 11 25H2 -- and not a whole new operating system.

This was first spotted by Windows Central. The publication cites its own sources as it claims that Microsoft is backporting some platform changes to offer better support for Qualcomm's upcoming Snapdragon X2 chip. Those changes will allow devices that house that chip to run Germanium-based Windows 11. Germanium refers to the platform release that the current Windows 11 build is built on, and it looks like the upcoming 25H2 build might also be based on Germanium -- but nothing is fully clear at this point.