Should you upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 version 22H2?

Martin Brinkmann
Sep 12, 2022
Updated • Sep 12, 2022
Windows 11 News
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Windows 10 is the most popular desktop operating system from a usage share point of view. While some Windows 10 owners decided to upgrade to Windows 11 when the operating system came out last year, the majority decided against it.

Apart from the elephant in the room, which is hardware restrictions that block many devices from upgrading to Windows 11 without some trickery, it is the unfinished nature of Windows 11 that kept many from upgrading.

With Windows 11 version 22H2 right around the corner and promising improvements, it may be a good time to find out if now is the right time to upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10.

Windows 11 version 22H2

Windows 11 version 22H2, or Windows 11 version 2022, can best be described as a small feature update that improves the operating system here and there. Some features make a return from Windows 10, but if you hoped that Microsoft would restore all functionality that it removed in Windows 11, you will be disappointed.

Note: Microsoft has not unveiled the full release version of Windows 11 version 22H2. Some features may not make it into the final release, others may make it.

Take the taskbar and the Start Menu as an example. Microsoft restricted the taskbar in Windows 10 to a bottom position. Icons are aligned in the middle, but you may change that to the trustworthy left alignment that all previous versions of Windows used as the default.

Yes, the Windows 11 taskbar is still lacking features when compared to the Windows 10 taskbar.  The new taskbar features in Windows 11 version 22H2 reintroduced some drag & drop support and add a new mute icon for chat applications. There is also a new share this window option, but that is about it.

Taskbar positions other than bottom are not making a comeback, and your best bet in this regard is to use third-party software such as  Stardock's Start11 (paid) or the free Taskbar11.

The Windows 11 2022 Update version of the Start menu gets support for folders, which Microsoft removed in the initial release version of Windows 11, some layout improvements to expand the recommendations or pinned sections, and that is about it.

Options to resize the Start Menu or to create groups are nowhere to be seen and won't make the final release version.

Even a former Microsoft employee, who worked on the Windows 8 Start Menu, criticized Microsoft for the Windows 11 iteration of the start menu.

What about other features?

Snap Assist, a feature that adds more window layouts to the operating system, gets better keyboard and touch support in the new release. The feature, which users may overlook easily, is getting a visibility bump in the new version of Windows 11. Users who move windows around will see a small bar at the top. Dropping the window on the bar displays the available layouts.

What else is new? File Explorer is not getting Tabs in the initial update release, but folder previews are restored in the release. There are also smaller changes, such as the ability to show files from Office.com under Home.

The Task Manager's basic interface is no longer available and dark mode support was added. Tabs moved to the left and the classic menu is gone. There are also a few new keyboard shortcuts available.

Gamers may benefit from system-wide Variable Refresh Rate support and windowed game optimizations. There is also a new HDR calibration app and Xbox Controller Bar.

Other than that, there is not much to brag about for Microsoft, considering that the company did not release a Windows 11 version 22H1 update.

Upgrade to Windows 11: yes or no?

When you look at all the changes in Windows 11 version 22H2, you may notice that there is not anything that can be considered major. Yes, there are improvements, and some users may like those. It seems unlikely, however, that these will convince many Windows 10 users to switch to Windows 11.

The hardware barrier is still in place, and it is still not a good idea to bypass the restrictions, as running an unsupported device may limit updates and other features.

Some Windows 11 users have waited for the first feature update, to let Windows 11 mature for a year, before taking the plunge. These may want to wait a bit longer, even if they plan to upgrade to Windows 11. The first couple of months are usually needed to fix issues that have not been detected during the development period.

December 2022 or January 2023 may be good months to start the upgrade. There is no hurry to upgrade from Windows 10, as the operating system is supported until 2025 (and maybe even beyond).

Others may want to skip this version and wait for the smaller feature updates to drop. Microsoft won't recreate all the missing Windows 10 features though. Those, with hardware that is not compatible, may want to keep on running Windows 10 for the foreseeable future.

Now You: what is your take on the first Windows 11 feature update?

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Should you upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 version 22H2?
Description
Should you upgrade to Windows 11 version 22H2 from Windows 10, once the feature update is released by Microsoft?
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Ghacks Technology News
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Comments

  1. mike said on October 1, 2022 at 1:29 am
    Reply

    Long live Windows 7! It is still the best!!!

  2. Anonymous said on September 20, 2022 at 7:27 pm
    Reply

    Having had to replace my PC and putting Windows ten on it thinking it would be same as old computer, how dissapointed was i to be. The colours are dreadful and they have not addressed it in windows eleven.There is little to suggest its worth upgrading to infact probably as bad if not worse.As a photographer windows ten has destroyed my intrest.

  3. X said on September 14, 2022 at 7:25 pm
    Reply

    Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019
    Start Date: 2018-11-13T00:00:00.000-08:00 (PT)
    Mainstream End Date: 2024-01-09T22:59:59.999-08:00 (PT)
    Extended End Date: 2029-01-09T22:59:59.999-08:00 (PT)

    Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021
    Start Date: 2021-11-16T00:00:00.000-08:00 (PT)
    Mainstream End Date: 2027-01-12T22:59:59.999-08:00 (PT)

  4. Sol Shine said on September 14, 2022 at 4:34 am
    Reply

    Last month a familiy member asked me to help her buy a set up a new laptop.
    In Windows I used the host file to block the Microsoft telemetry, tracking and ad servers.
    I installed Firefox and Brave, and told her to never use Edge.
    I also installed Linux Mint and told her to use that as her default OS, and avoid.
    Windows due to it’s spying, increasing ads and decreasing quality and productivity.
    Linux Mint will be pretty stable for the coming few years, and I will help her upgrade to next mayor version of MInt, when support for this version ends.

    Early next year I will be doing the same for another familiy member.

    So I ignore most of the articles about Windows 11, and even Windows 10.
    I have had enough of Microsoft and their disgusting behavior. My focus now is Linux.
    I install 2 different Linux distro’s on my computers (Manjaro Linux, and MX Linux or Linux Mint).
    After years of testing various Linux distro’s, these are the 3 distro’s I have settled on for different goals.
    Manjaro Linux is my main OS. Linux Mint is the OS I install for family and friends.
    MX Linux is the main OS I use to boot from USB sticks and external USB drives.
    I just keep Windows installed incase I need it, which is not often.

    As for upgrading to Windows 11, I will wait untill Windows 10 is no longer supported.

  5. lgihiacks said on September 13, 2022 at 7:48 pm
    Reply

    I’d install Win11 22H2 last month. Indeed, it has some decent new features when compares with Win10. But what made me rolled back to Win10 right after 2 days experienced Win11 were the stupid right click context menu and stupid file explore.

    Win10 is more productive!

    1. John G. said on September 13, 2022 at 9:58 pm
      Reply

      W10 is by far the best productive OS right now. W11 taskbar, start, and context menu are hell.

  6. TelV said on September 13, 2022 at 4:12 pm
    Reply

    Although 2025 is EOL for Windows 10 it’s possible to use an alternative route to patch vulnerabilities for the foreseeable future.

    I’m talking about 0Patch here which according to their blog supports Windows 10 versions 1803 up to v21H2 (so far) https://blog.0patch.com/

    0Patch isn’t free however and the annual cost at the moment is €24,95 for the Pro version. They do have a free version as well, but only for free patches.

    I’m still on Windows 8.1 and regretably 0Patch isn’t going to support that OS come January 2023 due to insufficient users. So I might go the Windows 10 route myself combined with these patches since none of the current Linux distros appeal to me.

    Martin has several articles on 0Patch.com, but I’ve picked the lastest one from December last year today: https://www.ghacks.net/2021/12/03/0patch-has-a-patch-for-windows-installerfiletakeover-0-day-vulnerability-microsoft-has-none/

  7. Sebas said on September 13, 2022 at 3:59 pm
    Reply

    I’ll wait on Windows 12. W10 version 21H2 is the smoothest one so far, it even properly eject my usb peripherals….

    And it doesn’t collapse when removing a lager amount of files in the dustbin.

  8. pol said on September 13, 2022 at 3:58 pm
    Reply

    I still don’t understand why microsoft not introduce a classic interface and a “modern” interface during installing o after it. Who wants to use windows 10 fell can do it without no problem or if you like more the improvements choose modern. That’s it

  9. DUMP_MicroSHIT said on September 13, 2022 at 12:15 pm
    Reply

    NO!!! F-KING NO! DUMP MicroSHIT!!

  10. Deezy said on September 13, 2022 at 7:55 am
    Reply

    I am thinking of moving to W11 after the 22H2 update, but may wait a few weeks after release to hear about what issues there are (usually there is something). I’m currently running Windows 7 ESR on my Intel 9th gen setup with some custom drivers from win-raid, but these days less and less software and games are compatible, and the drivers are now old and buggy with newer programs. Rather than jumping to W10 for a couple years, I think I’ll try skipping it altogether. I’m guessing most of the issues with W11 will be fixed by third party add ons like open shell for the taskbar and others for blocking the telemetry and ads etc.

  11. Aluminum said on September 13, 2022 at 6:48 am
    Reply

    By the time 2025 comes, MS will be pushing Windows 12, making 11 pointless.

  12. A. Penn-Gwynn said on September 13, 2022 at 4:13 am
    Reply

    Since Windows 11 has removed some features of Windows 10, and added more mechanisms to monetize the product, such as popup ads, I’ll stick with Windows 10 until it is no longer supported.

    That said, on those PC’s I manage that do not have Win11 compatible hardware, there is no upgrade option at Win10 EOL. Linux works quite well for on those machines for my purposes, after a short acclimation. Almost all Windows programs I use come in native-Linux versions, such as browser (Firefox), office suite (LibreOffice) and email client (Thunderbird), or work well under wine, such as image editor IrfanView and archive utility 7-Zip (there is a poorly-maintained SNAP version of 7-Zip, but it works better under wine than as a SNAP).

    Unless I buy a new PC, then, I would not use Windows 11.

  13. chesscanoe said on September 13, 2022 at 12:28 am
    Reply

    As long as W10 nets to meeting a weighted net plus over W11, that is where I will stay. Same logic applies to my 2007 car.

  14. Corky said on September 13, 2022 at 12:03 am
    Reply

    Since Microsoft changed to their rolling release thing (are they still calling it that?), Windows 8 basically, I’ve advised anyone who asks not to upgrade to a new version of Windows until their current version reaches EOL.

    It’s just not worth the hassle / lost work time from all the constant changes they keep making and inevitable bugs that come with those changes, it’s not like you’re missing out on anything so just let others be the guinea pigs.

  15. Allan Shears said on September 12, 2022 at 11:43 pm
    Reply

    I said it before and will say it again when 2025 comes around and MS has not changed anything

    I will be looking forward to buying a MAC.

    Had MS for 23 years time for a change.

    1. DrKnow said on September 13, 2022 at 1:15 am
      Reply

      Haha. Needed that laugh!

  16. Anonymous said on September 12, 2022 at 9:15 pm
    Reply

    Wouldn’t touch it with a barge poll

  17. Gord M said on September 12, 2022 at 8:20 pm
    Reply

    I do not think about the Windows 11 user upgrades/updates at all. I won’t consider using Windows 11 until Microsoft upgrades their respect for user privacy and choices, and gives up on any effort to advertise through the OS. I feel that if I pay for my software(OS) I should not have to put up with corporate spying and watching ads. If they want to monetize Windows 11 through data harvesting and advertising then they should provide it for free. Yes, I know that the so-called upgrades from Windows 10 are free and that a lot of people find creative ways around payment. Remember that when you purchase a new PC with Windows on it you are paying Microsoft for it, it’s built into the price of the PC. So, Microsoft can go pound salt, as the saying goes where I am from. I am currently evaluating different Linux offerings and intend to be Microsoft free by 2025. I have only 1 computer out of 5 what still has Windows installed.

    Sorry, that was a bit of a rant and I didn’t intend it to be.

    One more thing. Hey ghacks guys, how about more Linux articles, news and revues? :-)

    Spelling mistakes and poor grammar are my own fault.

  18. Khai Bach said on September 12, 2022 at 6:52 pm
    Reply

    nope
    I can’t afford to upgrade the hardware to “standard”

    and there’s a LOT of people in the same situation. rent/morgage, food, power etc or a new PC so you can run windows 11?

    yeaaaaaaaaaaah

    looks like 10 for a long while.

  19. VioletMoon said on September 12, 2022 at 4:36 pm
    Reply

    1. “There is no hurry to upgrade from Windows 10, as the operating system is supported until 2025 (and maybe even beyond).”

    a. Since Windows 10 is supported until 2025, I’d say, “Wait and see.” I’m fine with any computer running Windows 10–Version 21H2 (OS Build 19044.1826) [used PowerToys Text Extractor for that one, cool!]

    2. What is your take on the first Windows 11 feature update?”

    a. Feature updates, from user feedback and tech site articles, usually make an otherwise stable OS unstable. Think I’ll “wait and see.”

    b. Even with a quick Macrium system image backup, the time involved takes too much away from productive work–items that need to be finished on a timeline. The feature update can wait.

  20. John G. said on September 12, 2022 at 4:25 pm
    Reply

    I will wait for W11 22H2 to see how many things they have really fixed. However, if there weren’t no important things for productivity, printing or any other working labour I will turn back to W10. Thanks for the article! :]

  21. Anonymous said on September 12, 2022 at 4:22 pm
    Reply

    Nothing that merits a downgrade. Compared to Windows 11, Windows 10 is already more productive.

    1. John McFarling said on February 27, 2023 at 9:45 pm
      Reply

      I tried Windows 11 Home (because it came on new Laptop) and even clean installed to Windows 11 Pro. After about a week I spent around $300 to get it off my computer. Purchased Windows 10 Pro and just finished installing. Don’t have the time to relearn and remove all the unwanted features. Found the easiest way was to just replace the Hard Drive and do a new OEM install. At least Now I know where the spyware on my computer came from. Don’t have a lot of productive time on my computer when they continually scan my 110TB Storage for what ever their reasons are. Granted, the new laptop was like a new playground. It was only $1333 dollars and the cost of the new Hard drive and Software. I do multi camera 4K recording and producing, NOT shopping on the web with these professional PC’s.

    2. Stijn Hommes said on September 17, 2022 at 2:42 pm
      Reply

      Totally correct. It still doesn’t merit the downgrade. Nothing that needs fixing has been fixed and after multiple “updates” it is utterly clear that Microsoft doesn’t care anymore.

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