Windows 10 22H2 edges closer to the enterprise as OS hits Release Preview

The first Release Preview of Windows 10 22H2 was the most significant Windows build last week, along with a confirmation to admins it would be business as usual on the hardware compatibility front.

While Microsoft has yet to commit to a firm date for the release, it has now made the code available in the form of build 19045.1865, which it described as having a "scoped set of features" as Microsoft focused on validating the servicing technology.

While Windows enthusiasts on their home PCs have likely moved on into the shinier world of Windows 11 (assuming those devices meet Microsoft's hardware requirements), many machines will be sticking with Windows 10 for the time being, particularly in the more conservative world of enterprise IT. And this is why the release preview is important, as it will allow administrators to test out the code on hardware in their organizations.

It was also business as usual on the hardware front, as Microsoft followed up the Insider emission with confirmation that Windows 10 22H2 would not bring updates to the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program (WHCP), which will follow the same guidelines as Windows 10 2004. This is handy for driver makers.

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Microsoft also continued to dispense new builds of Windows 11 with a fresh Release Preview in the form of 22621.317 as well as builds 22622.440 and 22621.440 for the Beta Channel.

The latter two builds introduced Dynamic Widgets content on the taskbar for both 22622 and 22621 and tweaked the taskbar yet again (in 22622 only) with taskbar overflow (where apps overflow into a pop-up.) Build 22621.317, however, was focused on fixes, including the resolution of an issue that prevented Troubleshooters from opening.

Additionally, Microsoft updated its bleeding edge Dev Channel version of Windows 11 to build 25169.

The most notable feature there was a way to lock down Windows 11 machines in multi-app kiosk mode. The feature permits an IT administrator to select a number of allowable apps on a device while blocking everything else. A few lucky Windows Insiders also received access to Windows Spotlight on the desktop through a Windows Spotlight theme. The rest should get the feature once Microsoft completes the rollout. ®