Windows 11 version 22H2 lands in Release Preview

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It’s happening! Windows 11 is this close to getting its first major update in the form of version 22H2, which by all accounts has already reached the RTM stage.

The next moment in the journey of this version to being final is an appearance in the Release Preview channel of the Windows Insider Program. This is where it will be finely tuned and additional refinements made to ensure that it is ready to go live for production devices.

And this is exactly where it is now.

Microsoft announced yesterday that it released Windows 11 version 22H2 to Insiders in the Release Preview channel of the preview program.

“We are also making this build available to any Windows Insider in the Release Preview Channel via our “seeker” experience in Windows Update.

This means Insiders currently in the Release Preview Channel that meet the Windows 11 hardware requirements can go to Settings and Windows Update and choose to download and install Windows 11, version 22H2 Build 22621 if they want. Once an Insider updates their PC to Windows 11, version 22H2, they will continue to automatically receive new servicing updates through Windows Update (the typical monthly update process).”

To be specific, there are two sides of the story here for build 22621.

With the first, Commercial devices that are configured for the Release Preview Channel via the Windows Insider Program Settings page or via Windows Update for Business policy will now be offered access to this particular build as an optional update. As long as they meet the requirement, that is.

Secondly, this build will also be available to any Windows Insider in the Release Preview channel via the seeker experience in Windows Update provided they have the hardware for it.

In both cases, once you are upgraded to this version of Windows 11, you will continue to automatically receive new servicing updates through Windows Update as usual. Expect to be involved with Patch Tuesday next week, which will mark the first updates for Windows 11 Sun Valley 2.

Windows 11 version 22H2 is, of course, also readily available both via Windows Server Update Service and Azure Marketplace.

All in all, it is clear that Microsoft is making gains in finalizing this first major update for Windows 11. It should not be long before the software titan makes things official, and makes version 22H2 available for any and all that want it.