Windows 11 usage is still low, but companies using Microsoft’s latest operating system will see improvements to the taskbar, File Explorer, and other requested features.
This week, Microsoft released the Windows 11 2022 and Windows 10 Updates Update 22H2. The former includes File Explorer tabs to easily organize files and switch between folders, while the latter has security enhancements.
Shilpa Ranganathan, corporate vice president of Windows, said in a blog post, Windows 11’s File Explorer tabs simplify everyday tasks. Reordering files and changing folders is simpler, and the favorites section lets people pin frequently used files.
Explorer’s OneDrive integration provides collaboration features like showing which co-workers edited or commenting on a file.
Microsoft has added to Windows suggested actions based on how the operating system interprets user activities. For example, it highlights a phone number or future date in the text. Clicking on numbers can initiate a call with Phone Link, Teams, or Skype. Doing the same with dates will trigger the option to schedule an appointment or add an event to the calendar.
Microsoft has added what they say are two highly requested taskbar improvements. People can pin more apps than space allows, throwing extras into the add-ons menu. Second, right clicking on the taskbar gives the user direct access to the Task Manager.
The company has also redesigned its Photos app collection to simplify organizing photos from your smartphone’s camera or OneDrive. Microsoft plans to roll out the improved library by the end of October.
Last week, Microsoft introduced the iCloud for Windows app in the Microsoft Store. The software allows people to access photos on their Apple iPhone through the Photos app. Microsoft plans to offer iCloud integration in November.
Other improvements include access to the Amazon Appstore to download Android apps and games. Additionally, Microsoft has made the ESPN app available in the Microsoft Store for sports fans.
Windows 11 adoption is still slow
Microsoft received a lukewarm reception from enterprise customers when it released Windows 11 in October 2021. Today, many companies want to keep Windows 10 as long as possible before upgrading. Microsoft plans to continue supporting Windows 10 Enterprise and Education editions until October 14, 2025.
Windows 11 usage has grown slowly. According to Lansweeper, an IT asset management company, in October, 2.61% of Windows users switched to Windows 11, up from 1.17% in April. Windows 11 enterprise adoption is close to 2.5 %.
Lansweeper found Windows 10 on 81.87% of PCs, making it the most popular version. Windows 11 usage rate has surpassed Windows XP’s 1.27% but is lower than Windows 7’s 3.38%.
One reason for Windows 11’s slow adoption rate is its system requirements. The minimum requirements for the OS are 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage, and a 1 GHz processor with two cores on a 64-bit processor or system on chip.
The latest Windows 10 updates deliver what Microsoft describes as quality and security improvements to fix known problems.
