Lyra Martin Tech 08.17.2022 09:Aug AM EDT

Microsoft Will Begin Offering Windows 11 Widgets This Week

The addition of live animations to Microsoft's taskbar widget has completely changed everything. In the subsequent days and weeks, all Windows 11 users will get these new widget notifications because Microsoft's widgets have been updated.

Windows 11 Users Will Receive Updated Widget Alerts Sooner

Microsoft will start offering its Windows 11 widgets taskbar notification system this week. Despite returning in Windows 11 earlier this year, the weather widget has remained chiefly a static interface that displays an umbrella sign when it's raining and a sunny indication when it's pleasant and cheerful outside. This week, Microsoft added live animations to their taskbar widget, which will change everything.

All Windows 11 users will notice these new widget notifications in the coming days and weeks since the Windows Web Experience Pack, which powers Microsoft's widgets feature, has been upgraded. Messages are shown as live animations on the taskbar weather widget, including ticker alerts for fluctuating market prices and thunderstorm warnings.

According to Microsoft on a support page, you could get an announcement from that widget on your taskbar whenever something significant occurs in relation to one of your other widgets. The taskbar will once again display the weather if you choose to ignore these alerts. They should be brief and easy to look at.

Microsoft doesn't seem to provide a simple option to turn off these alerts. To make my taskbar less intrusive, they should maintain the weather alerts but remove the standard animations and other notifications. The Verge's Tom Warren is hopeful that a feature to fine-tune widget alerts is on the horizon, given that users can customize news information within the main widgets panel.

Regarding upcoming Windows 11 improvements, Microsoft also intends to roll out its subsequent significant OS update on September 20. Drag and drop on the taskbar, new touch gestures, new program folders in the Start menu, and much more will be included in Windows 11 22H2.

Microsoft Will Release Windows 11 22H2 in September

Microsoft will release Windows 11 Version 22H2 on September 20. The Verge hears from Microsoft sources. Windows 11 22H2 will be released via Windows Update on September 20, one week following Patch Tuesday.

Microsoft has been beta-testing Windows 11 22H2 for months. It will have touch gestures and animations, new program folders, drag-and-drop functionality on the taskbar, and new application folders. For people who are hard of hearing, deaf, or want to caption audio automatically, it adds a new accessibility tool called Live Captions. It has a voice control function that lets users speak commands to their PCs.

The Task Manager now has an efficiency option to utilize less system resources, a redesigned command bar, and a dark mode in Windows 11 22H2. Additionally, it will improve Snap Layouts to make it simpler to move an app to examine all of the possible layouts.

Microsoft is also developing tabs for File Explorer; these tabs won't be available until September 20. Another upgrade for 22H2 is anticipated later this year, according to Windows Central, and it will contain File Explorer tabs and a new Suggested Actions feature. Testers may apply the final update if they wish to access Windows 11 22H2 a bit early.

The Verge has learned through sources that Microsoft intends to release new devices this autumn to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Surface. The new 22H2 build of Windows 11 will likely come preinstalled on these Surface tablets.

The firm has not formally declared a release date for Windows 11 22H2 or given any indication of a future Surface event. Microsoft's Ignite conference, which takes place in Seattle from October 12 to 14, marks the company's return to live tech events in October.