(Credit: Microsoft)
Most Windows 11 users could already update to the 2023 version as a preview by requesting it in Windows Update, but version 23H2 is now fully released, according to the official Windows blog.
The free update should be faster than previous Windows major versions, since it uses the same servicing technology found in the monthly OS updates.
We previously covered the major new features in this version, including the generative AI Microsoft Copilot feature, which can create documents or images based on your text prompts. It also includes passkey support, a new Windows Backup tool, a Gallery view for File Explorer, background removal and image generation in Paint, background blur in the Photos app, OCR in screenshots, and native support for RAR and 7-Zip archive files.
A few less newsworthy things not mentioned before are also coming to the update. According to the Windows blog, “Chat is now Microsoft Teams (free) and is pinned by default to the taskbar.” Also, System Components will be marked as such in the All Apps view of the Start menu, and will get an new Settings location: Settings > System > System Components.
To get the update as soon as possible, head to Settings > Windows Update and enable Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available. Microsoft is delaying it for computers that could have problems with the update until those are fixed. For more details on that, check the Windows release health hub. Enterprise users should consult the Windows IT Pro blog.
Windows 11 will continue to get major updates annually in the second half of the calendar year, along with periodic feature additions in between. Microsoft has committed to 24 months of support for this new version of the operating system for Home and Pro editions of Windows 11, and 36 months for Enterprise and Education editions.