Latest version of the windows update

Windows devices may get new functionality at different times as Microsoft delivers non-security updates, fixes, improvements, and enhancements via several servicing technologies—including controlled feature rollout (CFR). Windows will let you know if you need to restart your device to complete an update, and you can choose a time that works best for you to complete that update.

The latest Windows update is Windows 11, version 22H2, also known as the Windows 11 2022 Update. 

When the Windows 10 2022 Update aka Windows 10, version 22H2 is ready for your device, it will be available to download from the Windows Update page in Settings. Choose a time that works best for you to download the update. You’ll then need to restart your device and complete the installation. After that, your device will be running Windows 10, version 22H2.

To check whether you’re already running the Windows 10 2022 Update, select View update history on the Windows Update settings page.

Also note the following:

• If you want to install the update now, select Start  > Settings  > Update & Security  > Windows Update , and then select Check for updates. If updates are available, install them.

  Check for updates

• If version 22H2 isn’t offered automatically through Check for updates, you can get it manually through the Windows Update Assistant.

• If you run into problems updating your device, including problems with previous major updates, see common fixes at Troubleshoot problems updating Windows.

• If you’re warned by Windows Update that you don’t have enough space on your device to install the update, see Free up space for Windows updates.

• If you experience internet connection issues while updating your device, see Fix Wi-Fi connection issues in Windows.

If you’re still running Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 and want to make the move to Windows 10, you can learn more at Upgrade to Windows 10: FAQ. 

Пакет обновления (SP) для Windows часто включает ранее выпущенные обновления и помогает повысить надежность Windows. Пакеты обновления могут содержать улучшения для компонентов безопасности и производительности, а также предоставлять поддержку для новых типов оборудования. Установите последнюю версию пакета, чтобы Windows оставалась в актуальном состоянии. Установка пакетов обновления занимает приблизительно 30 минут. Во время установки потребуется перезагрузить компьютер.

Рекомендуемый (и самый простой) способ получать обновления — включить Центр обновления Windows для Windows 8.1. После этого Windows будет уведомлять, когда обновления будут готовы к установке. 

Узнайте, как выполнить обновление до Windows 10.

Пакет обновления (SP) для Windows часто включает ранее выпущенные обновления и помогает повысить надежность Windows. Бесплатные пакеты обновления на этой странице могут содержать улучшения для компонентов безопасности и производительности, а также предоставлять поддержку для новых типов оборудования. Установите последнюю версию пакета, чтобы Windows оставалась в актуальном состоянии. Установка пакетов обновления занимает приблизительно 30 минут. Во время установки потребуется перезагрузить компьютер.

Последний пакет обновления для Windows 7 — это пакет обновления 1 (SP1).  Узнайте, как получить пакет обновления 1 (SP1).

Поддержка Windows 7 RTM (без пакета обновления 1 (SP1)) завершилась 9 апреля 2013 года.

Windows 10 KB5028166 is now available for version 22H2, the last supported operating system version. This update is available for everyone and can be downloaded via Windows Update, but Microsoft has also published direct download links for Windows 10 KB5028166 offline installers.

KB5028166 for Windows 10 is a security patch, and it doesn’t have a lot of changes to mention, but it does come with plenty of bug fixes and a few improvements. For example, Microsoft is introducing many new features for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint in Windows 10 with today’s Patch Tuesday update.

Installing Windows 10 July 11, 2023, update will advance systems to Build 19045.3208 or Build 19044.3208 if you’re still on version 21H2 (Enterprise or Education edition). It is essential to understand that Windows 10’s July 2023 cumulative update has all the fixes and improvements from June 2023 preview.

It means if you have already installed June 2023 preview update, you won’t be getting the significant changes in the update. That’s because your device already has those bug fixes or improvements. However, Microsoft has promised the update will fix many security issues with Windows 10.

If you check for updates today, you’ll see the following update:

2023-07 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 22H2 for x86-based Systems (KB5028166)

For Windows 11 users, Microsoft has published KB5028185 with tons of new features, including kernel debugging in Task Manager and more.

Windows 10 KB5028166 Direct Download Links: 64-bit and 32-bit (x86).

Windows 10 KB5028166 (Build 19045.320) Full Changelog

Windows 10 Build 19045.320 doesn’t have a lot of changes. Still, there are plenty of bug fixes and notable tweaks, like the ability to authenticate across Microsoft’s services like OneDrive or Azure.

For some systems that rely on Chinese fonts, Microsoft says those devices should expect quality enhancement. Microsoft hasn’t revealed how Chinese fonts will look better on Windows 10, but the company says it has begun using GB18030-2022, designed to make Chinese fonts cleaner.

Another change related to the Standard Chinese Characters List, where Microsoft has confirmed implementing implementation level 2 of GB18030-2022). You should expect regular, light, and bold font experience, but if you switch to Dengxian, an optional font, Windows will make the fonts look sharper.

Windows 10’s July update has a lot of bug fixes, such as a fix for an issue where scheduled monthly tasks may not run on time during daylight savings. Another bug has been fixed that should improve the reliability of the Desktop Window Manager (DWM). Microsoft has also resolved issues affecting the Spooler service, the tib. sys driver.

Finally, a bug that led to Start menu crashes, broken Windows Search experience, or even a flawed approach to Azure AD authentication has been fixed.

The other bug fixes have nothing to do with the ‘consumer’ experience of Windows, but the release notes confirmed Microsoft had fixed an issue with the “Smart Card is Required for Interactive Logon” account option. A bug in the OS blocked users from connecting to Remote Desktop Services.

Known issues in Windows 10 July 2023 update

Microsoft is aware of at least one issue that has been known since last year. As you’re probably aware, a bug in Windows installations created from custom offline media removes Microsoft Edge Legacy but does not install Chromium Edge.

This can be fixed by manually installing Microsoft Edge and only affects custom offline media consumers never use.

Evil-forced upgrades are back, but you can manually upgrade

Microsoft has ended support for Windows 10 version 21H2 and is no longer eligible for monthly updates. June was the last security update for consumer editions of version 21H2, and users need to upgrade to the last supported version of Windows 10 – 22H2. Or those with supported hardware are recommended to shift to Windows 11.

We haven’t seen reports of forced Windows 10 22H2 upgrades, but PCs still running the unsupported version will soon have a forced update rolling out via Windows Update. These forced upgrades cannot be skipped as “Windows Update will automatically initiate a feature update” when the device is detected using an unsupported OS.

Many people dislike forced upgrades, but everyone must patch their systems regularly. When the update plug is pulled, and security issues remain unpatched, you shouldn’t keep using the PC unless you’re not planning to connect to the internet.

The July 2023 update is unavailable for Windows 10 21H2, but you can get the patch by installing version 22H2, which is just an enablement package.

Microsoft regularly releases major updates to its Windows operating systems.

Formerly, those updates pushed through comprehensive service packs, but more often these days, they’re semi-regular and significant updates through Windows Update.

In fact, beginning in Windows 8, the service pack, as we know it from previous versions of Windows, is essentially a dead idea. Much like updates on your smartphone, Microsoft is continually adding major features through automatic patching.

Latest Major Updates to Windows 11

As of September 2023, the latest major update to Windows 11 is Windows 11 Version 22H2, referred to as the Windows 11 2022 Update. Updating is automatic through Windows Update.

You can read more about the individual fixes and improvements on Microsoft’s Windows 11 Release Information page.

How to Check for and Install Windows Updates

Latest Major Updates to Windows 10

The last major update to Windows 10 is Windows 10 Version 22H2, referred to as the Windows 10 2022 Update. Updating, like in Windows 11, is automatic through Windows Update.

See more about the individual fixes and improvements on Microsoft’s What’s New in Windows 10 Version 22H2 page.

Latest Major Updates to Windows 8

The last major update for Windows 8 is the confusingly named Windows 8.1 Update.

If you’ve already updated to Windows 8.1, the easiest way to update to Windows 8.1 Update is through Windows Update. See instructions for manually installing Windows 8.1 Update in the Download Windows 8.1 Update section of our Windows 8.1 Update piece.

If you’re not already running Windows 8.1, see How to Update to Windows 8.1 for detailed instructions on applying the Windows 8.1 update. When that’s done, update to Windows 8.1 Update through Windows Update.

Microsoft isn’t planning another big update to Windows 8, like a Windows 8.2 or Windows 8.1 Update 2. New features, if available, will instead be pushed through updates on Patch Tuesday.

Latest Microsoft Windows Service Packs (Windows 7, Vista, XP)

The last Windows 7 service pack is SP1, but a Convenience Rollup for Windows 7 SP1 (basically an otherwise-named Windows 7 SP2) is also available which installs all patches between the release of SP1 (February 22, 2011) through April 12, 2016.

The last service packs for other versions of Windows include Windows Vista SP2, Windows XP SP3, and Windows 2000 SP4.

In the table below are links that take you directly to the latest Microsoft Windows service packs and major updates for each operating system. These updates are free.

The easiest way to install the latest Windows service pack or update is to run Windows Update.

_{[1] Beginning in Windows 8, Microsoft began releasing regular, major updates to Windows 8. Service packs will not be released.
[2] Windows 7 SP1 and the April 2015 Servicing Stack Update both must be installed prior to installing the Convenience Rollup.
[3] Windows Vista SP2 can only be installed if you already have Windows Vista SP1 installed, which you can download here for both 32-bit 64-bit version.
[4] Windows XP SP3 can only be installed if you already have Windows XP SP1a or Windows XP SP2 installed. If you do not have one or the other of those service packs installed, install SP1, available here, before trying to install Windows XP SP3.
[5] Windows XP Professional is the only 64-bit version of Windows XP and the latest service pack released for the operating system is SP2.}

Thanks for letting us know!

We know the important role your PC plays every day for hybrid work, learning, entertainment and gaming, and we are committed to supporting our customers using Windows 10. Today, we are announcing the availability of the Windows 10 2022 Update (also known as Windows 10, version 22H2). Based on customer feedback we are providing a limited scope of new features and functionality delivered via a familiar, fast and reliable update experience. Version 22H2 will continue the recent Windows 10 feature update trend of being delivered in an optimized way using servicing technology.

A scoped and streamlined update

Windows 10, version 22H2 is a scoped release focused on quality improvements to the overall Windows experience in existing feature areas such as quality, productivity and security. We will deliver the 2022 Update using servicing technology (like that used for the monthly update process) to meet our customers’ needs based on feedback. For consumer or commercial users with devices running version 20H2 or later, the 2022 Update will have a fast installation experience. Home and Pro editions of the 2022 Update will receive 18 months of servicing, and Enterprise and Education editions will have 30 months of servicing. More information can be found on the Microsoft Lifecycle Policy site and we will continue to support at least one version of Windows 10 through Oct. 14, 2025.

How to get the Windows 10 2022 Update

The 2022 Update is available to users with devices running Windows 10, version 20H2 or later who are interested in the latest features and are ready to install this release on their device. If you would like to install the new release, open your Windows Update settings (Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update) and select Check for updates. Eligible devices may also be offered the option to choose to upgrade to Windows 11. If the update appears, you can simply select Download and install to get started. Once the download is complete and the feature update is ready to install, we’ll notify you so that you can pick a convenient time to finish the installation and reboot your device, ensuring that the update does not disrupt your activities. To learn more about the status of the 2022 Update rollout, known issues and new information, visit Windows release health.

Information for commercial customers

We recommend that commercial organizations begin targeted deployments to validate that their apps, devices and infrastructure work as expected with the new release. Version 22H2 is now available through Windows Server Update Services (including Configuration Manager), Windows Update for Business and the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC)[1]. You can find more information on IT tools to support version 22H2 in the Windows IT Pro Blog.

Staying protected and productive

I have consistently noted that being on the latest version of Windows provides you with the latest features, security improvements and control. We recommend that you update your devices to the latest version of Windows 10 or upgrade eligible devices to Windows 11.

As a reminder, all editions of Windows 10, version 21H1 will reach the end of servicing on Dec. 13, 2022, and we will start initiating updates to the 2022 Update for these devices later this month[2]. Enterprise and Education editions of Windows 10, version 20H2 will reach end of servicing on May 9, 2023. After these dates, devices running versions 20H2 and 21H1 will no longer receive monthly security and quality updates containing protections from the latest security threats.

We will closely monitor both the Windows 10 2022 Update and the Windows 11 upgrade experiences and share timely information on their rollout status and known issues (open and resolved) across both feature and monthly updates via the Windows release health hub and @WindowsUpdate. Please continue to tell us about your experience by providing comments or suggestions via Feedback Hub.

Note:
[1] It may take a day for downloads to be fully available in the Volume Licensing Service Center across all products, markets and languages.

[2] Devices running Home and Pro (non-domain joined) editions of Windows 10, version 21H1

Editor’s note: Oct. 18, 2022 – The paragraph above about the scope of the update was changed following initial publication.