The Window 11 February 2023 feature update is here, this is what’s new

Windows 11’s ‘Moment 2’ feature drop is now available. Here’s what you need to know.

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With the launch of Windows 11 version 22H2, Microsoft announced that it would beginupdating the Windows OS with new features on a regular basis, outside of the annual Windows feature update in the fall.The first feature droparrived just a month after 22H2 launched, and included tabs in File Explorer and other improvements.

Now, the second feature drop forWindows 11 version 22H2has just been announced and is now available to download via Windows Update. This second feature drop, also known as “Moment 2” internally, has been in testing with Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel for a number of months already.

This update will roll out to all users alongside Windows 11’s March 2023 security update on March 14, so everyone will be getting these features in the next few weeks. So, here’s a run rundown of all the new features and enhancements coming with the Windows 11 Moment 2 feature drop.

Taskbar Enhancements

The biggest new update in the Moment 2 feature drop is the introduction of a new tablet-optimized Taskbar that’s designed to minimize out of view when not in use, and enlarge when the user taps or swipes on it using a touchscreen. With this update, the Taskbar will get out of the way when opening and using apps, providing a more full-screen experience akin to that of an iPad or Android tablet.

The user can swipe up on the Taskbar to access pinned and running app icons, and doing so will also present the Taskbar in an enlarged state so that tapping on icons is easier with a finger. Additionally, the user can continue swiping up to jump straight into the Start menu.

In addition to the new tablet-optimized Taskbar, the Taskbar’s system tray area has also been updated with modern code and a tweaked design. It now features new animations, rounded corners, and the ability to pin and unpin background apps via the Settings app.

You can now even turn off the System Tray overflow menu altogether, which is handy for those who have app icons in there that they don’t ever intend to access.

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Lastly, the Taskbar is getting new search bar options for the first time, allowing the user to customize how the search button looks. Here are the four new search icon settings that the user can choose between:

The search icon is the traditional magnifying glass icon that’s been present on Windows 11 since it first launched. The new options are the “search icon with label,” which adds the word “search” to the button and changes it to a wider pill shape, and the “search box” option which makes the button even wider, but allows the user to type directly into the box for search queries.

Microsoft is also bringing Bing Chat to the Windows Search landing page, offering quick access to the Bing AI via Microsoft Edge.

In-box app updates

The Moment 2 feature drop for Windows 11 version 22H2 also includes updates to some in-box apps. Namely, the Task Manager and Settings apps, which have new additions for the user to toy with.

We’ll start with Task Manager, which now has a new Search bar along the top of the app, allowing you to search for misbehaving apps quickly and easily. The Task Manager has also been updated with better accent color support, and modernized popup dialogs that match the rest of Windows 11’s design language.

The Settings app also has a few new options for users to configure, including a new Energy Recommendations feature in the Power & Sleep settings area. This new feature offers a one-click process for changing settings on your Windows laptop to more energy efficient settings, including reducing the time it takes to put your laptop to sleep when no input has been detected, and more.

Additionally, Microsoft is bringing tabs to the Windows Notepad app, and screen recording functionality to the Windows Snipping Tool app. Phone Link is also being updated to support iPhone, though this functionality remains in limited preview for now.

There are also improvements to the Voice Access app, which is now more flexible and can be used in more areas of the Windows UI. Lastly, Microsoft is also expected to begin rolling out updates to the Widgets Panel soon that will bring full-screen panel functionality, new weather button options, as well as support for third-party widgets.

Windows 11 Moment 2 Changelog

Here’s the full changelog for the Moment 2 update, as provided by Microsoft:

Zac Bowden is a Senior Editor at Windows Central. Bringing you exclusive coverage into the world of Windows on PCs, tablets, phones, and more. Also an avid collector of rare Microsoft prototype devices! Keep in touch onTwitterandThreads