Windows 11 in 2023 – here’s what to expect

Microsoft makes major changes to Windows 11

Windows 11 saw a number of minor and major updates in 2022, the biggest being the recent 22H2 update. We haven’t received anything truly monumental, but the steady stream of updates has made Microsoft’s operating system stronger than when it debuted. As things stand, Windows 11 is finally worth upgrading to.

But what can we expect from Windows 11 in 2023? Not much information is available, but we will likely see another year of incremental improvements as Microsoft continues to make its operating system work seamlessly on both PC and mobile devices. Even if that is not very exciting, Windows users can at least rest easy knowing that they will likely have an overall better experience in 2023.

Here’s what we expect from Windows 11 in 2023.

No more annual updates

It seems that 22H2 was the last major Windows 11 update. Microsoft is returning to a more traditional three-year release cycle for major versions of Windows, with frequent smaller updates to existing packages between major releases.

Internally, Microsoft calls these updates “Moments. Moment 1 was launched a month after 22H2 and introduced features such as Tabbed Explorer, taskbar overflow, support for Android apps, Amazon App Store, iCloud photos in the Photos app and more.

As for the frequency of Moments, Microsoft will reportedly release no more than four per year. If this is true, it seems we should get one of these updates every three months – which is about one per season.

Given that the next major Windows update will not occur until 2024, it is not unreasonable to assume that this update could be Windows 12. But it is still early to discuss that.

What new features will we see?

So what can we expect to see in Moments updates? We have nothing concrete on that, but some reports give us a hint of what to expect.

In an April 2022 video, Zac Bowden and Daniel Rubino of Windows Central discuss what they think 23H2 would contain. Given that 23H2 (or the Sun Valley 3 update) no longer takes place as a stand-alone update, we could see its features as Moments throughout the year.

Bowden believes Windows 11 will become even more touch-friendly. This part is not so surprising considering how well Windows 11 works on touchscreens like the one on the Microsoft Surface Pro 9. Bowden says a dedicated tablet UI could be introduced in 2023.

Android apps were finally introduced to Windows 11 last year, and it looks like this collaboration will continue into 2023. Bowden thinks an upcoming Windows update will improve communication between Windows and Android. The current Phone Link app (formerly Your Phone) allows users to link their phones and PC, but it appears that this functionality will improve in 2023.

In the same video, Rubino hints that Windows 11 will be further optimized to work on foldable Windows devices. If true, devices like the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold 2022 may work even better, although it remains to be seen in what capacity.

Other possible features coming to Windows 11 in 2023 include a system-wide dark mode and an option for app folders on the desktop.

Windows 11 in 2023

We don’t have too much information about Windows 11 in 2023, but the little we do know is certainly intriguing.

Returning to a three-year cycle for major updates is certainly a big deal. For those who remember, this was how Windows updates were released before Windows 10. But receiving “Moments” every few months should still ensure that the best computers and best Windows laptops stay up-to-date with the latest features. And while substantial updates may not be frequent, we are confident that Windows will issue security updates when needed.

Making Windows work better on foldable devices or Windows machines with different form factors is another interesting thing to look forward to. While I am not sold on foldable laptops, I see these devices gaining more traction in 2023. If that is the case, it is good that Microsoft is already considering foldables.

Finally, I look forward to seeing how (or if) Microsoft can make widgets an important part of the Windows experience. Like some users, I almost never use widgets. I can see how they can be useful to get a quick snapshot of the news, weather or stock report, but it’s still easier to get that information on my phone. Anyway, I’m curious to see widgets implemented in a more intuitive way in 2023.

Source: tomsguide