How to Install Windows 11 Beta 2H22 Now
Windows 11’s next overhaul is almost ready to launch, and it looks like it’s poised to make big changes to the look and feel of Microsoft’s operating system.
Ars Technica has a comprehensive overview of all the new features coming with Windows 11 22H2, but the main changes include:
- Stricter default security settings such as mandatory sign-in to a Microsoft account and advanced security tools in the settings menu.
- Power saving options for downloading updates and efficiency modes for apps
- Updated start menu
- New gesture controls and interface controls
The update is still in beta, so more features may be added before it goes public. However, Windows Insiders can download the Windows 11 22H2 Preview Build now to try new features and interface updates early.
How to sign up for the Windows 11 Insider Program
: Here’s how to sign up for the Windows 11 Insider Program and download the beta so you can try out these new features for yourself.
To join the Windows 11 Insider Program, you need to:
- Microsoft account (you can create one here ).
- Verified copy of Windows 11
- Fresh backup of all your important data
If you meet these requirements and double-checked that your data was backed up correctly, visit the Windows 11 Insider website and sign up using your Microsoft account. After registration is complete, follow the steps in the next section to download and install the update.
How to download Windows 11 22H2 Insider Build
Before you can download the beta, you’ll need to enable the “Optional Diagnostic Data” option in the settings menu, which passes selected data to Microsoft that the company uses to fix potential bugs, before the final version of the update is released to all users. To do this, open the Settings window from the Start menu, then go to Privacy > Diagnostics & Feedback and turn on Advanced Diagnostic Data , if it isn’t already.
With these settings, you can download the Windows 11 Insider Beta:
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Insider Program.
- Select “Start”.
- When asked which insider channel you want to join, select Beta Channel. This will give you access to early versions of upcoming Windows updates, but with more stability (and fewer experimental features and tweaks) than the Dev channel.
- Then go to Settings > Update & Security > Check for Updates . Run the update if it’s available (note that it might not be available right away if you just signed up for the Windows Insider program, so try again later if it doesn’t appear).
- Restart your computer when prompted and the update will begin. You will be asked if you want to keep your existing data or do a clean install. Keeping existing data is the easiest option, but in any case, we strongly recommend that you back up your files first. Check out the links in the “How to join the Windows 11 Insider Program” section above for help.
- Let the update install. This will take a few minutes.
- After the update is complete, your PC will restart for the last time, after which you can check out the new features in Windows 11.