Report: Windows 11 to Add a Full-Screen Widgets Panel and Other New Features in Early 2023

Windows 11 2022 Update

Microsoft is working on a slew of notable improvements for Windows 11 that are expected to arrive with different “Moment” updates in 2023. Indeed, a new report from Windows Central suggests that the company plans to release the first update for Windows 11 PCs in February or March of next year.

Microsoft officially announced the release of Windows 11 version 22H2 (also called the Windows 11 2022 update) in September 2022. It’s the first major feature update to Windows 11 that addresses a lot of early complaints with the initial OS release in October last year. The latest update introduced some most anticipated changes like tabs in File Explorer, a new Photos app, and support for swipe gestures for the notifications and Quick Settings panels.

According to Windows Central’s Zac Bowden, the upcoming “Moment 2” update should bring a couple of enhancements to the Taskbar. These include updates to the System Tray overflow menu, a tablet-optimized taskbar experience, and a full-screen widget panel. Microsoft is also expected to add a new Search experience in Task Manager, Voice Access updates, and other minor improvements.

Moreover, Microsoft is reportedly working on a Moment 3 update that is scheduled for release in May or June 2023. The company has yet to share details about the new features, but Bowden believes that it will include improvements for dual-screen devices and a better Windows Search interface. Microsoft may also ship the new web-based Outlook desktop client, which should replace the existing Mail and Calendar app in the near future.

Microsoft could ship Windows 11 23H2 with minor improvements in Fall 2023

Lastly, Microsoft could be planning to release Windows 11 version 23H2 in Fall 2023 (around September or October). However, the report indicates that it won’t be a major feature update like Windows 11 version 22H2. “It will be delivered just like a Moment update, and not like a full new release of Windows like the 22H2 feature update was,” Bowden wrote.

Overall, Microsoft had a quite busy year in 2022, and the company continues to experiment with more Windows 11 features through its Insider Program. Do you think these changes could convince more Windows 10 users to upgrade to Windows 11? Let us know in the comments below.