According to Microsoft leakster WalkingCat, the next feature update for Windows 11 is almost complete. Windows 11 version 22H2 is reportedly set to hit RTM status on May 24.
Windows 11 22H2 RTM = May 24
— walkingcat (@_h0x0d_) 14 May 2022
What does RTM mean for Windows 11
In the old days – in the days before Windows 10 – RTM meant that Microsoft had completed a version of Windows and was ready to ship it to OEMs. Actually, it stands for release for the makers.
Things no longer work that way, ever since Microsoft introduced the Windows as a Service model. The company will talk about how Windows are never updated, and it’s also true that OEMs no longer get certain copies of the OS to pre-install on new hardware. While Microsoft doesn’t publicly call it RTM, it’s a term we often use only to describe the build that will eventually ship as a feature update.
That’s the build we’re looking forward to on May 24. Of course, things can change. There might be some show-stopping bug pushing this back, which is something we’ve seen before.
What happens after RTM
Once we get the so called final build for Windows 11 version 22H2, it doesn’t mean that the update is going to be released. Only then is Microsoft going to launch its service with cumulative updates.
That’s exactly what happened with the original version of Windows 11, and the timeline is the same. Windows 11 had already reached that important milestone when it was announced, so we got cumulative updates to build 22000 to test it after that. We’ll see the same type of updates with version 22H2, and then fall free.
You Can Still Test New Windows 11 Features
Windows 11 version 22H2 build will be available in the beta channel, and testing is about to get boring. Of course, boring means things are nice and bug-free. If you want the excitement of new features, you can still get them. All you have to do is enroll your PC in the Dev Channel. After that you will get all rs_prerelease builds.
Speaking of various channels and features, Microsoft has not even told us specifically what is going to be included in Windows 11 version 22H2. We have a general idea based on what’s in the beta channel right now, but there are no guarantees. Hopefully, we’ll know on May 24.
