Knowledge Blast: Win 10 and Win 11 Build 22H2

Microsoft released a new Windows 11 IoT Enterprise build through their General Availability Channel (GAC) on September 20, 2022.  This annual release cycle includes 12 months of testing and user feedback.  Build 22H2 is the official name and the GA (General Availability) edition has been released.

Let me start with the OPK part numbers, allowing you to download the operating system images from the Microsoft Software Order Center.  Contact Arrow and request access to download. 

Win 11 IoT 22H2 OPKs:

Supplemental OPK’s for 22H2

Each new build receives 36 months of support which means this 22H2 build will receive support until October 14, 2025.  Here is the chart from the official Microsoft Lifecycle page:

Releases

What’s New with Windows 11 IoT Enterprise build 22H2?

This new release adds new capabilities, enhances user interface (UI), and does much more to carry forward the vision of Windows 11, first unveiled last year.  There are thousands of fixes and under-the-hood enhancements, many of which are UI and user-focused. OEMs rarely get excited about updates for the IoT channel because UI elements are not in use in most cases. However, if you are running on build 21H2, it is still a good idea to transition to the newer build simply because it adds another year of support to your product and includes a year’s worth of improvements.

Let me highlight some important updates that IoT solution builders need to know.

1. Microsoft Pluton: Microsoft Pluton security processor is a chip-to-cloud security technology built with Zero Trust principles at the core. Microsoft Pluton provides a hardware-based root of trust, secure identity and attestation, and cryptographic services. The technology combines a secure subsystem, part of the System on Chip (SoC), and Microsoft-authored software on this integrated secure subsystem. Microsoft Pluton can be enabled on devices with Pluton-capable processors running Windows 11, version 22H2.
2. Smart App Control: Smart App Control adds significant protection from malware, including new and emerging threats, by blocking malicious or untrusted apps. Smart App Control also helps block potentially unwanted apps that may cause your device to run slowly, display unwanted ads, offer extra software you didn’t want, or do other things you don’t expect.
3. Personal Data Encryption: Personal data encryption (PDE) is a security feature introduced in Windows 11, version 22H2, that provides additional encryption features to Windows. PDE differs from BitLocker encrypting individual files instead of whole volumes and disks. PDE protection is available in addition to other encryption methods, such as BitLocker. It utilizes Windows Hello for Business to link data encryption keys with user credentials and differs from BitLocker in encrypting individual files instead of whole volumes of and disks. This feature can minimize the number of credentials the user has to remember to gain access to files. For example, when using BitLocker with PIN, a user must authenticate twice – once with the BitLocker PIN and a second time with Windows credentials, requiring users to remember two different credentials. With PDE, users only need to enter one set of credentials via Windows Hello for Business.

For the entire list of Windows 11 build 22H2 features, click here

Windows 10 IoT Enterprise GAC build 22H2

What about the Windows 10 build 22H2, you ask? It becomes available a little later, with a GA date of October 18^th, 2022.  Below are the OPK part numbers for this latest build for Windows 10 IoT Enterprise GAC edition.

Win 10 IoT 22H2 OPK’s

Because Windows 10 is now considered an older edition versus the newer Windows 11 version, Microsoft stated that new features would primarily focus on the Windows 11 product. In contrast, the Windows 10 product will have a scoped set of features and be primary hotfixes and security patches. 

A few of the Windows 10 updates for build 22H2 are:

• Added WPA3 H2E standards support for enhanced Wi-Fi security
• Windows Hello for Business introduces a new deployment method called cloud trust to support simplified, password-less deployments and achieve a deploy-to-run state within a few minutes
• GPU compute support in the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) and Azure IoT Edge for Linux on Windows (EFLOW) deployments for machine learning and other compute-intensive workflows

If you need access to download these OPKs or are interested in learning more about Windows IoT products, please contact us at Arrow via windowsIoT@arrow.com.

Ken Marlin

Supplier Manager

Based in Phoenix Arizona, Ken is a Microsoft Business Development Manager at Arrow Electronics. Ken is a 3-time Microsoft MVP on Windows IoT products and has over 35 years of experience in supporting all Microsoft products and channels. Known in the industry as the Windows Champ, Ken has a youtube channel that provides valuable information on getting started with Windows IoT products and “How To” informational videos. His specialty is helping customers with complex licensing on Windows Server, SQL Server and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise.