Plus, learn all about what Microsoft packed into their last-ever Moments update
In late February, Microsoft is releasing its last-ever “Moment” update to Windows 11, called Moment 5. This news matters for all businesses using Windows, whether you’re still rocking Windows 10 or you’re already up to the latest Windows 11 release:
- Businesses already using Windows 11 can breathe a sigh of relief with this change.
- For businesses still using Windows 10, it may finally be time to take the plunge.
Here’s what you need to know about this change and how it could affect you.
What are “Moments”?
When Microsoft first released Windows 11, it promised only one major update per year. That was great news for IT pros because it meant more stability and fewer “big” updates.
However, because Windows 11 is a product that has to appeal to businesses and consumers alike, this approach didn’t quite survive.
Microsoft still holds off on major system changes, keeping those to once a year, but it started releasing these Moments — new user-facing features that are released outside that annual cycle.
The problem, of course, is that every significant update to the OS can be a big hassle for IT pros and service providers. Things that worked before might not work quite right after the update, and there’s always troubleshooting and fire-putting-outing to do.
Why Moments 5 Being the Last One Matters
That brings us to the last Moments release, Moments 5. After this release, Microsoft is recommitting to the previous approach of one major update per year.
If you’re already using Windows 11, that’s good news for you because it means less IT complexity. Less “what happened to that function; I know it used to be in this menu”; less “oops that new feature broke our legacy software”; and so on.
And if you’re not on Windows 11 yet, it’s good news for you, too: the last major “non-major” update means Windows 11 is for the most part as stable as it ever will be.
Historically we’ve advised clients to wait for the first service pack or major update before upgrading because the first release of any new OS tends to have more than a handful of issues. Well, that first update happened a while ago now, but the principle is the same: this last significant “off-cycle” update means Microsoft is more or less done tinkering. The Windows 11 experience will not change much after this one — and that makes this the perfect time for you to consider switching.
So What’s In Moment 5?
Microsoft is packing a whole lot into its last-ever Moment. Lots of stuff here falls in the “quality of life” category: tools that will help some users but aren’t necessarily going to terraform the landscape of how people use their computers.
We’ll hit some of the highlights in a good ol’ bulleted list:
- Accessibility updates: Microsoft is working to catch up to Apple in terms of accessibility, adding Voice Access support for multiple monitors and in more languages. Users can also set up custom voice-activated commands (called voice shortcuts). Honestly, those sound pretty interesting whether you need accessibility features or not!
- Direct stylus input: If you use a stylus (or your finger) as an input (either on a touchscreen device or using a WACOM tablet, you’ll be able to write directly into text boxes instead of being forced into the separate handwriting panel.
- Nearby Share: Microsoft’s version of AirDrop has always been tough to use because PCs default to esoteric, industrial-sounding names. Now you can change the name that shows up in Nearby Share with a so-called “friendly name.”
- Windows Search and Copilot: Both of these tools see various enhancements, like third-party search support and an undocked, free-floating copilot.
That’s it for this week’s update. Got questions about your hardware or software rollout plans? Reach out to our team.