Windows 11, Surface, Xbox, and more: These are the biggest Microsoft news stories of 2022

Surface Laptop Studio Hero Source: Windows Primal

2021 was a massive year for news, including new hardware, major software updates, and one of the best years for gaming that Microsoft has seen in a long time. Here at Windows Cardinal, we published well over 1,000 news pieces this year, including Microsoft announcing Windows 11, the launch of new Surface hardware, and the release of Halo Infinite. From insider scoops to product launches, here are the biggest news stories from 2022 related to Windows, Xbox, and all things Microsoft.

A make new version of Windows

Windows 11 Start Surfacepro Lighting Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Fundamental

For years, it was thought that Windows 10 would exist the terminal version of Windows. That turned out to not be the case, as Microsoft released Windows 11 in October 2022. The new operating system builds on Windows 10 in several ways, including supporting all apps from its predecessor. Windows 11 modernized several elements of the Os, including the Start menu, icons, and the Taskbar.

This movement toward simplicity has been met with mixed reactions. While Windows 11 trimmed down some of the complexities of the OS interface, it lacks some of the features seen in Windows 10. Additionally, the Offset menu and Taskbar ran into criticism. Many have looked for the best apps to customize Windows 11 to restore both the wait of previous versions of Windows and lost functionality.

Windows 11 ran into issues before it launched. A confusing set up of minimum requirements and mixed signals from Microsoft'due south tool for checking eligibility made information technology difficult to tell if some systems would be able to upgrade to Windows 11 at all. The requirement of having TPM 2.0 was the limiting factor for many computers. As a result of this confusion, the Windows userbase was separate to a certain signal. While tech-savvy folks know about the limitations and how to work around them, some general consumers are withal confused about why their PC hasn't seen the option to update.

Microsoft Store Windows11 October Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central

Those that did receive Windows 11 gained admission to several new features and a new Microsoft Store. A renewed push button on getting developers to work with Windows has proven successful, equally several major companies take brought their apps to the Microsoft Store, including Adobe, Zoom, and OBS. The move to allow unpackaged apps was a large boost to Windows, as was the option for developers to use their own acquirement stream.

Gamers received some nice features in the upgrade to Windows eleven. Many of these features were already available on the Xbox Series Ten and Xbox Series S. Auto HDR works with over ane,000 DirectX eleven and DirectX 12 games. Direct Storage improves load times and takes reward of the best SSDs. DirectX 12 Ultimate likewise includes features for developers, including Raytracing 1.one, variable rate shading, and Sampler Feedback.

While Windows xi has a refreshed interface and new features, many view it as an optional update, at least for now. The OS should continue to improve equally Microsoft rolls out new features, such as Android app support. Those that want it now take likely already upgraded. Those who don't feel the need to update can wait for quite a while since Windows 10 will remain supported until 2025.

A load of new Surface devices

Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central

As information technology does every year, Microsoft released several new pieces of Surface hardware in 2022. This year, the company launched the Surface Pro eight, Surface Become 3, and Surface Duo ii. It as well introduced the Surface Laptop Studio, a unique laptop with a floating display.

The Surface Pro 8 saw a blueprint refresh that brought it more in line with the Surface Pro X (though it is slightly thicker than its Windows on ARM sibling). In many means, the Surface Pro 8 represents the peak of its grade factor. It has a 13.3-inch120Hz display, supports Thunderbolt iv, and has an excellent webcam. A new Slim Pen 2 with haptics pairs with the Surface Pro 8 to improve the handwriting experience. Our executive editor Daniel Rubino said that the "Surface Pro 8 finally hits its full potential with the all-new redesign for 2022."

The Surface Laptop Studio introduces a new form cistron to the PC space. Information technology features a floating brandish that can residuum in different positions to facilitate a range of workflows. Of form, 1 of those positions is that of a traditional clamshell laptop. In that category, the Surface Laptop Studio stacks up against the likes of the Razer Blade 15 and the HP ENVY x360 15.

Surface Laptop Studio Stage Mode Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Fundamental

The Surface Go iii is a more than modest refresh compared to its siblings. It's identical to the Surface Become 2 in every way except for its processor. While the device doesn't support whatsoever new features, the entry-level model is 60% more powerful than that of the Go two.

Unlike the rest of the Surface family, the Surface Duo 2 is a mobile device that runs Android. It's the sequel to the original Surface Duo, which received mixed reviews due to its buggy software. The Surface Duo 2 has a significantly better camera setup than its predecessor and slimmer bezels as well. The hinge also has a Glance Bar that can show notifications when airtight, though that feature isn't that versatile.

More importantly than bumping upward the internals and full general hardware specs, Microsoft focused on the software experience with the Duo two. While it isn't perfect, information technology's significantly smoother than that of the showtime Duo, which still hasn't received Android 11. Microsoft has as well supported the Duo 2 improve than the original Duo so far, including a day-one update and a significant December update.

A big year for gaming and Xbox

2021 proved to be one of the biggest years ever for Xbox. While the Xbox Series X and S came out in 2022, the Xbox brand every bit a whole saw a major boost this twelvemonth. The consoles came into their own, and new games took advantage of the updated hardware.

Xbox Game Pass added some big-name titles this year, including MLB The Show and Outriders in the jump. Psychonauts 2 and Football Manager 2022 too fabricated their way to the service this year.

Those titles were but appetizers compared to Halo Space, Forza Horizon 5, and Age of Empires 4, all of which became available on Xbox Game Laissez passer and PC Game Pass on their respective launch days.

Microsoft's acquisition of Bethesda was finalized in 2022, which should simply aid the visitor's library of games going forward. Games from Bethesda should also diversify Xbox's outset-party lineup quite a bit.

A continuing global chip shortage

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 reviewNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 review Source: Harish Jonnalagadda / Windows Central

The ongoing global bit shortage started before 2022, just it continued throughout the entire year. Component shortages affected the availability of the best GPUs, the Xbox Series X, Xbox Serial South, and PlayStation 5. Scalpers but fabricated the trouble worse, making it near impossible to grab new gadgets.

NVIDIA launched several RTX 30-Series GPUs in 2022. While these are fantabulous graphics cards, they have been difficult to buy. Scalpers and bots gobbled up any stock that became available, creating an expensive second-hand market. To go their hands on loftier-stop graphics, some gamers purchased the best RTX 3080 laptops.

AMD as well released several high-terminate graphics cards this year from its RX 6000 serial. Like competing cards from NVIDIA, AMD GPUs accept been hard to find in stock. For example, the RX 6800 is an first-class GPU for QHD gaming, only it's out of stock at but about every retailer.

Some surprising stories

Forza Horizon 5 Willys Jeep Source: Xbox Game Studios

While not the biggest stories in terms of traditional newsworthiness, a few pieces piqued the interest of our readers much more than others. These stood out for roofing surprising topics or garnering an unexpected corporeality of interest.

Early this year, a hidden message was institute in the new White Business firm website. Information technology was just an invitation to utilize for jobs related to coding, merely it gained quite a bit of traction. Large companies often hide similar messages on their websites, merely the invitation from the White House gained attention due to the stature of the Office.

Despite Microsoft releasing Windows eleven this year, people in Armenia announced to prefer Windows XP. According to StatCounter, every bit of September 2022, 53.5% of desktops in the country ran Windows XP. It's non clear why so many Armenian desktops run XP, simply the numbers don't prevarication.

Forza Horizon 5 was one of the best games to launch in 2022. Shortly after the game became available, a strange tendency emerged. As office of an effort to quickly progress through the game, people would purchase Willys Jeeps past the hundreds, earn a Super Wheelspin, and then gift the machine to a random player. As a result, thousands of Willys Jeeps flooded the Forza Horizon fanbase.