Microsoft has released the Windows 11 version 23H2 update. In response, I’m pleased to announce the release of the first 23H2 update for the Windows 11 Field Guide e-book.

This update encompasses all the previous updates I’ve published on the web version of the Windows 11 Field Guide here on Thurrott.com. In PDF form, it now contains approximately 160 pages of new and updated content, featuring brand new screenshots with rare exceptions. The e-book has grown to over 950 pages and includes over 150,000 words.

New chapters added in this update include:

• Copilot (in the Desktop section)
• Windows Backup (in Files)

Existing chapters that have been updated for 23H2 are:

• What’s New and Familiar in Windows 11 Version 23H2
• What’s Missing in Windows 11 Version 23H2
• Windows 11 Version 23H2 Hardware Requirements and Recommendations
• Upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 Version 23H2
• Upgrade to Windows 11 Version 23H2 on Unsupported Hardware
• Create Windows 11 Version 23H2 Install Media
• Step-by-Step: Windows Setup First-Boot Experience (Previously called Clean Install Windows 11)
• Step-By-Step: Windows Setup Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE)
• Overcome Windows 11 Setup Annoyances
• OneDrive

When I announced that I would completely update the book for 23H2 about a month ago, it wasn’t clear when Microsoft would ship the actual product update. My best estimate was on or after November 14. This would have given me ample time to prepare the first e-book update, ensuring it featured as much new content as possible and fully updated foundational beginning chapters. However, this year has been marked by unprecedented chaos, change, and uncertainty in Windows 11 updates. It’s eerily appropriate that Microsoft chose Halloween for this release. Of course they did.

Fortunately, I was mostly prepared. As I mentioned last week (before being informed of the 23H2 launch date by Microsoft), I aimed to include the new Copilot and Windows Backup chapters in this initial e-book release. I managed to accomplish this, even on a tighter schedule than expected. So I’m feeling quite confident about it.

Moving forward, I will simultaneously update existing chapters and add new ones to both the e-book and web versions of the Windows 11 Field Guide. I may follow a specific order or make changes randomly, depending on my mood. If you’re interested in these updates, this site is the place to look. I will only send occasional emails to e-book buyers about upcoming updates.

Thank you for reading!

Paul