Microsoft Build 2022: How to watch and what to expect

(Pocket-lint) – Most tech companies hold annual developer conferences, and Microsoft is no exception.

Microsoft spends a few days every year trying to bring developers, software engineers, and IT professionals into its fold, with a developer conference called Microsoft Build. During the multi-day event, the company typically announces updates for its services and platforms – whether that be Windows 11, Office 365, or the Azure cloud computing platform. While Build is typically hosted live in Seattle, the pandemic forced Microsoft to make the event completely virtual in 2020 and free to anyone who registers. The same is true for 2022.

Read also: A brief history of Microsoft Windows

What is Microsoft Build?

Build is Microsoft’s annual developer conference. It typically starts in May. The first day is live-streamed and features the most consumer-facing announcements, while the remaining days are for developers to take training sessions (which can also be viewed online). For the past two years, Build was a free, virtual-only event held over multiple days. For 2022, Build will once again be a virtual affair.

When is Build 2022?

Build 2022 starts Tuesday 24 May and ends Thursday 26 May 2022. The three-day show will begin at 8:30 am PT (11:30 am ET / 4: 30pm UK time) on Tuesday, with an opening keynote likely led by CEO Satya Nadella and other company executives. This year, Microsoft said it will include “market-specific content” for France, Germany, Japan, Latin America, and the UK.

Microsoft

Can you watch Build 2021 online?

Opening keynote

You will be able to watch the Day One keynote online. Pocket-lint will embed it here once it becomes available.

Developer sessions

Developer sessions will be available from Microsoft’s Build 2022 site here. To view them, Microsoft recommends you register to “attend” Build here. Registration will be available in late April, and there will be no fees to register for Microsoft Build. Typically, developers need to pay a $ 2,395 entry fee to attend Build in person. But, now, they (and you!) Can view everything free of charge.

Last year, Microsoft had over 300 sessions on its calendar. They were either streamed live or prerecorded.

What to expect from Build 2022

At Build 2021, Microsoft teased Windows 11 and opened Microsoft Teams to apps, among other things. But those were the biggest consumer-facing announcements. This year, expect Microsoft to continue to focus on Windows. The company hasn’t hinted yet at what it will announce, but when the developer sessions agenda goes live, hopefully, we’ll have a better understanding.

You can watch the Build 2021 keynote hereif you care.

Want to know more?

Stay tuned to Pocket-lint’s Microsoft hub for what’s next at Build 2021.

Writing by Maggie Tillman.