Feb 2025 Patch Tuesday updates are available for Windows 11 and 10

Microsoft today released a set of updates for all supported Windows versions. Those include Windows 11 24H2, 23H2, and 22H2, and several Windows 10 versions. These updates do not include drastic changes to the OS. Their primary goal is to fix bugs and close vulnerabilities. However, from time to time Microsoft ships certain UI improvements via such updates.

Windows 11 updates

• Windows 11 (version 24H2) - KB5051987 (OS Build 26100.3194). ⬇️ Microsoft Update Catalog.
• Windows 11 (version 23H2) - KB5051989 (OS Build 22631.4890). ⬇️ Microsoft Update Catalog.
• Windows 11 (version 22H2) - KB5051989 (OS Build 22621.4890). ⬇️ Microsoft Update Catalog.

What's new for Windows 11

• This update makes miscellaneous security improvements to internal OS functionality. No additional issues were documented for this release.

Gradual roll-out

The new features described below are not available to all Insiders as they are being rolled out in stages.

Taskbar

• • Improved thumbnails that appear when you hover over apps on the taskbar. The update also improves their animation.

Windows Studio Effects

• • A special icon has been added to the system tray that will be displayed when using any application with a camera that supports Studio Effects. Clicking on the icon will open the Studio Effects page in Quick Settings. In addition, hovering over the icon will display a tooltip with the name of the application using the camera.

Fonts

• • A new simplified Chinese font, Simsun-ExtG, has been added, containing 9753 characters and supporting Unicode extensions G, H, and I. In particular, it includes the long-awaited character for noodles "Biangbiang" (U+30EDD), which is known for its difficulty, as shown in the image below.
    The font covers the following Unicode ranges:
    • Unicode G: 30000-3134A (4939 characters)
    • Unicode H: 31350-323AF (4192 characters)
    • Unicode I: 2EBF0-2EE5D (622 characters)

File Explorer

• • Added a "New Folder" option to the context menu that appears when you right-click on a location in the navigation bar.
  • Fixed an issue where performing a search could cause the search to repeat unexpectedly.
  • Fixed an issue where the date and time in file properties would unexpectedly update after copying files.
  • Fixed an issue where the icons in the Details panel would not respond correctly to theme changes, making it difficult to tell whether you had switched from dark to light theme or vice versa.
  • Fixed an issue where File Explorer would sometimes lose focus on the search field while typing.

Settings

• • The ability to change time zones is again available for regular users (non-administrators) under Settings > Time & Language > Date & Time.

Mouse

• • Fixed an issue where the mouse cursor could disappear when hovering over text fields in some applications.
  • Fixed an issue where the mouse cursor could become invisible and have a black rectangle behind it if the mouse trail feature was enabled.
  • Fixed an issue where the mouse cursor could move jerkily even when not using a lot of resources.

Chinese Pinyin IME

• • Fixed an issue where the IME language may change from Chinese to English when switching application windows.
• Snipping Tool
  • Fixed an issue where screenshots taken with the Snipping Tool could be distorted when using two or more monitors with different screen scaling.

Microsoft Excel 2016

• • Fixed an issue where Exscel would get stuck on the loading screen when opening certain files.

Domain

• • Fixed an issue where devices might fail to join a domain.

Task Manager

• • Fixed an issue where closing applications took too long.

Dam.sys

• • Fixed an issue where a watchdog timeout error could occur when resuming from sleep.

Installing Windows updates

• • Fixed an issue where installing cumulative updates could fail with error code 0x800736b3. This occurred if the system was unable to install an additional component.

Available to all users

HDR

• • Fixed a major issue where colors in some games could appear oversaturated when using Auto HDR.

Digital-to-analog converters (DAC)

• • Fixed an issue with USB audio devices that occurred when using a USB 1.0-based DAC audio driver. USB audio devices would stop working, resulting in no sound being played.

USB Audio Device Drivers

• • Fixed an issue where the error "This device cannot start. (Code 10) Not enough system resources exist to complete the API call" would occur when connected to some external audio control devices.

Chinese Pinyin IME

• • Bing will no longer display automatic suggestions in the search box for search engine sites like Baidu. To get manual suggestions, use the Ctrl + Tab keys or chevron button (>).

USB cameras

• • Fixed an issue where the device did not recognize a connected camera. The issue occurred after installing the January 2025 security update.

PassKey

• • This update removes the one-minute timeout when using a passkey on your phone.

Memory leak

• • Fixed an issue where a memory leak occurred when displaying text suggestions as you type.

Windows kernel vulnerable driver blocklist file (DriverSiPolicy.p7b)

• • New drivers vulnerable to Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) attacks have been added to the list.

Remote Desktop Gateway Service

• • Fixed an issue where errors or unsigned connections occur when connecting to Windows 11 workstations. This occurs when using device redirection.

Windows 10 updates

• 2022 Update (version 22H2) - KB5051974 (OS Build 19045.5487). ⬇️ Microsoft Update Catalog.
• November 2021 Update (version 21H2) - KB5051974 (OS Build 19044.5487). ⬇️ Microsoft Update Catalog.
• October 2018 Update (version 1809) - KB5052000 (OS Build 17763.6893). ⬇️ Microsoft Update Catalog.
• Anniversary Update (version 1607) - KB5052006 (OS Build 14393.7785). ⬇️ Microsoft Update Catalog.
• Windows 10 (version 1507)  - KB5052040 (OS Build 10240.20915). ⬇️ Microsoft Update Catalog.

What's new for Windows 10

Mail

You now have access to the updated Outlook for Windows app! A new icon for this app will appear in the Apps section of the Start menu, located close to the classic Outlook icon. No changes have been made to your existing settings or defaults. If you're an IT admin, you can learn more about managing this update by visiting the guide on Controlling the Installation and Use of New Outlook .

Screen Capture

Issue resolved: The Capture Service and Snipping Tool no longer freeze when you press Windows + Shift + S multiple times while Narrator is active.

Chinese Pinyin Input Method Editor (IME)

Bing will no longer provide automatic suggestions in the search box for search engines like Baidu. To manually view suggestions, use the Ctrl + Tab shortcut or click the chevron button (>).

Digital/Analog Converter (DAC)

Problem fixed: USB audio devices should now function correctly, even if you're using a DAC audio driver based on USB 1.0. Previously, these devices could stop working, halting playback entirely.

USB Audio Device Drivers

Resolved: The error message "This device cannot start" (Code 10) no longer appears when connecting specific external audio management devices.

USB Cameras

Fixed: After installing the January 2025 security update, your device should now properly recognize when the camera is turned on, resolving a previous issue where it failed to detect the camera's status.