KB5014668 optional update enables Search Highlights on stable Windows 11

Microsoft has released new "C" updates for Windows 10 and Windows 11. While for Windows 10 the patch reveals the existence of Windows 10 version 22H2, for Windows 11 changes aren't so drastic. KB5014668 brings with it Search Highlights to the production release of Windows 11, and fixes the annoying Hotspot issue introduced in the latest Patch Tuesday. There are several other improvements and fixes.

After installing KB5014668, you'll find that Windows 11 now has build 22000.778 in version. You can check it by pressing Win + R to open Run and executing the winver command. Note: The "C" updates are optional and not considered stable. They target advanced users who now how to uninstall updates if something goes wrong. Microsoft dubs them as "preview".

What's new in Windows 11 Build 22000.778, KB5014668

Before broad availability will occur in the coming months, Microsoft pushes Search highlights as a Preview for the stable version of Windows 11. You will have the Search pane (Win + S) informing you about local events, holidays and anniversaries when you perform a local or online search. If you are a corporate user, it will display you recent and updated documents from your organization.

For those who aren't happy with Search Highlights, Microsoft provides several methods to disable them.

Other improvements

• New! Adds IP address auditing for incoming Windows Remote Management (WinRM) connections in security event 4262 and WinRM event 91. This addresses an issue that fails to log the source IP address and machine name for a remote PowerShell connection.
• New! Adds Server Message Block (SMB) redirector (RDR) specific public File System Control (FSCTL) code FSCTL_LMR_QUERY_INFO.
• New! Makes the SMB client and SMB server cipher suite order configurable using PowerShell.
• Enables the InternetExplorerModeEnableSavePageAs Group Policy. For more information, see Microsoft Edge Browser Policy Documentation.
• Provides the ability to use a network proxy during Universal Print operations.
• Changes the name of the Your Phone app to Phone Link on the Settings page.

Besides, there is a long list of fixes. The one to note is that the issue with Mobile Hotspot is finally fixed. If you have installed the latest Patch Tuesday update, you should try to install the today's optional one and see if you can use the hotspot feature again. It also renames Your Phone to Phone link in Settings.

Fixes

• Addresses an issue that might prevent you from upgrading to Windows 11 (original release). Note that this is related to the timing of certain operations within the OS and is not related to device eligibility.
• Addresses an issue that might prevent you from playing video clips in some games.
• Addresses an issue that causes certain games to stop working if they use certain audio technology to play sound effects.
• Addresses an issue that prevents Bluetooth from reconnecting to some audio devices after you restart the devices.
• Addresses an issue that causes the Microsoft Surface Dial customization settings page to stop working.
• Addresses a known issue that might prevent you from using the Wi-Fi hotspot feature.
• Addresses an issue that might cause playback of consecutive video clips to fail in games that use DirectX 12 (DX12).
• Addresses an issue that causes certain games to stop working if they use the XAudio API to play sound effects.
• Addresses an issue that affects some certificates chains to Root Certification Authorities that are members of the Microsoft Root Certification Program. For these certificates, the certificate chain status can be, “This certificate was revoked by its certification authority”.
• Enables the InternetExplorerModeEnableSavePageAs Group Policy. For more information, see Microsoft Edge Browser Policy Documentation.

And more. You will find the full changelog in the official announcement.