A new optional (preview) update is now available to Windows 11 23H2 and 22H2 users. The patch, dubbed KB5055629, raises the OS version to 22621.5262 (22H2) and 22631.5262 (23H2). It comes with two sets of fixes and improvements, one of which is coming gradually and ships with it a number of new features. Those include a new home page for File Explorer, Speech Recap, improved Narrator and Phone link.
Gradual Rollout
File Explorer
New Feature: File Explorer Home now includes curated views powered by pivots, making it easier to access Microsoft 365 content directly from Windows. This update enhances productivity by bringing highly relevant content right to your fingertips.
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Performance Boost: Extracting zipped files is now faster, especially when dealing with a large number of small files.
Narrator
New Feature: Speech Recap allows you to track what Narrator has spoken and quickly reference it. Use simple keyboard shortcuts to access spoken content, follow live transcriptions, or copy the last spoken text for easy reuse.
Phone Link
New Feature: The Start menu now offers quick access to cross-device features, letting you seamlessly interact with your mobile device. You can make calls, send texts, access photos, or share content between your PC and phone without switching apps.
Widgets
New Feature: Web developers can now use existing content to create interactive widgets that work across multiple widget surfaces. Learn more about this feature in the Web Widget Providers documentation.
Lock Screen Widgets: Support for customizable lock screen widgets (formerly called "Weather and more") is now available for devices in the European Economic Area (EEA). Add, remove, or rearrange widgets like Weather, Watchlist, Sports, and Traffic. Any widget supporting small sizing can be added. Customize your lock screen widgets via Settings > Personalization > Lock Screen.
Desktop Icons
Improved Design: The logic for desktop icons has been updated, removing the accent-colored backplate for packaged apps. For example, dragging Snipping Tool from the Start menu to the desktop now results in larger, more visible icons.
New Feature: Before sharing images, you can now make quick edits such as cropping, rotating, or applying filters directly from the Share Sheet.
Start Menu
Fixed: Touch gestures now work correctly for navigating through the list of apps pinned to the Start menu.
Fixed: The "Sign Out" and "More Options" buttons in the Start menu account manager are now visible, even when using larger text sizes.
Taskbar
Fixed: Arrow key navigation after pressing Windows + T now works correctly for Arabic and Hebrew display languages, ensuring proper directionality.
Normal Rollout
Server Message Block (SMB)
Resolved an issue where Excel files stored on an SMB file share with Access-Based Enumeration enabled, and containing links to multiple network-hosted files, could take longer than expected to open.
Sign-In Enhancements
Addressed a problem impacting USBxHCI controllers and all USB-connected devices on systems with Intel® Core™ Ultra 200V Series processors. Users may experience issues with the built-in USB camera not working for Windows Hello sign-in unless Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS) is manually disabled. To disable ESS, navigate to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Additional settings > Sign in with an external camera or fingerprint reader and toggle the switch to ON. Additionally, creating a Windows Hello container in Windows 11, version 23H2, might block ESS functionality after upgrading to version 24H2.
Xbox Fixes
- Fixed an issue affecting Xbox Elite Wireless Controllers with specific firmware versions, where the keyboard may stop functioning and display an error in the Device Manager.
- Resolved a problem where the Driver Verifier would stop responding during gamepad controller driver certification, impacting Windows Hardware Quality Labs testing.
Windows Kernel Vulnerable Driver Blocklist
Updated the blocklist (DriverSiPolicy.p7b) to include drivers vulnerable to Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) attacks, enhancing system security against potential exploits.
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