Microsoft has unveiled a significant update for Windows 11, specifically targeting version 24H2 PCs. This update, identified as KB5044384 and build 26100.2161, is categorized as a non-security preview update (C-release) for October 2024. It addresses a variety of bugs and enhances user experience with several new features.
Update Highlights
The rollout of this update will be gradual, meaning not all users will receive it simultaneously. Here are some of the key enhancements and fixes included:
- [Notifications] New! Users can now disable suggestions to turn off notifications from specific apps. This can be done by selecting the ellipses (…) in the notification or navigating to Settings > System > Notifications to find “Notification Suggestions” in the senders list.
- [Wi-Fi password dialog] New! The dialog now reflects the Windows 11 visual design, accessible via Settings > Network & internet.
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[Narrator]
- New! A new shortcut has been introduced: pressing the Narrator key + Ctrl + X allows users to copy the last spoken content to the clipboard, facilitating quick access to codes or numbers.
- New! The Narrator will now automatically read the content of email messages in the new Outlook, mirroring the functionality of the classic version.
- [Gamepad keyboard] New! A new Gamepad keyboard layout is being rolled out for the on-screen keyboard, enabling users to navigate and type using their Xbox controller. Button accelerators have been introduced, including the X button for backspace and the Y button for the spacebar, with keys aligned vertically for improved usability.
- [Start menu] New! The “All apps” section has been renamed to simply “All.”
- [ALT + Tab] Fixed an issue where the screen would turn black for a few seconds when switching between certain windows.
- [Scanning apps] Resolved a problem where certain scanners were not detected despite being connected.
Normal Rollout Improvements
- [Web sign-in] Fixed an issue that prevented users from signing into their accounts from the web due to a non-responsive screen.
- [Copilot key settings] New! Users can now customize the Copilot key on their keyboards. On new devices, this key opens the Copilot app, while signing in with a Microsoft Entra ID will open the M365 app. Users can configure it to launch a different app or open Search through Settings > Personalization > Text input.
- [Windows Disk Cleanup app] Fixed an issue where the app displayed incorrect amounts of disk space available for cleanup in the ‘Windows Update Cleanup’ category.
Quality Improvements
This update also brings various quality improvements, addressing key issues and introducing new features:
- [Virtual hard disk (VHD/VHDx)] New! A new button to detach virtual hard disks has been added to Settings, located under System > Storage > Disks & Volumes.
- [Networking] New! The netsh wlan show networks command can now read SSIDs encoded in UTF-8, ensuring proper display of Wi-Fi SSIDs with Unicode characters.
- [Windows Sandbox Client Preview] New! This update introduces the Windows Sandbox Client Preview, featuring runtime clipboard redirection, audio and video input control, and folder sharing with the host at runtime.
- [User interface (UI)] Fixed an issue preventing visibility of certain UI elements when running specific apps.
- [HTML Applications (HTA)] Fixed the inclusion of HTA optional components in ARM64 Windows PE.
- [Live kernel debug files (dumps)] Resolved an issue where win32kbase.sys was creating live kernel debug files unnecessarily.
- [Winlogon] Fixed a stop error occurring during shutdown.
- [Windows Kernel Vulnerable Driver Blocklist file (DriverSiPolicy.p7b)] The update expands the list of drivers identified as vulnerable to Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) attacks.
- [sfc /scannow command] Fixed persistent errors encountered when executing the command.
- [Service for User to Self (S4U2self)] Resolved issues with device authentication when Credential Guard is disabled.
- [DirectAccess (known issue)] Fixed connection issues that occurred after a clean install or upgrade to Windows 11, version 24H2, where the connection remained in a ‘connecting’ state.
For further details, users can refer to the official support article on Microsoft’s website, and the update is available for manual download as well.
