A significant Patch Tuesday update for Windows 11 24H2 is on the horizon, poised to deliver a host of enhancements alongside its final security update of 2024. This December update promises to introduce a variety of new features that aim to refine user experience and functionality.
The December Windows 11 24H2 update is set to roll out on December 10, coinciding with the traditional schedule of Patch Tuesday, which occurs on the second Tuesday of each month. This update will bring notable improvements, including the introduction of “jump lists” in the Start menu and a more compact system tray layout, among other enhancements.
Simplified system tray
One of the key changes is the revamped system tray, designed to optimize space. Users will now have the option to select an abbreviated date and time display, which can be activated through the settings menu. By choosing the “Show abbreviated time and date” option, the system tray will occupy significantly less space, particularly when the seconds are not displayed in the clock.
‘Jump lists’
The update will also enhance the functionality of ‘jump lists,’ which appear when users right-click an icon in the taskbar. In this upcoming iteration, it will be possible to launch items from the jump list with administrator privileges. To do so, users will need to hold down the Shift + Enter keys while clicking on the desired item. This ensures that no additional submenu will appear unless the key combination is used. The Start menu will similarly feature jump lists for supported system applications, providing quick access to options like screenshots and timers.
Dynamic Lighting
Another exciting addition is the Dynamic Lighting feature, which allows users to customize lighting effects for supported RGB devices without the need for separate applications. If no compatible RGB devices are connected, a banner will inform users, and previously visible options will be grayed out to avoid confusion.
Task Manager in Windows
Improvements are also coming to the Task Manager, particularly in the Performance tab. Users will soon see detailed disk labels that indicate the type of storage device, making it easier to identify whether SSDs and HDDs are connected via NVMe or SATA. This feature, first spotted in an Insider build earlier this year, will also include support for dark mode and text scaling in the “Disconnect” and “Logout” dialog boxes, further enhancing usability.
