Microsoft has introduced two essential cumulative updates for Windows 11: KB5048667 and KB5048685, targeting versions 24H2 and 23H2 respectively. These updates are deemed mandatory as they encompass the December 2024 Patch Tuesday security enhancements, addressing vulnerabilities identified in prior months.
Source: BleepingComputer
Users can easily install the updates by navigating to Start >> Settings > Windows Update and selecting ‘Check for Updates’. Alternatively, the updates can be manually downloaded from the Microsoft Update Catalog.
What’s new in the December 2024 Patch Tuesday update
Upon installation, the build number for Windows 11 24H2 (KB5048667) will transition to 26100.2605, while 23H2 (KB5048685) will be updated to 226×1.4602. Notably, the December patch will eliminate the bell icon from the taskbar and shorten the date and time display, thereby creating additional space for applications. Furthermore, the Start menu now boasts support for jump lists.
Here’s a detailed rundown of the fixes and enhancements:
- New! A dedicated section for touchscreen edge gestures has been added. Users can access this via Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Touch to disable left or right screen edge touch gestures.
- [Input Method Editor (IME)] New! The IME toolbar will now automatically hide when applications are in full-screen mode, applicable when typing Chinese or Japanese characters.
- [File Explorer]
- New! Users can now share content directly to an Android device from the context menu in File Explorer and on the desktop, provided that Phone Link is installed and configured.
- Fixed: Excessive spacing between items in the left pane has been addressed.
- Fixed: The search box will no longer be truncated in smaller File Explorer windows.
- [Dynamic Lighting Settings page]
- New! A placeholder message will appear when no compatible device is connected. Brightness and Effects controls will be disabled in this scenario.
- New! The update introduces new directional options for the Wave effect, including Forward, Backward, Outward, and Inward. The Gradient effect now includes a Forward direction option.
- [Jump lists] New! Holding Shift and CTRL while clicking a jump list item will now open it with administrative privileges.
- [Speech in Windows] New! Enhancements to speech-to-text and text-to-speech functionalities are included. Users may receive prompts to manually update their language files, available through the Microsoft Store. This update benefits those utilizing Narrator, voice access, live captions, live translations, and voice typing.
- [Display]
- Fixed: App windows no longer cluster in the corners of monitors after sleep mode when using multiple displays.
- Fixed: Mica material rendering issues when using slideshow backgrounds have been resolved.
- Fixed: Lag and screen tearing on secondary displays during full-screen applications have been addressed.
- [Mouse] Fixed: The pointer location circles will now display correctly when using the “Show location of pointer when I press the CTRL key” feature.
- [Clipboard] Fixed: Clipboard history will now accurately display copied content, resolving previous issues where it appeared empty despite being enabled.
- [Narrator] New! New functions have been added to Narrator scan mode, allowing users to skip past links and jump to lists for more efficient navigation through lengthy texts.
These improvements are being rolled out gradually, so users may not see all changes immediately following the update installation.
