Microsoft has unveiled the KB5070311 preview cumulative update for Windows 11, introducing a total of 49 enhancements aimed at improving user experience. This optional update, part of the monthly release cycle, allows IT administrators to evaluate upcoming bug fixes and features ahead of the official Patch Tuesday rollout next month.
Unlike the standard Patch Tuesday updates, which often include critical security fixes, the non-security preview updates focus solely on quality improvements. The KB5070311 update addresses several known issues that emerged following previous updates, notably resolving instances where the explorer.exe process and taskbar became unresponsive after specific notifications. Additionally, it rectifies search-related problems within File Explorer, particularly those linked to certain SMB (Server Message Block) shares, as well as an instability issue affecting the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS).
To install KB5070311, users can navigate to Settings, select Windows Update, and click on ‘Check for Updates’. As this is an optional update, users will need to confirm their intention to install it by selecting the ‘Download and install’ link. Alternatively, the update can be manually downloaded from the Microsoft Update Catalog.
Windows 11 KB5070311 highlights
Upon installation, this optional non-security preview update will elevate Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2 devices to builds 26200.7309 and 26100.7309, respectively. The November 2025 preview update brings forth several notable enhancements:
- The search results menu now showcases a broader array of results, facilitating quicker access to settings modifications. A scroll bar has been introduced to view all available search results. (Applicable for Copilot+ PCs)
- Windows Studio Effects, which deliver AI-enhanced camera functionalities, can now be utilized with additional cameras, including USB webcams and built-in rear cameras on laptops. (Applicable for Copilot+ PCs)
- When Windows Spotlight is selected as the desktop background, the context menu now features two new options: ‘Learn more about this background’ and ‘Next desktop background.’
- File Explorer has been refined to provide a more cohesive dark mode experience.
In a recent message center update, Microsoft announced that there will be no preview update released in December, with the regular update schedule set to resume in January. The company cited minimal operations during the Western holiday season and the upcoming new year as the reason for this pause.
“There will be a monthly security update for December 2025. Normal monthly servicing for both security and non-security preview updates will resume in January 2026,” Microsoft stated.
Furthermore, the company is actively working on a solution for a known issue that was acknowledged last week, which has resulted in the password sign-in option disappearing from the lock screen options.