Windows update preview: Latest this year bring small improvements

Microsoft has published the update previews for Windows. They are available for Windows 11 24H2, 23H2 and 22H2 as well as for Windows 10.

In the Knowledgebaser article KB5046740, Microsoft lists the changes to the non-security update preview for Windows 11 24H2. It raises the build number to 26100.2454, respectively KB5046732 the 23H2 and 22H2 builds to 22621.4541 and 22631.4541. In the Windows Release Health Message Center, Microsoft also mentions Windows 10 preview updates, but still links to those from October –. Details are therefore currently not known.

Some improvements in the update preview

The update previews correct some annoying errors. Optional components for HTML Applications (HTA) are now also available in ARM64-PE. Using the keyboard on the "User" page of the task manager no longer paralyzes it. The alignment of images in RAW format is now correct. The developers have also corrected startup problems with the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).

Further improvements relate to multi-monitor operation. When using the mouse and game bar, the mouse could detach from the game window if the game bar was closed. The annoyance of app windows collecting in a corner of a monitor after the device has switched to sleep mode has also been eliminated. Delays and tearing could occur on second screens when a window was in full screen mode. If you use a touch display, you can enjoy new gestures at the edges; these can be configured in the settings.

Language support has also received an update, both speech-to-text and text-to-speech, and Windows may ask for a manual update of the language files available in the Microsoft Store. The change affects those who use speech output, live subtitles, live translations and voice input.in File Explorer and on the desktop, content can be sent to Android devices by right-clicking. This requires the installation and configuration of Phone Link (can be found under "Settings" – "Bluetooth and devices" – "Mobile devices").

The taskbar also displays a shorter version of the date and time. In the settings, users can now change the option to transfer device usage data to improve Windows under "Settings" – "Privacy and security".

Last preview updates in 2024

Microsoft also explains that the November update preview will be the last for this year. Due to "minimal operations during the Western vacation season and the upcoming New Year", there will be no non-security update preview in December. However, the December Patchday security update will be released regularly and the normal monthly servicing for security and non-security preview updates will resume in January 2025.

In October, the update preview for Windows had optimized or made power consumption configurable, which is supposed to happen after tapping the Copilot button on newer laptops and keyboards. However, the Windows task manager had forgotten how to count and only displayed "0" as the total number of running apps and processes. The regular Windows security update on November Patchday had already corrected this error.

(dmk)