Windows update preview: Power consumption and reconfigurable copilot button

Microsoft has published the October update previews for Windows 11 23H2, 22H2 and Windows 10 22H2. The important new features include a switchable co-pilot button and optimized battery usage. The preview for Windows 11 24H2 will follow "shortly".

The update preview with the KB number KB5044380 updates Windows 11 to version 22621.4391 and 22631.4391. Microsoft highlights some improvements, such as the fact that under "Settings" – "Personalization" – "Text input" it is now possible to configure which application should open the Copilot key. The button available on newer hardware usually opens the Copilot app. If the user logs in with an Entra ID account, the M365 app should open. Other apps can now also be selected in the settings, provided that they are available in a signed MSIX package. The developers mention a further restriction: if the PC does not have a Copilot button, the setting has no effect.

Corrections to minor annoyances

Laptops could also consume too much power if they were in "modern standby mode", which the update is intended to correct. On some systems, an Outlook meeting reminder could mean that participation in a Teams meeting was not possible. When using multifunction printers connected via a USB cable, a network command text could be issued –. However, Microsoft does not describe the specific effects of this.

A gradual rollout is planned for further changes. Gamers may be interested in the introduction of a new gamepad keyboard layout for the on-screen keyboard – which is intended to provide the ability to move around the screen and make entries using the Xbox controller. "Suggestions to disable notifications" in the system tray can be deactivated, for example by clicking the three dots ("...") next to the notification or under "Settings" – "System" – "Notifications". "All apps" in the start menu has been renamed to "All".

The update preview also contains an updated list of vulnerable drivers that the Windows kernel prevents from loading by listing them. Such drivers are part of "Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver" malware attacks, so this is a security update – as which the update previews are not explicitly declared.

Windows 10: Scanner problem fixed

Microsoft also has new features in store for Windows 10. The KB5045594 update brings Windows 10 22H2 up to version 19045.5073 and corrects another error for multifunction printers in addition to the error that was also corrected in the Windows 11 update preview. Windows 10 did not install a scanner driver when the device was connected via USB cable –, meaning that the MFP scanner could no longer be used. Other corrections include a failed upgrade to Windows 11 due to the stop error 0x3B. Access problems with black screen displays in Azure Virtual Desktop are also a thing of the past with the update.

Common corrections in Windows 10 and 11 affect Webview2 apps, for example. These did not recognize input from Bluetooth and Xbox 360 controllers. In some regions, the telephone numbers for the activation hotlines have changed; Windows 10 and 11 now display these correctly.

Anyone who has activated the option "Get the latest updates as soon as they are available" in the system settings under Windows Update should have already been provided with the update preview on Wednesday night – on systems for which it is already available. In September, however, this had unpleasant side effects for some Windows users. On some systems, the preview resulted in reboot loops and blue or green screens.

(dmk)