Subscribers of Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass can now find a referral card for a PC Game Pass subscription on the Settings home page. Users of File Explorer now have the option to snooze or disable the "Start backup" reminder located in the address bar. The update additionally resolves concerns related to the start menu and mouse color within Settings > Accessibility > Mouse pointer and touch.
Users can utilize EKB KB5027397 to update to Windows 11 version 23H2, which includes quality enhancements. Significant updates comprise the introduction of a revamped home page tailored for commercial clients, the addition of two new cards enhancing accessibility features, and the implementation of support for daylight saving time (DST) adjustments in Paraguay. The update also ensures that COSA profiles are current for specific mobile operators and addresses issues related to Open Secure Shell (OpenSSH).
Finally, the Windows 11 servicing stack update (KB5052107) - 22621.4960 and 22631.4960 introduces enhancements to the servicing stack, guaranteeing a strong and dependable framework for devices to obtain and implement Microsoft updates.
February 25, 2025—KB5052094 (OS Builds 22621.4974 and 22631.4974) Preview
Highlights
Gradual rollout
A gradual rollout releases updates over a period of time, so users receive them at different times. To see the status of this feature, go to Windows release health dashboard.
[Taskbar] New! You can now share files directly from a jump list on the taskbar. Jump lists appear when you right-click an app that has a jump list.
[Windows Spotlight]
New! There’s a quick and easy way to find out more information about a background image. Simply hover over the image or click the “Learn about this picture” icon.
New! This update makes Windows Spotlight easier to find. You’ll notice changes to the icon color and background. Also, the icon will show at the lower right area on your desktop.
[Lock screen] New! This update makes it easier tolearn more about the image on your lock screen when you click the “Like” icon.
[Narrator] New! There are new functions for Narrator scan mode. Skip past links (n) allows you to go to the text after a link. Use the comma (,) to jump to the start of an item (large table, long list, or another item.) Use the period (.) to jump to the end of an item. This is most helpful when you read long emails, news articles, and wiki pages. Jump to lists (l) allows you to quickly access a list on a web page or in a document. To use these new functions, turn on Narrator first (Windows logo key + Ctrl + Enter). Then turn scan mode on by pressing Caps lock + Spacebar. Note that scan mode is on by default on most web pages (like news articles, wiki page, and so on).
[Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers] New! Some of you might see a new referral card for a PC Game Pass subscription on the Settings home page. With it, you can invite friends and family to try a PC Game Pass for free. If you qualify, the card only appears when you sign in to your PC using your Microsoft account.
[File Explorer]
New! You can now snooze or turn off the “Start backup” reminder in the File Explorer address bar. This only applies if you are not already backing up your files and folder. To view this new option, right-click Start backup.
Fixed: When you enter a URL in the address bar, it might not go to the location.
Fixed: The address bar overlaps files when you use the F11 full-screen mode.
Fixed: The context menu opens slowly when you right-click cloud files.
Thumbnails for cloud files display more consistently in search results.
[Start menu] Fixed: The colors are wrong when you open the account manager flyout menu. This occurs when you use a mixed dark and light custom mode in Settings > Personalization > Colors.
[Mouse] Fixed: In Settings > Accessibility > Mouse pointer and touch, you can choose a color for the mouse that is not the default. When you chose a color, it reverts to white after the User Account Control (UAC) dialog appears.
Improvements
Note: To view the list of addressed issues, click or tap the OS name to expand the collapsible section.
Windows 11, version 23H2
Important: Use EKB KB5027397 to update to Windows 11, version 23H2.
This non-security update includes quality improvements. Key changes include:
This build includes all the improvements in Windows 11, version 22H2.
No additional issues are documented for this release.
Windows 11, version 22H2: Enterprise and Education editions
This non-security update includes quality improvements. Below is a summary of the key issues that this update addresses when you install this KB. If there are new features, it lists them as well. The bold text within the brackets indicates the item or area of the change we are documenting.
Gradual rollout
These might not be available to all users because they will roll out gradually.
[Settings] New! There is a new home page for commercial customers. Their PCs are managed by an IT admin. You will see two new cards that are relevant to enterprises. One card shows device information. From the other, you can choose the accessibility features you want. Some commercial customers use their Microsoft account on their managed PC. For them, a new card will show all the Microsoft account types that are in use on the device.
Normal rollout
[Daylight saving time (DST)] This update supports (DST) changes in Paraguay.
[dwm.exe] Fixed: It stops responding many times.
[Country and Operator Settings Asset] This update brings COSA profiles up to date for certain mobile operators.
[Open Secure Shell (OpenSSH) (known issue)] Fixed: The service fails to start, which stops SSH connections. There is no detailed logging, and you must run the sshd.exe process manually.
Windows 11 servicing stack update (KB5052107) - 22621.4960 and 22631.4960
This update makes quality improvements to the servicing stack, which is the component that installs Windows updates. Servicing stack updates (SSU) ensure that you have a robust and reliable servicing stack so that your devices can receive and install Microsoft updates. To learn more about SSUs, see Simplifying on-premises deployment of servicing stack updates.
February 25, 2025—KB5052094 (OS Builds 22621.4974 and 22631.4974) Preview - Microsoft Support
