Enhancements to input functionality encompass the Gamepad keyboard layout for the touch keyboard, the introduction of button accelerators, and the alignment of keyboard keys in a vertical orientation. The update additionally incorporates a new system tray icon on the taskbar. The Location History feature, an API utilized by Cortana to access device history, is being discontinued. Additionally, Task Manager has revised its method for calculating CPU usage across the Processes, Performance, and Users pages.
The Voice Access features encompass Natural Language Commanding, enabling users to issue commands in a natural manner through voice input. The recent update for Windows 11 version 23H2, which is not security-related, introduces quality enhancements, featuring Noto CJK fonts and the addition of a new function in Filter Manager.
The standard rollout updates encompass resolutions for Get-Help troubleshooters, the Mobile Operator Portal, printers, and File System concerns. The Windows 11 servicing stack update (KB5053665) - 22621.5120 and 22631.5120 is designed to enhance the servicing stack, providing a strong and dependable system for devices to effectively receive and install Microsoft updates.
March 25, 2025—KB5053657 (OS Builds 22621.5126 and 22631.5126) Preview
Highlights
Gradual rollout
A gradual rollout distributes a release update over a period of time, rather than all at once. This means that users receive the updates at different times, and it might not be immediately available to all users. To see the status of this feature, go to Windows release health dashboard.
[File Explorer] As part of our ongoing commitment to improving File Explorer accessibility, this release includes increased support for the text scaling (adjust text size), go Settings > Accessibility > Text size. This enhancement applies File Explorer, including File Open/Save dialogs and copy dialogs.
[MachineTranslated] About the display of the name set in the Microsoft account in the PC settings. On the computers Settings > Accounts screen, the name under the account is displayed in reverse order of "First Name” “Last Name".
[Settings]
Fixed: For Japanese users, the name displaying at the top of Settings > Accounts shows “First Name” “Last Name” instead of “Last Name” “First Name”.
New! This update makes the Settings homepage available for commercial customers on PCs managed by an IT administrator. The feature shows some existing cards relevant to enterprise-managed PCs like “Recommended settings” and “Bluetooth devices” as well as two new enterprise-specific device info and accessibility preferences cards.
New! “Top cards” appear under Settings > System > About. These top cards provide an easy way to view your PC’s key specifications, including processor, RAM, storage, and GPU, helping you quickly understand your PC’s capabilities at a glance.
[Input]
New! The Gamepad keyboard layout is now available for the touch keyboard in Windows 11. This includes button accelerators (e.g., X button for backspace, Y button for spacebar). Additionally, the keyboard keys have been vertically aligned to improve controller navigation patterns.
Fixed: ctfmon.exe might stop responding when copying data from certain apps.
New! A new experience to improve the discoverability of the emoji and more panels in Windows 11 with the introduction of a new system tray icon on the taskbar.
[Deprecation] The Location History feature, an API that Cortana used to access 24 hours of device history when location was enabled, is being removed. With the removal of the Location History feature, location data will no longer be saved locally. The corresponding settings are also being removed from the Settings > Privacy & security > Location page.
[Task Manager] Task Manager will now calculate CPU usage differently for Processes, Performance, and Users pages. It will use standard metrics to display CPU workload consistently across all pages and align with industry standards and third-party tools. To ensure backward compatibility, an optional column named CPU Utility is available (hidden by default) on the Details tab, showing the previous CPU value from the Processes page.
[Voice Access] New! Natural Language Commanding in voice access provides users with the flexibility to speak commands naturally, using filler words and synonyms, rather than rigid, predefined commands. Available initially on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs.
Improvements
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. The following summary outlines key issues addressed by the KB after you install it. Also, included are available new features. The bold text within the brackets indicates the item or area of the change.
Gradual rollout
A gradual rollout distributes release updates over a period of time, rather than all at once. This means that users receive the updates at different times and might not be immediately available to all users.
[Noto Fonts] This update provides Noto CJK (Chinese, Japanese, and Korean) fonts in Windows.
[File Systems (Filters)] This update adds support for a new function in Filter Manager that enhances the systems ability to notify applications of directory changes while minimizing I/O operations.
Normal rollout
[Remote Desktop] Fixed: Certain Get-Help troubleshooters might not run in a Remote Desktop session.
[Mobile Operator Portal] Updated: Country and Operator Settings Asset (COSA) profiles are updated.
[Printers] Fixed: USB connected dual-mode printers that support both US Print and IPP Over USB protocols, might unexpectedly output incorrect or unwanted text.
[File System] Fixed: An error message on a blue screen might occur when a user profile is redirected to a network Virtual Hard Disk v2 (VHD(X)).
Windows 11 servicing stack update (KB5053665) - 22621.5120 and 22631.5120
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.
March 25, 2025—KB5053657 (OS Builds 22621.5126 and 22631.5126) Preview - Microsoft Support
