November 2024 Windows 11 24H2 Non-Security Preview Update

  Microsoft released KB5044384 (OS Builds 22100.2161 for Windows 11 24H2.

Gradual rollout

These might not be available to all users because they will roll out gradually.​​​​​

• [Settings] New! Tailored Experiences is now Personalized offers in the out of box experience (OOBE). You can find it on the Recommendations and offers page. Go to Settings > Privacy & security. Here, you can turn off the setting that sends data about your device to enhance Windows.
• [Taskbar]
• New! The system tray shows a shortened date and time. Also, the notification bell icon might not show if you have set the toggle for “Do not disturb” to on. If the bell icon does not show, click the date and time to view your messages in the notification center. To go back to the long form of the date and time, go to Settings > Date and Time. Then turn on the toggle for “Show time and day in the system tray.” To show the bell icon, go to Settings > System > Notifications. Turn on the toggle for “Notifications.” You can also get to these settings using the context menu. Just right click the system tray clock or bell icon.
• Fixed: When you choose "Automatically hide the taskbar," the search box shows as an icon, not as a search box.
• [Start menu] New! When you right-click apps that you have pinned to the Start menu, jump lists will appear for apps that have jump lists.
• [Touchscreen] New! This update adds a new section for touchscreen edge gestures. Go to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Touch. There, you can choose if you would like to turn off the left or right screen edge touch gesture.
• [Input Method Editor (IME)] New! After you install this update, the IME toolbar will hide when apps are in full screen mode. This only occurs when the IME toolbar is active and you type Chinese or Japanese characters.​​​​​​​
• [File Explorer]
• New! You can share content to an Android device from the context menu in File Explorer and on the desktop. To use this feature, you must install and configure Phone Link on your PC.​​​​​​​
• Fixed: There might be more space than you expect between the items listed in the left pane.
• Fixed: The search box is cut off when the File Explorer window is small.
• [Dynamic Lighting Settings page]
• New! Its page will show a placeholder message when there is no compatible device attached to your computer. Also, the Brightness and Effects controls will be off.
• New! This update adds the Forward, Backward, Outward, and Inward direction options to the Wave effect. The Gradient effect now has the Forward direction option.

• [Jump lists] New! If you hold Shift and CTRL and click a jump list item, this opens the item as an admin.
• [Speech in Windows] New!This update improves the speech-to-text and text-to-speech features in Windows. You might get a message that asks you to update your language files manually. You can get those files from Microsoft Store. This change affects those of you who use Narrator, voice access, live captions, live translations, and voice typing.
• ​​​​​​​[Display]
• Fixed: App windows might collect in the corner of a monitor after your device goes to sleep. This occurs when you use multiple monitors.
• Fixed: Mica material might not display correctly. This occurs when you use a slideshow background.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
• Fixed: Some secondary displays might experience lag and screen tearing when a window is in full screen.
• [Mouse] Fixed: When you use the "Show location of pointer when I press the CTRL key," the circles might be tiny on some displays.
• [Clipboard] Fixed: Clipboard history (Windows logo key plus sign (+) V) might show no content. This issue occurs even though it is on, and you have copied text and images.

Normal rollout

• [Mouse and game bar] Fixed: Your mouse might unlock from the game window. This occurs when you have multiple monitors and open and close the game bar.

See the KB article for improvements included.

Note:  Due to the holiday schedule, there will be no December 2024 non-security preview update but there will be a monthly security update for December 2024.

Update:  To get the update, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. The link to download and install the update can be found in the Optional updates available area.  To get the standalone package for this update, go to the Microsoft Update Catalog website.

References:

Windows 11 update history

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

November 2024 Windows 11 23H3 and 22H2 Non-Security Preview Update

 Microsoft released KB5046732 (OS Builds 22621.4541 and 22631.4541 for Windows 11 23H3 and Windows 11 22H2. 

Highlights

These might not be available to all users because they will roll out gradually

• [Settings] New! Tailored Experiences is now Personalized offers in the out of box experience (OOBE). You can find it on the Recommendations and offers page. Go to Settings > Privacy & security. Here, you can turn off the setting that sends data about your device to enhance Windows.
• [Taskbar]
• ​​​​​​​New! The system tray shows a shortened date and time. Also, the notification bell icon might not show if you have set the toggle for “Do not disturb” to on. If the bell icon does not show, click the date and time to view your messages in the notification center. To go back to the long form of the date and time, go to Settings > Date and Time. Then turn on the toggle for “Show time and day in the system tray.” To show the bell icon, go to Settings > System > Notifications. Turn on the toggle for “Notifications.” You can also get to these settings using the context menu. Just right click the system tray clock or bell icon.
• Fixed: When you choose "Automatically hide the taskbar," the search box shows as an icon, not as a search box.
• ​​​​​​​[Input Method Editor (IME)] New! After you install this update, the IME toolbar will hide when apps are in full screen mode. This only occurs when the IME toolbar is active and you type Chinese or Japanese characters.
• [Start menu] New! When you right-click apps that you have pinned to the Start menu, jump lists will appear for apps that have jump lists.
• [File Explorer]
• New! You canshare content to an Android device from the context menu in File Explorer and on the desktop. To use this feature, you must install and configure Phone Link on your PC.
• Fixed: There might be more space than you expect between the items listed in the left pane.
• Fixed: The search box is cut off when the File Explorer window is small.
• [Touchscreen] New! This update adds a new section for touchscreen edge gestures. Go to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Touch. There, you can choose if you would like to turn off the left or right screen edge touch gesture.
• [Mouse] New! This update adds the option to turn off enhanced mouse pointer precision to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Mouse. There is also a new option to change the direction in which the mouse scrolls.
• ​​​​​​​[Dynamic Lighting Settings page]
• New! Its page will show a placeholder message when there is no compatible device attached to your computer. Also, the Brightness and Effects controls will be off.
• New! This update adds the Forward, Backward, Outward, and Inward direction options to the Wave effect. The Gradient effect now has the Forward direction option.
• [Jump lists] New! If you hold Shift and CTRL and click a jump list item, this opens the item as an admin.

Normal rollout​

• [Bluetooth LE Audio] Fixed: Some devices, like hearing aids, do not stream Bluetooth audio.
• [Mouse and game bar] Fixed: Your mouse might unlock from the game window. This occurs when you have multiple monitors and open and close the game bar.

Note:  Due to the holiday schedule, there will be no December 2024 non-security preview update but there will be a monthly security update for December 2024.

Update:  To get the update, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. The link to download and install the update can be found in the Optional updates available area.  To get the standalone package for this update, go to the Microsoft Update Catalog website.

References:

Windows 11 update history

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

November 2024 Windows 10 Non-Security Preview Update

 Microsoft released KB5046714 for Windows 10 version 22H2 optional non-security release preview (Windows monthly updates explained).

Highlights

• [App list backup] Fixed: Win32 shortcuts might not back up to the cloud. 
• [Copy cloud files] Fixed: When you drag and drop files from a cloud files provider folder, it might result in a move instead of a copy.

See the KB article for the list of quality improvements included in the update.

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. For general information about SSUs, see Servicing stack updates and Servicing Stack Updates (SSU): Frequently Asked Questions.

Note:  Due to the holiday schedule, there will be no December 2024 non-security preview update but there will be a monthly security update for December 2024.

Update:  To get the update, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. The link to download and install the update can be found in the Optional updates available area.  To get the standalone package for this update, go to the Microsoft Update Catalog website.

Windows 10 update history

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

Optional Hotfix Patch for Adobe Reader and Acrobat

 

Adobe has released an optional hotfix patch that addresses some important bug fixes.

Update or Complete Download

Reader DC and Acrobat DC were updated to version 24.004.20772.  Updates should become available via the internal updater or checks can be manually activated by choosing Help/Check for Updates.  

Reader DC and other versions are available here: https://get.adobe.com/reader/

Note: UNcheck any pre-checked additional options presented with the update. They are not part of the software update and are completely optional.

References

• Release Notes

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

Microsoft November 2024 Security Updates

 

The Microsoft November 2024 security updates have been released and consist of 89 new patches to Microsoft products.

Of the Microsoft CVEs released, 4 are rated critical, 84 important, and 1 moderate in security. At the time of release, Microsoft lists three of the CVEs is listed as being publicly known and two are listed as being exploited.

The security updates apply to the following products, features and roles: Windows and Windows Components; Office and Office Components; Azure; .NET and Visual Studio; LightGBM; Exchange Server; SQL Server; TorchGeo; Hyper-V; and Windows VMSwitch.

See the list of KBs at the bottom of the page at November 2024 Security Updates - Release Notes - Security Update Guide - Microsoft for information regarding known issues with the security updates as well as the CVEs with FAQs, Mitigations and/or Workarounds.

Recommended Reading:   See Dustin Childs review and analysis in Zero Day Initiative -- The November 2024 Security Update Review.

Due to the holiday schedule, there will be no December 2024 non-security preview update but there will be a monthly security update for December 2024.

Additional Update Notes:

• Windows 10 End of Support -- On October 14, 2025, Windows 10 will reach end of support. See the Windows 10 blog for How to prepare for Windows 10 end of support by moving to Windows 11 today.
• MSRT -- The Malicious Software Removal Tool is now run on a quarterly basis rather than monthly.  See Remove specific prevalent malware with Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool. 
• Servicing Stack Updates -- Microsoft now combines the latest servicing stack update (SSU) for your operating system with the Latest Cumulative Updates (LCU). For general information about SSUs, see Servicing stack updates and Servicing Stack Updates (SSU): Frequently Asked Questions.
  
• Windows updates are cumulative. The monthly security release includes all security fixes for vulnerabilities that affect Windows, in addition to non-security updates. The updates are also available via search for the KB number in the Microsoft Update Catalog.
• For information on lifecycle and support dates for Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems, please see Windows 10 Home and Pro and Windows 11 Home and Pro.
• Windows Update History:  Windows 11

 

References

• Security Update FAQ
• Security Updates Guide

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

Optional Hotfix Patch for Adobe Reader and Acrobat

 

Adobe has released an optional hotfix patch that addresses some important bug fixes.

Update or Complete Download

Reader DC and Acrobat DC were updated to version 24.004.20243.  Updates should become available via the internal updater or checks can be manually activated by choosing Help/Check for Updates.  

Reader DC and other versions are available here: https://get.adobe.com/reader/

Note: UNcheck any pre-checked additional options presented with the update. They are not part of the software update and are completely optional.

References

• Release Notes

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

Pale Moon Version 33.4.1 Released with Security Update

 Pale Moon has been updated to version 33.4.1.  This is a minor security and bug fix update.

Changes/fixes:

• Added a processor check to the 64-bit installer for Windows to check for AVX.
  Note: this check does not work on Window 7/8/8.1 and will allow installations on non-AVX processors there.
  Note: if you are running Windows 10 before build 2004 (before 20H1), this check may fail on AVX-capable CPUs and prevent installation.
• Improved handling of multipart/mixed documents. (CVE-2024-10461 and CVE-2016-2816) DiD
• Addressed CVE-2024-10463.

Notes:  *DiD This means that a fix is "Defense-in-Depth": It is a fix that does not apply to a (potentially) actively exploitable vulnerability in Pale Moon, but prevents future vulnerabilities caused by the same code, e.g. when surrounding code changes, exposing the problem, or when new attack vectors are discovered.

Pale Moon includes both 32- and 64-bit versions for Windows: Pale Moon for Windows downloads.

Update: To get the update now, select "Help" from the Pale Moon menu at the upper left of the browser window.  Select About Pale Moon > Check for Updates.

Release Notes
Release Cycle

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

Mozilla Firefox Version 132.0.1 Released with Updates

  Mozilla sent Firefox Version 131.0.3 to the Release Channel.

Fixed

• Fixed issues causing intermittent video playback problems on some sites. (Bug 1928484, Bug 1928798).
• Fixed an issue causing themes to reset to default after restarting Firefox, in particular when using the Firefox Color add-on. (Bug 1928082).

Update: To get the update now, select "Help" from the Firefox menu, then pick "About Firefox".  Mac users need to select "About Firefox" from the Firefox menu.  For non-English versions, Fully Localized Versions are available for download.

Release Notes

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

Mozilla Firefox Version 132.0 Released with Security Updates

  Mozilla sent Firefox Version 132.0 to the release channel.  

The update includes nine security updates of which two (2) are rated high, six (6) are rated moderate, and three (3) are rated low.

High

#

#CVE-2024-10458: Permission leak via embed or object elements
#CVE-2024-10459: Use-after-free in layout with accessibility

Moderate

#CVE-2024-10460: Confusing display of origin for external protocol handler prompt
#CVE-2024-10461: XSS due to Content-Disposition being ignored in multipart/x-mixed-replace response
#CVE-2024-10462: Origin of permission prompt could be spoofed by long URL
#CVE-2024-10463: Cross origin video frame leak
#CVE-2024-10468: Race conditions in IndexedDB
#CVE-2024-10467: Memory safety bugs fixed in Firefox 132, Thunderbird 132, Firefox ESR 128.4, and Thunderbird 128.4

Low

#CVE-2024-10464: History interface could have been used to cause a Denial of Service condition in the browser
#CVE-2024-10465: Clipboard "paste" button persisted across tabs#CVE-2024-10466: DOM push subscription message could hang Firefox
#CVE-2024-10466: DOM push subscription message could hang Firefox

New

• Microsoft PlayReady encrypted media playback is now being rolled out to select sites on Windows. Through this support, we are gradually rolling out a 1080p baseline and 4K Ultra HD support with key streaming partners. An added benefit is that viewers get less battery drain and better performance when streaming their favorite movies and shows.
• A tab preview is now displayed when hovering the mouse over background tabs, making it easier to locate the desired tab without needing to switch tabs.
• Wide Color Gamut WebGL is now available for Windows and macOS users! With this support, Firefox is bringing a richer, more vivid range of colors to the videos, games, and images on your screen. This implementation currently supports wider color (P3) profiles in 8-bit.
• WebRender hardware accelerated rendering is now enabled for most SVG filter primitives, improving performance for certain graphics-heavy content. Accelerated filters are feBlend, feColorMatrix, feComponentTransfer, feComposite, feDropShadow, feFlood, feGaussianBlur, feMerge and feOffset.
• Added support for macOS’ new screen and window sharing selection features on macOS 15 and later. Support for macOS 14 will be added in a future release.
• The macOS session resume feature has been enhanced. Firefox will now automatically relaunch if it was open before a system restart, like after an OS update.
• Firefox now blocks third-party cookie access when Enhanced Tracking Protection's Strict mode is enabled.

Fixed:

• Fixed an issue where Copy and Paste context menu items intermittently were not enabled when expected.

Changed:

• As a follow-up to our work to upgrade mixed content starting with Firefox 127, HTTP-favicons will now also be blocked if they can not be received over HTTPS instead
• The Copy Without Site Tracking option is now grayed out when no known tracking parameters are found within the link. Additionally, more tracking parameter support has been added for websites such as LinkedIn and Shopee. Please report tracking parameters that aren't removed by filing a bug in Bugzilla.

Update: To get the update now, select "Help" from the Firefox menu, then pick "About Firefox."  Mac users need to select "About Firefox" from the Firefox menu. If you do not use the English language version, Fully Localized Versions are available for download.

References

• Security Updates
• Release Notes
• Rapid Release Calendar

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

Adobe Acrobat/Reader Update

 

Adobe is releasing an update with new features and bug fixes for Acrobat and Reader. 

Update or Complete Download

Adobe Acrobat and Reader were updated to version 24.004.20220.  Updates should become available via the internal updater or checks can be manually activated by choosing Help/Check for Updates.  

Reader DC and other versions are available here: https://get.adobe.com/reader/

Note: UNcheck any pre-checked additional options presented with the update. They are not part of the software update and are completely optional.

Release Notes

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

October 2024 Windows 11 24H2 Non-Security Preview Update

 Microsoft released KB5044384 (OS Builds 22100.2161 for Windows 11 24H2.

Gradual rollout

These might not be available to all users because they will roll out gradually.​​​​​

• [Notifications] New! You can now stop the suggestions to turn off notifications from certain apps. Select the ellipses (…) in the notification and turn it off. You can also go to Settings > System > Notifications and turn it off from there. Look for “Notification Suggestions” in the senders list. An entry will only appear in the list after you receive a notification.

• [Wi-Fi password dialog] New! The dialog now has the Windows 11 visual design. Go to Settings > Network & internet.​​​​​​​

• [Narrator]

  
  

  • New! This update adds a new Narrator shortcut. Press the Narrator key + Ctrl + X to copy what Narrator last spoke to the clipboard. This shortcut is useful when you want to quickly copy some content, like codes or numbers for use.

  • New! It will now auto read the contents of an email message in the new Outlook. This is like the behavior in Outlook classic.

• [Gamepad keyboard] New! This update starts the roll out of a new Gamepad keyboard layout for the on-screen keyboard. With it, you can use your Xbox controller to move around the screen and type. Button accelerators are also available; these include the X button for backspace and the Y button for the spacebar. For better movement patterns, the keyboard keys are aligned vertically.

• [Start menu] New! “All apps” has the new name, “All.”​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

• [ALT + Tab] Fixed: The screen goes black on some PCs for a few seconds when you switch between certain windows.

• ​​​​​​​[Scanning apps] Fixed: They don't detect certain scanners although they are connected.

Normal rollout

• [Web sign-in] Fixed: You cannot sign in to your account from the web because the screen stops responding.

• [Copilot key settings] New! You can configure the Copilot key on the keyboard. On new devices, the key opens the Copilot app. If you sign in to your account using a Microsoft Entra ID, the key opens the M365 app. You can make the key open a different app or open Search. To do this, go to Settings > Personalization > Text input. To make the key open a different app, the app must be in a signed MSIX package. This ensures that the app meets security and privacy standards to keep you safe. If your PC’s keyboard does not have a Copilot key, changing this setting will do nothing.

• [WindowsDisk Cleanup app] Fixed: This update addresses some of the causes for the wrong free space estimates and improves its accuracy.

See the KB article for improvements included.

Update:  To get the update, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. The link to download and install the update can be found in the Optional updates available area.  To get the standalone package for this update, go to the Microsoft Update Catalog website.

References:

Windows 11 update history

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...