May 2023 Windows 11 Version 22H2 Non-Security Optional Preview "C" Release

 Microsoft released the monthly “C” release preview cumulative updates with non-security improvements and fixes for Windows 11, Version 22H2.  

The update includes some of the enhancements announced at MS Build for Home or Pro consumer devices or non-managed business devices that run Windows 11, version 22H2, described in Announcing new Windows 11 innovation, with features for secure, efficient IT management and intuitive user experience.

Following are the highlights for KB5026446 (OS Build 22621.1778):

• New! This update provides the full amount of storage capacity of all your Microsoft OneDrive subscriptions. It also displays the total storage on the Accounts page in the Settings app.

• New! This update adds Bluetooth LE Audio. This improves audio fidelity and battery life when you pair your device with Bluetooth audio devices. 

• This update addresses an issue that affects Narrator. It now announces text attributes correctly for words, such as "misspelled," "deletion change," and "comment."

• This update addresses an issue that affects access to Tab settings for IE mode sites.

• This update addresses a multi-function label printer issue. It affects the installation of some of them.

• This update addresses an issue that affects audio playback. It fails on devices that have certain processors.

• This update addresses an issue that affects the touch keyboard. It shows the wrong layout for the French-Canadian language.

• This update addresses an issue that affects the touch keyboard. Sometimes, it does not show the correct layout based on the current input scope.

• This update addresses an issue that affects the Chinese and Japanese Input Method Editor (IME). When you search within the Emoji Panel (Windows key + period (.) ), search might fail for some of you.

See the referenced KB article for the long list of improvements and fixes included in the update.

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 area.  To get the standalone package for this update, go to the Microsoft Update Catalog website.

For information about the types of updates released by Microsoft each month, see Windows monthly updates explained.

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...

May 2023 Windows 11 Version 21H2 Non-Security Optional Preview "C" Release

 Microsoft released the monthly “C” release preview cumulative updates with non-security improvements and fixes for Windows 11, Version 21H2. 

Following are the highlights for KB5026436 (OS Build 22000.2003) for Windows 11 version 22H1: 

• This update addresses an issue that affects Narrator. It now announces text attributes correctly for words, such as "misspelled," "deletion change," and "comment."

• This update addresses an issue that affects access to Tab settings for IE mode sites.

• This update addresses an issue that affects certain printers. They fail to install if they connect to Wi-Fi automatically.

• This update addresses a multi-function label printer issue. It affects the installation of some of them.

• This update addresses an issue that affects audio playback. It fails on devices that have certain processors.

• This update improves the user experience (UX) and interactions for the search box on the taskbar.

See the referenced KB article for the list of improvements and fixes included in the update.

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 area.  To get the standalone package for this update, go to the Microsoft Update Catalog website.

For information about the types of updates released by Microsoft each month, see Windows monthly updates explained.

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...

May 2023 Windows 10 Non-Security Optional Preview "C" Release

 Microsoft released KB5026435 for Windows 10 version 22H2 optional non-security release preview (Windows monthly updates explained).

Reminder: There are no more optional, non-security preview releases for the supported editions of Windows 10, version 20H2 and Windows 10, version 21H2. Only monthly security update releases will continue for these versions.  Windows 10, version 22H2 will continue to receive security and optional releases on the fourth Tuesday of the month.

The following are the highlighted changes included in the update:

• New! This update brings back an improved search box experience on the Windows 10 taskbar. If you have a top, bottom, regular, or small icons taskbar, you will see the search box appear. You can use it to easily access apps, files, settings, and more from Windows and the web. You will also have access to the latest search updates, such as search highlights. If you want to restore your previous search experience, you can do that easily. To do that, use the taskbar context menu or respond to a dialog that appears when you use search.

• New! This update now displays up to three high priority toast notifications at the same time. This feature affects apps that use Windows OS notifications to send notices for calls, reminders, or alarms. Up to four toast notifications might appear at the same time. This means that there can be three high priority notifications and one normal priority notification.

• This update addresses an issue that affects access to Tab settings for IE mode sites.

• This update addresses a multi-function label printer issue. It affects the installation of some of them.

• This update addresses an issue that affects the touch keyboard. Sometimes, it does not show the correct layout based on the current input scope.

• This update addresses an issue that sometimes fails to open the touch keyboard.

See the referenced KB Article for prerequisites and the additional improvements and fixes 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.

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...