- Microsoft is rolling out a preview for the next update of Windows 11 22H2 (build 22621.1635).
- The update is available in the Stable Channel as KB5025305.
- This non-security update ships with fixes and changes for the Firewall, Widgets, and Windows Update.
- Windows 11 21H2 also receives the update KB5025298 (build 22000.1880).
- These releases were previously available as build 22621.1631 and 22000.1879 in the Release Preview Channel.
UPDATED 4/25/2023: Microsoft begins testing the fixes and new improvements arriving with the next Patch Tuesday update for Windows 11 22H2. The update is available as the KB5025305 in the Stable Channel as an optional install and ships with a slew of non-security fixes and improvements.
The update KB5025305 bumps the version number to build 22621.1635, and according to the announcement on the official support website (Release Preview Channel details), it introduces changes to the firewall settings and adds new animation for the Widgets button in the Taskbar. Also, this release ships with fixes for IE Mode on Microsoft Edge, Task View, and Resilient File System (ReFS) and adds a new option to prioritize non-security update downloads.
In addition, the company is also rolling out Windows 11 build 22000.1879 as the update KB5025298 in the Release Preview Channel for version 21H2 with changes to the firewall settings and resolves various problems regarding IE Mode on Microsoft Edge, Windows Remote Management (WinRM), Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC), authentication using the Remote Desktop Services, Resilient File System (ReFS), and more.
Windows 11 22H2 update KB5025305
These are all the new features rolling out with the March 2023 update (KB5025305) for Windows 11 22H2:
- This update adds a new toggle control on the Settings > Windows Update page. When you turn it on, Windows will prioritize your device to get the latest non-security updates and enhancements when they are available for your device.
- Changes firewall settings. You can now configure application group rules.
- Adds animations to a few icons on the Widgets taskbar button. These animations turn on when a new announcement appears on the Widgets taskbar button, and you hover over or click the Widgets taskbar button.
- This update affects the Islamic Republic of Iran. The update supports the government’s daylight-saving time change order from 2022.
- Addresses an issue that affects the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS) process. It might stop responding. Because of this, the machine restarts. The error is 0xc0000005 (STATUS_ACCESS_VIOLATION).
- Addresses an issue that affects Microsoft Edge IE mode. The Tab Window Manager stops responding.
- Addresses an issue that affects Microsoft Edge IE mode. Pop-up windows open in the background instead of in the foreground.
- Addresses an issue that affects protected content. When you minimize a window that has protected content, the content displays when it should not. This occurs when you are using Taskbar Thumbnail Live Preview.
- Addresses an issue that affects mobile device management (MDM) customers. The issue stops you from printing. This occurs because of an exception.
- This update changes the app icons for certain mobile providers.
- Addresses an issue that affects signed Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) policies. They are not applied to the Secure Kernel. This occurs when you enable Secure Boot.
- Addresses an issue that displays Task View in the wrong area. This occurs when you close a full screen game by pressing Win+Tab.
- Addresses an issue that affects the Chinese input method. You cannot see all of the first suggested item.
- Addresses an issue that occurs when you use a PIN to sign in to Windows Hello for Business. Signing in to Remote Desktop Services might fail. The error message is, “The request is not supported”.
- Addresses an issue that affects Administrator Account Lockout policies. GPResult and Resultant Set of Policy did not report them.
- Addresses an issue that affects the Unified Write Filter (UWF). When you turn it off by using a call to Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI), your device might stop responding.
- Addresses an issue that affects the Resilient File System (ReFS). A stop error occurs that stops the OS from starting up correctly.
- Addresses an issue that affects MySQL commands. The commands fail on Windows Xenon containers.
- Addresses an issue that affects SMB Direct. Endpoints might not be available on systems that use multi-byte character sets.
Windows 11 21H2 update KB5025298
According to the official announcement, Windows 11 build 22000.1880 introduces these fixes:
- Changes firewall settings. You can now configure application group rules.
- Affects the Islamic Republic of Iran. The update supports the government’s daylight-saving time change order from 2022.
- Addresses an issue that affects the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS) process. It might stop responding. Because of this, the machine restarts. The error is 0xc0000005 (STATUS_ACCESS_VIOLATION).
- Addresses an issue that affects Microsoft Edge IE mode. Pop-up windows open in the background instead of in the foreground.
- Addresses an issue that affects Edge IE mode. The Tab Window Manager stops responding.
- Addresses an issue that affects the Windows Remote Management (WinRM) client. The client returns an HTTP server error status (500). This error occurs when it runs a transfer job in the Storage Migration Service.
- Addresses a rare issue that might cause an input destination to be null. This issue might occur when you attempt to convert a physical point to a logical point during hit testing. Because of this, the computer raises a stop error.
- Addresses an issue that affects protected content. When you minimize a window that has protected content, the content displays when it should not. This occurs when you are using Taskbar Thumbnail Live Preview.
- Addresses an issue that affects provisioning packages. They fail to apply in certain circumstances when elevation is required.
- Addresses an issue that affects mobile device management (MDM) customers. The issue stops you from printing. This occurs because of an exception.
- This update changes the app icons for certain mobile providers.
- Addresses an issue that affects signed Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) policies. They are not applied to the Secure Kernel. This occurs when you enable Secure Boot.
- Addresses an issue that affects the Windows Defender Application Control. The policy that blocks software using a hash rule might not stop the software from running.
- This update affects Xbox Elite users who have the Xbox Adaptive Controller. This update applies your controller remapping preferences on the desktop.
- Addresses an issue that occurs when you use a PIN to sign in to Windows Hello for Business. Signing in to Remote Desktop Services might fail. The error message is, “The request is not supported”.
- This update makes improvements to the performance of the search box.
- Addresses an issue that affects Administrator Account Lockout policies. GPResult and Resultant Set of Policy did not report them.
- Addresses an issue that affects Active Directory Users & Computers. It stops responding. This occurs when you use TaskPad view to enable or disable many objects at the same time.
- Addresses an issue that affects the Unified Write Filter (UWF). When you turn it off by using a call to Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI), your device might stop responding.
- Addresses an issue that affects the Resilient File System (ReFS). A stop error prevents the OS from starting up correctly.
- Addresses an issue that affects MySQL commands. The commands fail on Windows Xenon containers.
- Addresses an issue that affects SMB Direct. Endpoints might not be available on systems that use multi-byte character sets.
The new features are now available for devices enrolled in the Release Preview Channel. However, the update is expected to roll out to everyone sometime in March. If you are still in the original version of Windows 11, you can use these instructions to upgrade to version 22H2.
Update April 25, 2023: This article was originally published on April 13, and it has now been updated to reflect that the updates are now available in the Stable Channel as an optional install.