Windows 11 21H2: Preview-Update KB5023774 (28.3.2023)

[GermanMicrosoft has released the optional cumulative (preview) update KB5023774 for Windows 11 version 21H2 on March 28, 2023. There are a number of new features and especially a long list of bug fixes. Below I give an overview regarding these updates for Windows 11.

It t should be noted that this update is a so-called preview update. This is optional and must be manually triggered for download and installation by default. It contains the fixes that will be rolled out in the security update for the following month. The list of updates for Windows 11 21H2 can be viewed on this Microsoft page. sich auf dieser Microsoft-Seite einsehen.

Preview Update KB5023774 for Windows 11 21H2

Preview update KB5023774 is available for Windows 11 version 21H2, which raises the OS build to 22000.1761 and provides a number of fixes for these Windows versions. Here are what are called highlights below, changes and fixes:

• New! This update improves the search box experience on the taskbar. As you type in the search box, search results now appear in the search flyout box. You can also change the search experience you want for your taskbar by going to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar. For commercial customers, this update adds a new policy for IT administrators to manage how the search box on the taskbar appears in your organization. For more information, see Customizing search on the Windows 11 taskbar.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the Notepad box in Settings. It fails to show all the available options.
• This update addresses an issue that affects Microsoft PowerPoint. It stops responding. This occurs when you use accessibility tools.
• This update addresses an issue that affects USB printers. The system classifies them as multimedia devices even though they are not.
• This update addresses an issue that affects Xbox subscribers. If you purchase an Xbox subscription using the "Redeem code" option, the Xbox subscription card does not appear on the Settings Accounts page. This occurs when recurring billing is off.

Microsoft states the following improvements and fixes that the update makes in the support article:

• This update addresses an issue that affects the command line. It fails when you set the system locale to Japanese and cmd.exe is configured in legacy mode.
• The update addresses an issue that affects the Remote Procedure Call Service (rpcss.exe). The issue might cause a race condition between the Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM) and the Microsoft Remote Procedure Call (RPC) endpoint mapper.
• This update affects the ms-appinstaller URI.It now works with the DesktopAppInstaller policy.
• This update addresses an issue that affects Microsoft PowerPoint. It stops working on Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD). This occurs when you use Visual Basic for Applications (VBA).
• This update addresses an issue that affects Windows Search. Windows Search fails inside of Windows container images.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the Microsoft HTML Application Host (HTA). This issue blocks code execution that uses Microsoft HTA. This occurs when you turn on Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) User Mode Code Integrity (UMCI) enforced mode.
• This update addresses an issue that affects Desired State Configuration. It loses its previously configured options. This occurs if metaconfig.mof is missing.
• This update addresses compatibility issues that affect some printers. These printers use Windows Graphical Device Interface (GDI) printer drivers. These drivers do not completely adhere to GDI specifications.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the Simple Certificate Enrollment Protocol (SCEP) certificate. The system reports some SCEP certificate installations as failed. Instead, the system should report them as pending.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the new Windows Runtime (WinRT) API. This issue stops an application from querying for location information using MBIM2.0+.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the Fast Identity Online 2.0 (FIDO2) PIN credential icon. It does not appear on the credentials screen of an external monitor. This occurs when that monitor is attached to a closed laptop.
• This update affects the "Set a default associations configuration file" Group Policy Object (GPO). You can now use it to create an extension to specific applications.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the SharedPC account manager. It cannot delete multiple accounts during cleanup.
• This update addresses an issue that might affect lsass.exe. It might stop responding. This occurs when it sends a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) query to a domain controller that has a very large LDAP filter.

These changes and fixes will be integrated in the security update for the following month. The preview update is optional and is only offered when the user explicitly selects optional updates for installation in the settings page. The update can also be downloaded and installed from the Microsoft Update Catalog. The latest Servicing Stack Update (SSU) is included to fix various issues. Further details, e.g. about the installation requirements, can be found in the support article in case of doubt. The possibly known problems are also listed there.

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