Microsoft rolled out the April 2023 non-security preview update for Windows 11 22H2, which contains a range of non-security fixes and improvements across firewall, widgets, Windows Update and more. These updates are currently available in the stable channel as an optional install and are expected to be officially released in March.
The preview update (KB5025305) for Windows 11 22H2 brings the version number up to 22621.1635, which, according to an announcement on Microsoft’s official support site, features the following new features:
- A new switch control has been added to the Settings > Windows Update page. When you turn it on, Windows will prioritise your device to get the latest non-security updates and enhancements when they apply to your device.
- Firewall settings have been changed. You can now configure application group rules.
- Added animated effects to the widget buttons on the taskbar. These animations will turn on when a new notification appears on the widget button on the taskbar and also when you hover or click on the widget button.
- Impacts the Islamic Republic of Iran. This update supports the government’s change order to introduce daylight saving time in 2022.
In addition to these new features, the update addresses a number of known issues, including affecting the Local Security Authority Subsystem Services (LSASS) process, affecting Microsoft Edge IE mode, affecting protected content, affecting Mobile Device Management (MDM) clients, affecting Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) policies, affecting Task View, affecting Chinese Input Method, PIN Sign-in for Windows Hello for Business, Administrator Account Lockout Policy, Unified Write Filter (UWF), Resilient File System (ReFS), MySQL Commands and SMB Direct.
Meanwhile, Microsoft has also rolled out a preview update (KB5025298) for Windows 11 21H2, bringing the version number up to 22000.1880, which also changes firewall settings and addresses some similar issues.
These updates have been previously tested in the Release Preview channel and are now available as an optional install in the Stable channel.
