December 4, 2023—KB5032288 (OS Builds 22621.2792 and 22631.2792) Preview (2024)

Release Date:

12/4/2023

Version:

OS Builds 22621.2792 and 22631.2792

^11/16/23
IMPORTANT Because of minimal operations during the Western holidays and the upcomingnew year, there won’t be a non-security preview releasefor the month of December 2023. There will be a monthly security release for December 2023. Normal monthly servicing for both security and non-security preview releases will resume in January 2024.

^11/14/23
IMPORTANT After February 27, 2024, there will no longer be optional, non-security preview releasesfor Windows 11, version 22H2. Only cumulative monthly security updates will continue for the supported editions of Windows 11, version 22H2.

Forinformation about Windows update terminology, see the articleabout thetypes of Windows updatesand themonthly quality update types. For an overview of Windows 11, version 23H2, see its update history page.

NoteFollow@WindowsUpdateto find out when new content is published to the Windows release health dashboard.

Highlights

New! You can use Copilot in Windows (in preview) across multiple displays. Press the Copilot in Windows taskbar button on the taskbar of the display where you want Copilot in Windows to appear. To show Copilot in Windows on the last display that it was on, press Win+C. If you use a keyboard, press Win+T to put the keyboard focus on the taskbar. Then go to the Copilot in Windows button to open it on any display.This is available to a small audience initially and deploys more broadly in the months that follow.
New! You can use Copilot in Windows(in preview) with Alt+Tab. When you press Alt+Tab, the thumbnail preview for Copilot in Windows appears among other thumbnail previews of open windows. You can switch between them using the Tab keystroke.This is available to a small audience initially and deploys more broadly in the months that follow.
New! In the coming weeks, you might see Windows Spotlightset as the default background. This might occur when your background is set to an inbox Windows image.
New! This update starts the roll out of account-related notifications for Microsoft accounts inSettings>Home. A Microsoft account connects Windows to your Microsoft apps. The account backs up all your data and helps you to manage your subscriptions. You can also add extra security steps to keep you from being locked out of your account. This feature displays notifications across the Start menu and Settings. You can manage Settings notifications inSettings > Privacy & security > General.
This update improves how fast Copilot in Windows(in preview) opens from the taskbar.
This update addresses an issue that affects the Copilot in Windows(in preview) icon on the taskbar. It does not show as active when Copilot in Windows is open.
This update addresses an issue that causes IE mode to stop responding. This occurs if you press the left arrow key when an empty text box has the focus and caret (cursor) browsing is on.
This update addresses an issue that causes IE mode to stop responding. This occurs when you have multiple IE mode tabs open.
This update affects Dynamic Lighting. It reduces the amount of power it uses on your device.
This update addresses an issue that might affect the cursor when you write in Japanese. The cursor might move to an unexpected place.
This update addresses an issue that affects the cursor. Its movement lags in some screen capture scenarios.
This update addresses an issue that affects the Widgets notification badge. It is in the wrong position on the taskbar.
This update addresses an issue that affects File Explorer. When you press Shift + F10, the shortcut (context) menu does not open.
This update addresses an issue that affects File Explorer windows. When you do not expect them, they appear in the foreground.
This update addresses an issue that affects File Explorer. The options in the left pane show the wrong state.
This update addresses an issue that affects apps that you download from Microsoft Store. They stop responding and will not update.
This update affects the shortcut (context) menu. Its performance is now better when you open it on the desktop and in File Explorer.
This update addresses an issue that affects Narrator. It fails to open on the Setup screen when you install Windows.

Improvements

Note:To view the list of addressed issues, click or tap the OS name to expand the collapsible section.

Important:Use EKBKB5027397to update to Windows 11, version 23H2.

This security update includes quality improvements. Key changes include:
This build includes all the improvements inWindows 11, version 22H2.
No additional issues are documented for this release.

This non-security update includes quality improvements. When you install this KB:

This update addresses an issue that affects .RAR files. They display as if they are empty in File Explorer.
This update affects the Netherlands time zone. It adds the recent man-made landmass outside of Rotterdam to the shape files.
This update addresses an issue that affects the Trusted Sites Zone logon policy. You cannot manage it using mobile device management (MDM).
This update addresses an issue that affects IE mode. A webpage stops working as expected when there is an open modal dialog.
This update addresses app cursor issues. The cursor changes from a hand to a cursor when it should not, or the cursor disappears. These issues occur when apps use the WebView2Standalone XAML control.
This update addresses an issue that affects remote direct memory access (RDMA) performance counters. They did not return networking data on VMs in the right way.
This update addresses an issue that affects 32-bit GDI based applications. They stop responding. This occurs when they run on 64-bit Windows OSs that use more than 2 GB of memory.
This update addresses an issue that might affect Microsoft OneNote. When you use a pen right-click to open it, that might fail.
This update addresses an issue that affects the Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) decoder. It does not work well on some websites that set the wrong input sampling rate.
This update addresses an issue that affects hardware that uses the PresentAt feature. Power use grows when you play a video in full screen.
This update addresses an issue that affects the Systems Settings application. It stops responding after you turn off Device Encryption.
This update affects Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (MDE). It enables Conditional Access (CA) scenarios.
This update addresses an issue that stops you from reconnecting to an existing Remote Desktop session. Instead, you get a new one.
This update addresses an issue that affects Windows LAPS. Its PasswordExpirationProtectionEnabled policy fails to turn on the setting.
This update addresses a leak in volatile notifications. This might stop you from signing in to your machine.
This update addresses an issue that affects Windows Sandbox. If the locale of your machine is not US English, File Explorer stops responding..
This update addresses an issue that affects Remote Desktop web authentication. This issue might stop you from connecting to sovereign cloud endpoints.
This update addresses an issue that affects certain PCs. It stops them from downloading speech recognition packages.

If you installed earlier updates, only the new updates contained in this package will be downloaded and installed on your device.

Windows 11servicing stack update - 22621.2567 and 22631.2567

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.

Applies to	Symptom	Workaround
IT admins	Using the FixedDrivesEncryptionType or SystemDrivesEncryptionType policy settings in the BitLocker configuration service provider (CSP) node in mobile device management (MDM) apps might incorrectly show a 65000 error in the "Require Device Encryption" setting for some devices in your environment. Affected environments are those with the “Enforce drive encryption type on operating system drives” or "Enforce drive encryption on fixed drives" policies set to enabled and selecting either "full encryption" or "used space only". Microsoft Intune is affected by this issue but third-party MDMs might also pe affected. Important This issue is a reporting issue only and does not affect drive encryption or the reporting of other issues on the device, including other BitLocker issues.	To mitigate this issue in Microsoft Intune, you can set the “Enforce drive encryption type on operating system drives” or "Enforce drive encryption on fixed drives" policies to not configured. We are working on a resolution and will provide an update in an upcoming release.
All users	Windows devices using more than one (1) monitor might experience issues with desktop icons moving unexpectedly between monitors or other icon alignment issues when attempting to use Copilot in Windows (in preview).	To prevent users from encountering this issue, Copilot in Windows (in preview)might not be available on devices that have been used or are currently being used in a multimonitor configuration. We are working on a resolution and will provide an update in an upcoming release.
All users	The color font format for COLRv1 does not render properly. This format enables Windows to display emoji with a 3D-like appearance.	We are working on a resolution and will provide an update in an upcoming release.
All users	When using physical media or disc images (ISO) to install Windows 11, version 23H2 (also referred to as the Windows 11 2023 Update) on a device, Microsoft Narrator might not start. Narrator is commonly initialized using keyboard commands, such as Ctrl + Windows key + Enter. Although Narrator is present in Windows when the installation process begins, it might open in an unresponsive state when initialized using any method. Please note this issue does not occur when Windows 11, version 23H2 is installed using Windows Update on a device which is already running Windows 10 or Windows 11. This issue only occurs when physical media or ISOs are used for this installation and Narrator is only affected while the installation process is taking place. It should continue to work as expected once the installation is completed.	We are working on a resolution and updated media which can be used to install Windows 11, version 23H2 without this issue. We will provide an update in an upcoming release.

How to get this update

Before installing this update

Microsoft combines the latest servicing stack update (SSU) for your operating system with the latest cumulative update (LCU).For general information about SSUs,see Servicing stack updatesandServicing Stack Updates (SSU): Frequently Asked Questions.

Install this update

Release Channel	Available	Next Step
Windows Update or Microsoft Update	Yes	Go toSettings>Update & Security>Windows Update. In theOptional updates availablearea, you’ll find the link to download and install the update.
Windows Update for Business	No	None. These changes will be included in the next security update to this channel.
Microsoft Update Catalog	Yes	To get the standalone package for this update, go to theMicrosoft Update Catalogwebsite.
Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)	No	You can import this updateinto WSUS manually. See theMicrosoft Update Catalogfor instructions.

If you want to remove the LCU

To remove the LCU after installing the combined SSU and LCU package, use the DISM/Remove-Package command line option with the LCU package name as the argument. You can find the package nameby using this command: DISM /online /get-packages.

Running Windows Update Standalone Installer (wusa.exe) with the /uninstall switch on the combined package will not work because the combined package contains the SSU. You cannot remove the SSU from the system after installation.

File information

For a list of the files that are provided in this update, download thefile information for cumulative update 5032288.

For a list of the files that are provided in the servicing stack update, download thefile information for the SSU - versions 22621.2567 and 22631.2567.

As an expert with in-depth knowledge of Windows operating systems and updates, I'd like to break down the information provided in the article about the Windows 11 updates, version 23H2, released on December 4, 2023, with OS Builds 22621.2792 and 22631.2792.

Release Information:

Release Date: December 4, 2023
Versions: OS Builds 22621.2792 and 22631.2792
Announcement about minimal operations during Western holidays and new year, leading to no non-security preview release for December 2023. Monthly security releases will continue, and normal monthly servicing resumes in January 2024.
After February 27, 2024, no optional, non-security preview releases for Windows 11, version 22H2. Only cumulative monthly security updates will be provided.

Highlights of the Update:

Copilot in Windows (in preview) Enhancements:
- Copilot can now be used across multiple displays.
- New shortcuts, such as Alt+Tab, for quick access to Copilot in Windows.
- Improved speed of Copilot in Windows opening from the taskbar.
- Addressed issues related to Copilot icon visibility on the taskbar.
Windows Spotlight:
- Windows Spotlight may set as the default background in the coming weeks when the background is set to an inbox Windows image.
Account-Related Notifications:
- Rollout of account-related notifications for Microsoft accounts in Settings > Home.
Various Updates and Fixes:
- Fixes for issues related to IE mode, Dynamic Lighting, cursor behavior, Widgets notification badge, File Explorer, apps from Microsoft Store, shortcut menu, Narrator, etc.

Improvements:

The update includes all improvements from Windows 11, version 22H2.
Quality improvements and key changes are highlighted.

Non-Security Update:

Addresses specific issues like .RAR file display, Netherlands time zone update, Trusted Sites Zone logon policy, IE mode, app cursor issues, RDMA performance counters, GDI-based applications, AAC decoder, hardware with PresentAt feature, Systems Settings application, Windows LAPS, volatile notifications leak, Windows Sandbox, Remote Desktop web authentication, and more.

Servicing Stack Update (SSU):

Updates to the servicing stack for robust and reliable installation of Microsoft updates.

Known Issues:

Reporting issue for IT admins using BitLocker configuration service provider (CSP) in mobile device management (MDM) apps.
Copilot in Windows (in preview) may cause issues with desktop icons on devices with more than one monitor.
Issues with the rendering of the COLRv1 color font format.
Microsoft Narrator may not start during the installation of Windows 11, version 23H2 using physical media or disc images.

How to Get the Update:

Available through Windows Update, Microsoft Update Catalog, and WSUS.
Instructions provided for removing the LCU if necessary.

File Information:

Links to download file information for cumulative update and servicing stack update.

As of my last knowledge update in January 2022, this information is based on general Windows update processes and terminology. Always refer to the latest official Microsoft documentation for the most accurate and up-to-date information.