Microsoft releases Preview Updates for Windows 11 22H2, 23H2, and Windows 10 22H2

Microsoft has released the latest non-security preview updates for Windows 11 22H2 and 23H2. The build numbers for these updates are 22621.3672 and 22631.3672, under KB5037853.

Here’s what’s new

• *New! This update adds a feature that stops you from accidentally closing the Windows share window. Clicking outside of the window will no longer close it. To close it, select the close button at the upper-right corner.
• *New! You can now use your mouse to drag files between breadcrumbs in the File Explorer address bar. A breadcrumb shows the path to your current file location in the address bar. For example, there are three breadcrumbs in the path This PC > Windows (C:) > Program Files.
• *New! This update adds a page to Settings > Accounts called Linked devices. On it, you can manage your PCs and Xbox consoles. This page only shows on Home and Pro editions when you sign in to Windows using your Microsoft account (MSA).
• *New! This update starts the rollout of the new account manager on the Start menu. When you use a Microsoft account to sign in to Windows, you will get a glance at your account benefits. This feature also makes it easy to manage your account settings.
• *New! You can now create quick response (QR) codes for webpage URLs and cloud files from the Windows share window. Select the share button in the Microsoft Edge toolbar and choose “Windows share options.” Then, you can share the URLs and files across your devices.
• *New! Windows will now back up many of your sound settings (this includes your sound scheme). This only occurs if you turn on Remember my preferences and select the checkboxes for Personalization and Other Windows settings. To find these, go to Settings > Accounts > Windows backup. Then, you can use the Windows Backup app to restore those settings on a new device.
• *New Starting with this update, you can sign in to your Microsoft account in the Windows Backup app. This app saves backups to your account.
• *New! You can now send email to yourself from the Windows share window. You will receive the email at the email address that is in your Microsoft account.
• *New! This update starts the rollout of a the “Add now” button to Settings > Account. When you select it, you can add a recovery email address if you have not added one for your Microsoft account yet. The button only shows if you sign in to your Microsoft account.

You can read about other changes here.

Not just this, Microsoft has also released the non-security preview version for Windows 10 22H2. The build number is 19045.4474, under KB5037849. This update does not include any new features but it does address a list of issues and includes a number of known issues that have been fixed.

Here are some improvements:

• This update addresses an issue that affects a Microsoft Entra ID account. Devices cannot authenticate a second one. This occurs after you install the Windows update, dated November 13, 2023.
• This update addresses an issue that affects a server after you remove it from a domain. The Get-LocalGroupMember cmdlet returns an exception. This occurs if the local groups contain domain members.
• This update addresses an issue that affects a Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) app. It stops responding.
• This update addresses an issue that affects an IPP-over-USB printer. After you delete it, it still appears as not available in Control Panel.
• This update addresses an issue that affects TWAIN drivers. They might stop responding when you use them in a virtual environment.
• This update brings Country and Operator Settings Asset (COSA) profiles up to date for certain mobile operators.
• This update addresses an issue that affects Unified Write Filter (UWF) Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) API calls. Calls to shut down or restart the system throw an access denied exception.
• If you installed earlier updates, only the new updates contained in this package will be downloaded and installed on your device.

You can read about other changes here.