Microsoft has unveiled its September 2024 non-security preview update for Windows 10, version 22H2, introducing a series of enhancements aimed at refining user experience. This optional cumulative update, designated as KB5043131, serves as a maintenance release, enabling Windows administrators to trial fixes and improvements ahead of the mandatory October 2024 Patch Tuesday update cycle.
Among the notable fixes included in KB5043131 are solutions for issues that have plagued users, such as the Microsoft Edge browser freezing when operating in Internet Explorer mode and synchronization failures with Work Folders when Defender for Endpoint is active. Additionally, the update addresses a bug that interrupts media playback when utilizing certain surround sound technologies.
To install this update, users can navigate to the Settings app, select
Upon installation, this preview release will elevate Windows 10 22H2 systems to build 19045.4957, bringing with it a variety of new features and improvements:
Start Menu Enhancements
- The profile picture has been repositioned within the Start menu, which now features a refreshed background color in the left pane, enhancing visibility of the items. This change is expected to roll out gradually, meaning not all users will see it immediately.
Microsoft Entra Single Sign-On (SSO)
- Users may find the SSO notice, mandated by the European Digital Markets Act (DMA), to be overly frequent during certificate authentication.
Country and Operator Settings Asset (COSA)
- Updates to COSA profiles have been implemented for specific mobile operators.
File Explorer and Taskbar Improvements
- Resolved an issue where the Windows server would become unresponsive while using applications like File Explorer and the taskbar.
Windows Update Opt-In Notifications
- These notifications are now visible upon user sign-in.
Directory Enumeration Fixes
- A fix has been applied for failures that occurred when a directory contained symbolic links with lengthy target names.
For users operating on Windows 10 versions 2004, 20H2, 21H1, or 21H2, upgrading to version 22H2 is facilitated through the KB5015684 enablement package. This package activates dormant features in Windows 10 22H2, as all these versions share a common core operating system with identical system files.
However, Microsoft has acknowledged a known issue with the September 2024 KB5043131 preview update, which currently prevents users from changing their account profile pictures.
In a notable development, Microsoft reopened the Windows 10 beta channel in early June, marking the introduction of the first Windows 10 Beta build since 2021. This revival comes three years after the last build was made available to Insiders in the Beta and Release Preview channels. Following this, August saw the release of the second Windows 10 22H2 beta build, which included fixes for the Unified Write Filter (UWF) and the Bind Filter Driver.
